National Weather ServiceMontanaWinter Storm WarningArchive to October 11, 2026
Winter Storm Warnings in Montana
The National Weather Service issued 62 winter storm warnings for Montana in 2025 and 53 a year on average in 2008-2025; in 2021-2025 it had the 4th most of any state. 2026 through September: 23, 32% below the average of 34 for those months in 2008-2025. Absaroka/Beartooth Mountains was covered most often (223 times since 2008).
How many winter storm warnings does Montana get?
Every winter storm warning that covered part of Montana. 2026 is an outline: the year is not over.
The numbers
| Year | Count |
|---|---|
| 2026 (through September) | 26 |
| 2025 | 62 |
| 2024 | 60 |
| 2023 | 42 |
| 2022 | 55 |
| 2021 | 26 |
| 2020 | 41 |
| 2019 | 60 |
| 2018 | 60 |
| 2017 | 56 |
| 2016 | 39 |
| 2015 | 28 |
| 2014 | 61 |
| 2013 | 52 |
| 2012 | 51 |
| 2011 | 75 |
| 2010 | 60 |
| 2009 | 58 |
| 2008 | 62 |
Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 11, 2026.
When in the year does Montana get them?
Sum of 2008-2025; the busiest month is labelled.
Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 11, 2026.
Where in Montana?
| County or forecast zone | Since 2008 | Since 2023 | Last issued |
|---|---|---|---|
| Absaroka/Beartooth Mountains | 223 | 51 | October 11, 2026 |
| Southern Rocky Mountain Front | 164 | 26 | October 10, 2026 |
| Northern Rocky Mountain Front | 149 | 0 | June 14, 2022 |
| West Glacier Region | 140 | 21 | March 12, 2026 |
| Lower Clark Fork Region | 136 | 20 | March 12, 2026 |
| Crazy Mountains | 135 | 37 | October 11, 2026 |
| Judith Basin | 123 | 0 | May 19, 2022 |
| Cascade | 122 | 0 | May 19, 2022 |
| Gallatin | 117 | 0 | April 22, 2022 |
| Bitterroot/Sapphire Mountains | 116 | 18 | June 28, 2026 |
| Meagher | 116 | 0 | May 19, 2022 |
| Red Lodge Foothills | 115 | 15 | April 16, 2025 |
The NWS issues these products for counties or forecast zones; a zone can be part of a county or a mountain range.
Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 11, 2026.
The latest winter storm warnings for Montana in AreaZine's record
NWS BillingsWarningOctober 11, 2026
Winter Storm Warning: Judith Gap, MT
In force until 12:00 p.m. MDT, October 12, 2026
NWS Great FallsWarningOctober 10, 2026
Winter Storm Warning: Gallatin Valley, MT
In force until 9:00 a.m. MDT, October 12, 2026
NWS MissoulaWarningOctober 10, 2026
Winter Storm Warning: Butte/Blackfoot Region, MT
In force until 6:00 a.m. MDT, October 12, 2026
This list is AreaZine's record of the NWS alert feed, kept since April 6, 2026; the counts above come from the complete IEM archive.
Source: National Weather Service alerts (api.weather.gov).
Every winter storm warning for Montana in AreaZine's record
54 notices in AreaZine's record; the latest first below. Every one, oldest first: April 14, 2026 to October 11, 2026.
- Winter Storm Warning: Melville Foothills, MT Melville Foothills Warning
- Winter Storm Warning: Judith Gap, MT Judith Gap Warning
- Winter Storm Warning: Absaroka/Beartooth Mountains and Crazy Mountains, MT Absaroka/Beartooth Mountains and Crazy Mountains Warning
- Winter Storm Warning: Little Belt and Highwood Mountains, Snowy and Judith Mountains and Elkhorn and Boulder Mountains, MT Little Belt and Highwood Mountains, Snowy and Judith Mountains and Elkhorn and Boulder Mountains Warning
- Winter Storm Warning: Gallatin Valley, MT Gallatin Valley Warning
- Winter Storm Warning: Eastern Pondera and Eastern Teton, Cascade County below 5000ft, Judith Basin County and Judith Gap and 1 more, MT Eastern Pondera and Eastern Teton, Cascade County below 5000ft, Judith Basin County and Judith Gap and 1 more Warning
- Winter Storm Warning: East Glacier Park Region, Northern High Plains, Southern Rocky Mountain Front and 3 more, MT East Glacier Park Region, Northern High Plains, Southern Rocky Mountain Front and 3 more Warning
- Winter Storm Warning: Big Belt, Bridger and Castle Mountains, MT Big Belt, Bridger and Castle Mountains Warning
- Winter Storm Warning: Melville Foothills, MT Melville Foothills Warning
- Winter Storm Warning: Judith Gap, MT Judith Gap Warning
- Winter Storm Warning: Absaroka/Beartooth Mountains and Crazy Mountains, MT Absaroka/Beartooth Mountains and Crazy Mountains Warning
- Winter Storm Warning: Little Belt and Highwood Mountains, Snowy and Judith Mountains and Elkhorn and Boulder Mountains, MT Little Belt and Highwood Mountains, Snowy and Judith Mountains and Elkhorn and Boulder Mountains Warning
- Winter Storm Warning: Eastern Pondera and Eastern Teton, Cascade County below 5000ft, Judith Basin County and Judith Gap and 1 more, MT Eastern Pondera and Eastern Teton, Cascade County below 5000ft, Judith Basin County and Judith Gap and 1 more Warning
- Winter Storm Warning: East Glacier Park Region, Northern High Plains, Southern Rocky Mountain Front and 3 more, MT East Glacier Park Region, Northern High Plains, Southern Rocky Mountain Front and 3 more Warning
- Winter Storm Warning: Big Belt, Bridger and Castle Mountains, MT Big Belt, Bridger and Castle Mountains Warning
- Winter Storm Warning: Melville Foothills, MT Melville Foothills Warning
- Winter Storm Warning: Judith Gap, MT Judith Gap Warning
- Winter Storm Warning: Absaroka/Beartooth Mountains and Crazy Mountains, MT Absaroka/Beartooth Mountains and Crazy Mountains Warning
- Winter Storm Warning: Butte/Blackfoot Region, MT Butte/Blackfoot Region Warning
- Winter Storm Warning: Southern Rocky Mountain Front, Southern High Plains, Upper Blackfoot and MacDonald Pass and 1 more, MT Southern Rocky Mountain Front, Southern High Plains, Upper Blackfoot and MacDonald Pass and 1 more Warning
Source: National Weather Service alerts (api.weather.gov). A U.S. Government work, in the public domain.
What is a winter storm warning?
A winter storm warning means significant snow, sleet or freezing rain is expected that will make travel very difficult or impossible. Each office sets the amounts for its area. A warning means the hazard is happening, about to happen, or very likely: act now to protect people and property. The national record · Every warning type in Montana.
How does Montana compare with its neighbours?
Wyoming gets the most on Montana's border: 49 a year in 2021-2025.
| State | A year, 2021-2025 | A year, 2008-2025 | Rank of all states |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wyoming | 49 | 49 | 3rd |
| Montana | 49 | 53 | 4th |
| Idaho | 35 | 36 | 7th |
| South Dakota | 16 | 19 | 22nd |
| North Dakota | 9 | 12 | 33rd |
Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 11, 2026.
More records for Montana
- Winter Storm Watches in Montana42 a year
- Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in Montana343 a year
- Winter Weather Advisories in Montana166 a year
- Flood Advisories in Montana66 a year
- Every warning type in Montana
- Winter Storm Warnings in every state705 a year nationally