Arctic air dropped south from Canada the week before Christmas bringing widespread frigid wind chills to the region. The arctic front reported in strong wind gusts and blizzard conditions in Southwest Montana. Additional areas of light to moderate snow affected much of the region.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill in NORTHWEST BEAVERHEAD COUNTY, MONTANA
From 21-DEC-22 23:16:00 to 21-DEC-22 23:16:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Only one station measured a wind chill less than -40 F which was the Wise River RAWS (WRSM8) Which measured a minimum wind chill of -46 F.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill in RUBY MOUNTAINS AND SOUTHERN BEAVERHEAD MOUNTAINS, MONTANA
From 21-DEC-22 22:59:00 to 22-DEC-22 16:59:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Multiple sensors measured wind chills of less than -40 F, including the Antelope RAWS (LMRM8) which measured a minimum wind chill of -58 F.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill in ELKHORN AND BOULDER MOUNTAINS, MONTANA
From 21-DEC-22 07:47:00 to 22-DEC-22 21:22:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Multiple sensors measured wind chills of less than -40 F, including a DOT sensor on Boulder Hill (MTBOU) which measures a minimum wind chill of -58 F.

High Wind in RUBY MOUNTAINS AND SOUTHERN BEAVERHEAD MOUNTAINS, MONTANA
From 21-DEC-22 04:47:00 to 21-DEC-22 04:47:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 51.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

The Brenner Raws (BRRM8) measured a gust of 59 mph.

Blizzard in BEAVERHEAD AND WESTERN MADISON BELOW 6000FT, MONTANA
From 21-DEC-22 04:27:00 to 21-DEC-22 08:55:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

The Dillon ASOS (KDLN), and a utility company reported blizzard conditions over a few hour period behind an arctic front.

Heavy Snow in UPPER BLACKFOOT AND MACDONALD PASS, MONTANA
From 20-DEC-22 22:00:00 to 21-DEC-22 08:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Spotter reported 6 inches of new snow over a 10 hour period.

Winter Storm in NORTHWEST BEAVERHEAD COUNTY, MONTANA
From 21-DEC-22 00:00:00 to 21-DEC-22 12:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Very strong winds occurred during a winter storm. The Wise River Raws (WRSM8) measured a 60 mph gust. Several additional sites across nearby areas gusted around 50mph at times during the event.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill in SOUTHERN HIGH PLAINS, MONTANA
From 19-DEC-22 22:55:00 to 23-DEC-22 01:10:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Multiple sensors measured wind chills of less than -40 F, including the DOT sensor in Pendroy (MTPND) which measured a minimum wind chill of -58 F.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill in FERGUS COUNTY BELOW 4500FT, MONTANA
From 20-DEC-22 19:55:00 to 23-DEC-22 07:41:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

Multiple sensors measured wind chills of less than -40 F, including AWOS station K1OM Oscar which measured a minimum wind chill of -58 F.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill in CASCADE COUNTY BELOW 5000FT, MONTANA
From 21-DEC-22 00:15:00 to 22-DEC-22 19:53:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

Multiple sensors measured wind chills of less than -40 F, including the Great Falls ASOS (KGTF) which measured a minimum wind chill of -57 F.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill in LITTLE BELT AND HIGHWOOD MOUNTAINS, MONTANA
From 20-DEC-22 22:53:00 to 22-DEC-22 06:53:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Multiple sensors measured wind chills of less than -40 F, including the DOT sensor near Monarch (MTMON) which measured a minimum wind chill of -57 F.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill in UPPER BLACKFOOT AND MACDONALD PASS, MONTANA
From 20-DEC-22 21:56:00 to 22-DEC-22 16:16:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Multiple sensors measured wind chills of less than -40 F, including the DOT sensor on MacDonald Pass (MTMDP) which measured a minimum wind chill of -59 F.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill in HELENA VALLEY, MONTANA
From 20-DEC-22 23:28:00 to 22-DEC-22 20:45:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Multiple sensors measured wind chills of less than -40 F, including mesonet station FW7359 in Helena which measured a minimum wind chill of -44 F.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill in EAST GLACIER PARK REGION, MONTANA
From 20-DEC-22 05:21:00 to 22-DEC-22 07:11:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Multiple sensors measured wind chills of less than -40 F, including Deep Creek RAWS (DCRM8) which measured a minimum wind chill of -48F.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill in EASTERN TOOLE AND LIBERTY, MONTANA
From 19-DEC-22 16:56:00 to 23-DEC-22 02:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Multiple sensors measured wind chills of less than -40 F, including coop station 6W0659 2 miles southeast of Grassy Butte which measured a minimum wind chill of -61 F.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill in MEAGHER COUNTY VALLEYS, MONTANA
From 21-DEC-22 09:40:00 to 22-DEC-22 20:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Multiple sensors measured wind chills of less than -40 F, including Agrimet station WSSM in White Sulphur Springs which measured a minimum wind chill of -54 F.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill in MADISON RIVER VALLEY, MONTANA
From 21-DEC-22 05:27:00 to 22-DEC-22 17:55:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Multiple sensors measured wind chills of less than -40 F, including DOT sensor Norris Hill (MTNOR) which measured a minimum wind chill of -57 F.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill in BEAVERHEAD AND WESTERN MADISON BELOW 6000FT, MONTANA
From 21-DEC-22 09:53:00 to 22-DEC-22 12:30:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

Multiple sensors measured wind chills of less than -40 F, including the Dillon ASOS (KDLN) which measured a minimum wind chill of -49 F.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill in NORTHERN HIGH PLAINS, MONTANA
From 19-DEC-22 17:10:00 to 22-DEC-22 22:21:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Multiple sensors measured wind chills of less than -40 F, including the Browning DOT sensor (MTBWG) which measured a minimum wind chill of -54 F.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill in EASTERN GLACIER, WESTERN TOOLE, AND CENTRAL PONDERA, MONTANA
From 19-DEC-22 19:00:00 to 23-DEC-22 02:30:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Multiple sensors measured wind chills of less than -40 F, including the Sunburst DOT sensor (MTSUN) which measured a minimum wind chill of -61 F.

High Wind in BEAVERHEAD AND WESTERN MADISON BELOW 6000FT, MONTANA
From 21-DEC-22 06:40:00 to 21-DEC-22 06:40:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 58.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

AWOS station krvf Ruby Valley Field measured a 67 mph gust before power was lost at the station.

Blizzard in BEAVERHEAD AND WESTERN MADISON BELOW 6000FT, MONTANA
From 21-DEC-22 07:45:00 to 21-DEC-22 12:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Mesonet site MTM56 approximately five miles southwest of Twin Bridges reported near blizzard conditions through much of the morning.

Heavy Snow in EAST GLACIER PARK REGION, MONTANA
From 19-DEC-22 00:00:00 to 20-DEC-22 19:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: SNOTEL

Badger Pass SNOTEL reported 9 inches of snow over a 24 hour period, most falling during the day on Tuesday, December 20th.

Heavy Snow in ELKHORN AND BOULDER MOUNTAINS, MONTANA
From 20-DEC-22 22:00:00 to 21-DEC-22 06:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: SNOTEL

Frohner Meadow SNOTEL site reported 6 inches of new snow over an 8-hour period.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill in GALLATIN VALLEY, MONTANA
From 21-DEC-22 08:03:00 to 23-DEC-22 00:56:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

Multiple sensors measured wind chills of less than -40 F, including ASOS station KBZN which measured a minimum wind chill of -53 F. KBZN ASOS also had a peak minimum air temperature of -45 F the morning of December 22nd, which was one degree shy of tying the all time record low for the airport. The high temperature for December 22nd at KBZN was only -24 F. Approximately 75 reports of broken water pipes were noted across the Gallatin Valley area due to the extreme cold.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill in CANYON FERRY AREA, MONTANA
From 21-DEC-22 06:03:00 to 22-DEC-22 20:30:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Multiple sensors measured wind chills of less than -40 F, including the Ginger RAWS (GINM8) Which measured a minimum wind chill of -51F.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill in BIG BELT, BRIDGER AND CASTLE MOUNTAINS, MONTANA
From 21-DEC-22 05:41:00 to 22-DEC-22 21:12:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Multiple sensors measured wind chills of less than -40 F, including DOT sensor Deep Creek Pass (MTDPC) which measured a minimum wind chill of -48 F.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill in MISSOURI HEADWATERS, MONTANA
From 21-DEC-22 09:00:00 to 22-DEC-22 12:59:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Multiple sensors measured wind chills of less than -40 F, including mesonet station 1653 D near Logan which measured a minimum wind chill of -49 F.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill in GALLATIN AND MADISON COUNTY MOUNTAINS AND CENTENNIAL MOUNTAINS, MONTANA
From 21-DEC-22 15:45:00 to 22-DEC-22 12:43:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Multiple sensors measured wind chills of less than -40 F, including mesonet station MTM17 BLM - Virginia City which measured a minimum wind chill of -57 F.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill in HILL COUNTY, MONTANA
From 19-DEC-22 18:25:00 to 23-DEC-22 04:50:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Multiple sensors measured wind chills of less than -40 F, including coop station DW0217 in northeastern Hill county which measured a minimum wind chill of -66 F.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill in NORTHERN BLAINE COUNTY, MONTANA
From 19-DEC-22 16:15:00 to 23-DEC-22 07:15:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Multiple sensors measured wind chills of less than -40 F, including the Big Flat / Turner Agrimet (BFTM) which measured a minimum wind chill of -59 F.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill in BEARS PAW MOUNTAINS AND SOUTHERN BLAINE, MONTANA
From 19-DEC-22 21:18:00 to 21-DEC-22 11:18:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Multiple sensors measured wind chills of less than -40 F, including the Fort Belknap RAWS (FBLM8) which measured a minimum wind chill of -58 F.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill in WESTERN AND CENTRAL CHOUTEAU COUNTY, MONTANA
From 19-DEC-22 22:16:00 to 23-DEC-22 03:30:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Multiple sensors measured wind chills of less than -40 F, including mesonet station FW8526 Big Sandy which measured a minimum wind chill of -59 F.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill in SNOWY AND JUDITH MOUNTAINS, MONTANA
From 20-DEC-22 23:50:00 to 21-DEC-22 10:15:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Multiple sensors measured wind chills of less than -40 F, including the Little Snowy RAWS (LSNM8) which measured a minimum wind chill of -47 F.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill in JUDITH BASIN COUNTY AND JUDITH GAP, MONTANA
From 20-DEC-22 21:00:00 to 23-DEC-22 00:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Multiple sensors measured wind chills of less than -40 F, including the DOT sensor at Geyser (MTGYS) which measured a minimum wind chill of -58 F.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill in GATES OF THE MOUNTAINS, MONTANA
From 20-DEC-22 21:58:00 to 22-DEC-22 23:28:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Multiple sensors measured wind chills of less than -40 F, including the DOT sensor near Sieben (MTSBN) which measured a minimum wind chill of -52 F.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill in SOUTHERN ROCKY MOUNTAIN FRONT, MONTANA
From 20-DEC-22 22:08:00 to 20-DEC-22 22:08:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

One location measured a wind chill of -40 F or less, which was the Benchmark RAWS (BEFM8) which measured a minimum wind chill of -41 F.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill in EASTERN PONDERA AND EASTERN TETON, MONTANA
From 19-DEC-22 23:00:00 to 23-DEC-22 01:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Multiple sensors measured wind chills of less than -40 F, including mesonet station COAM8 Conrad which measured a minimum wind chill of -55 F.

Winter Storm in GALLATIN AND MADISON COUNTY MOUNTAINS AND CENTENNIAL MOUNTAINS, MONTANA
From 21-DEC-22 02:00:00 to 21-DEC-22 14:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: SNOTEL

Mesonet station GNFHY Avalanche measured a 58 mph wind gust. While snowfall amounts were generally low, very strong wind resulted in significant blowing and drifting of snow across area mountain roads and passes.