Satellite imagery reveals a long plume of moisture streaming over a broad eastern Pacific ridge, heading toward the northern Rockies. This moisture passes over the region. A strong northwesterly flow, results in a prolonged period of heavy mountain snowfall for the Central and Southwest Mountains. Mountain snowfall occurs over the Big Belts, Bridger and Madison ranges; this expands in coverage and intensity overnight. One to three feet of new snow expected. There are some nuances to address for lower elevation impacts. As the upper level jet noses over the Northern Rockies, there will be some warming as the ridge drifts further east. Short term model
guidance supports a period of more widespread snow developing in association with this warm front. Thus, expect a trace to a few inches of snow accumulation for the southwest valleys. With rising snow levels and a break in precipitation Thursday afternoon, melting occurs on these interstate corridors. Thus, snowfall totals are below warning criteria, but note that icing could occur Thursday night with additional new snowfall enhancing the icing hazard. NBM temperatures appear to be biased a few degrees too warm for the southwest valleys, so blended towards the lower side of guidance. Following this possible break in snowfall rates, the next embedded shortwave moves through Thursday night into early Friday. This produces a period of moderate to heavy snowfall. Snow expands into portion of North-central Montana as a cold front trails behind this wave.

Heavy Snow in GALLATIN, MONTANA
From 06-FEB-20 05:30:00 to 07-FEB-20 05:30:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Reported 24 inches last 24 hours. 3 inches new overnight. ski resort web report. 12 nne Bozeman.

Heavy Snow in GALLATIN, MONTANA
From 07-FEB-20 08:00:00 to 07-FEB-20 08:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Co-op observer station bgsm8, Big Sky 2 wnw. 48-hour snow total.

Heavy Snow in MADISON, MONTANA
From 06-FEB-20 05:00:00 to 07-FEB-20 05:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Reported 5 inches last 12 hours. 11 inches last 24 hours. 21 inches last 48 hours. Ski resort web report. 5 wnw Big Sky.

Heavy Snow in BEAVERHEAD, MONTANA
From 06-FEB-20 06:53:00 to 07-FEB-20 06:53:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Reported 11 inches last 24 hrs. 1 inch new overnight. 12 storm total. ski area web report. 7 sse Neihart.

Winter Weather in BEAVERHEAD, MONTANA
From 06-FEB-20 07:00:00 to 07-FEB-20 07:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

Cocorahs station mt-bv-18 3 nne Polaris cocorahs. The duration of the snow event was 24 hours.

Winter Weather in GALLATIN, MONTANA
From 09-FEB-20 07:00:00 to 10-FEB-20 07:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Reported 24-hour snow report from Bridger Bowl ski area. 12 ne Bozeman.

Heavy Snow in GALLATIN, MONTANA
From 05-FEB-20 08:20:00 to 06-FEB-20 08:20:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Reported 26 inches new snow last 24 hours. 14 inches new overnight. ski area web report. 12 nne Bozeman.

Heavy Snow in GALLATIN, MONTANA
From 06-FEB-20 08:00:00 to 06-FEB-20 08:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Co-op observer station 11 inches bgsm8 Big Sky 2 wnw.

Heavy Snow in MADISON, MONTANA
From 06-FEB-20 08:17:00 to 06-FEB-20 08:17:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Reported 10 inches new snow overnight 6 w Big Sky.

Heavy Snow in GALLATIN, MONTANA
From 05-FEB-20 23:00:00 to 06-FEB-20 11:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Measured 6.7 inches of new snow in the past 12 hours at the Bozeman Airport. 1 NE Belgrade.

Winter Weather in BROADWATER, MONTANA
From 06-FEB-20 17:00:00 to 06-FEB-20 17:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Co-op observer station towm8, townsend coop. two-day total.

Winter Weather in MADISON, MONTANA
From 06-FEB-20 05:00:00 to 06-FEB-20 05:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Measured 8 inches of new snow fell overnight near Big Sky. currently still snowing, 3/4 mile visibility, and calm winds.

Winter Weather in MEAGHER, MONTANA
From 06-FEB-20 08:06:00 to 06-FEB-20 08:06:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Reported 7 inches new snow at ski resort. web report. 7 sse Neihart.

Winter Weather in JUDITH BASIN, MONTANA
From 06-FEB-20 07:30:00 to 06-FEB-20 07:30:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Measured 4 inches new snow overnight. Hobson.