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Great Falls Today
By the People, for the People
Montana Blizzard Buries Towns Under 2 Feet of Snow
Ski resorts see late-season boom as state digs out from fierce winter storm.
Mar. 17, 2026 at 12:18am
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Central Montana is still recovering from a powerful weekend blizzard that dumped over 2 feet of snow in some areas, with the town of Lewistown reporting 25 inches. While Western Montana saw just a few inches, the storm brought a late-season boost to the state's ski resorts, which have struggled with low snowfall this year. However, the agriculture industry now faces new challenges as fertilizer costs are set to soar due to global supply chain disruptions.
Why it matters
The blizzard conditions highlighted the extreme winter weather that can impact communities in Montana, with the heavy snowfall causing widespread disruption. At the same time, the storm provided a much-needed boost for the state's ski industry, which has faced a difficult season due to lack of snow. The looming fertilizer price hikes also threaten to create new obstacles for Montana's agricultural sector as spring planting gets underway.
The details
The fierce blizzard conditions pounded Central Montana over the weekend, with the town of Lewistown reporting over 25 inches of snow. Other major towns like Helena and Great Falls also saw significant accumulations, with 15 inches and 10 inches respectively. While Western Montana escaped with just a few inches, a narrow band on top of Lolo Pass recorded an impressive 63 inches. The heavy snow and high winds created whiteout driving conditions, forcing residents to dig out. However, the storm provided a late-season boon for the state's ski resorts, which saw huge turnouts as skiers and snowboarders celebrated the surprise snowfall.
- The blizzard conditions hit Central Montana over the weekend.
- Lewistown reported over 25 inches of snow from the storm.
- Helena saw 15 inches of drifting snow, while Great Falls had 10 inches.
The players
Lewistown
A town in Central Montana that reported over 25 inches of snow from the weekend blizzard.
Helena
The state capital of Montana, which saw 15 inches of drifting snow during the storm.
Great Falls
A major town in Montana that received 10 inches of snow from the blizzard.
Lolo Pass
A mountain pass in Western Montana that recorded an impressive 63 inches of snow in a narrow band during the storm.
Montana's ski resorts
Ski areas across the state that saw a late-season boost in business and turnout due to the heavy snowfall.
What’s next
The forecast calls for more snow showers, mainly over Northwest Montana, as well as high winds gusting up to 55 mph over North Central Montana tonight through Tuesday morning.
The takeaway
The blizzard conditions in Montana highlighted the state's vulnerability to extreme winter weather, but also provided a much-needed boost for the ski industry. However, the looming fertilizer price hikes threaten to create new challenges for the agricultural sector as spring planting gets underway, underscoring the complex web of issues facing Montana communities.
