Alert archive / Montana / Winter Storm Warnings in 2009

Winter Storm Warning 1, NWS Missoula, MT

January 1, 20098 counties in Montana; Clearwater County, Idaho County, Idaho

NWS Missoula, MT issued this winter storm warning at Jan 1, 2009, 4:22 AM MST for 8 counties in Montana; Clearwater County, Idaho County, Idaho. It took effect at Jan 1, 2009, 5:00 AM MST. It was in force for 36 hr. 19 reports came from inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The counties it named, with what was reported inside it.

The facts

Issued
Jan 1, 2009, 4:22 AM MST (11:22 UTC)
In effect from
Jan 1, 2009, 5:00 AM MST
Expired
Jan 2, 2009, 5:00 PM MST
In force
36 hr
Issued by
NWS Missoula, MT

Counties Clearwater County, ID, Idaho County, ID, Flathead County, MT, Granite County, MT, Lake County, MT, Lincoln County, MT, Mineral County, MT, Missoula County, MT, Ravalli County, MT, Sanders County, MT

The radar

The Missoula radar (KMSX), 50 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 11:16 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.

What was reported inside it

TimeReportWhereRemark
Jan 1, 8:45 AM MSTHEAVY SNOW 7.219 S Elk City, IDNORTH SIDE OF DIXIE TOTAL FOR 24 HOUR PERIOD
Jan 2, 6:00 AM MSTHEAVY SNOW 205 Ssw Lolo Hot Springs, MTOBSERVATION IS FOR LOLO PASS
Jan 2, 7:30 AM MSTHEAVY SNOW 13.928 Ssw Libby, MT
Jan 2, 8:00 AM MSTHEAVY SNOW 8.815 S Troy, MT
Jan 2, 8:00 AM MSTHEAVY SNOW 91 N Polebridge, MT
Jan 2, 8:00 AM MSTHEAVY SNOW 96 Ne Heron, MT
Jan 2, 8:00 AM MSTHEAVY SNOW 12Heron, MTTRAINED SPOTTER REPORTED AT LEAST 12 INCHES OF SNOWFALL WITH SNOW FALLING AT MODERATE TO HEAVY RATES AT TIME OF CALL. POWER WAS ALSO LOST AT APPROXIMATELY 445 AM MST.
Jan 2, 8:00 AM MSTHEAVY SNOW 13.522 Sse Elk City, ID
Jan 2, 9:00 AM MSTHEAVY SNOW 7Noxon, MTDEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION REPORTED NEW SNOW OF 6 TO 7 INCHES FROM NOXON TO BULL LAKE AND FROM BULL LAKE TO TROY ON MT-56.
Jan 2, 9:00 AM MSTHEAVY SNOW 10Libby, MTDEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION REPORTED 10 INCHES NEW SNOW FROM LIBBY TO 37 MILES NORTH ON MT-37. HIGH WINDS AND SNOW REDUCED VISIBILITY IN BLOWING SNOW.
Jan 2, 9:00 AM MSTHEAVY SNOW 10St. Regis, MTMONTANA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION DECLARED SEVERE DRIVING CONDITIONS ON INTERSTATE HIGHWAY 90 FROM ST. REGIS TO LOOKOUT PASS DUE TO HEAVY SNOWFALL, POOR VISIBILITY AND SNOW COVERED ROADS. LOOKOUT PASS SKI RESORT REPORTED 10 INCHES OF NEW SNOW BY 700 AM.
Jan 2, 9:00 AM MSTHEAVY SNOW 16Kalispell, MTFLATHEAD COUNTY LAW ENFORCEMENT ISSUED AN EMERGENCY TRAVEL ONLY WARNING TO THE PUBLIC FOR ALL COUNTY ROADS DUE TO HEAVY SNOW. NEW SNOWFALL ESTIMATES OF 8 TO 16 INCHES OF SNOW THROUGHOUT FLATHEAD COUNTY WAS REPORTED BY THE PUBLIC AND DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATIO
Jan 2, 11:00 AM MSTHEAVY SNOW 9.514 Ne Sula, MT
Jan 2, 12:00 PM MSTHEAVY SNOW 15Kila, MT
Jan 2, 4:00 PM MSTHEAVY SNOW 8Libby, MTDEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION REPORTED STORM TOTAL SNOWFALL FROM LIBBY TO EUREKA OF 6 TO 8 INCHES.
Jan 2, 4:00 PM MSTHEAVY SNOW 12Polson, MTDEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION REPORTED STORM TOTAL SNOWFALL OF 10 TO 12 INCHES AROUND THE SOUTH END OF FLATHEAD LAKE FROM POLSON TO YELLOW BAY AND POLSON TO ELMO.
Jan 2, 4:00 PM MSTHEAVY SNOW 12West Glacier, MTCOOPERATIVE OBSERVER MEASURED 12 INCHES STORM TOTAL SNOWFALL AT 4 PM. A STORM TOTAL OF 12 TO 18 INCHES IS ESTIMATED ALONG HIGHWAY 2 FROM CORAM TO MARIAS PASS WITH HIGH WINDS AND BLOWING SNOW. SEVERE DRIVING CONDITIONS WERE DECLARED BY MONTANA DOT AT 6 AM OVER
Jan 2, 4:00 PM MSTHEAVY SNOW 16Marion, MTDEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION REPORTED STORM TOTAL SNOWFALL FROM MARION TO KILA ON US-2 OF 14 TO 16 INCHES.
Jan 2, 4:00 PM MSTHEAVY SNOW 18Columbia Falls, MTDEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION REPORTED STORM TOTAL SNOWFALL OF 18 INCHES FROM CRESTON TO COLUMBIA FALLS, AND SOMMERS TO BIG FORK.

Local storm reports filed while the alert was in force, from inside its polygon or its counties.

The nearest sounding before it

Spokane, WA (KOTX), launched 00:00Z, 11.4 hours before the alert went out and 147 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 00:00Z on 2009-01-01Temperature 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°0°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, Spokane, WA at 00:00Z on 2009-01-01The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 112 square meters per square second.1939587897117136Sfc1 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
1231 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
83 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
112 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
120 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 011122
WSWMSO

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MISSOULA MT
422 AM MST THU JAN 1 2009

.A MOIST AND VIGOROUS STORM SYSTEM WILL APPROACH THE NORTHERN
ROCKY MOUNTAINS TODAY. SNOW WILL BE HEAVY AT TIMES THROUGH FRIDAY
WITH LOCAL STRONG WINDS.

IDZ005-MTZ004-012000-
/O.UPG.KMSO.WS.A.0025.090101T1800Z-090102T1200Z/
/O.NEW.KMSO.WS.W.0001.090101T1200Z-090103T0000Z/
NORTHERN CLEARWATER MOUNTAINS-LOWER CLARK FORK REGION-
422 AM MST THU JAN 1 2009 /322 AM PST THU JAN 1 2009/

...WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 PM MST /4 PM PST/
FRIDAY...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN MISSOULA HAS ISSUED A WINTER
STORM WARNING FOR HEAVY SNOW...WHICH IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 PM MST
/4 PM PST/ FRIDAY. THE WINTER STORM WATCH IS NO LONGER IN EFFECT.

ACCUMULATIONS OF 10 TO 20 INCHES WILL BE COMMON AT HIGHER
ELEVATIONS BY LATE FRIDAY AFTERNOON. SNOW WILL MIX WITH RAIN AT
TIMES BELOW ABOUT 5500 FEET.

A WINTER STORM WARNING MEANS SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF SNOW...
OR BLOWING SNOW ARE EXPECTED. STRONG WINDS ARE ALSO POSSIBLE...
CREATING HAZARDOUS DRIVING CONDITIONS.

$$

MTZ001-012000-
/O.UPG.KMSO.WS.A.0025.090101T1800Z-090103T0000Z/
/O.NEW.KMSO.WS.W.0001.090101T1200Z-090103T0000Z/
KOOTENAI/CABINET REGION-
422 AM MST THU JAN 1 2009

...WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 PM MST FRIDAY...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN MISSOULA HAS ISSUED A WINTER
STORM WARNING FOR HEAVY SNOW...WHICH IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 PM MST
FRIDAY. THE WINTER STORM WATCH IS NO LONGER IN EFFECT.

NEW SNOW ACCUMULATIONS OF 6 TO 12 INCHES ARE EXPECTED WITH LOCALLY
GREATER AMOUNTS. 

A WINTER STORM WARNING MEANS SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF SNOW...
OR BLOWING SNOW ARE EXPECTED. STRONG WINDS ARE ALSO POSSIBLE...
CREATING HAZARDOUS DRIVING CONDITIONS.

$$

MTZ002-012000-
/O.UPG.KMSO.WS.A.0025.090101T1800Z-090103T0000Z/
/O.NEW.KMSO.WS.W.0001.090101T1200Z-090103T0000Z/
WEST GLACIER REGION-
422 AM MST THU JAN 1 2009

...WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 PM MST FRIDAY...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN MISSOULA HAS ISSUED A WINTER
STORM WARNING FOR SNOW AND BLOWING SNOW...WHICH IS IN EFFECT
UNTIL 5 PM MST FRIDAY. THE WINTER STORM WATCH IS NO LONGER IN
EFFECT.

MODERATE TO HEAVY SNOW ACCUMULATIONS OF 6 TO 12 INCHES ARE LIKELY
BY FRIDAY EVENING. IN ADDITION TO SNOW...SOUTHWEST WINDS OF 15 TO
25 MPH WITH GUSTS TO 30 MPH WILL COMBINE WITH THE SNOW TO CREATE
AREAS OF BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW. HIGHWAY 2 FROM ESSEX TO MARIAS
PASS WILL BE IMPACTED BY THIS STORM.

A WINTER STORM WARNING MEANS SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF SNOW...
OR BLOWING SNOW ARE EXPECTED. STRONG WINDS ARE ALSO POSSIBLE...
CREATING HAZARDOUS DRIVING CONDITIONS. 

$$

IDZ006-MTZ006-012000-
/O.NEW.KMSO.WW.Y.0025.090101T1200Z-090103T0000Z/
SOUTHERN CLEARWATER MOUNTAINS-BITTERROOT/SAPPHIRE MOUNTAINS-
422 AM MST THU JAN 1 2009 /322 AM PST THU JAN 1 2009/

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 PM MST /4 PM PST/
FRIDAY...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN MISSOULA HAS ISSUED A WINTER
WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SNOW...WHICH IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 PM MST /4
PM PST/ FRIDAY.

SNOW WILL SPREAD OVER THE AREA THIS MORNING. THE SNOW WILL MIX
WITH OR CHANGE TO RAIN AT LOWER ELEVATIONS THURSDAY AFTERNOON OR
THURSDAY NIGHT. LOCAL FREEZING RAIN IS POSSIBLE. LOCAL ACCUMULATIONS
OF 3 TO 6 INCHES OF WET SNOW ARE LIKELY.
 
A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY MEANS THAT PERIODS OF SNOW...OR BLOWING
SNOW WILL CAUSE TRAVEL DIFFICULTIES. BE PREPARED FOR SLIPPERY
ROADS AND LIMITED VISIBILITIES...AND USE CAUTION WHILE DRIVING.

$$
9 follow-up statements
000 
WWUS45 KMSO 011957
WSWMSO

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MISSOULA MT
1257 PM MST THU JAN 1 2009

.A VERY MOIST AND DYNAMIC WINTER STORM SYSTEM CONTINUES TO MOVE
THROUGH THE NORTHERN ROCKIES THIS AFTERNOON AND WILL PERSIST
THROUGH FRIDAY AFTERNOON. HEAVY SNOWFALL CAN BE EXPECTED...ESPECIALLY
ACROSS NORTHWEST MONTANA AND OVER MOUNTAIN PASSES. GUSTY
WINDS...STRONGEST OVER CENTRAL IDAHO AND WEST CENTRAL
MONTANA...WILL PRODUCE AREAS OF BLOWING SNOWFALL.

IDZ006-MTZ006-020400-
/O.UPG.KMSO.WW.Y.0025.000000T0000Z-090103T0000Z/
/O.EXA.KMSO.WS.W.0001.000000T0000Z-090103T0000Z/
SOUTHERN CLEARWATER MOUNTAINS-BITTERROOT/SAPPHIRE MOUNTAINS-
1257 PM MST THU JAN 1 2009 /1157 AM PST THU JAN 1 2009/

...WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 PM MST /4 PM PST/
FRIDAY ABOVE 5000 FEET...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN MISSOULA HAS ISSUED A WINTER
STORM WARNING FOR HEAVY SNOW AND BLOWING SNOW ABOVE 5000
FEET...WHICH IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 PM MST /4 PM PST/ FRIDAY. THIS
WARNING IS MAINLY FOR LOLO AND LOST TRAIL PASSES. THE WINTER
WEATHER ADVISORY IS NO LONGER IN EFFECT.

8 TO 12 INCHES OF HEAVY SNOW CAN BE EXPECTED ABOVE 5000 FEET
THROUGH FRIDAY AFTERNOON OVER LOLO AND LOST TRAIL PASSES. TRAVEL
LEAD UP TO AND OVER THESE PASSES WILL BECOME DIFFICULT AND AT TIMES
DANGEROUS DUE TO HEAVY SNOW. THE ADDITION OF SUSTAINED WINDS OF 15
TO 20 MPH WITH GUSTS TO 25 MPH WILL PRODUCE BLOWING AND DRIFTING
OF SNOW.

A WINTER STORM WARNING MEANS SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF SNOW...
BLOWING SNOW...OR FREEZING RAIN ARE EXPECTED OR OCCURRING. STRONG
WINDS AND DANGEROUS WIND CHILLS ARE ALSO POSSIBLE.  THIS WILL
MAKE TRAVEL VERY HAZARDOUS OR IMPOSSIBLE.

$$

MTZ003-020400-
/O.EXA.KMSO.WS.W.0001.000000T0000Z-090103T0000Z/
FLATHEAD/MISSION VALLEYS-
1257 PM MST THU JAN 1 2009

...WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 PM MST FRIDAY...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN MISSOULA HAS ISSUED A WINTER
STORM WARNING FOR HEAVY SNOW...WHICH IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 PM MST
FRIDAY.

ALTHOUGH LIGHT SNOW WILL CONTINUE TO FALL FOR THE NEXT FEW
HOURS...SNOW WILL BECOME HEAVIER OVERNIGHT AND PERSIST THROUGH
TOMORROW AS A COLD FRONT APPROACHES THE AREA. 8 TO 10 INCHES OF
TOTAL SNOWFALL ARE EXPECTED THROUGH FRIDAY AFTERNOON IN THE
NORTHERN FLATHEAD VALLEY WITH LOCAL AREAS RECEIVING UP TO 12
INCHES. THIS WARNING INCLUDES THE CITIES OF KALISPELL...WHITEFISH
AND COLUMBIA FALLS.

FARTHER SOUTH...LIGHT SNOW WILL GRADUALLY BECOME MIXED WITH RAIN
AND FREEZING RAIN TONIGHT...TRANSITIONING TO A COLD RAIN BY FRIDAY
MORNING. TOTAL SNOW ACCUMULATION THROUGH THIS EVENING IN THE
MISSION VALLEY WILL BE 1 TO 2 INCHES.

A WINTER STORM WARNING MEANS SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF SNOW... OR
BLOWING SNOW ARE EXPECTED. STRONG WINDS ARE ALSO POSSIBLE...
CREATING HAZARDOUS DRIVING CONDITIONS.

$$

IDZ005-MTZ004-020400-
/O.CON.KMSO.WS.W.0001.000000T0000Z-090103T0000Z/
NORTHERN CLEARWATER MOUNTAINS-LOWER CLARK FORK REGION-
1257 PM MST THU JAN 1 2009 /1157 AM PST THU JAN 1 2009/

...WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 PM MST /4 PM
PST/ FRIDAY...

A WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 PM MST /4 PM
PST/ FRIDAY. 

8 TO 10 INCHES OF TOTAL SNOWFALL CAN BE EXPECTED BY LATE FRIDAY
AFTERNOON WITH 10 TO 20 INCHES FALLING OVER LOOKOUT PASS AND THE
HIGHER TERRAIN. SNOW WILL MIX WITH RAIN AT TIMES BELOW 5000 FEET
WITH THE POSSIBILITY OF SOME PATCHY FREEZING RAIN SOUTH OF
SUPERIOR.

A WINTER STORM WARNING MEANS SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF SNOW... OR
BLOWING SNOW ARE EXPECTED. STRONG WINDS ARE ALSO POSSIBLE...
CREATING HAZARDOUS DRIVING CONDITIONS.

$$

MTZ001-020400-
/O.CON.KMSO.WS.W.0001.000000T0000Z-090103T0000Z/
KOOTENAI/CABINET REGION-
1257 PM MST THU JAN 1 2009

...WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 PM MST FRIDAY...

A WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 PM MST FRIDAY. 

8 TO 12 INCHES OF HEAVY SNOW ARE EXPECTED THROUGH FRIDAY AFTERNOON
WITH LOCAL AREAS RECEIVING UP TO 15 INCHES OF NEW SNOW.

A WINTER STORM WARNING MEANS SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF SNOW... OR
BLOWING SNOW ARE EXPECTED. STRONG WINDS ARE ALSO POSSIBLE...
CREATING HAZARDOUS DRIVING CONDITIONS.

$$

MTZ002-020400-
/O.CON.KMSO.WS.W.0001.000000T0000Z-090103T0000Z/
WEST GLACIER REGION-
1257 PM MST THU JAN 1 2009

...WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 PM MST FRIDAY...

A WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 PM MST FRIDAY. 

MODERATE TO HEAVY SNOW ACCUMULATIONS OF 6 TO 12 INCHES ARE LIKELY
BY FRIDAY EVENING. IN ADDITION TO SNOW...SOUTHWEST WINDS OF 15 TO
25 MPH WITH GUSTS TO 30 MPH WILL COMBINE WITH THE SNOW TO CREATE
AREAS OF BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW. HIGHWAY 2 FROM ESSEX TO
MARIAS PASS WILL BE IMPACTED BY THIS STORM.

A WINTER STORM WARNING MEANS SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF SNOW... OR
BLOWING SNOW ARE EXPECTED. STRONG WINDS ARE ALSO POSSIBLE...
CREATING HAZARDOUS DRIVING CONDITIONS.

$$

MTZ043-020400-
/O.NEW.KMSO.WW.Y.0026.090101T1957Z-090103T0000Z/
POTOMAC/SEELEY LAKE REGION-
1257 PM MST THU JAN 1 2009

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 PM MST FRIDAY...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN MISSOULA HAS ISSUED A WINTER
WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SNOW AND FREEZING RAIN...WHICH IS IN EFFECT
UNTIL 5 PM MST FRIDAY.

TOTAL SNOWFALL ACCUMULATIONS OF 2 TO 5 INCHES WITH LOCAL AREAS
RECEIVING UP TO 8 INCHES CAN BE EXPECTED THROUGH LATE FRIDAY
AFTERNOON. THE HEAVIES ACCUMULATIONS ARE EXPECTED MAINLY FROM
SEELEY LAKE NORTH TO CONDON. IN ADDITION...PATCHY FREEZING RAIN
WILL BE POSSIBLE LATE TONIGHT THROUGH FRIDAY MORNING...MAINLY
SOUTH OF SEELEY LAKE.

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

$$
000 
WWUS45 KMSO 012103
WSWMSO

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MISSOULA MT
203 PM MST THU JAN 1 2009

.A VERY MOIST AND DYNAMIC WINTER STORM SYSTEM CONTINUES TO MOVE
THROUGH THE NORTHERN ROCKIES THIS AFTERNOON AND WILL PERSIST
THROUGH FRIDAY AFTERNOON. HEAVY SNOWFALL CAN BE EXPECTED...
ESPECIALLY ACROSS NORTHWEST MONTANA AND OVER MOUNTAIN PASSES.
GUSTY WINDS...STRONGEST OVER CENTRAL IDAHO AND WEST CENTRAL
MONTANA...WILL ALSO PRODUCE AREAS OF BLOWING SNOWFALL. SNOW LEVELS
ARE EXPECTED TO RISE TO APPROXIMATELY 5000 FEET OVER IDAHO COUNTY
AND PORTIONS OF WEST-CENTRAL MONTANA OVERNIGHT AS WARMER AIR
PUSHES NORTHWARD. IN SOME AREAS....STEADY SNOW WILL CHANGE OVER TO
A MIXTURE OF RAIN AND SNOW...OR EVEN A BRIEF PERIOD OF FREEZING
RAIN.

IDZ005-MTZ004-020515-
/O.CON.KMSO.WS.W.0001.000000T0000Z-090103T0000Z/
NORTHERN CLEARWATER MOUNTAINS-LOWER CLARK FORK REGION-
203 PM MST THU JAN 1 2009 /103 PM PST THU JAN 1 2009/

...WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 PM MST /4 PM
PST/ FRIDAY...

A WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 PM MST /4 PM
PST/ FRIDAY. 

8 TO 10 INCHES OF TOTAL SNOWFALL CAN BE EXPECTED BY LATE FRIDAY
AFTERNOON WITH 10 TO 20 INCHES FALLING OVER LOOKOUT PASS AND THE
HIGHER TERRAIN. SNOW WILL MIX WITH RAIN AT TIMES BELOW 5000 FEET
WITH THE POSSIBILITY OF SOME PATCHY FREEZING RAIN SOUTH AND EAST 
OF ABOUT SUPERIOR.

A WINTER STORM WARNING MEANS SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF SNOW... OR
BLOWING SNOW ARE EXPECTED. STRONG WINDS ARE ALSO POSSIBLE...
CREATING HAZARDOUS DRIVING CONDITIONS.

$$

MTZ001-020515-
/O.CON.KMSO.WS.W.0001.000000T0000Z-090103T0000Z/
KOOTENAI/CABINET REGION-
203 PM MST THU JAN 1 2009

...WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 PM MST FRIDAY...

A WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 PM MST FRIDAY. 

8 TO 12 INCHES OF HEAVY SNOW ARE EXPECTED THROUGH FRIDAY
AFTERNOON WITH LOCAL AREAS RECEIVING UP TO 15 INCHES OF NEW SNOW.

A WINTER STORM WARNING MEANS SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF SNOW... OR
BLOWING SNOW ARE EXPECTED. STRONG WINDS ARE ALSO POSSIBLE...
CREATING HAZARDOUS DRIVING CONDITIONS.

$$

MTZ002-020515-
/O.CON.KMSO.WS.W.0001.000000T0000Z-090103T0000Z/
WEST GLACIER REGION-
203 PM MST THU JAN 1 2009

...WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 PM MST FRIDAY...

A WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 PM MST FRIDAY. 

MODERATE TO HEAVY SNOW ACCUMULATIONS OF 6 TO 12 INCHES ARE LIKELY
BY FRIDAY EVENING. IN ADDITION TO SNOW...SOUTHWEST WINDS OF 15 TO
25 MPH WITH GUSTS TO 30 MPH WILL COMBINE WITH THE SNOW TO CREATE
AREAS OF BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW. HIGHWAY 2 FROM ESSEX TO
MARIAS PASS WILL BE IMPACTED BY THIS STORM.

A WINTER STORM WARNING MEANS SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF SNOW... OR
BLOWING SNOW ARE EXPECTED. STRONG WINDS ARE ALSO POSSIBLE...
CREATING HAZARDOUS DRIVING CONDITIONS.

$$

MTZ003-020515-
/O.CON.KMSO.WS.W.0001.000000T0000Z-090103T0000Z/
FLATHEAD/MISSION VALLEYS-
203 PM MST THU JAN 1 2009

...WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 PM MST FRIDAY...

A WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 PM MST FRIDAY. 

ALTHOUGH LIGHT SNOW WILL CONTINUE TO FALL FOR THE NEXT FEW
HOURS...SNOW WILL BECOME HEAVIER OVERNIGHT AND PERSIST THROUGH
TOMORROW AS A COLD FRONT APPROACHES THE AREA. 7 TO 10 INCHES OF
TOTAL SNOWFALL ARE EXPECTED THROUGH FRIDAY AFTERNOON IN THE
NORTHERN FLATHEAD VALLEY WITH LOCAL AREAS RECEIVING UP TO
12 INCHES. THIS WARNING INCLUDES THE CITIES OF KALISPELL...
WHITEFISH AND COLUMBIA FALLS.

FARTHER SOUTH...LIGHT SNOW WILL GRADUALLY BECOME MIXED WITH RAIN
AND FREEZING RAIN TONIGHT...TRANSITIONING TO A COLD RAIN BY
FRIDAY MORNING. TOTAL SNOW ACCUMULATION THROUGH THIS EVENING IN
THE MISSION VALLEY WILL BE AROUND 1 TO 3 INCHES.

A WINTER STORM WARNING MEANS SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF SNOW... OR
BLOWING SNOW ARE EXPECTED. STRONG WINDS ARE ALSO POSSIBLE...
CREATING HAZARDOUS DRIVING CONDITIONS.

$$

IDZ006-MTZ006-020515-
/O.CON.KMSO.WS.W.0001.000000T0000Z-090103T0000Z/
SOUTHERN CLEARWATER MOUNTAINS-BITTERROOT/SAPPHIRE MOUNTAINS-
203 PM MST THU JAN 1 2009 /103 PM PST THU JAN 1 2009/

...WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 PM MST /4 PM
PST/ FRIDAY ABOVE 5000 FEET...

A WINTER STORM WARNING ABOVE 5000 FEET REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL
5 PM MST /4 PM PST/ FRIDAY. 

8 TO 12 INCHES OF HEAVY SNOW CAN BE EXPECTED ABOVE 5000 FEET
THROUGH FRIDAY AFTERNOON OVER LOLO AND LOST TRAIL PASSES. TRAVEL
LEAD UP TO AND OVER THESE PASSES WILL BECOME DIFFICULT AND AT
TIMES DANGEROUS DUE TO HEAVY SNOW. THE ADDITION OF SUSTAINED
WINDS OF 15 TO 20 MPH WITH GUSTS TO 25 MPH WILL PRODUCE BLOWING
AND DRIFTING OF SNOW.

A WINTER STORM WARNING MEANS SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF SNOW...
BLOWING SNOW...OR FREEZING RAIN ARE EXPECTED OR OCCURRING. STRONG
WINDS AND DANGEROUS WIND CHILLS ARE ALSO POSSIBLE.  THIS WILL
MAKE TRAVEL VERY HAZARDOUS OR IMPOSSIBLE.

$$

MTZ005-020515-
/O.EXB.KMSO.WW.Y.0026.000000T0000Z-090102T1200Z/
MISSOULA/BITTERROOT VALLEYS-
203 PM MST THU JAN 1 2009

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 AM MST FRIDAY...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN MISSOULA HAS ISSUED A WINTER
WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SNOW AND FREEZING RAIN...WHICH IS IN EFFECT
UNTIL 5 AM MST FRIDAY. 

TOTAL SNOWFALL ACCUMULATIONS OF 2 TO 3 INCHES...WITH LOCAL AREAS
ON THE FOOTHILLS AND VALLEY BENCHES RECEIVING UP TO 5 INCHES...CAN
BE EXPECTED THROUGH LATE FRIDAY AFTERNOON. THE HEAVIEST
ACCUMULATIONS ARE EXPECTED TO REMAIN MAINLY IN THE MISSOULA
VALLEY. 

LATER THIS EVENING SNOW WILL BEGIN TO MIX WITH RAIN. FREEZING
RAIN WILL EVEN BECOME POSSIBLE...MAINLY FROM LOLO NORTH ACROSS
THE MISSOULA VALLEY LATE THIS EVENING THROUGH EARLY FRIDAY MORNING.

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

$$

MTZ043-020515-
/O.CON.KMSO.WW.Y.0026.000000T0000Z-090103T0000Z/
POTOMAC/SEELEY LAKE REGION-
203 PM MST THU JAN 1 2009

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 PM MST
FRIDAY...

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 PM MST
FRIDAY. 

TOTAL SNOWFALL ACCUMULATIONS OF 2 TO 5 INCHES WITH LOCAL AREAS
RECEIVING UP TO 8 INCHES CAN BE EXPECTED THROUGH LATE FRIDAY
AFTERNOON. THE HEAVIEST ACCUMULATIONS ARE EXPECTED MAINLY FROM
SEELEY LAKE NORTH TO CONDON. IN ADDITION...PATCHY FREEZING RAIN
WILL BE POSSIBLE LATE TONIGHT THROUGH FRIDAY MORNING...MAINLY
SOUTH OF SEELEY LAKE.

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

$$
000 
WWUS45 KMSO 020031
WSWMSO

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MISSOULA MT
531 PM MST THU JAN 1 2009

.A VERY MOIST AND DYNAMIC WINTER STORM SYSTEM CONTINUES TO MOVE
THROUGH THE NORTHERN ROCKIES THIS AFTERNOON AND WILL PERSIST
THROUGH FRIDAY AFTERNOON. HEAVY SNOWFALL CAN BE EXPECTED...
ESPECIALLY ACROSS NORTHWEST MONTANA AND OVER MOUNTAIN PASSES.
GUSTY WINDS...STRONGEST OVER CENTRAL IDAHO AND WEST CENTRAL
MONTANA...WILL ALSO PRODUCE AREAS OF BLOWING SNOWFALL. SNOW
LEVELS ARE EXPECTED TO RISE TO APPROXIMATELY 5000 FEET OVER IDAHO
COUNTY AND PORTIONS OF WEST-CENTRAL MONTANA OVERNIGHT AS WARMER
AIR PUSHES NORTHWARD. IN SOME AREAS....STEADY SNOW WILL CHANGE
OVER TO A MIXTURE OF RAIN AND SNOW...OR EVEN A BRIEF PERIOD OF
FREEZING RAIN.

IDZ005-MTZ004-020500-
/O.CON.KMSO.WS.W.0001.000000T0000Z-090103T0000Z/
NORTHERN CLEARWATER MOUNTAINS-LOWER CLARK FORK REGION-
531 PM MST THU JAN 1 2009 /431 PM PST THU JAN 1 2009/

...WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 PM MST /4 PM
PST/ FRIDAY...

A WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 PM MST /4 PM
PST/ FRIDAY. 

8 TO 10 INCHES OF TOTAL SNOWFALL CAN BE EXPECTED BY LATE FRIDAY
AFTERNOON WITH 10 TO 20 INCHES FALLING OVER LOOKOUT PASS AND THE
HIGHER TERRAIN. SNOW WILL MIX WITH RAIN AT TIMES BELOW 5000 FEET
WITH THE POSSIBILITY OF SOME PATCHY FREEZING RAIN SOUTH AND EAST
OF ABOUT SUPERIOR.

A WINTER STORM WARNING MEANS SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF SNOW... OR
BLOWING SNOW ARE EXPECTED. STRONG WINDS ARE ALSO POSSIBLE...
CREATING HAZARDOUS DRIVING CONDITIONS.

$$

MTZ001-020500-
/O.CON.KMSO.WS.W.0001.000000T0000Z-090103T0000Z/
KOOTENAI/CABINET REGION-
531 PM MST THU JAN 1 2009

...WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 PM MST FRIDAY...

A WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 PM MST FRIDAY. 

8 TO 12 INCHES OF HEAVY SNOW ARE EXPECTED THROUGH FRIDAY
AFTERNOON WITH LOCAL AREAS RECEIVING UP TO 15 INCHES OF NEW SNOW.

A WINTER STORM WARNING MEANS SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF SNOW... OR
BLOWING SNOW ARE EXPECTED. STRONG WINDS ARE ALSO POSSIBLE...
CREATING HAZARDOUS DRIVING CONDITIONS.

$$

MTZ002-020500-
/O.CON.KMSO.WS.W.0001.000000T0000Z-090103T0000Z/
WEST GLACIER REGION-
531 PM MST THU JAN 1 2009

...WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 PM MST FRIDAY...

A WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 PM MST FRIDAY. 

MODERATE TO HEAVY SNOW ACCUMULATIONS OF 6 TO 12 INCHES ARE LIKELY
BY FRIDAY EVENING. IN ADDITION TO SNOW...SOUTHWEST WINDS OF 15 TO
25 MPH WITH GUSTS TO 30 MPH WILL COMBINE WITH THE SNOW TO CREATE
AREAS OF BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW. HIGHWAY 2 FROM ESSEX TO
MARIAS PASS WILL BE IMPACTED BY THIS STORM.

A WINTER STORM WARNING MEANS SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF SNOW... OR
BLOWING SNOW ARE EXPECTED. STRONG WINDS ARE ALSO POSSIBLE...
CREATING HAZARDOUS DRIVING CONDITIONS.

$$

MTZ003-020500-
/O.CON.KMSO.WS.W.0001.000000T0000Z-090103T0000Z/
FLATHEAD/MISSION VALLEYS-
531 PM MST THU JAN 1 2009

...WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 PM MST FRIDAY...

A WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 PM MST FRIDAY. 

ALTHOUGH LIGHT SNOW WILL CONTINUE TO FALL FOR THE NEXT FEW
HOURS...SNOW WILL BECOME HEAVIER OVERNIGHT AND PERSIST THROUGH
TOMORROW AS A COLD FRONT APPROACHES THE AREA. 7 TO 10 INCHES OF
TOTAL SNOWFALL ARE EXPECTED THROUGH FRIDAY AFTERNOON IN THE
NORTHERN FLATHEAD VALLEY WITH LOCAL AREAS RECEIVING UP TO
12 INCHES. THIS WARNING INCLUDES THE CITIES OF KALISPELL...
WHITEFISH AND COLUMBIA FALLS.

FARTHER SOUTH...LIGHT SNOW WILL GRADUALLY BECOME MIXED WITH RAIN
AND FREEZING RAIN TONIGHT...TRANSITIONING TO A COLD RAIN BY
FRIDAY MORNING. TOTAL SNOW ACCUMULATION THROUGH THIS EVENING IN
THE MISSION VALLEY WILL BE AROUND 1 TO 3 INCHES.

A WINTER STORM WARNING MEANS SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF SNOW... OR
BLOWING SNOW ARE EXPECTED. STRONG WINDS ARE ALSO POSSIBLE...
CREATING HAZARDOUS DRIVING CONDITIONS.

$$

IDZ006-MTZ006-020500-
/O.CON.KMSO.WS.W.0001.000000T0000Z-090103T0000Z/
SOUTHERN CLEARWATER MOUNTAINS-BITTERROOT/SAPPHIRE MOUNTAINS-
531 PM MST THU JAN 1 2009 /431 PM PST THU JAN 1 2009/

...WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 PM MST /4 PM
PST/ FRIDAY ABOVE 5000 FEET...

A WINTER STORM WARNING ABOVE 5000 FEET REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL
5 PM MST /4 PM PST/ FRIDAY. 

8 TO 12 INCHES OF HEAVY SNOW CAN BE EXPECTED ABOVE 5000 FEET
THROUGH FRIDAY AFTERNOON OVER LOLO AND LOST TRAIL PASSES. TRAVEL
LEAD UP TO AND OVER THESE PASSES WILL BECOME DIFFICULT AND AT
TIMES DANGEROUS DUE TO HEAVY SNOW. THE ADDITION OF SUSTAINED
WINDS OF 15 TO 20 MPH WITH GUSTS TO 25 MPH WILL PRODUCE BLOWING
AND DRIFTING OF SNOW.

A WINTER STORM WARNING MEANS SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF SNOW...
BLOWING SNOW...OR FREEZING RAIN ARE EXPECTED OR OCCURRING. STRONG
WINDS AND DANGEROUS WIND CHILLS ARE ALSO POSSIBLE.  THIS WILL
MAKE TRAVEL VERY HAZARDOUS OR IMPOSSIBLE.

$$

IDZ010-020500-
/O.EXA.KMSO.WW.Y.0026.000000T0000Z-090103T0000Z/
EASTERN LEMHI COUNTY-
531 PM MST THU JAN 1 2009

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 PM MST FRIDAY ABOVE
6000 FEET...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN MISSOULA HAS ISSUED A WINTER
WEATHER ADVISORY FOR HEAVY SNOW ABOVE 6000 FEET...
WHICH IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 PM MST FRIDAY. 

TOTAL SNOWFALL ACCUMULATIONS OF 2 TO 5 INCHES WITH LOCAL AREAS
RECEIVING UP TO 8 INCHES CAN BE EXPECTED THROUGH LATE FRIDAY
AFTERNOON. THE HEAVIEST ACCUMULATIONS ARE EXPECTED MAINLY OVER
LOST TRAIL...LEMHI AND BANNOCK PASSES. 

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

$$

MTZ005-020500-
/O.CON.KMSO.WW.Y.0026.000000T0000Z-090102T1200Z/
MISSOULA/BITTERROOT VALLEYS-
531 PM MST THU JAN 1 2009

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 AM MST
FRIDAY...

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 AM MST
FRIDAY. 

TOTAL SNOWFALL ACCUMULATIONS OF 2 TO 3 INCHES...WITH LOCAL AREAS
ON THE FOOTHILLS AND VALLEY BENCHES RECEIVING UP TO 5 INCHES...
CAN BE EXPECTED THROUGH LATE FRIDAY AFTERNOON. THE HEAVIEST
ACCUMULATIONS ARE EXPECTED TO REMAIN MAINLY IN THE MISSOULA
VALLEY.

LATER THIS EVENING SNOW WILL BEGIN TO MIX WITH RAIN. FREEZING
RAIN WILL EVEN BECOME POSSIBLE...MAINLY FROM LOLO NORTH ACROSS
THE MISSOULA VALLEY LATE THIS EVENING THROUGH EARLY FRIDAY
MORNING.

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

$$

MTZ043-020500-
/O.CON.KMSO.WW.Y.0026.000000T0000Z-090103T0000Z/
POTOMAC/SEELEY LAKE REGION-
531 PM MST THU JAN 1 2009

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 PM MST
FRIDAY...

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 PM MST
FRIDAY. 

TOTAL SNOWFALL ACCUMULATIONS OF 2 TO 5 INCHES WITH LOCAL AREAS
RECEIVING UP TO 8 INCHES CAN BE EXPECTED THROUGH LATE FRIDAY
AFTERNOON. THE HEAVIEST ACCUMULATIONS ARE EXPECTED MAINLY FROM
SEELEY LAKE NORTH TO CONDON. IN ADDITION...PATCHY FREEZING RAIN
WILL BE POSSIBLE LATE TONIGHT THROUGH FRIDAY MORNING...MAINLY
SOUTH OF SEELEY LAKE.

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

$$
000 
WWUS45 KMSO 020434
WSWMSO

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MISSOULA MT
934 PM MST THU JAN 1 2009

.A VERY MOIST AND DYNAMIC WINTER STORM SYSTEM WILL PERSIST
THROUGH FRIDAY AFTERNOON. HEAVY SNOWFALL CAN BE EXPECTED...
ESPECIALLY ACROSS NORTHWEST MONTANA AND OVER MOUNTAIN PASSES.
GUSTY WINDS...STRONGEST OVER CENTRAL IDAHO AND WEST CENTRAL
MONTANA...WILL ALSO PRODUCE AREAS OF BLOWING SNOWFALL. SNOW LEVELS
ARE EXPECTED TO RISE TO APPROXIMATELY 5000 FEET OVER IDAHO COUNTY
AND PORTIONS OF WEST-CENTRAL MONTANA OVERNIGHT AS WARMER AIR
PUSHES NORTHWARD. IN SOME AREAS....STEADY SNOW WILL CHANGE OVER TO
A MIXTURE OF RAIN AND SNOW...OR EVEN A BRIEF PERIOD OF FREEZING
RAIN.

IDZ005-MTZ004-021200-
/O.CON.KMSO.WS.W.0001.000000T0000Z-090103T0000Z/
NORTHERN CLEARWATER MOUNTAINS-LOWER CLARK FORK REGION-
934 PM MST THU JAN 1 2009 /834 PM PST THU JAN 1 2009/

...WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 PM MST /4 PM
PST/ FRIDAY...

A WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 PM MST /4 PM
PST/ FRIDAY. 

8 TO 10 INCHES OF TOTAL SNOWFALL CAN BE EXPECTED BY LATE FRIDAY
AFTERNOON WITH 10 TO 20 INCHES FALLING OVER LOOKOUT PASS AND THE
HIGHER TERRAIN. SNOW WILL MIX WITH RAIN AT TIMES BELOW 5000 FEET
WITH THE POSSIBILITY OF SOME PATCHY FREEZING RAIN SOUTH AND EAST
OF ABOUT SUPERIOR.

A WINTER STORM WARNING MEANS SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF SNOW... OR
BLOWING SNOW ARE EXPECTED. STRONG WINDS ARE ALSO POSSIBLE...
CREATING HAZARDOUS DRIVING CONDITIONS.

$$

MTZ001-021200-
/O.CON.KMSO.WS.W.0001.000000T0000Z-090103T0000Z/
KOOTENAI/CABINET REGION-
934 PM MST THU JAN 1 2009

...WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 PM MST FRIDAY...

A WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 PM MST FRIDAY. 

8 TO 12 INCHES OF HEAVY SNOW ARE EXPECTED THROUGH FRIDAY
AFTERNOON WITH LOCAL AREAS RECEIVING UP TO 15 INCHES OF NEW SNOW.

A WINTER STORM WARNING MEANS SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF SNOW... OR
BLOWING SNOW ARE EXPECTED. STRONG WINDS ARE ALSO POSSIBLE...
CREATING HAZARDOUS DRIVING CONDITIONS.

$$

MTZ002-021200-
/O.CON.KMSO.WS.W.0001.000000T0000Z-090103T0000Z/
WEST GLACIER REGION-
934 PM MST THU JAN 1 2009

...WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 PM MST FRIDAY...

A WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 PM MST FRIDAY. 

MODERATE TO HEAVY SNOW ACCUMULATIONS OF 6 TO 12 INCHES ARE LIKELY
BY FRIDAY EVENING. IN ADDITION TO SNOW...SOUTHWEST WINDS OF 15 TO
25 MPH WITH GUSTS TO 30 MPH WILL COMBINE WITH THE SNOW TO CREATE
AREAS OF BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW. HIGHWAY 2 FROM ESSEX TO
MARIAS PASS WILL BE IMPACTED BY THIS STORM.

A WINTER STORM WARNING MEANS SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF SNOW... OR
BLOWING SNOW ARE EXPECTED. STRONG WINDS ARE ALSO POSSIBLE...
CREATING HAZARDOUS DRIVING CONDITIONS.

$$

MTZ003-021200-
/O.CON.KMSO.WS.W.0001.000000T0000Z-090103T0000Z/
FLATHEAD/MISSION VALLEYS-
934 PM MST THU JAN 1 2009

...WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 PM MST FRIDAY...

A WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 PM MST FRIDAY. 

ALTHOUGH LIGHT SNOW WILL CONTINUE TO FALL FOR THE NEXT FEW
HOURS...SNOW WILL BECOME HEAVIER OVERNIGHT AND PERSIST THROUGH
TOMORROW AS A COLD FRONT APPROACHES THE AREA. 7 TO 10 INCHES OF
TOTAL SNOWFALL ARE EXPECTED THROUGH FRIDAY AFTERNOON IN THE
NORTHERN FLATHEAD VALLEY WITH LOCAL AREAS RECEIVING UP TO
12 INCHES. THIS WARNING INCLUDES THE CITIES OF KALISPELL...
WHITEFISH AND COLUMBIA FALLS.

FARTHER SOUTH...LIGHT SNOW WILL GRADUALLY BECOME MIXED WITH RAIN
AND FREEZING RAIN TONIGHT...TRANSITIONING TO A COLD RAIN BY
FRIDAY MORNING. TOTAL SNOW ACCUMULATION THROUGH MIDNIGHT IN THE MISSION
VALLEY WILL BE AROUND 1 TO 3 INCHES.

A WINTER STORM WARNING MEANS SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF SNOW... OR
BLOWING SNOW ARE EXPECTED. STRONG WINDS ARE ALSO POSSIBLE...
CREATING HAZARDOUS DRIVING CONDITIONS.

$$

IDZ006-MTZ006-021200-
/O.CON.KMSO.WS.W.0001.000000T0000Z-090103T0000Z/
SOUTHERN CLEARWATER MOUNTAINS-BITTERROOT/SAPPHIRE MOUNTAINS-
934 PM MST THU JAN 1 2009 /834 PM PST THU JAN 1 2009/

...WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 PM MST /4 PM
PST/ FRIDAY ABOVE 5000 FEET...

A WINTER STORM WARNING ABOVE 5000 FEET REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL
5 PM MST /4 PM PST/ FRIDAY. 

8 TO 12 INCHES OF HEAVY SNOW CAN BE EXPECTED ABOVE 5000 FEET
THROUGH FRIDAY AFTERNOON OVER LOLO AND LOST TRAIL PASSES. TRAVEL
UP TO AND OVER THESE PASSES WILL BECOME DIFFICULT AND AT TIMES
DANGEROUS DUE TO HEAVY SNOW. THE ADDITION OF SUSTAINED WINDS OF 15
TO 20 MPH WITH GUSTS TO 25 MPH WILL PRODUCE BLOWING AND DRIFTING
OF SNOW.

A WINTER STORM WARNING MEANS SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF SNOW...
BLOWING SNOW...OR FREEZING RAIN ARE EXPECTED OR OCCURRING. STRONG
WINDS AND DANGEROUS WIND CHILLS ARE ALSO POSSIBLE.  THIS WILL
MAKE TRAVEL VERY HAZARDOUS OR IMPOSSIBLE.

$$

MTZ005-021200-
/O.CON.KMSO.WW.Y.0026.000000T0000Z-090102T1200Z/
MISSOULA/BITTERROOT VALLEYS-
934 PM MST THU JAN 1 2009

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 AM MST
FRIDAY...

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 AM MST
FRIDAY. 

TOTAL SNOWFALL ACCUMULATIONS OF 2 TO 3 INCHES...WITH LOCAL AREAS
ON THE FOOTHILLS AND VALLEY BENCHES RECEIVING UP TO 5 INCHES...
CAN BE EXPECTED THROUGH LATE FRIDAY AFTERNOON. THE HEAVIEST
ACCUMULATIONS ARE EXPECTED TO REMAIN MAINLY IN THE MISSOULA
VALLEY.

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

$$

MTZ043-021200-
/O.CON.KMSO.WW.Y.0026.000000T0000Z-090103T0000Z/
POTOMAC/SEELEY LAKE REGION-
934 PM MST THU JAN 1 2009

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 PM MST
FRIDAY...

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 PM MST
FRIDAY. 

TOTAL SNOWFALL ACCUMULATIONS OF 2 TO 5 INCHES WITH LOCAL AREAS
RECEIVING UP TO 8 INCHES CAN BE EXPECTED THROUGH LATE FRIDAY
AFTERNOON. THE HEAVIEST ACCUMULATIONS ARE EXPECTED MAINLY FROM
SEELEY LAKE NORTH TO CONDON. IN ADDITION...PATCHY FREEZING RAIN
WILL BE POSSIBLE LATE TONIGHT THROUGH FRIDAY MORNING...MAINLY
SOUTH OF SEELEY LAKE.

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

$$

IDZ010-021200-
/O.CON.KMSO.WW.Y.0026.000000T0000Z-090103T0000Z/
EASTERN LEMHI COUNTY-
934 PM MST THU JAN 1 2009

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 PM MST
FRIDAY ABOVE 6000 FEET...

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY ABOVE 6000 FEET REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL
5 PM MST FRIDAY. 

TOTAL SNOWFALL ACCUMULATIONS OF 2 TO 5 INCHES WITH LOCAL AREAS
RECEIVING UP TO 8 INCHES CAN BE EXPECTED THROUGH LATE FRIDAY
AFTERNOON. THE HEAVIEST ACCUMULATIONS ARE EXPECTED MAINLY OVER
LOST TRAIL...LEMHI AND BANNOCK PASSES.

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

$$
000 
WWUS45 KMSO 021020
WSWMSO

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MISSOULA MT
320 AM MST FRI JAN 2 2009

.A MOIST AND STRONG WINTER STORM SYSTEM WILL CONTINUE TO IMPACT
THE AREA THROUGH FRIDAY AFTERNOON. HEAVY SNOWFALL WILL RESULT...
ESPECIALLY ACROSS NORTHWEST MONTANA AND OVER MOUNTAIN PASSES.
GUSTY WINDS...STRONGEST OVER CENTRAL IDAHO AND WEST CENTRAL
MONTANA...WILL ALSO PRODUCE AREAS OF BLOWING SNOWFALL. SNOW LEVELS
HAVE RISEN TO APPROXIMATELY 5000 FEET OVER IDAHO COUNTY AND
PORTIONS OF WEST-CENTRAL MONTANA OVERNIGHT...WITH POCKETS OF
FREEZING RAIN RESULTING

IDZ005-MTZ004-021800-
/O.CON.KMSO.WS.W.0001.000000T0000Z-090103T0000Z/
NORTHERN CLEARWATER MOUNTAINS-LOWER CLARK FORK REGION-
320 AM MST FRI JAN 2 2009 /220 AM PST FRI JAN 2 2009/

...WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 PM MST /4 PM
PST/ THIS AFTERNOON...

A WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 PM MST /4 PM
PST/ THIS AFTERNOON. 

ADDITIONAL ACCUMULATIONS OF 4 TO 8 INCHES CAN BE EXPECTED BY
LATE FRIDAY AFTERNOON WITH 12 TO 24 INCHES TOTAL ACCUMULATION OVER
LOOKOUT PASS AND THE HIGHER TERRAIN. SNOW WILL MIX WITH RAIN AT
TIMES BELOW 5000 FEET WITH THE POSSIBILITY OF SOME PATCHY FREEZING
RAIN SOUTH AND EAST OF ABOUT SUPERIOR.

$$

MTZ001-021800-
/O.CON.KMSO.WS.W.0001.000000T0000Z-090103T0000Z/
KOOTENAI/CABINET REGION-
320 AM MST FRI JAN 2 2009

...WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 PM MST THIS
AFTERNOON...

A WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 PM MST THIS
AFTERNOON. 

ADDITIONAL ACCUMULATIONS OF 3 TO 6 INCHES OF HEAVY WET SNOW ARE
EXPECTED THROUGH FRIDAY AFTERNOON WITH LOCAL AREAS RECEIVING 6 TO
10 INCHES OF ADDITIONAL SNOW.

$$

MTZ002-021800-
/O.CON.KMSO.WS.W.0001.000000T0000Z-090103T0000Z/
WEST GLACIER REGION-
320 AM MST FRI JAN 2 2009

...WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 PM MST THIS
AFTERNOON...

A WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 PM MST THIS
AFTERNOON. 

ADDITIONAL ACCUMULATIONS OF 3 TO 6 INCHES ARE LIKELY BY FRIDAY
EVENING. WINDS WILL SHIFT TO NORTHEAST THROUGH THE DAY WITH LOCAL
BLOWING AND DRIFTING OF SNOW AND MUCH COLDER TEMPERATURES
DEVELOPING...RESULTING IN LOW WIND CHILL VALUES. HIGHWAY 2 FROM
ESSEX TO MARIAS PASS WILL BE IMPACTED BY THIS STORM.

$$

MTZ003-021800-
/O.CON.KMSO.WS.W.0001.000000T0000Z-090103T0000Z/
FLATHEAD/MISSION VALLEYS-
320 AM MST FRI JAN 2 2009

...WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 PM MST THIS
AFTERNOON...

A WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 PM MST THIS
AFTERNOON. 

ADDITIONAL ACCUMULATIONS OF 3 TO 6 INCHES ARE EXPECTED TODAY WITH
LOCAL ACCUMULATIONS OF AROUND 9 INCHES. THIS WARNING INCLUDES THE
CITIES OF KALISPELL...WHITEFISH AND COLUMBIA FALLS. LOCAL FREEZING
RAIN IS ALSO POSSIBLE...MAINLY EARLY THIS MORNING.

$$

IDZ006-MTZ006-021800-
/O.CON.KMSO.WS.W.0001.000000T0000Z-090103T0000Z/
SOUTHERN CLEARWATER MOUNTAINS-BITTERROOT/SAPPHIRE MOUNTAINS-
320 AM MST FRI JAN 2 2009 /220 AM PST FRI JAN 2 2009/

...WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 PM MST /4 PM
PST/ THIS AFTERNOON ABOVE 5000 FEET...

A WINTER STORM WARNING ABOVE 5000 FEET REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL
5 PM MST /4 PM PST/ THIS AFTERNOON. 

ADDITIONAL ACCUMULATIONS OF 6 TO 12 INCHES OF HEAVY SNOW CAN BE
EXPECTED TODAY OVER LOLO AND LOST TRAIL PASSES. TRAVEL UP TO AND
OVER THESE PASSES WILL REMAIN DIFFICULT AT TIMES DUE TO HEAVY SNOW
AND BLOWING SNOW.

$$

IDZ009-021800-
/O.EXA.KMSO.WW.Y.0026.000000T0000Z-090103T0000Z/
WESTERN LEMHI COUNTY-
320 AM MST FRI JAN 2 2009

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 PM MST THIS
AFTERNOON...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN MISSOULA HAS ISSUED A WINTER
WEATHER ADVISORY FOR HEAVY WET SNOW...WHICH IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5
PM MST THIS AFTERNOON.

SNOWFALL ACCUMULATIONS OF 2 TO 5 INCHES WITH LOCAL AREAS RECEIVING
UP TO 6 OR 7 INCHES CAN BE EXPECTED THROUGH LATE FRIDAY AFTERNOON
AS A COLD FRONT MOVES THROUGH THE AREA. IN ADDITION...PATCHY
FREEZING RAIN IS LIKELY MAINLY EARLY THIS MORNING.

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

$$

MTZ005-021800-
/O.EXT.KMSO.WW.Y.0026.000000T0000Z-090102T1800Z/
MISSOULA/BITTERROOT VALLEYS-
320 AM MST FRI JAN 2 2009

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL 11 AM MST THIS
MORNING...

THE WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IS NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL 11 AM MST THIS
MORNING. 

AREAS OF SNOW WILL CONTINUE THROUGH THE MORNING HOURS WITH LOCAL
FREEZING RAIN. ADDITIONAL ACCUMULATIONS OF 2 TO 3 INCHES...WITH
LOCAL AREAS ON THE FOOTHILLS AND VALLEY BENCHES RECEIVING UP TO 5
INCHES...CAN BE EXPECTED. THE HEAVIEST ACCUMULATIONS ARE EXPECTED
TO REMAIN MAINLY IN THE MISSOULA VALLEY.

$$

MTZ043-021800-
/O.CON.KMSO.WW.Y.0026.000000T0000Z-090103T0000Z/
POTOMAC/SEELEY LAKE REGION-
320 AM MST FRI JAN 2 2009

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 PM MST THIS
AFTERNOON...

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 PM MST THIS
AFTERNOON. 

TOTAL SNOWFALL ACCUMULATIONS OF 2 TO 5 INCHES WITH LOCAL AREAS
RECEIVING UP TO 8 INCHES CAN BE EXPECTED THROUGH LATE FRIDAY
AFTERNOON. IN ADDITION...PATCHY FREEZING RAIN IS LIKELY...MAINLY
EARLY THIS MORNING.

$$

IDZ010-021800-
/O.CON.KMSO.WW.Y.0026.000000T0000Z-090103T0000Z/
EASTERN LEMHI COUNTY-
320 AM MST FRI JAN 2 2009

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 PM MST THIS
AFTERNOON...

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 PM MST THIS
AFTERNOON. 

TOTAL SNOWFALL ACCUMULATIONS OF 2 TO 5 INCHES WITH LOCAL AREAS
RECEIVING UP TO 8 INCHES CAN BE EXPECTED THROUGH LATE FRIDAY
AFTERNOON. THE HEAVIEST ACCUMULATIONS ARE EXPECTED MAINLY OVER
LOST TRAIL...LEMHI AND BANNOCK PASSES. LOCAL FREEZING RAIN IS
POSSIBLE...MAINLY EARLY THIS MORNING.

$$
000 
WWUS45 KMSO 021024 CCA
WSWMSO

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE...CORRECTED
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MISSOULA MT
324 AM MST FRI JAN 2 2009

.A MOIST AND STRONG WINTER STORM SYSTEM WILL CONTINUE TO IMPACT
THE AREA THROUGH FRIDAY AFTERNOON. HEAVY SNOWFALL WILL RESULT...
ESPECIALLY ACROSS NORTHWEST MONTANA AND OVER MOUNTAIN PASSES.
GUSTY WINDS...STRONGEST OVER CENTRAL IDAHO AND WEST CENTRAL
MONTANA...WILL ALSO PRODUCE AREAS OF BLOWING SNOWFALL. SNOW LEVELS
HAVE RISEN TO APPROXIMATELY 5000 FEET OVER IDAHO COUNTY AND
PORTIONS OF WEST-CENTRAL MONTANA OVERNIGHT...WITH POCKETS OF
FREEZING RAIN RESULTING.

IDZ005-MTZ004-021815-
/O.CON.KMSO.WS.W.0001.000000T0000Z-090103T0000Z/
NORTHERN CLEARWATER MOUNTAINS-LOWER CLARK FORK REGION-
324 AM MST FRI JAN 2 2009 /224 AM PST FRI JAN 2 2009/

...WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 PM MST /4 PM
PST/ THIS AFTERNOON...

A WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 PM MST /4 PM
PST/ THIS AFTERNOON. 

ADDITIONAL ACCUMULATIONS OF 4 TO 8 INCHES CAN BE EXPECTED BY
LATE FRIDAY AFTERNOON WITH 12 TO 24 INCHES TOTAL ACCUMULATION OVER
LOOKOUT PASS AND THE HIGHER TERRAIN. SNOW WILL MIX WITH RAIN AT
TIMES BELOW 5000 FEET WITH THE POSSIBILITY OF SOME PATCHY FREEZING
RAIN SOUTH AND EAST OF ABOUT SUPERIOR.

$$

MTZ001-021815-
/O.CON.KMSO.WS.W.0001.000000T0000Z-090103T0000Z/
KOOTENAI/CABINET REGION-
324 AM MST FRI JAN 2 2009

...WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 PM MST THIS
AFTERNOON...

A WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 PM MST THIS
AFTERNOON. 

ADDITIONAL ACCUMULATIONS OF 3 TO 6 INCHES OF HEAVY WET SNOW ARE
EXPECTED THROUGH FRIDAY AFTERNOON WITH LOCAL AREAS RECEIVING 6 TO
10 INCHES OF ADDITIONAL SNOW.

$$

MTZ002-021815-
/O.CON.KMSO.WS.W.0001.000000T0000Z-090103T0000Z/
WEST GLACIER REGION-
324 AM MST FRI JAN 2 2009

...WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 PM MST THIS
AFTERNOON...

A WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 PM MST THIS
AFTERNOON. 

ADDITIONAL ACCUMULATIONS OF 3 TO 6 INCHES ARE LIKELY BY FRIDAY
EVENING. WINDS WILL SHIFT TO NORTHEAST THROUGH THE DAY WITH LOCAL
BLOWING AND DRIFTING OF SNOW AND MUCH COLDER TEMPERATURES
DEVELOPING...RESULTING IN LOW WIND CHILL VALUES. HIGHWAY 2 FROM
ESSEX TO MARIAS PASS WILL BE IMPACTED BY THIS STORM.

$$

MTZ003-021815-
/O.CON.KMSO.WS.W.0001.000000T0000Z-090103T0000Z/
FLATHEAD/MISSION VALLEYS-
324 AM MST FRI JAN 2 2009

...WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 PM MST THIS
AFTERNOON...

A WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 PM MST THIS
AFTERNOON. 

ADDITIONAL ACCUMULATIONS OF 3 TO 6 INCHES ARE EXPECTED TODAY WITH
LOCAL ACCUMULATIONS OF AROUND 9 INCHES. THIS WARNING INCLUDES THE
CITIES OF KALISPELL...WHITEFISH AND COLUMBIA FALLS. LOCAL FREEZING
RAIN IS ALSO POSSIBLE...MAINLY EARLY THIS MORNING.

$$

IDZ006-MTZ006-021815-
/O.CON.KMSO.WS.W.0001.000000T0000Z-090103T0000Z/
SOUTHERN CLEARWATER MOUNTAINS-BITTERROOT/SAPPHIRE MOUNTAINS-
324 AM MST FRI JAN 2 2009 /224 AM PST FRI JAN 2 2009/

...WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 PM MST /4 PM
PST/ THIS AFTERNOON ABOVE 5000 FEET...

A WINTER STORM WARNING ABOVE 5000 FEET REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL
5 PM MST /4 PM PST/ THIS AFTERNOON. 

ADDITIONAL ACCUMULATIONS OF 6 TO 12 INCHES OF HEAVY SNOW CAN BE
EXPECTED TODAY OVER LOLO AND LOST TRAIL PASSES. TRAVEL UP TO AND
OVER THESE PASSES WILL REMAIN DIFFICULT AT TIMES DUE TO HEAVY SNOW
AND BLOWING SNOW.

$$

IDZ009-021815-
/O.EXA.KMSO.WW.Y.0026.000000T0000Z-090103T0000Z/
WESTERN LEMHI COUNTY-
324 AM MST FRI JAN 2 2009

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 PM MST THIS
AFTERNOON...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN MISSOULA HAS ISSUED A WINTER
WEATHER ADVISORY FOR HEAVY WET SNOW...WHICH IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5
PM MST THIS AFTERNOON.

SNOWFALL ACCUMULATIONS OF 2 TO 5 INCHES WITH LOCAL AREAS RECEIVING
UP TO 6 OR 7 INCHES CAN BE EXPECTED THROUGH LATE FRIDAY AFTERNOON
AS A COLD FRONT MOVES THROUGH THE AREA. IN ADDITION...PATCHY
FREEZING RAIN IS LIKELY MAINLY EARLY THIS MORNING.

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

$$

MTZ005-021800-
/O.EXT.KMSO.WW.Y.0026.000000T0000Z-090102T1800Z/
MISSOULA/BITTERROOT VALLEYS-
324 AM MST FRI JAN 2 2009

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL 11 AM MST THIS
MORNING...

THE WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IS NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL 11 AM MST THIS
MORNING. 

AREAS OF SNOW WILL CONTINUE THROUGH THE MORNING HOURS WITH LOCAL
FREEZING RAIN. ADDITIONAL ACCUMULATIONS OF 2 TO 3 INCHES...WITH
LOCAL AREAS ON THE FOOTHILLS AND VALLEY BENCHES RECEIVING UP TO 5
INCHES...CAN BE EXPECTED. THE HEAVIEST ACCUMULATIONS ARE EXPECTED
TO REMAIN MAINLY IN THE MISSOULA VALLEY.

$$

MTZ043-021815-
/O.CON.KMSO.WW.Y.0026.000000T0000Z-090103T0000Z/
POTOMAC/SEELEY LAKE REGION-
324 AM MST FRI JAN 2 2009

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 PM MST THIS
AFTERNOON...

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 PM MST THIS
AFTERNOON. 

TOTAL SNOWFALL ACCUMULATIONS OF 2 TO 5 INCHES WITH LOCAL AREAS
RECEIVING UP TO 8 INCHES CAN BE EXPECTED THROUGH LATE FRIDAY
AFTERNOON. IN ADDITION...PATCHY FREEZING RAIN IS LIKELY...MAINLY
EARLY THIS MORNING.

$$

IDZ010-021815-
/O.CON.KMSO.WW.Y.0026.000000T0000Z-090103T0000Z/
EASTERN LEMHI COUNTY-
324 AM MST FRI JAN 2 2009

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 PM MST THIS
AFTERNOON...

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 PM MST THIS
AFTERNOON. 

TOTAL SNOWFALL ACCUMULATIONS OF 2 TO 5 INCHES WITH LOCAL AREAS
RECEIVING UP TO 8 INCHES CAN BE EXPECTED THROUGH LATE FRIDAY
AFTERNOON. THE HEAVIEST ACCUMULATIONS ARE EXPECTED MAINLY OVER
LOST TRAIL...LEMHI AND BANNOCK PASSES. LOCAL FREEZING RAIN IS
POSSIBLE...MAINLY EARLY THIS MORNING.

$$
000 
WWUS45 KMSO 021603
WSWMSO

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MISSOULA MT
903 AM MST FRI JAN 2 2009

.A STRONG FRONTAL SYSTEM WILL BE PASSING THROUGH THE IDAHO
PANHANDLE AND NORTHWEST MONTANA THIS MORNING...AND THEN THROUGH
WEST CENTRAL MONTANA LATE THIS MORNING THROUGH EARLY AFTERNOON.
HEAVY SNOWFALL WILL CONTINUE IN MANY AREAS...ESPECIALLY ACROSS
NORTHWEST MONTANA AND OVER MOUNTAIN PASSES. GUSTY
WINDS...STRONGEST OVER CENTRAL IDAHO AND WEST CENTRAL
MONTANA...WILL ALSO PRODUCE AREAS OF BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW.
SNOW LEVELS HAVE RISEN BETWEEN 4000 TO 5000 FEET OVER IDAHO COUNTY
AND PORTIONS OF WEST CENTRAL MONTANA THIS MORNING WITH SNOW
CHANGING OVER TO RAIN AT THE LOWER ELEVATIONS. PRECIPITATION WILL
LIKELY CHANGE BACK TO SNOW AFTER THE PASSAGE OF THE FRONT...BUT
SHOULD BE TAPERING OFF TO SCATTERED SHOWERS.

MTZ005-021715-
/O.CAN.KMSO.WW.Y.0026.000000T0000Z-090102T1800Z/
MISSOULA/BITTERROOT VALLEYS-
903 AM MST FRI JAN 2 2009

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IS CANCELLED...

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

PRECIPITATION HAS CHANGED OVER TO MOSTLY RAIN IN THE BITTERROOT
AND MISSOULA VALLEYS THIS MORNING. RAIN IS EXPECTED TO CHANGE BACK
TO SNOW OR A MIX OF RAIN AND SNOW THIS AFTERNOON WITH THE PASSAGE
OF THE FRONT. WINDY CONDITIONS ARE ALSO EXPECTED WITH THIS FRONTAL
PASSAGE. 

$$

IDZ005-MTZ004-030000-
/O.CON.KMSO.WS.W.0001.000000T0000Z-090103T0000Z/
NORTHERN CLEARWATER MOUNTAINS-LOWER CLARK FORK REGION-
903 AM MST FRI JAN 2 2009 /803 AM PST FRI JAN 2 2009/

...WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 PM MST /4 PM
PST/ THIS AFTERNOON...

A WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 PM MST /4 PM
PST/ THIS AFTERNOON. 

ADDITIONAL ACCUMULATIONS OF 3 TO 6 INCHES CAN BE EXPECTED BY LATE
THIS AFTERNOON WITH 12 TO 24 INCHES TOTAL ACCUMULATION OVER
LOOKOUT PASS AND THE HIGHER TERRAIN. SNOW WILL MIX WITH RAIN AT
TIMES BELOW 5000 FEET THIS MORNING SOUTH AND EAST OF THE SUPERIOR
AREA. 

$$

MTZ001-030000-
/O.CON.KMSO.WS.W.0001.000000T0000Z-090103T0000Z/
KOOTENAI/CABINET REGION-
903 AM MST FRI JAN 2 2009

...WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 PM MST THIS
AFTERNOON...

A WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 PM MST THIS
AFTERNOON. 

ADDITIONAL ACCUMULATIONS OF 2 TO 4 INCHES OF SNOW ARE EXPECTED
THROUGH THIS AFTERNOON WITH LOCAL AREAS RECEIVING TOTAL STORM 
ACCUMULATIONS OF 6 TO 10 INCHES.

$$

MTZ002-030000-
/O.CON.KMSO.WS.W.0001.000000T0000Z-090103T0000Z/
WEST GLACIER REGION-
903 AM MST FRI JAN 2 2009

...WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 PM MST THIS
AFTERNOON...

A WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 PM MST THIS
AFTERNOON. 

ADDITIONAL ACCUMULATIONS OF 3 TO 6 INCHES ARE LIKELY BY THIS
EVENING. WINDS WILL SHIFT TO THE NORTHEAST 15 TO 25 MPH THIS
MORNING WITH LOCAL BLOWING AND DRIFTING OF SNOW AND COLDER
TEMPERATURES DEVELOPING...RESULTING IN LOW WIND CHILL VALUES.
HIGHWAY 2 FROM ESSEX TO MARIAS PASS WILL BE IMPACTED BY THIS
STORM.

$$

MTZ003-030000-
/O.CON.KMSO.WS.W.0001.000000T0000Z-090103T0000Z/
FLATHEAD/MISSION VALLEYS-
903 AM MST FRI JAN 2 2009

...WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 PM MST THIS
AFTERNOON...

A WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 PM MST THIS
AFTERNOON. 

ADDITIONAL ACCUMULATIONS OF 3 TO 5 INCHES ARE EXPECTED TODAY WITH
TOTAL STORM ACCUMULATIONS 8 TO 12 INCHES FOR THE FLATHEAD
VALLEY...INCLUDING THE CITIES OF KALISPELL...WHITEFISH AND
COLUMBIA FALLS. IN ADDITION TO SNOW...NORTHEAST WINDS 15 TO 25 MPH
WILL CREATING AREAS OF BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW WITH LOCAL
REDUCTIONS TO VISIBILITIES DOWN TO ONE-QUARTER MILE.

LOCATIONS FARTHER SOUTH WILL BE EXPERIENCING EITHER RAIN OR
LIGHTER SNOW WITH ACCUMULATIONS IN THE 1 TO 3 INCH RANGE.

$$

IDZ006-MTZ006-030000-
/O.CON.KMSO.WS.W.0001.000000T0000Z-090103T0000Z/
SOUTHERN CLEARWATER MOUNTAINS-BITTERROOT/SAPPHIRE MOUNTAINS-
903 AM MST FRI JAN 2 2009 /803 AM PST FRI JAN 2 2009/

...WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 PM MST /4 PM
PST/ THIS AFTERNOON ABOVE 5000 FEET...

A WINTER STORM WARNING ABOVE 5000 FEET REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL
5 PM MST /4 PM PST/ THIS AFTERNOON. 

ADDITIONAL ACCUMULATIONS OF 6 TO 9 INCHES OF HEAVY SNOW CAN BE
EXPECTED TODAY OVER LOLO AND LOST TRAIL PASSES. IN ADDITION TO
SNOW...SUSTAINED WINDS OF 15 TO 30 MPH WITH GUSTS UP TO 40 MPH
WILL CAUSE AREAS OF BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW AND REDUCED
VISIBILITIES. TRAVEL UP TO AND OVER THESE PASSES WILL REMAIN
DIFFICULT AT TIMES DUE TO HEAVY SNOW AND BLOWING SNOW.

$$

MTZ043-030000-
/O.CON.KMSO.WW.Y.0026.000000T0000Z-090103T0000Z/
POTOMAC/SEELEY LAKE REGION-
903 AM MST FRI JAN 2 2009

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 PM MST THIS
AFTERNOON...

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 PM MST THIS
AFTERNOON. 

TOTAL SNOWFALL ACCUMULATIONS OF 2 TO 5 INCHES WITH LOCAL AREAS
RECEIVING UP TO 8 INCHES CAN BE EXPECTED THROUGH LATE THIS
AFTERNOON. IN ADDITION TO SNOW...SUSTAINED WINDS OF 15 TO 25 MPH
WILL CAUSE AREAS OF BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW. 


$$

IDZ009-010-030000-
/O.CON.KMSO.WW.Y.0026.000000T0000Z-090103T0000Z/
WESTERN LEMHI COUNTY-EASTERN LEMHI COUNTY-
903 AM MST FRI JAN 2 2009

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 PM MST THIS
AFTERNOON...

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 PM MST THIS
AFTERNOON. 

ADDITIONAL SNOW ACCUMULATION OF 2 TO 5 INCHES IS POSSIBLE ABOVE
5000 FEET WITH UP TO 6 INCHES OVER LOST TRAIL PASS CAN BE EXPECTED
THROUGH LATE THIS AFTERNOON. IN ADDITION TO SNOW...SUSTAINED
WINDS OF 15 TO 30 MPH WITH GUSTS UP TO 40 MPH FOR ALL AREAS.

THE COMBINATION OF WIND AND SNOW WILL CAUSE AREAS OF BLOWING AND
DRIFTING SNOW AND REDUCED VISIBILITIES OVER THE HIGHER TERRAIN.

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

$$
000 
WWUS45 KMSO 022129
WSWMSO

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MISSOULA MT
229 PM MST FRI JAN 2 2009

.A STRONG FRONTAL SYSTEM HAS PASSED THROUGH MUCH OF IDAHO AND
MONTANA TODAY RESULTING IN VERY HEAVY SNOWFALL IN MANY PLACES.
PERIODS OF HEAVY SNOW WILL CONTINUE IN MANY AREAS...ESPECIALLY
OVER MOUNTAIN PASSES THROUGH THE EARLY EVENING HOURS. GUSTY WINDS...
STRONGEST ALONG THE CONTINENTAL DIVIDE AND ACROSS SOUTHWEST
MONTANA...WILL ALSO PRODUCE AREAS OF BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW AS
WELL AS POOR VISIBILITY. EXPECT SNOW SHOWERS TO CONTINUE ACROSS
THE AREA OVERNIGHT BUT GRADUALLY BECOME LIGHTER IN INTENSITY.

MTZ003-022230-
/O.CAN.KMSO.WS.W.0001.000000T0000Z-090103T0000Z/
FLATHEAD/MISSION VALLEYS-
229 PM MST FRI JAN 2 2009

...WINTER STORM WARNING IS CANCELLED...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN MISSOULA HAS CANCELED THE WINTER
STORM WARNING. 

ALTHOUGH ADDITIONAL ACCUMULATIONS OF 1 TO 2 INCHES REMAIN POSSIBLE
FROM SCATTERED SNOW SHOWERS THIS EVENING...THE POTENTIAL FOR HEAVY
SNOWFALL HAS DECREASED AND THUS THE WINTER STORM WARNING HAS BEEN
CANCELLED.

$$

IDZ005-MTZ004-030000-
/O.CON.KMSO.WS.W.0001.000000T0000Z-090103T0000Z/
NORTHERN CLEARWATER MOUNTAINS-LOWER CLARK FORK REGION-
229 PM MST FRI JAN 2 2009 /129 PM PST FRI JAN 2 2009/

...WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 PM MST /4 PM
PST/ THIS AFTERNOON...

A WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 PM MST /4 PM
PST/ THIS AFTERNOON. 

ADDITIONAL ACCUMULATIONS OF 2 TO 4 INCHES CAN BE EXPECTED THROUGH
5 PM THIS AFTERNOON RESULTING IN 12 TO 24 INCHES STORM TOTAL
ACCUMULATION OVER LOOKOUT PASS AND THE HIGHER TERRAIN.

$$

MTZ001-030000-
/O.CON.KMSO.WS.W.0001.000000T0000Z-090103T0000Z/
KOOTENAI/CABINET REGION-
229 PM MST FRI JAN 2 2009

...WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 PM MST THIS
AFTERNOON...

A WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 PM MST THIS
AFTERNOON. 

SCATTERED SNOW SHOWERS WILL PRODUCE ADDITIONAL ACCUMULATIONS OF 2
TO 3 INCHES OF SNOW THROUGH 5 PM THIS AFTERNOON RESULTING IN 6 TO
10 INCHES OF STORM TOTAL SNOWFALL. GUSTY NORTHWEST WINDS OF 10 TO
20 MPH WILL PRODUCE AREAS OF BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOWFALL AS WELL
AS OCCASIONALLY REDUCED VISIBILITY.

$$

MTZ002-030000-
/O.CON.KMSO.WS.W.0001.000000T0000Z-090103T0000Z/
WEST GLACIER REGION-
229 PM MST FRI JAN 2 2009

...WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 PM MST THIS
AFTERNOON...

A WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 PM MST THIS
AFTERNOON. 

ADDITIONAL ACCUMULATIONS OF 2 TO 4 INCHES ARE LIKELY BY THIS
EVENING RESULTING IN STORM TOTAL SNOWFALL OF 10 TO 20 INCHES. 
NORTHEAST WINDS OF 15 TO 25 MPH WILL CONTINUE THROUGH THE EARLY
EVENING HOURS WITH LOCAL BLOWING AND DRIFTING OF SNOW AND
OCCASIONALLY REDUCED VISIBILITY. HIGHWAY 2 FROM ESSEX TO MARIAS
PASS WILL CONTINUE TO BE IMPACTED BY THIS STORM.

$$

IDZ006-MTZ006-030000-
/O.CON.KMSO.WS.W.0001.000000T0000Z-090103T0000Z/
SOUTHERN CLEARWATER MOUNTAINS-BITTERROOT/SAPPHIRE MOUNTAINS-
229 PM MST FRI JAN 2 2009 /129 PM PST FRI JAN 2 2009/

...WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 PM MST /4 PM
PST/ THIS AFTERNOON ABOVE 5000 FEET...

A WINTER STORM WARNING ABOVE 5000 FEET REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL
5 PM MST /4 PM PST/ THIS AFTERNOON. 

ADDITIONAL ACCUMULATIONS OF 1 TO 4 INCHES OF HEAVY SNOW CAN BE
EXPECTED TODAY OVER LOLO AND LOST TRAIL PASSES THROUGH 5 PM MST/4
PM PST THIS AFTERNOON. 

IN ADDITION TO SNOW...SUSTAINED WINDS OF 15 TO 30 MPH WITH GUSTS
UP TO 40 MPH WILL CAUSE AREAS OF BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW AND
REDUCED VISIBILITIES. TRAVEL UP TO AND OVER THESE PASSES WILL
REMAIN DIFFICULT AT TIMES DUE TO HEAVY SNOW AND BLOWING SNOW.

$$

MTZ043-030000-
/O.CON.KMSO.WW.Y.0026.000000T0000Z-090103T0000Z/
POTOMAC/SEELEY LAKE REGION-
229 PM MST FRI JAN 2 2009

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 PM MST THIS
AFTERNOON...

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 PM MST THIS
AFTERNOON. 

ADDITIONAL SNOWFALL ACCUMULATIONS OF 1 TO 3 INCHES CAN BE EXPECTED
THROUGH 5 PM THIS AFTERNOON RESULTING IN STORM TOTAL SNOWFALL OF 3
TO 6 INCHES...LOCALLY UP TO 9 INCHES. IN ADDITION TO SNOW...WINDS
OF 15 TO 25 MPH WILL CAUSE AREAS OF BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW WITH
OCCASIONALLY REDUCED VISIBILITY.

$$

IDZ009-010-030000-
/O.CON.KMSO.WW.Y.0026.000000T0000Z-090103T0000Z/
WESTERN LEMHI COUNTY-EASTERN LEMHI COUNTY-
229 PM MST FRI JAN 2 2009

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 PM MST THIS
AFTERNOON...

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 PM MST THIS
AFTERNOON. 

ADDITIONAL SNOW ACCUMULATION OF 1 TO 3 INCHES ARE POSSIBLE THROUGH
5 PM. IN ADDITION TO SNOW... SUSTAINED WINDS OF 15 TO 30 MPH WITH
GUSTS UP TO 40 MPH WILL PRODUCE SOME BLOWING AND DRIFTING OF SNOW
AS WELL AS OCCASIONALLY REDUCED VISIBILITY.

$$
000 
WWUS45 KMSO 022340
WSWMSO

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MISSOULA MT
440 PM MST FRI JAN 2 2009



IDZ005-MTZ004-030045-
/O.EXP.KMSO.WS.W.0001.000000T0000Z-090103T0000Z/
NORTHERN CLEARWATER MOUNTAINS-LOWER CLARK FORK REGION-
440 PM MST FRI JAN 2 2009 /340 PM PST FRI JAN 2 2009/

...WINTER STORM WARNING WILL EXPIRE AT 5 PM MST /4 PM PST/ THIS
AFTERNOON...

THE WINTER STORM WARNING WILL EXPIRE AT 5 PM MST /4 PM PST/ THIS
AFTERNOON. 

HEAVY SNOWFALL THAT HAS BEEN FALLING OVER WESTERN MONTANA AND
NORTH CENTRAL IDAHO SINCE THURSDAY...HAS BEGUN TO TAPER OFF TO
SCATTERED SNOW SHOWERS THIS AFTERNOON. SNOW ACCUMULATIONS ARE
EXPECTED TO BE LIGHT WITH MOST AREAS ONLY SEEING AN ADDITIONAL 1
TO 2 INCHES BY MORNING. THEREFORE...THE WINTER STORM WARNING FOR
WESTERN MONTANA AND NORTH CENTRAL IDAHO HAS BEEN ALLOWED TO
EXPIRE.

$$

MTZ001-030045-
/O.EXP.KMSO.WS.W.0001.000000T0000Z-090103T0000Z/
KOOTENAI/CABINET REGION-
440 PM MST FRI JAN 2 2009

...WINTER STORM WARNING WILL EXPIRE AT 5 PM MST THIS AFTERNOON...

THE WINTER STORM WARNING WILL EXPIRE AT 5 PM MST THIS AFTERNOON. 

HEAVY SNOWFALL THAT HAS BEEN FALLING OVER WESTERN MONTANA SINCE
THURSDAY...HAS BEGUN TO TAPER OFF TO SCATTERED SNOW SHOWERS THIS
AFTERNOON. SNOW ACCUMULATIONS ARE EXPECTED TO BE LIGHT WITH MOST
AREAS ONLY SEEING AN ADDITIONAL 1 TO 2 INCHES BY MORNING.
THEREFORE...THE WINTER STORM WARNING FOR WESTERN MONTANA HAS BEEN
ALLOWED TO EXPIRE.

$$

MTZ002-030045-
/O.EXP.KMSO.WS.W.0001.000000T0000Z-090103T0000Z/
WEST GLACIER REGION-
440 PM MST FRI JAN 2 2009

...WINTER STORM WARNING WILL EXPIRE AT 5 PM MST THIS AFTERNOON...

THE WINTER STORM WARNING WILL EXPIRE AT 5 PM MST THIS AFTERNOON. 

HEAVY SNOWFALL THAT HAS BEEN FALLING OVER WESTERN MONTANA SINCE
THURSDAY...HAS BEGUN TO TAPER OFF TO SCATTERED SNOW SHOWERS THIS
AFTERNOON. SNOW ACCUMULATIONS ARE EXPECTED TO BE LIGHT WITH MOST
AREAS ONLY SEEING AN ADDITIONAL 1 TO 2 INCHES BY MORNING.
THEREFORE...THE WINTER STORM WARNING FOR WESTERN MONTANA HAS BEEN
ALLOWED TO EXPIRE.

$$

IDZ006-MTZ006-030045-
/O.EXP.KMSO.WS.W.0001.000000T0000Z-090103T0000Z/
SOUTHERN CLEARWATER MOUNTAINS-BITTERROOT/SAPPHIRE MOUNTAINS-
440 PM MST FRI JAN 2 2009 /340 PM PST FRI JAN 2 2009/

...WINTER STORM WARNING WILL EXPIRE AT 5 PM MST /4 PM PST/ THIS
AFTERNOON ABOVE 5000 FEET...

THE WINTER STORM WARNING ABOVE 5000 FEET WILL EXPIRE AT 5 PM MST
/4 PM PST/ THIS AFTERNOON. 

HEAVY SNOWFALL THAT HAS BEEN FALLING OVER WESTERN MONTANA AND
NORTH CENTRAL IDAHO SINCE THURSDAY...HAS BEGUN TO TAPER OFF TO
SCATTERED SNOW SHOWERS THIS AFTERNOON. SNOW ACCUMULATIONS ARE
EXPECTED TO BE LIGHT WITH MOST AREAS ONLY SEEING AN ADDITIONAL 1
TO 2 INCHES BY MORNING. THEREFORE...THE WINTER STORM WARNING FOR
WESTERN MONTANA AND NORTH CENTRAL IDAHO HAS BEEN ALLOWED TO
EXPIRE.

$$

MTZ043-030045-
/O.EXP.KMSO.WW.Y.0026.000000T0000Z-090103T0000Z/
POTOMAC/SEELEY LAKE REGION-
440 PM MST FRI JAN 2 2009

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY WILL EXPIRE AT 5 PM MST THIS
AFTERNOON...

THE WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY WILL EXPIRE AT 5 PM MST THIS
AFTERNOON. 

MODERATE TO HEAVY SNOWFALL THAT HAS BEEN FALLING OVER WESTERN
MONTANA SINCE THURSDAY...HAS BEGUN TO TAPER OFF TO SCATTERED SNOW
SHOWERS THIS AFTERNOON. SNOW ACCUMULATIONS ARE EXPECTED TO BE
LIGHT WITH MOST AREAS ONLY SEEING AN ADDITIONAL 1 TO 2 INCHES BY
MORNING. THEREFORE...THE WINTER STORM WARNING FOR WESTERN MONTANA
HAS BEEN ALLOWED TO EXPIRE.

$$

IDZ009-010-030045-
/O.EXP.KMSO.WW.Y.0026.000000T0000Z-090103T0000Z/
WESTERN LEMHI COUNTY-EASTERN LEMHI COUNTY-
440 PM MST FRI JAN 2 2009

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY WILL EXPIRE AT 5 PM MST THIS
AFTERNOON...

THE WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY WILL EXPIRE AT 5 PM MST THIS
AFTERNOON. 

MODERATE TO HEAVY SNOWFALL THAT HAS BEEN FALLING OVER NORTH
CENTRAL IDAHO SINCE THURSDAY...HAS BEGUN TO TAPER OFF TO SCATTERED
SNOW SHOWERS THIS AFTERNOON. SNOW ACCUMULATIONS ARE EXPECTED TO BE
LIGHT WITH MOST AREAS ONLY SEEING AN ADDITIONAL 1 TO 2 INCHES BY
MORNING. THEREFORE...THE WINTER STORM WARNING FOR NORTH CENTRAL
IDAHO HAS BEEN ALLOWED TO EXPIRE.

$$

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before this winter storm warning went out, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

NWS Missoula, MT wrote its last area forecast discussion before this winter storm warning went out at Dec 31, 8:54 PM MST, 7 hours 28 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Dec 31, 8:54 PM MST, 7 hours 28 minutes before
AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MISSOULA MT
854 PM MST WED DEC 31 2008

.UPDATE...HAVE DROPPED THE WINTER WEATHER WARNINGS AND ADVISORIES
FOR TONIGHT. MAIN SNOWFALL NOW IS IN THE FORM OF SNOW BANDS. HAVE
UPDATED MIN TEMPERATURES AT SOME LOCATIONS ACROSS NORTH CENTRAL
IDAHO.

&&

.DISCUSSION...THE FRONT HAS PUSHES THROUGH THE REGION...WITH THE
MAIN AREA OF SNOW MOVING OFF TO THE EAST. SOME SNOW BANDS HAVE SET
UP ACROSS MAINLY SOUTHWEST MONTANA AND ARE STILL PRODUCING
SIGNIFICANT SNOWFALL. BUT WIDESPREAD SNOWFALL HAS DECREASED.

&&

.AVIATION...A FEW SCATTERED SNOW SHOWERS WILL CONTINUE ACROSS
WESTERN MONTANA TONIGHT...SOME SNOW BANDS WILL REDUCE VISIBILITIES
AND CEILINGS AS THEY PASS OVER THE TERMINALS. THE MOUNTAINS AND
PASSES WILL ALSO BE OBSCURED AT TIMES. STRONG WINDS WILL ALSO ACCOMPANY
THIS SYSTEM AND CONTINUE THROUGH MIDNIGHT. A SECOND SYSTEM WILL
AFFECT THE REGION ON THURSDAY WITH A RAIN AND SNOW MIX POSSIBLE IN
MOST VALLEY LOCATIONS.

&&

.PREV DISCUSSION... /ISSUED 301 PM MST WED DEC 31 2008/

DISCUSSION...A RATHER ROBUST COLD FRONT CURRENTLY STRETCHES
ACROSS CENTRAL IDAHO AND WESTERN MONTANA...BASICALLY SITTING ON TOP
OF THE SOUTHERN MISSOULA AND NORTHERN BITTERROOT VALLEYS THIS
AFTERNOON. LOCATIONS SOUTH AND UNDER THE FRONT CAN EXPECT TO
RECEIVE LIGHT TO MODERATE SNOWFALL WITH SOME ACCUMULATION
EXPECTED. THUS HAVE DECIDED TO LEAVE THE WINTER WEATHER ADVISORIES
AND WARNINGS IN EFFECT. THE ONLY EXCEPTION IS FOR NORTHWEST
MONTANA WHERE THE ADVISORIES HAVE BEEN CANCELED AND WINTER STORM
WATCHES ISSUED FOR THE NEXT STORM. NEVERTHELESS...ADDITIONAL
ACCUMULATIONS OF UP TO 2 INCHES CAN BE EXPECTED TONIGHT NORTH OF
THE FRONT AS SNOW SHOWERS PERSIST THROUGH THE EVENING.

THE NEXT WINTER WEATHER SYSTEM WILL BEGIN TO IMPACT THE REGION
THURSDAY AFTERNOON. THIS STORM HAS THE POTENTIAL TO BRING VERY
HEAVY SNOWFALL ACCUMULATIONS TO PORTIONS OF WESTERN MONTANA WITH
NORTHWEST MONTANA POTENTIALLY SEEING POSSIBLY UP TO 2 FEET OF NEW
SNOW. ALTHOUGH IT IS NOW CERTAIN WE WILL SEE A VERY STRONG WINTER
STORM...WARM AIR ADVECTION AHEAD OF THE COLD FRONT WILL BE QUITE
STRONG AND CAUSE SNOW LEVELS TO RISE BETWEEN 4000 AND 5000 FEET.
THUS SOME QUESTIONS REMAIN AS TO WHERE SNOW WILL CONSISTENTLY FALL
WITHOUT SWITCHING TO A MIXTURE OF SNOWFALL. HAVE ISSUED WINTER
STORM WATCHES FOR NORTHWEST MONTANA AND THE NORTHERN CLEARWATER
MOUNTAINS IN IDAHO MAINLY BECAUSE CONFIDENCE IS HIGH THAT THE
PRECIPITATION TYPE WILL STAY ALL SNOW AND SNOW RATIOS WILL BRING
HEAVY ACCUMULATIONS.

FRIDAY...THE VERY COMPLEX WEATHER PATTERN CONTINUES FOR FRIDAY
AND FRIDAY NIGHT AS A STRONG FRONTAL SYSTEM PASSES THROUGH THE
INTER-MOUNTAIN REGION. A CONSIDERABLE AMOUNT OF MOISTURE
ASSOCIATED WITH A INTENSE SURFACE LOW WILL IMPACT NORTHERN IDAHO
AND WESTERN MONTANA... WITH POTENTIALLY HEAVY PRECIPITATION ACROSS
NORTHWEST MONTANA. THIS SYSTEM NOT ONLY POSSESSES STRONG UPPER
LEVEL DYNAMICS...BUT PROMINENT WARM AND COLD SURFACE FRONTS. THE
WARM AIR MASS SURGING INTO THE NORTHERN ROCKIES EARLY FRIDAY WILL
BE FOLLOWED QUICKLY BY THE PASSAGE OF THE COLD FRONT...MAKING FOR
A CHALLENGING FORECAST IN TERMS OF WHERE SNOW LEVELS END UP...AND
THE SUBSEQUENT PRECIPITATION TYPES RESULT. COLD AIR TRAPPED IN THE
DEEP NARROW VALLEYS OF NORTHWEST MONTANA MAY NOT MIX OUT. SHALLOW
COLD AIR POISED OVER NORTH-CENTRAL MONTANA DOES NOT APPEAR TO
BREACH THE CONTINENTAL DIVIDE AT THIS POINT...BUT SOME SEEPAGE OF
COLD AIR IS POSSIBLE KEEPING SNOW LEVELS FROM RISING.
THUS...LOCATIONS NEAR THE CANADIAN BORDER COULD POTENTIALLY
RECEIVE HEAVY AMOUNTS OF SNOW IF COLD AIR IS PRESENT WHILE ALL
THIS MOISTURE PUSHES INTO NORTHWEST MONTANA. THATS NOT
ALL...STRONG SOUTHERLY WINDS ALOFT AHEAD OF THE COLD FRONT WILL
COMBINE WITH A TIGHTENING SURFACE PRESSURE GRADIENT FOR WINDY
CONDITIONS FRIDAY...ESPECIALLY FOR THE CAMAS PRAIRIE AND LOWER
SALMON RIVER VALLEY OF NORTH-CENTRAL IDAHO. A HIGH WIND WATCH FOR
THESE LOCATIONS WILL BE IN EFFECT.

FRIDAY NIGHT...THE AIR MASS WILL BE COOLING WITH DECREASING
MOISTURE IN THE POST-FRONTAL ENVIRONMENT. THE UPPER TROUGH
PASSING OVER THE NORTHERN ROCKIES WILL PROVIDE SYNOPTIC SCALE
LIFT IN ADDITION TO OROGRAPHIC ENHANCEMENT TO SNOW SHOWERS OVER
THE HIGHER TERRAIN.

SATURDAY THROUGH SUNDAY NIGHT...THIS PERIOD MAY END UP BEING A
RELATIVELY DRY PERIOD WITH ONLY A FEW MINOR DISTURBANCES PASSING
ACROSS THE AREA IN A WEAK NORTHWEST FLOW. TEMPERATURES SHOULD
REMAIN RATHER COOL GIVEN THIS PATTERN.

MONDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY...WEST TO NORTHWEST FLOW WILL SET UP
ONCE MORE ACROSS THE NORTHERN ROCKIES. THIS WILL USHER IN MOISTURE IN
A SIMILAR SET UP TO WHAT THE REGION HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING AS OF
LATE. BY TUESDAY EVENING THE MODELS ARE SHOWING THE UPPER LEVEL
JET TO ARCH NORTHWARD...ALLOWING FOR MILDER AIR TO ONCE AGAIN ENTER
THE AREA. THIS WILL KEEP TEMPERATURES NEAR TO SLIGHTLY
ABOVE SEASONAL VALUES THROUGH MID WEEK.

AVIATION...A PACIFIC STORM SYSTEM WILL CONTINUE TO MOVE OVER THE
INTER-MOUNTAIN WEST THROUGH TONIGHT. A LARGE BAND OF SNOW SHOWERS
WILL SLOWLY MOVE SOUTHWARD THROUGH THE EVENING REDUCING
VISIBILITIES AND OBSCURING TERRAIN...MAINLY SOUTH OF A LINE FROM
LOOKOUT PASS TO GREAT FALLS. STRONG WINDS WILL ALSO ACCOMPANY THIS
SYSTEM AND CONTINUE THROUGH MIDNIGHT. A SECOND SYSTEM WILL AFFECT
THE REGION ON THURSDAY WITH A RAIN AND SNOW MIX POSSIBLE IN MOST
VALLEY LOCATIONS.

&&

.MSO WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
MT...WINTER STORM WATCH FROM THURSDAY MORNING THROUGH LATE THURSDAY
     NIGHT FOR LOWER CLARK FORK REGION.

     WINTER STORM WATCH FROM THURSDAY MORNING THROUGH FRIDAY
     AFTERNOON FOR KOOTENAI/CABINET REGION-WEST GLACIER REGION.

ID...HIGH WIND WATCH FROM THURSDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH FRIDAY AFTERNOON
     FOR LOWER HELLS CANYON/SALMON RIVER REGION-
     OROFINO/GRANGEVILLE REGION.

     WINTER STORM WATCH FROM THURSDAY MORNING THROUGH LATE THURSDAY
     NIGHT FOR NORTHERN CLEARWATER MOUNTAINS.

&&

SHORT TERM...KOLATA
LONG TERM....DICKERSON/MSJ
AVIATION...KOLATA
Hazardous weather outlook, Dec 31, 9:23 PM MST, 6 hours 59 minutes before
HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MISSOULA MT
923 PM MST WED DEC 31 2008

IDZ006-009-010-MTZ003-005>007-043-011230-
SOUTHERN CLEARWATER MOUNTAINS-WESTERN LEMHI COUNTY-
EASTERN LEMHI COUNTY-FLATHEAD/MISSION VALLEYS-
MISSOULA/BITTERROOT VALLEYS-BITTERROOT/SAPPHIRE MOUNTAINS-
BUTTE/BLACKFOOT REGION-POTOMAC/SEELEY LAKE REGION-
923 PM MST WED DEC 31 2008 /823 PM PST WED DEC 31 2008/

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR PORTIONS OF NORTH CENTRAL
IDAHO...NORTHWEST MONTANA AND WEST CENTRAL MONTANA.

.DAY ONE...TONIGHT

SOME LIGHT SNOW SHOWERS WILL CONTINUE TONIGHT.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...THURSDAY THROUGH TUESDAY

ANOTHER STRONG PACIFIC WEATHER SYSTEM WILL MOVE INTO THE REGION
LATE THURSDAY INTO FRIDAY. BRINGING ADDITIONAL SNOWFALL AND SOME
GUSTY WINDS.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

WEATHER SPOTTERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO REPORT SIGNIFICANT WEATHER
CONDITIONS ACCORDING TO STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES.

IDZ005-MTZ004-011230-
NORTHERN CLEARWATER MOUNTAINS-LOWER CLARK FORK REGION-
923 PM MST WED DEC 31 2008 /823 PM PST WED DEC 31 2008/

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR PORTIONS OF NORTH CENTRAL
IDAHO AND WEST CENTRAL MONTANA.

FOR THE LATEST INFORMATION ON WATCHES...WARNINGS AND ADVISORIES...GO
TO WEATHER.GOV/MISSOULA.

.DAY ONE...TONIGHT

SOME LIGHT SNOW SHOWERS WILL CONTINUE TONIGHT.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...THURSDAY THROUGH TUESDAY

ANOTHER STRONG PACIFIC WEATHER SYSTEM WILL MOVE INTO THE REGION
LATE THURSDAY INTO FRIDAY. BRINGING ADDITIONAL SNOWFALL AND SOME
GUSTY WINDS.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

WEATHER SPOTTERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO REPORT SIGNIFICANT WEATHER
CONDITIONS ACCORDING TO STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES.

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Dec 31, 7:15 PM MSTWinter Weather AdvisoryMSOMineral, Missoula, Sanders107 min
Jan 1, 4:22 AM MSTWinter Weather AdvisoryMSOGranite, Missoula, Ravalli9 hr
Jan 1, 12:57 PM MSTWinter Weather AdvisoryMSOGranite, Lake, Missoula, Powell, Ravalli28 hr
Jan 1, 4:04 AM MSTHigh Wind WarningMSOClearwater, Idaho32 hr

Nearby

Winter Storm Warnings in Montana, 2009Winter Storm Warnings in Idaho, 2009Every winter storm warning in 2009

Sources

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