Power Outage in Clancy, MT

A late season winter storm moved through much of North Central and Southwest Montana on the 23rd. The snow began to fall over the Rocky Mountain Front late on the 22nd, and over much of the rest of the Northern Plains by day break on the 23rd. The snow moved into Southwest Montana during the morning hours on the 23rd. The snow came to an end across the area early on the 24th. At the peak of the storm, blizzard warnings where issued for several hours for the Rocky Mountain Front and all of the adjacent Plains. Sustained winds of 40 mph, with gusts to 60 mph occurred throughout the morning hours in the blizzard area. Numerous roads were closed across North Central Montana due to zero visibility, and power was temporary knocked out in many locations. Snow drifts ranged from 4 to 8 feet in Glacier and Judith Basin counties. The heaviest snowfall occurred in the western and southern mountains.Some total snow accumulations from this event include: 17 inches at Saint Mary's, 12 inches at Cut Bank and Sweetgrass 25 SE, 10 inches at Shonkin, 8 inches at Ethridge, Showdown Ski Resort, Chester, Boulder Hill, and Shelby, and 4 to 7 inches across the remainder of the plains and valleys in North Central and Southwest Montana.

A high wind event occurred over all of North Central Montana and a portion of Southwest Montana, which began on the afternoon of the 21st and ended on the afternoon of the 22nd. Some of the strongest winds of the winter season were recorded during this event. Sustained winds of 45 to 65 mph were common across much of North Central Montana, with gusts between 60 and 80 mph. However, locations near the Rocky Mountain Front had wind gusts in excess of 100 mph.This high wind event caused scattered power outages throughout much of North Central Montana. One power line that was blown down 15 miles Southwest of Choteau sparked a grass fire. This fire was fanned by the wind, and burned 6000 acres. One farm and homestead were lost in the blaze. A few vehicles were blown off Interstate 15, while other vehicles had windshields cracked as stones were blown into them while driving. Many locations reported visibilities near zero at times, due to blowing dust over the plains and blowing snow over the mountains. Here is a list of some of the top wind speeds recorded during this event.On February 21st:Cut Bank 70 mph at 2046 MST; 4 W Augusta 75 mph at 2225 MST; Fort Shaw 80 mph at 2230 MST; Browning 81 mph at 2255 MST; 18 W Pendroy estimated 100 mph at 2310 MST.On February 22nd27 W Choteau 115 mph at 0040 MST; Silver City 73 mph at 0606 MST; 6 N Big Sandy estimated 85 mph at 0900 MST; 4 E Hobson estimated 70 mph at 1230 MST.

A high wind event moved across north central Montana on the 12th. Sustained wind speeds of 40 to 50 mph were very common throughout the afternoon, and into the evening hours. Wind gusts were near 70 mph during the peak of the event. These winds started to increase in strength around 1100 MST and then they did not diminish until 2000 MST. The peak wind speeds occurred between 1300 MST and 1600 MST. Due to the very strong winds, blowing dust became a real hazard. The blowing dust reduced visibilities to near zero in many locations for a period of time. As a result of the near zero visibilities, a 12 vehicle accident occurred about 13 miles Southeast of Great Falls near 1330 MST, resulting in 2 fatalities and 4 injuries.Power was knocked out to over 1500 customer in the Great Falls metro area. A few trees were uprooted and several roofs were blown off as well. Near 1745 MST a train was blown off the tracks, just west of East Glacier, at the Midvale trestle. A total of 20 cars and 24 box containers were blown off the track. Wind speeds were estimated to be near 80 mph at the time of the accident.Some of the peak wind speeds recorded during the day were; Great Falls 68 mph at 1330 MST: Conrad 20 SE 68 mph at 1330 MST; Browning 62 mph at 1555 MST; Havre 50 mph at 1756 MST; Boulder 64 mph at 1951 MST, and Lewistown 51 mph at 1954 MST.

A strong spring storm brought heavy snow to a portion of North Central Montana on the 23rd. Reported snow fall amounts include: 10 inches at Raynesford NNW and Neihart 7NNW, 9 inches at Rimini and Shonkin 7S, 8 inches at Montana City, 7 inches at Stockett 8S, and 6 inches at Millegan 14SE. The heavy wet snow downed numerous power poles causing power outages in some locations.