The Massive Montana Blizzard Of April 1969 Will Never Be Forgotten

It’s no secret that winters are brutal in Montana—in fact, it’s impossible to determine when we the state experienced its worst winter. The National Weather Service even released an article in 1999 called "The Top 10 Montana Weather Events of the 20th Century." Still, believe it or not, one of the worst blizzards in our history happened in the spring. One of the biggest snowstorms in Montana came about in 1969, and it shocked the entire state.

On April 25, 1969, a late season storm brought a drastic change in weather to Eastern Montana.

Montana is no stranger to drastic weather changes, but this one was exceptional. One day after numerous areas registered their highest temperature for the month, some over 80 degrees, a cold front swept through and brought blizzard conditions to most of the eastern half of the state.

Temperatures dropped more than 50 degrees in just 24 hours.

Wind chill readings were well below zero for almost 48 hours. Winter weather in Montana is always aggressive, but this year the lateness of the event caught the state by surprise.

Snowfall amounts of over one foot were reported.

A 32 inch snowfall was reported near Sonnette. It’s hard to believe it all happened in just one day and in late April.

The wind made everything feel worse… and it blew some high snowdrifts.

Power and phone lines were knocked out left and right. Some residents of southeastern Montana were without power for two weeks and without telephone service for over a month. The Montana blizzard of 1969 was primed to make history.

Over 100,000 sheep, cattle and horses were lost in the storm.

The income loss from those animals would be equivalent to $10 million today.

This winter doesn’t seem quite so bad now, does it?

The biggest blizzard in Montana seems to constantly be changing, but 1969 sure made a mark on the state's history. Do you remember it?

Our records snowfalls aren't always fun, but sometimes snow makes Montana look beautiful.