March Report

March experienced a return to winter type weather with much cooler temperatures and several heavy snow events recorded. The first heavy snow event of the month occurred in Idaho on March 6, where 8 inches of snow fell near Pierce and 16 inches of snow fell over Lolo Pass. The heavy snow then moved into western Montana late on the 7th and into 8th, where 8 to 9 inches of snow fell near Noxon and Big Fork. Near blizzard conditions were reported near the Flathead Valley from blowing snow and reduced visibility as an arctic front began to move into northwest Montana. Bitterly cold wind chill temperatures of 20 to 30 below zero were experienced on the 10th in the northern Flathead Valley and Glacier Park areas. By the middle of the month, the heavy snow began to fall over southwest Montana and over Idaho County. 8 to 16 inches of snow was reported from Anaconda to Georgetown Lake and Philipsburg, as well as near Elk City, over Lolo and Lost Trail Passes. An impressive 24 inches of snow fell over Elk City on March 25, with spotters reporting accumulations of 2 inches per hour. On March 29th, 8 to 10 inches of snow fell over Philipsburg, Deer Lodge, Anaconda and Butte, with spotters also reporting 2 inches of snow accumulations per hour near Philipsburg.