Great Falls Sees 2nd Largest Opening to Winter on Record

Residents across central Montana this past weekend were treated to an early season snowstorm, and across the city of Great Falls, trees, shrubs and flowers all took the brunt of white stuff.  On Sunday, I awoke to one of my Russian Olive trees uprooted and in the street:

JD

The heavy, wet snow took out trees and even power across the city, with some residents being without power most of the day on Sunday in certain areas.  The storm brought needed moisture, and the totals are pretty impressive for the snow event in October in the state.

Get our free mobile app

Great Falls Sees 2nd Largest Opening to Winter on Record

If you woke on Sunday and thought we had a significant amount of snow, you weren't wrong.  And as it kept falling throughout the day and into the evening, those totals continued to climb, and by Monday, it was a winter wonderland at the Great Falls Office of the National Weather Service:

US National Weather Service Great Falls Montana via Facebook

READ MORE:  Great Falls Downtown Earns Honors for Planter for Department of Commerce

Great Falls NWS said that totals for the early storm, were big, but not record breaking.  Great Falls saw 16" of snow fall for the 3-day period from Saturday to Monday morning at 6am.  The total ranks 17th on the all-time list of 3-day records.  The 15.7" received on Saturday and Sunday rank 9th for total on the list.

US National Weather Service Great Falls Montana via Facebook

Great Falls Gets Abundance of Snow Accumulation and Moisture in October Storm

Totals may not have broken records, but the winter storm was one of the largest on record in overall terms to the start of the winter season in Great Falls.  The GFNWS said that to date, (October 12) this is the second snowiest start to winter.

JD

The winter snow season runs from July 1 through June 30.  The snowiest start to the season record belongs to 2019, when Mother Nature brought 27" of snow to Central Montana.