BUTTE, MONTANA — An early and powerful winter storm swept across Montana over the weekend, dumping up to 19 inches of snow in some areas, causing multiple semi-trucks to spin out on Homestake Pass on Interstate 90, and leaving travelers stranded for hours as one of the state’s most traveled mountain corridors turned into a sheet of ice.
Meteorologist Erik Johnson reported at 1 a.m. Monday that Homestake Pass was “a complete mess” following multiple semi spinouts. “Many people have reported being stuck for several hours. Please avoid this area if at all possible,” Johnson warned.
By late Sunday morning, both westbound lanes of I-90 on Homestake Pass were fully blocked by a crash reported at 11:57 a.m. Emergency vehicles responded to the scene. Chains were required for towing units over Bozeman Hill.
Icy patches were reported along I-90 from Bearmouth to Warm Springs. At milepost 170 west of Deer Lodge, the westbound right lane was blocked by emergency vehicles early Monday morning. Passing lanes were also closed near Three Forks at mile marker 279. Additional alerts covered Rogers Pass, MacDonald Pass, Lost Trail Pass, and multiple other mountain corridors throughout the state.
Where the Snow Hit Hardest
Some of the highest snowfall totals reported as of Sunday evening included 19 inches near Checkerboard, 14 inches in Montana City, 12 inches near Belgrade, 11.1 inches at the NWS Great Falls office, and 10 inches in White Sulphur Springs, Pony, Ennis, and Lincoln. Even lower-elevation communities saw significant accumulation, with Lewistown reporting 8.8 inches and Dillon 4 inches.
The National Weather Service issued Winter Storm Warnings covering a sweeping area of the state. The Big Belt, Bridger, Castle, Little Belt, Highwood, Snowy, Judith, Elkhorn, and Boulder mountain ranges all saw warnings for 6 to 14 inches of heavy wet snow with gusts up to 40 to 45 mph. Higher mountain areas including the Absaroka-Beartooth and the Rocky Mountain Front saw totals of 10 to 20 inches, with isolated amounts approaching 30 inches in the Bob Marshall Wilderness.
The storm was described as heavy and wet — a particularly dangerous combination for mountain roads, with the weight of the snow snapping tree branches and knocking out power. In Lewistown, falling branches caused widespread damage and knocked out power to whole neighborhoods.
Johnson cautioned Monday morning that while the storm was moving out, conditions would deteriorate again. “It gets icy later after some melting today and then refreezing tonight as temperatures drop into the 10s and 20s.”
A hard freeze was expected in the valleys Monday through Wednesday mornings. Warmer weather with highs in the 60s is expected to return later next week.
Drivers on mountain passes in Montana are advised to carry chains, check road conditions before departing, and allow extra time.
Weather information courtesy of National Weather Service and local media.
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