A Pacific low pressure system brought accumulating snowfall to much of Southwest, Central, and North Central Montana. The passage of an associated cold front also brought gusty winds to much of the area, especially through the valleys of Southwest Montana, where heavier snow occurred.

High Wind in MADISON RIVER VALLEY, MONTANA
From 10-MAR-23 14:00:00 to 10-MAR-23 14:00:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 67.00 MG
Reported by: Mesonet

Mesonet station YCTIM (Yellowstone Club) reported 77 mph wind gust.

High Wind in GALLATIN VALLEY, MONTANA
From 10-MAR-23 09:00:00 to 10-MAR-23 09:00:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 56.00 MG
Reported by: Mesonet

Mesonet station GNFHY (10.7 W Emigrant) reported 65 mph wind gust.

High Wind in MADISON RIVER VALLEY, MONTANA
From 10-MAR-23 17:12:00 to 10-MAR-23 17:12:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 56.00 MG
Reported by: Mesonet

Mesonet station MTNOR (Norris Hill) reported peak gust of 65 mph and sustained winds at 48 mph.

High Wind in BEAVERHEAD AND WESTERN MADISON BELOW 6000FT, MONTANA
From 10-MAR-23 15:48:00 to 10-MAR-23 15:48:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 56.00 MG
Reported by: ASOS

ASOS station KDLN (Dillon Airport) reported 64 mph wind gust.

High Wind in MADISON RIVER VALLEY, MONTANA
From 10-MAR-23 14:35:00 to 10-MAR-23 14:35:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 54.00 MG
Reported by: AWOS

AWOS station KEKS (Ennis Big Sky) reported 62 mph wind gust.

High Wind in BEAVERHEAD AND WESTERN MADISON BELOW 6000FT, MONTANA
From 10-MAR-23 15:00:00 to 10-MAR-23 15:00:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 53.00 MG
Reported by: Mesonet

Mesonet station MTM14 (BLM Argenta) reported 61 mph wind gust.

Heavy Snow in BIG BELT, BRIDGER AND CASTLE MOUNTAINS, MONTANA
From 10-MAR-23 04:00:00 to 11-MAR-23 14:00:00 (MST-7)
Reported by: SNOTEL

Mesonet station Elk Peak Snotel reported 10 inches of snowfall. 9 inches fell by 5 AM on the 11th.

Heavy Snow in BEARS PAW MOUNTAINS AND SOUTHERN BLAINE, MONTANA
From 10-MAR-23 07:00:00 to 11-MAR-23 10:00:00 (MST-7)
Reported by: SNOTEL

Rocky Boy Snotel reported 9 inches of snowfall for an event total.

Heavy Snow in HELENA VALLEY, MONTANA
From 10-MAR-23 07:00:00 to 11-MAR-23 05:00:00 (MST-7)
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Multiple trained spotters reported storm total snow of 6 inches or greater, including a reported 8.9 inches of snowfall 2 miles west of Helena.

Heavy Snow in SOUTHERN ROCKY MOUNTAIN FRONT, MONTANA
From 10-MAR-23 04:00:00 to 11-MAR-23 01:00:00 (MST-7)
Reported by: Mesonet

Two snotels reported an estimated 8 inches of storm total snow. Snotel sites Copper Bottom and Copper Camp estimated an event total amount of 8 inches. Most fell within a 12 hour period. Start time estimated by radar.

Heavy Snow in CASCADE COUNTY BELOW 5000FT, MONTANA
From 10-MAR-23 04:00:00 to 11-MAR-23 01:00:00 (MST-7)
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Trained spotter reported a storm total of 6 inches ending March 10 at 5:37 PM (Friday). The spotter received an additional three inches of snow overnight into the morning of the 11th ( 7:22 AM Saturday). Official NWS observation reported 6.3 inches snowfall between 5am Friday and 5am Saturday. NWS employee located 6 miles west of Sand Coulee reported an event total of 5.8 inches.

Heavy Snow in HILL COUNTY, MONTANA
From 09-MAR-23 20:00:00 to 10-MAR-23 12:00:00 (MST-7)
Reported by: COOP Observer

CO-OP observer station Simpson 6N Wildhorse (SIPM8) reported 6 inches of snowfall over a 24 hour period. Band of heavy snow occurred overnight along the International Border.

Winter Weather in GALLATIN VALLEY, MONTANA
From 10-MAR-23 16:45:00 to 10-MAR-23 16:45:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Trained spotter reported a snow squall, which produced a quick accumulation of a half inch of snow. Spotter did not report any more details.

Winter Weather in BIG BELT, BRIDGER AND CASTLE MOUNTAINS, MONTANA
From 10-MAR-23 17:07:00 to 10-MAR-23 17:07:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Snow Squall. The Bozeman Pass mesonet station (mtbzh) reported a peak wind gust of 53 mph. Webcam images showed poor visibility associated with the squall along Interstate 90.

Heavy Snow in EASTERN GLACIER, WESTERN TOOLE, AND CENTRAL PONDERA, MONTANA
From 10-MAR-23 08:30:00 to 10-MAR-23 23:30:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

CoCoRaHS observer in Cut Bank reported an event total snowfall of 5.5 inches.

Winter Storm in HILL COUNTY, MONTANA
From 10-MAR-23 13:30:00 to 11-MAR-23 00:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Department of Transportation closed both lanes of S-232 northwest out of Havre to the International Border due to poor winter weather conditions. A trained spotter about 4 miles west of Havre reported an event total snow amount of 5.2 inches.

Heavy Snow in SOUTHERN HIGH PLAINS, MONTANA
From 10-MAR-23 18:00:00 to 11-MAR-23 01:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Spotter located about 17 miles WSW of Bynum reported an event total snow amount of 8.0 inches.

Winter Storm in RUBY MOUNTAINS AND SOUTHERN BEAVERHEAD MOUNTAINS, MONTANA
From 10-MAR-23 07:00:00 to 10-MAR-23 18:00:00 (MST-7)
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Sheriff's office reported multiple accidents, extremely poor visibility, and strong gusty winds along I-15, which a portion of became closed for a period of time. Wind gusts in excess of 60 mph were recorded by the Harkness RAWS equipment.

Winter Storm in GALLATIN AND MADISON COUNTY MOUNTAINS AND CENTENNIAL MOUNTAINS, MONTANA
From 10-MAR-23 00:00:00 to 10-MAR-23 17:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Strong winds resulted in poor visibility, blowing snow, and poor driving conditions. Wind gusts of 66 mph, 67 mph, and 73 mph were recorded at about 11 miles west of Emigrant, Virginia City and by the Yellowstone Mule RAWS, respectively.

Heavy Snow in EASTERN TOOLE AND LIBERTY, MONTANA
From 10-MAR-23 12:00:00 to 10-MAR-23 23:00:00 (MST-7)
Reported by: COOP Observer

COOP Observer neat Chester reported event total of 5.1 inches of snow, which met newly implemented heavy snow criteria for particular forecast zone.

Heavy Snow in EASTERN PONDERA AND EASTERN TETON, MONTANA
From 10-MAR-23 12:00:00 to 11-MAR-23 02:00:00 (MST-7)
Reported by: Department of Highways

MT DOT reported severe driving conditions from blowing snow and poor visibility along I-15. Conditions deteriorated rapidly. COOP observer at Conrad reported an event total snow amount of 7.0 inches along with significant blowing snow.

Heavy Snow in NORTHERN BLAINE COUNTY, MONTANA
From 10-MAR-23 13:00:00 to 11-MAR-23 00:00:00 (MST-7)
Reported by: COOP Observer

Wind gusts up to 64 mph were recorded across northern Blaine County, which resulted in significant blowing of snow, poor visibility, and poor driving conditions. COOP observer located about 11 miles north of Turner reported an event total snow amount of 11.5 inches.