County Hazards

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Winter in Broadwater County, Montana

42 winter storms and snow events in the NCEI Storm Events record, 1950 to 2026. Event types counted: Winter Storm, Winter Weather, Heavy Snow, Blizzard, Ice Storm, Lake-Effect Snow, Sleet.

42 events · 2 deaths recorded · peak month April · county share of state 0.5%

Winter event locations in and around Broadwater County. Boundaries: US Census Bureau.

NCEI notes that Storm Data is compiled from a variety of sources including the National Weather Service, other federal, state and local agencies, the media and the public; that property and crop damage figures are estimates; and that some events are recorded by NWS forecast zone rather than by county. FEMA notes that NFIP claim records are redacted and aggregated to protect the privacy of policyholders. Storm records through 30 Jun 2026.

NCEI records 42 winter events in Broadwater County, Montana, between 1950 and 2026, spread over 17 years.

April is the busiest month, with 8 of the recorded events. The last 20 years account for 28 events against 14 in the 20 years before, a change that reflects reporting practice as much as weather.

The county holds 0.5% of the 8,475 winter events recorded in Montana; its 3.5 per 100 square miles compares with 5.8 statewide.

NCEI attributes 2 deaths in the county to winter storms and snow.

Some winter weather and high wind events are recorded by NWS forecast zone rather than by county; zone-recorded events whose zone is named for the county are included and marked "Forecast zone" in the table.

Compared with Montana

MeasureBroadwater CountyMontanaUS
Winter events since 1950428,475287,339
Per 100 square miles3.55.88.1
Per 10,000 residents57.676.78.7
Deaths recorded2862,509
Busiest monthAprilDecemberJanuary

By year

195019882026
Winter events recorded in Broadwater County per year, 1950 to 2026 (2026 is partial).

Seasonality

Jan
6
Feb
4
Mar
5
Apr
8
May
1
Jun
0
Jul
0
Aug
0
Sep
1
Oct
4
Nov
7
Dec
6
Winter events in Broadwater County by month of occurrence, all years.

Recorded events

All 42 events, most recent first. Magnitude is hail size, tornado rating or wind speed as recorded.

DateEvent typeMagnitudeProperty damageCrop damageDeathsInjuriesGeography
8 Nov 2020Winter Storm—————Forecast zone
23 Oct 2020Heavy Snow—————Forecast zone
23 Oct 2020Heavy Snow—————Forecast zone
13 Mar 2020Winter Storm———21Forecast zone
6 Feb 2020Winter Weather—————Forecast zone
14 Feb 2018Winter Storm—————Forecast zone
13 Dec 2015Winter Storm—————Forecast zone
24 Nov 2015Winter Storm—————Forecast zone
3 Nov 2015Winter Storm—————Forecast zone
23 Feb 2014Heavy Snow—————Forecast zone
28 Oct 2013Heavy Snow—————Forecast zone
25 Sep 2013Heavy Snow—————Forecast zone
10 Jan 2013Heavy Snow—————Forecast zone
8 Nov 2012Heavy Snow—————Forecast zone
27 Apr 2012Winter Storm—————Forecast zone
21 Apr 2011Winter Storm—————Forecast zone
7 Apr 2011Winter Storm—————Forecast zone
28 Dec 2010Winter Storm—————Forecast zone
7 Nov 2010Winter Storm—————Forecast zone
5 May 2010Winter Storm—————Forecast zone
13 Apr 2010Winter Storm—————Forecast zone
14 Apr 2009Winter Storm—————Forecast zone
28 Mar 2009Winter Storm—————Forecast zone
16 Mar 2009Winter Storm—————Forecast zone
13 Dec 2008Blizzard—————Forecast zone
19 Apr 2008Heavy Snow—————Forecast zone
19 Jan 2008Heavy Snow—————Forecast zone
19 Nov 2007Heavy Snow—————Forecast zone
5 Dec 2005Winter Storm—————Forecast zone
8 Nov 2005Heavy Snow—————Forecast zone
19 Apr 2005Winter Storm—————Forecast zone
13 Jan 2005Winter Storm—————Forecast zone
29 Dec 2004Winter Storm—————Forecast zone
1 Jan 2004Winter Storm—————Forecast zone
26 Mar 2003Winter Storm—————Forecast zone
22 Jan 2003Winter Storm—————Forecast zone
17 Apr 2002Winter Storm—————Forecast zone
7 Mar 2002Winter Storm—————Forecast zone
28 Feb 2002Winter Storm—————Forecast zone
26 Jan 2002Heavy Snow—————Forecast zone
22 Oct 2001Winter Storm—————Forecast zone
15 Dec 2000Blizzard—————Forecast zone

Questions and answers

How many winter events has Broadwater County had?

42 events in the NCEI Storm Events record between 1950 and 2026. Reporting of winter storms and snow became far more complete after 1996, so early decades undercount.

When was the last recorded winter event in Broadwater County?

8 Nov 2020 (Winter Storm). Records reach NCEI about 120 days after the month ends.

What was the most damaging winter event recorded in Broadwater County?

NCEI records no damage estimate for events of this type in the county.

How does Broadwater County compare with Montana for winter?

3.5 events per 100 square miles against 5.8 statewide; the county holds 42 of the state's 8,475 recorded events.

Provenance

NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, yearly details files through 30 Jun 2026, public domain. County-recorded events plus zone-recorded events whose forecast zone is named for the county (marked "Forecast zone"). Population and area from the US Census Bureau (2021). Built 1 Oct 2026. See the methodology, the Winter hub and the county page.