Winter is a beautiful season in Montana… but we’ll be the first to admit it can get pretty treacherous. In fact, some of our storms have made national news and caused some major damage. Here are seven of the worst winter storms in Montana history:

1. Let's start this investigation of the worst winter storms in Montana in Havre in 2017.
Havre, MT 59501, USA
Havre Daily News Facebook
In Oct. 2017, the first blizzard of the season in Havre broke the record for snowfall in October. With over 30 inches dumped on the city, it's safe to say this winter will be a long one for the people of Havre -- also, this is proof that Montana winters start long before the calendar dates dictate!
2. In January of 1916, an Arctic cold front put Browning, Montana, on the map.
Browning, MT 59417, USA
David Adamec/Wikipedia
The cold front caused the temperature to drop from 44°F to -56°F in 24 hours. This 100+ degree change stands as the most dramatic 24-hour drop in temperature ever recorded in the United States.
3. Living in Billings was especially treacherous in 1955.
Billings, MT, USA
Western Area Power / Flickr
After a particularly brutal winter in 1954 and 1955, Billings was subject to a record-breaking storm... in early April, nonetheless. Between April 2 and April 5, an estimated 42.3 inches of snow fell. This proves the point that Montana lives by its own rules -- it doesn't even have to officially be winter for us to see a huge snowstorm.

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4. In January of 1887, record cold and snow decimated cattle herds in Montana (and the entire West).
Paula R. Lively / Flickr
Local ranchers had seen harsh winters before, but this one was especially brutal. Deceived by a string of mild winters, many were not prepared for the snowfall in January of 1887, and their cattle suffered in the storm. 5,000 head of cattle invaded the outskirts of Great Falls, eating the saplings the townspeople had planted that spring and "bawling for food."
5. From Jan. 30 - Feb. 4, 1889, a frigid Arctic air mass invaded the northern Rockies, bringing record cold temperatures and extreme wind chills to most of Montana.
Forest Service Northern Region/Flickr
Record lows were established in Billings for five consecutive days, while Bozeman set record lows for four straight days. In Missoula, record lows of -22F and -23F were established on Feb. 3 and 4. Wisdom, Montana, had a recorded temperature of -52F on Feb. 3.
6. In early 2017, five feet of snow was dumped on the Rocky Mountain Front in Montana, breaking long-standing snowfall records at a few spots.
Kurt Johnson / Flickr
St. Mary saw a whopping 64 inches of snowfall between Feb. 3-7, and Great Falls saw 60 inches, breaking a local record from 1954.
7. On November 9, 2012, a huge snowstorm in Southwest Montana led to over 30 crashes in the Butte area.
Butte, MT, USA
USDA NRCS Montana/Flicke
Slick roads and limited visibility were to blame, with many people being unprepared for the sudden snow.

Do you remember any of these winter storms in Montana? They were certainly events for the history books! If you haven’t gathered by now, Montana weather can be unpredictable in any season — this massive blizzard in April of 1969 is proof! (Yes, a blizzard in April. As in spring and Easter bunny season!)

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More to Explore

winter storms in Montana

Sarah | October 16, 2021

What's winter like in Montana?

As the above list of incredible winter storms in Montana indicates, winter can be rather unpredictable in Big Sky Country. But one thing is generally true: there’s really no such thing as a mild winter in Montana. Some parts of the state certainly see harsher weather than others, but if you live in Montana, you can expect skies full of snow (and storms) for months. Have your boots and snow shovels at the ready, and cozy up in some charming little cabins during to really make the most of this wild season!

What's the best season of the year to visit Montana?

Can we say "all of them?" Because: all of them! Allow us to explain. There are many reasons why Montana is one of the most coveted scenic states in the country: the expansive land, distant mountain ranges, and unfettered natural attractions all come to mind. But we have a few other reasons why visiting Montana is a worthwhile venture, and they include the changing of the seasons. Depending on the time of year in Montana, there are different seasonal activities to participate in. For instance, have you ever wanted to take a sleigh ride the plains? How about picking your own pumpkins at a nearby pumpkin patch? Do you know the best place to view Monarch butterfly migration in the fall? The Treasure State offers a uniquely wonderful adventure depending on the season, and this guide to the best seasonal activities in Montana will get you prepared.

Does Montana usually get a lot of snow?

In a word: yes... but depending on where you live, you could see much more than "a lot" of snow each year! Annual snowfall in Montana can reach up to 300 inches (that's 25 feet!) in the Rocky Mountains in the western half of the state; the east may get as little as 20 inches. Most of the larger cities have annual snowfall within the 30 to 50 inches.

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