An arctic intrusion coincided with a moist Pacific wave associated with an atmospheric river, and brought high impacts including heavy snow to both valleys and mountains, hazardous travel, avalanches, tree damage, road closures, power outages and icy roads from freezing rain.

Winter Storm in KOOTENAI/CABINET REGION, MONTANA
From 06-JAN-22 02:00:00 to 07-JAN-22 22:45:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Freezing rain led to severe driving conditions and school closures from Troy to Libby to Marion on US-2. Periods of moderate to heavy snowfall occurred with amounts ranging from 9 inches in Marion, 10 inches Bull Lake, over a foot of snow between Troy and Libby and a whopping 18.5 inches at Troy. Gusty winds between Dickey Lake and Fortine caused drifting snow on US-93. One spotter located in higher terrain above and south of Rexford reported a total snowfall amount of 24 inches.

Winter Weather in WEST GLACIER REGION, MONTANA
From 06-JAN-22 04:00:00 to 08-JAN-22 03:30:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Moderate amounts of snow fell within two days and brought 8 to 12 inches of snow from West Glacier to Marias Pass. Montana Department of Transportation hoisted severe driving conditions on US-2 from 5 miles west of Marias Pass to Browning due to blowing and drifting snow from strong southwest winds gusting to 36 mph on the morning of the 7th.

Winter Weather in FLATHEAD/MISSION VALLEYS, MONTANA
From 06-JAN-22 04:00:00 to 07-JAN-22 12:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

An arctic weather system brought 4 to 8 inches of snow from the Flathead Valley to Polson and 2 to 4 inches of snow in the Mission Valley. This resulted in snow-covered roads and slick travel.

Winter Storm in LOWER CLARK FORK REGION, MONTANA
From 06-JAN-22 03:30:00 to 08-JAN-22 07:11:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Periods of moderate to heavy snow fell early on the 6th which resulted in multiple school closures from St. Regis to Alberton. Heavy snow kept falling in the mountains but changed to freezing rain in the valleys by daybreak on the 7th. Severe driving conditions were reported on Highway 200. Power outages were reported between Thompson Falls and Trout Creek. Snow amounts ranged from 6 to 12 inches in the valleys, 12 inches Haugan, 16 inches Heron and over 2 feet in the mountains.

Avalanche in LOWER CLARK FORK REGION, MONTANA
From 07-JAN-22 12:00:00 to 08-JAN-22 11:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Multiple avalanches occurred on Interstate 90 with full blockage of the driving lane on the westbound side from mile-markers 7.5 to 10, situated west of Saltese. Estimating from the MDT photo, the largest slide was 5 feet tall and between 100 to 300 feet wide. The westbound lanes were closed the following night due to further avalanche risk.

Winter Storm in MISSOULA / BITTERROOT VALLEYS, MONTANA
From 06-JAN-22 02:53:00 to 07-JAN-22 11:44:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Social Media

Moderate to heavy snow, amounting between 5 and 10 inches fell initially before changing to freezing rain. Roads became very icy which resulted in multiple vehicle crashes, school closures and delays.

Winter Storm in BITTERROOT / SAPPHIRE MOUNTAINS, MONTANA
From 06-JAN-22 04:00:00 to 08-JAN-22 08:50:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Over 2 feet of heavy, wet snow fell at both Lolo Pass, and south of Conner to Lost Trail Pass, and caused hazardous road conditions. Heavy snowfall increased the avalanche risk which resulted in the closure of US-12 west of Lolo Pass for a total of 3 days. Severe driving conditions were reported on US-12 between Lolo and Lolo Pass for 3 hours on the morning of the 8th.

Winter Storm in POTOMAC / SEELEY LAKE REGION, MONTANA
From 06-JAN-22 04:00:00 to 07-JAN-22 17:30:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Social Media

In the first part of the storm, 9 to 15 inches of heavy snow fell, and disrupted travel. The snow changed to freezing rain by the 7th which created icy, and severe driving conditions. Facebook reports mentioned that a multi-vehicle pile-up stopped traffic near Clinton on Interstate 90 during the morning of the 7th.

Avalanche in POTOMAC / SEELEY LAKE REGION, MONTANA
From 07-JAN-22 15:00:00 to 07-JAN-22 17:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Highway 200 was blocked by an avalanche just east of Bonner at mile marker 3. The dimensions were approximately 100 feet wide by 5 feet high.

Winter Storm in BUTTE / BLACKFOOT REGION, MONTANA
From 05-JAN-22 07:20:00 to 07-JAN-22 13:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Periods of moderate to heavy snow fell, ranging from near 8 inches at both Philipsburg and Butte, to 14 inches at both 7 miles west of Anaconda, and in Ovando. Severe driving conditions were hoisted near daybreak on the 5th between Anaconda and Warm Springs. Interstate 90 was closed for a period between Butte and Whitehall on the morning of the 6th due to several tractor trailers that had slid off the road. Road conditions were very slick between Garrison and MacDonald Pass where a plow slid off the roadway during the storm.