Alert archive / Montana / Blizzard Warnings in 2008

Blizzard Warning 2, NWS Missoula, MT

January 28, 2008Flathead County, Lake County, Sanders County, Montana

NWS Missoula, MT issued this blizzard warning at Jan 28, 2008, 5:44 AM MST for Flathead County, Lake County, Sanders County, Montana. It was in force for 3 hr. No storm report in the archive falls inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The counties it named.

The facts

Issued
Jan 28, 2008, 5:44 AM MST (12:44 UTC)
Expired
Jan 28, 2008, 9:00 AM MST
In force
3 hr
Issued by
NWS Missoula, MT

Counties Flathead County, MT, Lake County, MT, Sanders County, MT

The radar

The Missoula radar (KMSX), 98 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 12:42 UTC, the scan nearest the moment this went out.

Open the radar archive at this moment

The archived warnings, watches and discussions in force at that minute are drawn over the scan, this one among them.

The nearest sounding before it

Spokane, WA (KOTX), launched 12:00Z, 0.7 hours before the alert went out and 149 km from the middle of its area. This is the routine balloon launch nearest before it, the air the forecaster had in hand, not a measurement taken for the alert.

Skew-T log-pSkew-T log-p diagram, Spokane, WA at 12:00Z on 2008-01-28Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 0 joules per kilogram.LCL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km15 km-30°-20°-10°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, Spokane, WA at 12:00Z on 2008-01-28The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity -88 square meters per square second.1939587897117Sfc1 km3 km6 km9 kmRMLM
The wind turning with height, colored by layer: ground to 1 km, 1 to 3 km, 3 to 6 km, 6 to 10 km.
Mixed-layer CAPE
0 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
No buoyant parcel
Mixed-layer LCL
1048 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
78 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
-88 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
-110 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted, in the capitals the NWS used until 2016.

000 
WWUS45 KMSO 281244
WSWMSO

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MISSOULA MT
544 AM MST MON JAN 28 2008

MTZ002-003-281600-
/O.CAN.KMSO.WS.W.0004.000000T0000Z-080128T1600Z/
/O.NEW.KMSO.BZ.W.0002.080128T1244Z-080128T1600Z/
WEST GLACIER REGION-FLATHEAD/MISSION VALLEYS-
544 AM MST MON JAN 28 2008

...BLIZZARD WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 AM MST THIS MORNING NORTH
OF FLATHEAD LAKE...
...WINTER STORM WARNING IS CANCELLED...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN MISSOULA HAS ISSUED A BLIZZARD
WARNING...WHICH IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 AM MST THIS MORNING. THE
WINTER STORM WARNING HAS BEEN CANCELLED. 

STRONG NORTHEAST WINDS AND BLOWING SNOW WILL CONTINUE WHITEOUT CONDITIONS
THROUGH 9 AM IN THE WEST GLACIER AND FLATHEAD VALLEY.

EMERGENCY TRAVEL ONLY HAS BEEN DECLARED THROUGHOUT FLATHEAD
COUNTY. IN ADDITION ALL PUBLIC SCHOOLS IN FLATHEAD COUNTY HAVE
BEEN CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.

NORTHEAST WINDS OF 25 MPH GUSTING TO NEAR 40 MPH WILL CAUSE
DRIFTING SNOW AS WELL NORTH OF FLATHEAD LAKE. 

THE MISSION VALLEY CAN EXPECT TO SEE 1 TO 3 INCHES OF NEW
SNOWFALL ACCUMULATIONS ALONG WITH OCCASIONAL BLOWING AND DRIFTING
SNOW.

A BLIZZARD WARNING MEANS SEVERE WINTER WEATHER CONDITIONS ARE
EXPECTED OR OCCURRING. FALLING AND BLOWING SNOW WITH STRONG WINDS
AND POOR VISIBILITIES ARE LIKELY. THIS WILL LEAD TO WHITEOUT
CONDITIONS...MAKING TRAVEL EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. DO NOT TRAVEL. IF
YOU MUST...HAVE A WINTER SURVIVAL KIT WITH YOU. IF YOU GET
STRANDED...STAY WITH YOUR VEHICLE.

$$

MTZ005-281345-
/O.CAN.KMSO.SN.Y.0008.000000T0000Z-080128T1500Z/
MISSOULA/BITTERROOT VALLEYS-
544 AM MST MON JAN 28 2008

...SNOW ADVISORY IS CANCELLED...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN MISSOULA HAS CANCELLED THE SNOW
ADVISORY. 

$$

IDZ007-281500-
/O.CON.KMSO.HS.W.0003.000000T0000Z-080128T1500Z/
OROFINO/GRANGEVILLE REGION-
444 AM PST MON JAN 28 2008

...HEAVY SNOW WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 7 AM PST THIS
MORNING...

A HEAVY SNOW WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 7 AM PST THIS
MORNING. 

TOTAL SNOWFALL ACCUMULATIONS OF 5 TO 9 INCHES ARE EXPECTED ON THE
CAMAS PRAIRIE NEAR GRANGEVILLE AND THE WHITE BIRD GRADE BY EARLY
MORNING. 3 TO 5 INCHES OF SNOW ARE EXPECTED NEAR OROFINO. IN
ADDITION BREEZY WINDS WILL OCCASIONALLY CAUSE BLOWING AND
DRIFTING SNOW ON THE CAMAS PRAIRIE.

A HEAVY SNOW WARNING MEANS SEVERE WINTER WEATHER CONDITIONS ARE
EXPECTED OR OCCURRING. SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF SNOW ARE FORECAST
THAT WILL MAKE TRAVEL DANGEROUS.

$$

IDZ010-281800-
/O.CON.KMSO.WS.W.0004.000000T0000Z-080128T1800Z/
EASTERN LEMHI COUNTY-
544 AM MST MON JAN 28 2008

...WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 11 AM MST THIS
MORNING...

A WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 11 AM MST THIS
MORNING. 

TOTAL SNOWFALL ACCUMULATIONS OF 6 TO 12 INCHES ARE EXPECTED IN
THE MOUNTAINS AND OVER LOST TRAIL PASS. THE VALLEYS WILL SEE 1 TO
3 INCHES OF SNOW BY MORNING. IN ADDITION SOUTHERLY WINDS WILL
PRODUCE AREAS OF BLOWING SNOW AND REDUCED VISIBILITIES.

A WINTER STORM WARNING MEANS SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF SNOW AND
STRONG WINDS ARE EXPECTED. THIS WILL MAKE TRAVEL HAZARDOUS.

$$

IDZ009-281800-
/O.CON.KMSO.SN.Y.0008.000000T0000Z-080128T1800Z/
WESTERN LEMHI COUNTY-
544 AM MST MON JAN 28 2008

...SNOW ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 11 AM MST THIS MORNING...

A SNOW ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 11 AM MST THIS MORNING. 

3 TO 5 INCHES OF SNOW ARE EXPECTED BY MORNING AS A COLD FRONT
PASSES THE AREA.

A SNOW ADVISORY MEANS THAT PERIODS OF SNOW WILL CAUSE PRIMARILY
TRAVEL DIFFICULTIES. BE PREPARED FOR SNOW COVERED ROADS AND
LIMITED VISIBILITIES...AND USE CAUTION WHILE DRIVING.

$$

MTZ043-281500-
/O.CON.KMSO.SN.Y.0008.000000T0000Z-080128T1500Z/
POTOMAC/SEELEY LAKE REGION-
544 AM MST MON JAN 28 2008

...SNOW ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 AM MST THIS MORNING...

A SNOW ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 AM MST THIS MORNING. 

2 TO 4 INCHES OF SNOW ARE EXPECTED IN THE SEELEY/SWAN VALLEY BY
EARLY THIS MORNING.

A SNOW ADVISORY MEANS THAT PERIODS OF SNOW WILL CAUSE PRIMARILY
TRAVEL DIFFICULTIES. BE PREPARED FOR SNOW COVERED ROADS AND
LIMITED VISIBILITIES...AND USE CAUTION WHILE DRIVING.

$$

IDZ005-281500-
/O.CON.KMSO.SN.Y.0008.000000T0000Z-080128T1500Z/
NORTHERN CLEARWATER MOUNTAINS-
444 AM PST MON JAN 28 2008

...SNOW ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 7 AM PST THIS MORNING...

A SNOW ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 7 AM PST THIS MORNING. 

2 TO 5 INCHES OF SNOW ARE EXPECTED BY EARLY MORNING. LOCATIONS
NEAR ELK RIVER...HEADQUARTERS AND THE WEIPPE PRAIRIE WILL BE
IMPACTED BY THIS EVENT.

A SNOW ADVISORY MEANS THAT PERIODS OF SNOW WILL CAUSE PRIMARILY
TRAVEL DIFFICULTIES. BE PREPARED FOR SNOW COVERED ROADS AND
LIMITED VISIBILITIES...AND USE CAUTION WHILE DRIVING.

$$

IDZ006-MTZ006-281800-
/O.CON.KMSO.SN.Y.0008.000000T0000Z-080128T1800Z/
SOUTHERN CLEARWATER MOUNTAINS-BITTERROOT/SAPPHIRE MOUNTAINS-
544 AM MST MON JAN 28 2008 /444 AM PST MON JAN 28 2008/

...SNOW ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 11 AM MST /10 AM PST/
THIS MORNING BELOW 1000 FEET...

A SNOW ADVISORY BELOW 1000 FEET REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 11 AM MST
/10 AM PST/ THIS MORNING. 

3 TO 6 INCHES OF NEW SNOWFALL IS EXPECTED ACROSS THE AREA BY MID
MORNING. LOLO PASS...ELK CITY...DIXIE... AND SULA WILL BE AMONG
THE AREAS IMPACTED BY THIS EVENT

A SNOW ADVISORY MEANS THAT PERIODS OF SNOW WILL CAUSE PRIMARILY
TRAVEL DIFFICULTIES. BE PREPARED FOR SNOW COVERED ROADS AND
LIMITED VISIBILITIES...AND USE CAUTION WHILE DRIVING.

$$
2 follow-up statements
000 
WWUS45 KMSO 281456
WSWMSO

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MISSOULA MT
756 AM MST MON JAN 28 2008

IDZ007-281600-
/O.EXP.KMSO.HS.W.0003.000000T0000Z-080128T1500Z/
OROFINO/GRANGEVILLE REGION-
656 AM PST MON JAN 28 2008

...HEAVY SNOW WARNING WILL EXPIRE AT 7 AM PST THIS MORNING...

THE HEAVY SNOW WARNING WILL EXPIRE AT 7 AM PST THIS MORNING. SNOW WILL
CONTINUE TO TAPER OFF THROUGH THE MORNING HOURS. HOWEVER...ADDITIONAL
AMOUNTS OF 1 TO 2 INCHES CAN BE EXPECTED OVER THE HIGHER TERRAIN
AND IN THE FOOTHILLS SURROUNDING GRANGEVILLE AND OROFINO.

$$

MTZ043-281600-
/O.EXP.KMSO.SN.Y.0008.000000T0000Z-080128T1500Z/
POTOMAC/SEELEY LAKE REGION-
756 AM MST MON JAN 28 2008

...SNOW ADVISORY WILL EXPIRE AT 8 AM MST THIS MORNING...

THE SNOW ADVISORY WILL EXPIRE AT 8 AM MST THIS MORNING. SNOW WILL
CONTINUE TO TAPER OFF THROUGH THE MORNING HOURS. HOWEVER...ADDITIONAL
AMOUNTS OF 1 TO 2 INCHES CAN BE EXPECTED OVER THE HIGHER TERRAIN.

$$

IDZ005-281600-
/O.EXP.KMSO.SN.Y.0008.000000T0000Z-080128T1500Z/
NORTHERN CLEARWATER MOUNTAINS-
656 AM PST MON JAN 28 2008

...SNOW ADVISORY WILL EXPIRE AT 7 AM PST THIS MORNING...

THE SNOW ADVISORY WILL EXPIRE AT 7 AM PST THIS MORNING. SNOW WILL
CONTINUE TO TAPER OFF THROUGH THE MORNING HOURS. HOWEVER...ADDITIONAL
AMOUNTS OF 1 TO 2 INCHES CAN BE EXPECTED OVER THE HIGHER TERRAIN. 

$$

MTZ002-003-281600-
/O.CON.KMSO.BZ.W.0002.000000T0000Z-080128T1600Z/
WEST GLACIER REGION-FLATHEAD/MISSION VALLEYS-
756 AM MST MON JAN 28 2008

...BLIZZARD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 AM MST THIS
MORNING...

A BLIZZARD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 AM MST THIS MORNING.

STRONG NORTHEAST WINDS AND BLOWING SNOW WILL CONTINUE WHITEOUT
CONDITIONS THROUGH 9 AM IN THE WEST GLACIER AND FLATHEAD VALLEY.

EMERGENCY TRAVEL ONLY HAS BEEN DECLARED THROUGHOUT FLATHEAD
COUNTY. IN ADDITION ALL PUBLIC SCHOOLS IN FLATHEAD COUNTY HAVE
BEEN CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.

NORTHEAST WINDS OF 25 MPH GUSTING TO NEAR 40 MPH WILL CAUSE
DRIFTING SNOW AS WELL NORTH OF FLATHEAD LAKE.

THE MISSION VALLEY CAN EXPECT TO SEE 1 TO 3 INCHES OF NEW
SNOWFALL ACCUMULATIONS ALONG WITH OCCASIONAL BLOWING AND DRIFTING
SNOW.

A BLIZZARD WARNING MEANS SEVERE WINTER WEATHER CONDITIONS ARE
EXPECTED OR OCCURRING. FALLING AND BLOWING SNOW WITH STRONG WINDS
AND POOR VISIBILITIES ARE LIKELY. THIS WILL LEAD TO WHITEOUT
CONDITIONS...MAKING TRAVEL EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. DO NOT TRAVEL. IF
YOU MUST...HAVE A WINTER SURVIVAL KIT WITH YOU. IF YOU GET
STRANDED...STAY WITH YOUR VEHICLE.

$$

IDZ010-281600-
/O.CON.KMSO.WS.W.0004.000000T0000Z-080128T1800Z/
EASTERN LEMHI COUNTY-
756 AM MST MON JAN 28 2008

...WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 11 AM MST THIS
MORNING...

A WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 11 AM MST THIS
MORNING. 

TOTAL SNOWFALL ACCUMULATIONS OF 6 TO 12 INCHES ARE EXPECTED IN
THE MOUNTAINS AND OVER LOST TRAIL PASS. THE VALLEYS WILL SEE 1 TO
3 INCHES OF SNOW BY MORNING. IN ADDITION SOUTHERLY WINDS WILL
PRODUCE AREAS OF BLOWING SNOW AND REDUCED VISIBILITIES.

A WINTER STORM WARNING MEANS SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF SNOW AND
STRONG WINDS ARE EXPECTED. THIS WILL MAKE TRAVEL HAZARDOUS.

$$

IDZ009-281600-
/O.CON.KMSO.SN.Y.0008.000000T0000Z-080128T1800Z/
WESTERN LEMHI COUNTY-
756 AM MST MON JAN 28 2008

...SNOW ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 11 AM MST THIS MORNING...

A SNOW ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 11 AM MST THIS MORNING. 

3 TO 5 INCHES OF SNOW ARE EXPECTED BY MORNING AS A COLD FRONT
PASSES THE AREA.

A SNOW ADVISORY MEANS THAT PERIODS OF SNOW WILL CAUSE PRIMARILY
TRAVEL DIFFICULTIES. BE PREPARED FOR SNOW COVERED ROADS AND
LIMITED VISIBILITIES...AND USE CAUTION WHILE DRIVING.

$$

IDZ006-MTZ006-281600-
/O.CON.KMSO.SN.Y.0008.000000T0000Z-080128T1800Z/
SOUTHERN CLEARWATER MOUNTAINS-BITTERROOT/SAPPHIRE MOUNTAINS-
756 AM MST MON JAN 28 2008 /656 AM PST MON JAN 28 2008/

...SNOW ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 11 AM MST /10 AM PST/
THIS MORNING BELOW 1000 FEET...

A SNOW ADVISORY BELOW 1000 FEET REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 11 AM MST
/10 AM PST/ THIS MORNING. 

3 TO 6 INCHES OF NEW SNOWFALL IS EXPECTED ACROSS THE AREA BY MID
MORNING. LOLO PASS...ELK CITY...DIXIE... AND SULA WILL BE AMONG
THE AREAS IMPACTED BY THIS EVENT

A SNOW ADVISORY MEANS THAT PERIODS OF SNOW WILL CAUSE PRIMARILY
TRAVEL DIFFICULTIES. BE PREPARED FOR SNOW COVERED ROADS AND
LIMITED VISIBILITIES...AND USE CAUTION WHILE DRIVING.

$$
000 
WWUS45 KMSO 281603 AAA
WSWMSO

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE...UPDATED
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MISSOULA MT
903 AM MST MON JAN 28 2008

IDZ010-281715-
/O.CAN.KMSO.WS.W.0004.000000T0000Z-080128T1800Z/
EASTERN LEMHI COUNTY-
903 AM MST MON JAN 28 2008

...WINTER STORM WARNING IS CANCELLED...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN MISSOULA HAS CANCELLED THE WINTER
STORM WARNING. SNOW WILL CONTINUE TO TAPER OFF THROUGH THE MORNING
HOURS. HOWEVER...AN ADDITIONAL 1 TO 2 INCHES OF SNOW CAN BE EXPECTED 
OVER THE HIGHER TERRAIN.

$$

MTZ002-003-281800-
/O.EXP.KMSO.BZ.W.0002.000000T0000Z-080128T1600Z/
/O.NEW.KMSO.WW.Y.0004.080128T1603Z-080129T0000Z/
WEST GLACIER REGION-FLATHEAD/MISSION VALLEYS-
903 AM MST MON JAN 28 2008

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 PM MST THIS
AFTERNOON...
...BLIZZARD WARNING WILL EXPIRE AT 9 AM MST THIS MORNING...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN MISSOULA HAS ISSUED A WINTER
WEATHER ADVISORY...WHICH IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 PM MST THIS
AFTERNOON. THE BLIZZARD WARNING WILL EXPIRE AT 9 AM MST THIS
MORNING. 

NORTHEAST WINDS AND BLOWING SNOW WILL CONTINUE LOCAL WHITEOUT
CONDITIONS TODAY IN THE WEST GLACIER AND FLATHEAD VALLEY.
ADDITIONALLY...WITH COLDER AIR SPILLING INTO THE
REGION...DANGEROUS WIND CHILLS OF 10 TO 20 BELOW WILL OCCUR THROUGH
THE DAY.

EMERGENCY TRAVEL ONLY HAS BEEN DECLARED THROUGHOUT FLATHEAD
COUNTY. IN ADDITION ALL PUBLIC SCHOOLS IN FLATHEAD COUNTY HAVE
BEEN CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY MEANS THAT PERIODS OF SNOW...SLEET...OR
FREEZING RAIN WILL CAUSE TRAVEL DIFFICULTIES. BE PREPARED FOR
SLIPPERY ROADS AND LIMITED VISIBILITIES...AND USE CAUTION WHILE
DRIVING.

$$

IDZ009-281715-
/O.CAN.KMSO.SN.Y.0008.000000T0000Z-080128T1800Z/
WESTERN LEMHI COUNTY-
903 AM MST MON JAN 28 2008

...SNOW ADVISORY IS CANCELLED...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN MISSOULA HAS CANCELLED THE SNOW
ADVISORY. SNOW WILL CONTINUE TO TAPER OFF THROUGH THE MORNING
HOURS. HOWEVER...AN ADDITIONAL 1 TO 2 INCHES OF SNOW CAN BE
EXPECTED OVER THE HIGHER TERRAIN.
 

$$

IDZ006-MTZ006-281800-
/O.CON.KMSO.SN.Y.0008.000000T0000Z-080128T1800Z/
SOUTHERN CLEARWATER MOUNTAINS-BITTERROOT/SAPPHIRE MOUNTAINS-
903 AM MST MON JAN 28 2008 /803 AM PST MON JAN 28 2008/

...SNOW ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 11 AM MST /10 AM PST/
THIS MORNING...

A SNOW ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 11 AM MST /10 AM PST/
THIS MORNING. 

3 TO 6 INCHES OF NEW SNOWFALL IS EXPECTED ACROSS THE AREA BY MID
MORNING. LOLO PASS...ELK CITY...DIXIE... AND SULA WILL BE AMONG
THE AREAS IMPACTED BY THIS EVENT

A SNOW ADVISORY MEANS THAT PERIODS OF SNOW WILL CAUSE PRIMARILY
TRAVEL DIFFICULTIES. BE PREPARED FOR SNOW COVERED ROADS AND
LIMITED VISIBILITIES...AND USE CAUTION WHILE DRIVING.

$$

The office that day

Everything else NWS Missoula, MT issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Jan 28, 9:03 AM MSTWinter Weather AdvisoryMSODeer Lodge, Flathead, Granite, Lake, Missoula, Powell and 2 more12 hr
Jan 28, 2:49 PM MSTHeavy Snow WarningMSOFlathead, Lake, Mineral, Missoula, Sanders37 hr
Jan 28, 2:49 PM MSTSnow AdvisoryMSOFlathead, Granite, Lake, Lincoln, Missoula, Powell and 2 more37 hr

Nearby

Blizzard Warnings in Montana, 2008Every blizzard warning in 2008

Sources

The product and its follow-ups from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service and Storm Prediction Center text; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.