An atmospheric river of moisture brought heavy snowfall and slow travel to the region. A cold front brought high winds and power outages, followed by snow bands later in the day on the 5th.

Heavy Snow in LOWER CLARK FORK REGION, MONTANA
From 04-NOV-22 12:00:00 to 05-NOV-22 01:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Very heavy snow caused difficult travel along Interstate 90 and Thompson Pass. Multiple semitrucks became stuck near Lookout Pass because of the deep snow. The Lookout Pass SNOTEL recorded 16 inches of snow depth increase with 2.70 inches of snow water equivalent during this event. The Haugan COOP reported 5 inches of snow. A 39 year old woman passed away after hitting a semitruck head-on near Evaro Hill as road conditions were wet and slick.

Winter Storm in BITTERROOT / SAPPHIRE MOUNTAINS, MONTANA
From 04-NOV-22 15:00:00 to 05-NOV-22 09:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Between 16 and 24 inches of heavy snow fell in the mountains across west-central Montana. Chains were required for Lolo Pass during the event. Very high winds in excess of 50 and 60 mph were reported in the higher elevations behind the cold front on the morning of the 5th.

Winter Weather in POTOMAC / SEELEY LAKE REGION, MONTANA
From 04-NOV-22 05:00:00 to 05-NOV-22 06:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 1.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

Between 10 and 20 inches of heavy snow fell in the mountains while 8 inches fell at Seeley Lake. After the passage of the cold front, winds gusted as high as 83 mph on the peak of Point 6 Mountain, and to 53 mph in both Clinton and Bearmouth on the morning of the 5th. A tree was reported down on Highway 83 near mile-marker 21, north of Seeley Lake.

High Wind in LOWER CLARK FORK REGION, MONTANA
From 05-NOV-22 02:00:00 to 05-NOV-22 13:00:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 1.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Roughly 20 medium size trees were down with debris along Interstate 90 near Lookout Pass. Several power outages were reported including in the Thompson Falls area, and between Alberton and Superior.

High Wind in FLATHEAD/MISSION VALLEYS, MONTANA
From 05-NOV-22 06:00:00 to 05-NOV-22 13:00:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 54.00 MG
Property damage: 2.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Utility Company

An electric company reported 2,300 members were without power because of the high winds. A weather station northeast of Hot Springs recorded a peak wind gust of 61 mph. Another company reported a power outage along Highway 35 north of Finley Point.

High Wind in WEST GLACIER REGION, MONTANA
From 05-NOV-22 06:00:00 to 05-NOV-22 15:00:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 74.00 MG
Property damage: 0.50K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Weather stations in the Whitefish Range reported up to 85 mph wind gusts while lower elevation stations had gusts near 50 mph. Due to the concern for hunters being in the backcountry, the danger for treefall was very high.

Winter Weather in POTOMAC / SEELEY LAKE REGION, MONTANA
From 05-NOV-22 17:15:00 to 05-NOV-22 19:30:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

Two to four inches of snow fell between Swan Lake and Seeley Lake. While only 1.2 fell just southeast of Bonner, radar estimates would suggest that heavier amounts likely occurred towards Clinton.

Winter Weather in BITTERROOT / SAPPHIRE MOUNTAINS, MONTANA
From 05-NOV-22 18:00:00 to 05-NOV-22 20:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

The ITD sensor and webcams at Lolo Pass reported heavy snow, with rates potentially as highs as 2 inches per hour (as snow water equivalent hourly values were 0.20 inches). An accident blocked the pass for a few hours. Another location that received heavy snow showers was just northwest of Charlo where 4 inches of snow fell later in the evening.

Strong Wind in KOOTENAI/CABINET REGION, MONTANA
From 05-NOV-22 05:00:00 to 05-NOV-22 13:00:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 48.00 EG
Property damage: 0.50K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Utility Company

A power company reported 402 customers without power due to wind damage in Lincoln County.

High Wind in MISSOULA / BITTERROOT VALLEYS, MONTANA
From 05-NOV-22 06:00:00 to 05-NOV-22 14:00:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 52.00 MG
Property damage: 1.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Widespread gusts between 50 and 60 mph were recorded in both the Missoula and Bitterroot Valleys. Power outages were reported in both the Missoula and Hamilton areas.

High Wind in BUTTE / BLACKFOOT REGION, MONTANA
From 05-NOV-22 07:00:00 to 05-NOV-22 16:00:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 53.00 MG
Property damage: 1.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: RAWS

A strong cold front brought wind gusts between 50 and 60 mph across southwest Montana. Trees were observed falling down in the higher elevations just south of Nevada Lake due to the strong winds. A few roadways were covered with a little bit of snow from the the cold front passage. The Bert Mooney Airport south of Butte saw gusts to 55 mph and light snow. The Wise River RAWS reported a wind gust to 61 mph and the sensor north of Avon recorded a peak wind of 60 mph.

Winter Weather in KOOTENAI/CABINET REGION, MONTANA
From 05-NOV-22 16:00:00 to 05-NOV-22 20:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

Between 2 and 4 inches of snow fell between the Happy's Inn and Marion.

Winter Weather in LOWER CLARK FORK REGION, MONTANA
From 05-NOV-22 16:30:00 to 05-NOV-22 19:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

The observer in Alberton reported 1.6 inches of snow, but the main snow band made a direct hit to the Petty Creek and Fish Creek areas where radar estimated precipitation could deduce snow amounts closer to 4 inches.

Winter Weather in MISSOULA / BITTERROOT VALLEYS, MONTANA
From 05-NOV-22 17:00:00 to 05-NOV-22 20:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

A snow band produced 1.5 inch per hour rates across the South Hills of Missoula where a total of 4 inches fell. Other location snowfall totals include 2.3 inches in Florence, and 1.6 inches in Hamilton.