An unusually deep longwave trough overspread the region from the 22nd through the 23rd, bringing ample Pacific moisture for an impactful winter storm. Initially, the thought was that mountain snow and lower elevation rain would occur, but as the event got closer, it became evident that snow at lower elevation would occur, which prompted the expansion of Winter Storm Warnings to lower elevations.

Winter Storm in NORTHERN HIGH PLAINS, MONTANA
From 23-OCT-22 12:40:00 to 23-OCT-22 12:40:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Fire Department/Rescue

Browning Fire Department reported poor road conditions around Browning and Heart Butte due to winter weather. Highway 89 was deemed Emergency Travel Only due to poor conditions. Route 1 to and from Heart Butte, Birch Creek, Old Agency, and Joe Show West was completely closed.

Heavy Snow in GALLATIN AND MADISON COUNTY MOUNTAINS AND CENTENNIAL MOUNTAINS, MONTANA
From 22-OCT-22 02:00:00 to 23-OCT-22 17:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Public report from Big Sky Ski Resort of 12 inches storm total mid way through the event. Additional reports of up to two feet were reported later in the day.

Heavy Snow in BIG BELT, BRIDGER AND CASTLE MOUNTAINS, MONTANA
From 22-OCT-22 02:00:00 to 23-OCT-22 17:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Automated weather station at Bridger Top measured 15.8 inches new snow accumulation. Additionally, snotels across the zone measured around a foot total new snow.

Heavy Snow in NORTHWEST BEAVERHEAD COUNTY, MONTANA
From 21-OCT-22 18:00:00 to 24-OCT-22 01:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: SNOTEL

Snotel Darkhorse Lake observed 12 inches new snow storm total.

Heavy Snow in CASCADE COUNTY BELOW 5000FT, MONTANA
From 22-OCT-22 17:00:00 to 23-OCT-22 17:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Public report of 8 inches new snow accumulation over less than 24 hours.

Heavy Snow in MADISON RIVER VALLEY, MONTANA
From 22-OCT-22 02:00:00 to 23-OCT-22 17:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Social media report of 8.5 inches storm total snow.

Winter Storm in GALLATIN AND MADISON COUNTY MOUNTAINS AND CENTENNIAL MOUNTAINS, MONTANA
From 22-OCT-22 10:40:00 to 22-OCT-22 10:40:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Search and Rescue teams faced difficult terrain and harsh weather while attempting a backcountry rescue in snowy and icy conditions. Details...Gallatin County 911 received a call from the Garmin International Emergency Response Coordination Center (IERCC), who had received an SOS from a satellite communication device.  After communicating with the device owner, it was determined a hunter had broken their leg while navigating rough terrain near the Albino Lake Trail in Big Sky.
Gallatin County Sheriff Search and Rescue Big Sky Section, Valley Section, and a Big Sky Fire Department responded to assist with the call. SAR Big Sky and Valley ground teams deployed on foot to the patient with ropes and a one wheeled litter. Another SAR Big Sky team deployed from the Eldridge Trailhead on a four-wheel drive side by side. Teams faced difficult terrain and harsh weather while attempting the backcountry rescue in snowy and icy conditions. It took volunteers several hours to locate, assess, and evacuate the patient. Once ground teams arrived at the patient���s location, they stabilized the injury and created a plan to evacuate the hunter by one wheeled litter, and then onto the side by side for transport back to the trailhead. The hunter was then transported several miles down the trail to the Big Sky Fire Department Ambulance and ultimately transported to Bozeman Health for further evaluation.

Heavy Snow in SNOWY AND JUDITH MOUNTAINS, MONTANA
From 23-OCT-22 00:00:00 to 24-OCT-22 02:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

SNOTEL Crystal Lake reported 6 inches of snow over an approx 12 hour period.

Heavy Snow in EAST GLACIER PARK REGION, MONTANA
From 22-OCT-22 01:00:00 to 23-OCT-22 17:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Social media report of 12 inches accumulation in the Saint Mary area.

Heavy Snow in RUBY MOUNTAINS AND SOUTHERN BEAVERHEAD MOUNTAINS, MONTANA
From 22-OCT-22 02:00:00 to 23-OCT-22 17:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: SNOTEL

Snotel Beagle Springs reported 8 inches new snow.

Heavy Snow in SOUTHERN HIGH PLAINS, MONTANA
From 23-OCT-22 06:30:00 to 23-OCT-22 06:30:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Co-Op observer located 4 SSE Bynum received 7.1 inches of snow for event total. 24 hour total of 5.9 inches.

Heavy Snow in SNOWY AND JUDITH MOUNTAINS, MONTANA
From 23-OCT-22 00:00:00 to 24-OCT-22 02:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

SNOTEL Crystal Lake reported 10 inches of snow over an approx 20 hour period.

Heavy Snow in GALLATIN VALLEY, MONTANA
From 22-OCT-22 02:00:00 to 23-OCT-22 21:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Spotter reports 10.5 inches new snow accumulation. Bozeman MSU co-op reported 12.3 inches storm total accumulation.

Heavy Snow in HILL COUNTY, MONTANA
From 22-OCT-22 02:00:00 to 23-OCT-22 17:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

Cocorahs report of 8 inches new snow in Inverness over 24 hours.

Heavy Snow in EASTERN TOOLE AND LIBERTY, MONTANA
From 22-OCT-22 02:00:00 to 23-OCT-22 17:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

Cocorahs report of 10 inches new snow accumulation.

Heavy Snow in ELKHORN AND BOULDER MOUNTAINS, MONTANA
From 22-OCT-22 02:00:00 to 23-OCT-22 17:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Spotter reports 8.2 inches storm total snow. Additionally, a snotel in the zone, Rocker Peak, reported 14 inches of new snow.

Heavy Snow in UPPER BLACKFOOT AND MACDONALD PASS, MONTANA
From 22-OCT-22 02:00:00 to 23-OCT-22 18:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Public reports 9 inches snow accumulation at Great Divide Ski Area. Additionally, later in the day, public reports of up to 18 inches storm total snow near Lincoln.

Heavy Snow in SOUTHERN ROCKY MOUNTAIN FRONT, MONTANA
From 22-OCT-22 01:00:00 to 23-OCT-22 17:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Social media report of 20 inches accumulation at Teton Pass Ski Resort.

Heavy Snow in LITTLE BELT AND HIGHWOOD MOUNTAINS, MONTANA
From 22-OCT-22 02:00:00 to 23-OCT-22 17:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Social Media post of 12 to 18 inches snow accumulation at Showdown Montana Ski Area. Additional snotels in the area reported reported 8 to 12 inches new snow for this storm.