An early season snowstorm brought heavy snow and gusty winds to parts of western Montana.

Winter Storm in BUTTE / BLACKFOOT REGION, MONTANA
From 29-SEP-19 00:00:00 to 30-SEP-19 06:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Periodic snow and gusty winds brought considerable travel impacts due to slick, snow-covered roadways and reduced visibility. Traffic accidents were common on Interstate 90, especially west of Butte on Sunday morning with chains required on Homestake Pass for a time. Snow accumulations of 4 to 10 inches were common which also limited backcountry travel.

Winter Weather in MISSOULA / BITTERROOT VALLEYS, MONTANA
From 29-SEP-19 03:00:00 to 29-SEP-19 17:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Social Media

Light snowfall of 1 to 2 inches fell in the Missoula and Bitterroot valleys with up to 6 inches on the south side of Hamilton. While impacts were limited, this was an unusually early snowfall for valley locations.

Winter Storm in BITTERROOT / SAPPHIRE MOUNTAINS, MONTANA
From 28-SEP-19 15:00:00 to 29-SEP-19 18:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

General snow amounts of 4 to 8 inches fell, locally up to 12 inches. Also, wind gusts to 35 mph occurred. Difficult travel was experienced by backcountry users with periodic slippery, snow-covered, primary roads such as US-93 at Lost Trail Pass and US-12 at Lolo Pass.

Winter Storm in LOWER CLARK FORK REGION, MONTANA
From 28-SEP-19 22:00:00 to 29-SEP-19 17:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Snow amounts of 1 to 3 inches fell in the valleys with 5 to 10 inches in the higher elevations. Also, wind gusts to 40 mph were reported in Thompson Falls and on some of the higher terrain. Difficult travel was experienced by backcountry users with periodic slippery, snow-covered, primary roads such as Interstate 90 at Lookout Pass.

Winter Storm in POTOMAC / SEELEY LAKE REGION, MONTANA
From 29-SEP-19 05:00:00 to 29-SEP-19 19:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: SNOTEL

Snow accumulations ranged from 6 to 10 inches leading to difficult backcountry travel and occasional slick, snow-packed, primary roadways. Strong winds brought down numerous trees on local trails used by outfitters especially around Upper Holland Lake which significantly slowed packing operations.

Winter Storm in WEST GLACIER REGION, MONTANA
From 27-SEP-19 22:00:00 to 30-SEP-19 05:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Heavy snowfall was focused near the Continental Divide with 2 to 3 feet common.  Social media videos from near Marias Pass indicated up to 4 feet of snow fell along with drifting snow as winds gusted to 40 mph.  Further west in the Whitefish Range, general snowfall was 4 to 8 inches with wind gust to 50 mph at Big Mountain. Periods of hazardous travel were common on Highway 2, especially near Marias Pass due to the combination of snow, wind, and low visibility.

Winter Storm in KOOTENAI/CABINET REGION, MONTANA
From 28-SEP-19 09:00:00 to 29-SEP-19 17:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: SNOTEL

Snow amounts of 2 to 4 inches fell in the valleys with 5 to 10 inches in the higher elevations, local amounts to 20 inches were observed at the Hawkins Lake SNOTEL. Also, wind gusts to 35 mph were reported in the higher terrain, locally over 50 mph at the western base of the Whitefish Range. Backcountry users experienced difficult travel.