After the heavy snow event which left several feet of snow across portions of northwest Montana, emergency managers reported numerous roofs were exceeding load capacity and were in danger of collapse, especially in Libby, MT. Heavy, wet snow Wednesday evening and overnight transitioned to freezing rain on Feb. 9. Heavy snow and rain added weight to roofs that were already stressed. Snow along Highway 2 from Essex to Marias Pass lead to road closures due to avalanche danger.

Winter Storm in WEST GLACIER REGION, MONTANA
From 09-FEB-17 09:00:00 to 09-FEB-17 20:00:00 (MST-7)
Reported by: Department of Highways

US Hwy 2 from Essex to East Glacier, MT was closed during this event due to the threat of avalanches with 6 inches of new snow on top of the 30 to 50 inches of snow earlier in the week. An avalanche did occur between Essex and Devils Creek spilling over US-2 in the morning. The Montana Dep. of Transportation listed US-2 with Severe driving conditions during the day.

Winter Storm in FLATHEAD/MISSION VALLEYS, MONTANA
From 09-FEB-17 02:00:00 to 09-FEB-17 13:00:00 (MST-7)
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Many reports of freezing rain came in during the morning hours of Feb. 9. A trained spotter in Bigfork, MT sent images of 0.13 of ice accretion on his vehicle. Another spotter in Columbia Falls, MT sent an image of completely glazed roads. Airport crews were unable to clear runways at Glacier Park International and the airport was temporary closed until late morning. The Montana Department of Transportation issued Severe Driving Conditions for portions of the Flathead and Mission Valley for 5 hours during the morning of Feb. 9. Highway patrol reported at least 15 slide-off accidents during this time-frame.

Winter Storm in MISSOULA / BITTERROOT VALLEYS, MONTANA
From 09-FEB-17 04:00:00 to 09-FEB-17 09:00:00 (MST-7)
Reported by: Department of Highways

Freezing rain lead to Severe Driving Conditions being issued for the Missoula and Bitterroot Valley during the morning hours. School buses were delayed by 2 hours.

Avalanche in WEST GLACIER REGION, MONTANA
From 09-FEB-17 09:00:00 to 09-FEB-17 20:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

A 200 foot wide avalanche occurred between Essex and Devils Creek spilling over US-2 to a depth of 8 inches. This caused the Montana Dep. of Transportation to close to the road because of the avalanche danger.

Winter Storm in KOOTENAI/CABINET REGION, MONTANA
From 08-FEB-17 21:00:00 to 09-FEB-17 20:00:00 (MST-7)
Reported by: Local Official

Freezing rain prompted a local official in Eureka, MT to encourage all to stay at home during the evening of Feb. 8 unless there was an emergency. Public reports mentioned several cars in ditches along US-93 south of Eureka, MT. Fortine and Eureka schools were open on a 2 hour delay on Feb. 9. with no bus service. Plow crews reported being unable to keep up with sanding area highways given the large areal coverage of freezing rain. Trained spotters reported 8 inches of new snow in Bull Lake, MT, while other spotters reported 5 to 6 inches of snow in Libby, MT. Power went out in Bull Lake for 6 hours during the early morning hours of Feb. 9. The Bull Lake Fire Chief's basement was flooded with 6 of water due to the fact that the snow-pack was so deep and the falling rain had no where to go.