Alert archive / Montana / Blizzard Warnings in 2011

Blizzard Warning 1, NWS Billings, MT

January 20, 2011Park County, Stillwater County, Sweet Grass County, Montana

NWS Billings, MT issued this blizzard warning at Jan 20, 2011, 3:06 AM MST for Park County, Stillwater County, Sweet Grass County, Montana. It took effect at Jan 20, 2011, 8:34 AM MST. It was in force for 19 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 20, 2011, 3:06 AM MST (10:06 UTC)
In effect from
Jan 20, 2011, 8:34 AM MST
Expired
Jan 21, 2011, 3:27 AM MST
In force
19 hr
Issued by
NWS Billings, MT

Counties Park County, MT, Stillwater County, MT, Sweet Grass County, MT

The radar

The Billings radar (KBLX), 107 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 10:08 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

Great_falls, MT (KTFX), launched 00:00Z, 10.1 hours before the alert went out and 206 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, Great_falls, MT at 00:00Z on 2011-01-20Temperature 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 km-30°-20°-10°0°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, Great_falls, MT at 00:00Z on 2011-01-20The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 36 square meters per square second.1939587897117136156175Sfc1 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
2029 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
87 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
36 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
184 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.

261 
WWUS45 KBYZ 201006
WSWBYZ

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BILLINGS MT
306 AM MST THU JAN 20 2011

.VERY STRONG WINDS WILL COMBINE WITH FRESH SNOWFALL TO PRODUCE
BLIZZARD CONDITIONS OVER WESTERN PARTS OF SOUTH CENTRAL MONTANA
TODAY AND TONIGHT. VISIBILITIES WILL BE REDUCED TO NEAR ZERO WITH
WHITEOUT CONDITIONS EXPECTED AT TIMES. STRONG WINDS WILL ALSO CAUSE
DANGEROUS CROSS WINDS AND SIGNIFICANT DRIFTING SNOW.

AN UPPER LEVEL DISTURBANCE WILL MOVE INTO NORTH CENTRAL WYOMING
TONIGHT AND WILL BRING PERIODS OF HEAVY SNOW. 

MTZ065-066-202215-
/O.UPG.KBYZ.BZ.A.0001.110120T1200Z-110121T1200Z/
/O.NEW.KBYZ.BZ.W.0001.110120T1800Z-110121T1200Z/
LIVINGSTON AREA-BEARTOOTH FOOTHILLS-
INCLUDING THE LOCATIONS OF...LIVINGSTON...SPRINGDALE...FISHTAIL...
MCLEOD...NYE
306 AM MST THU JAN 20 2011

...BLIZZARD WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM THIS MORNING TO 5 AM MST
FRIDAY...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN BILLINGS HAS ISSUED A BLIZZARD
WARNING...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM THIS MORNING TO 5 AM MST
FRIDAY.  

* TIMING: VERY STRONG WINDS WILL COMBINE WITH FRESH SNOW COVER TO
  PRODUCE BLIZZARD CONDITIONS TODAY THROUGH TONIGHT. THE WINDS
  WILL DECREASE LATE TONIGHT AND ALLOW CONDITIONS TO IMPROVE.

* WINDS: SOUTHWEST WINDS WILL INCREASE TO 35 TO 55 MPH WITH GUSTS
  TO 65 MPH BY LATE THIS MORNING. THE WINDS WILL STAY STRONG
  BEFORE DECREASING LATE TONIGHT.

* IMPACTS: THE STRONG WINDS AND BLOWING SNOW WILL CAUSE
  SIGNIFICANT TRAVEL DIFFICULTIES. VISIBILITIES COULD BE REDUCED
  TO ZERO AT TIMES WITH WHITEOUT CONDITIONS POSSIBLE. THE STRONG
  WINDS WILL ALSO CAUSE DANGEROUS CROSS WINDS. SIGNIFICANT
  DRIFTING SNOW IS ALSO POSSIBLE WHICH COULD CAUSE FURTHER
  DIFFICULTIES WITH ROADS BECOMING SLICK AND SNOWPACKED. LARGE
  DRIFTS COULD COVER AREA ROADS OR PARTS OF ROADS TO FURTHER
  COMPLICATE THE SITUATION.

* PEOPLE WITH TRAVEL PLANS...ESPECIALLY ON INTERSTATE 90...
  SHOULD PLAN AHEAD AND MONITOR THE WEATHER FORECAST CAREFULLY. 
  THIS IS A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS SITUATION TO TRAVEL IN. 
  PLEASE PLAN AHEAD AS TRAVEL PLANS MAY NEED TO BE DELAYED OR 
  ADJUSTED TO AVOID THIS POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS SITUATION. 


PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A BLIZZARD WARNING IS ISSUED WHEN SUSTAINED WIND SPEEDS OR
FREQUENT GUSTS OF OVER 35 MPH ARE EXPECTED WITH CONSIDERABLE
FALLING AND OR BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW. VISIBILITIES WILL
BECOME POOR WITH WHITEOUT CONDITIONS AT TIMES. THOSE VENTURING
OUTDOORS MAY BECOME LOST OR DISORIENTED SO PERSONS IN THE WARNING
AREA ARE ADVISED TO STAY INDOORS.

&&

$$

MTZ041-202215-
/O.UPG.KBYZ.BZ.A.0001.110120T1200Z-110121T1200Z/
/O.NEW.KBYZ.BZ.W.0001.110120T1800Z-110121T1200Z/
NORTHERN SWEET GRASS-
INCLUDING THE LOCATIONS OF...BIG TIMBER...MELVILLE
306 AM MST THU JAN 20 2011

...BLIZZARD WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM THIS MORNING TO 5 AM MST
FRIDAY...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN BILLINGS HAS ISSUED A BLIZZARD
WARNING...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM THIS MORNING TO 5 AM MST
FRIDAY. 


* TIMING: VERY STRONG WINDS WILL COMBINE WITH FRESH SNOW COVER TO
  PRODUCE BLIZZARD CONDITIONS TODAY AND TONIGHT. WINDS WILL
  DECREASE LATE TONIGHT AND ALLOW CONDITIONS TO IMPROVE.

* WINDS: SOUTHWEST WINDS WILL INCREASE 30 TO 45 MPH WITH GUSTS TO
  55 MPH BY LATE THIS MORNING. THE WINDS WILL DECREASE BY LATE
  TONIGHT.

* IMPACTS: THE STRONG WINDS AND BLOWING SNOW WILL CAUSE 
  SIGNIFICANT TRAVEL DIFFICULTIES. VISIBILITIES COULD BE 
  REDUCED TO ZERO OR NEAR ZERO AT TIMES WITH WHITEOUT 
  CONDITIONS POSSIBLE. THE STRONG WINDS WILL ALSO CAUSE 
  DANGEROUS CROSS WINDS. SIGNIFICANT DRIFTING SNOW IS ALSO 
  POSSIBLE WHICH COULD CAUSE FURTHER DIFFICULTIES WITH ROADS 
  BECOMING SLICK AND SNOWPACKED. LARGE DRIFTS COULD COVER AREA 
  ROADS OR PARTS OF ROADS TO FURTHER COMPLICATE THE SITUATION. 

* PEOPLE WITH TRAVEL PLANS...ESPECIALLY ON INTERSTATE 90...
  SHOULD PLAN AHEAD AND MONITOR THE WEATHER FORECAST CAREFULLY. 
  THIS IS A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS SITUATION TO TRAVEL IN. 
  PLEASE PLAN AHEAD AS TRAVEL PLANS MAY NEED TO BE DELAYED OR 
  ADJUSTED TO AVOID THIS POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS SITUATION. 



PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A BLIZZARD WARNING IS ISSUED WHEN SUSTAINED WIND SPEEDS OR
FREQUENT GUSTS OF OVER 35 MPH ARE EXPECTED WITH CONSIDERABLE
FALLING AND OR BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW. VISIBILITIES WILL
BECOME POOR WITH WHITEOUT CONDITIONS AT TIMES. THOSE VENTURING
OUTDOORS MAY BECOME LOST OR DISORIENTED SO PERSONS IN THE WARNING
AREA ARE ADVISED TO STAY INDOORS.

&&

$$

MTZ034-202215-
/O.UPG.KBYZ.BZ.A.0001.110120T1200Z-110121T1200Z/
/O.NEW.KBYZ.WW.Y.0010.110120T1800Z-110121T1200Z/
NORTHERN STILLWATER-
INCLUDING THE LOCATIONS OF...COLUMBUS...ABSAROKEE...PARK CITY...
REED POINT...RAPELJE
306 AM MST THU JAN 20 2011

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM THIS MORNING TO
5 AM MST FRIDAY...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN BILLINGS HAS ISSUED A WINTER
WEATHER ADVISORY FOR BLOWING SNOW WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM
THIS MORNING TO 5 AM MST FRIDAY. THE BLIZZARD WATCH IS NO LONGER
IN EFFECT.

* TIMING: STRONG WINDS WILL COMBINE WITH FRESH SNOW COVER TO
  PRODUCE AREAS OF BLOWING SNOW TODAY THROUGH TONIGHT. WINDS WILL
  DECREASE LATE TONIGHT AND ALLOW CONDITIONS TO IMPROVE.

* WINDS: SOUTHWEST WINDS WILL INCREASE 15 TO 30 MPH BY LATE THIS
  MORNING. THE WINDS WILL STAY STRONG THROUGH THE DAY AND WILL
  DECREASE LATE TONIGHT.

* IMPACTS: THE STRONG WINDS AND BLOWING SNOW WILL CAUSE TRAVEL
  DIFFICULTIES. VISIBILITIES COULD BE REDUCED TO NEAR ZERO AT
  TIMES. DRIFTING SNOW COULD COVER AREA ROADS OR PARTS OF ROADS TO
  FURTHER COMPLICATE TRAVELING.

* PEOPLE WITH TRAVEL PLANS...ESPECIALLY ON INTERSTATE 90...
  SHOULD PLAN AHEAD AND MONITOR THE WEATHER FORECAST CAREFULLY. 
  THIS IS A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS SITUATION TO TRAVEL IN. 
  PLEASE PLAN AHEAD AS TRAVEL PLANS MAY NEED TO BE DELAYED OR 
  ADJUSTED TO AVOID THIS POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS SITUATION. 


PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY CAN BE ISSUED FOR A VARIETY OF WINTER
WEATHER CONDITIONS SUCH AS LIGHT SNOW...BLOWING SNOW...SLEET...
FREEZING RAIN...AND EXTREME WIND CHILLS.

&&

$$

WYZ098-202215-
/O.NEW.KBYZ.WW.Y.0010.110121T0600Z-110121T1800Z/
NORTHEAST BIG HORN MOUNTAINS-
INCLUDING THE LOCATIONS OF...BURGESS JCT
306 AM MST THU JAN 20 2011

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 11 PM THIS EVENING TO
11 AM MST FRIDAY...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN BILLINGS HAS ISSUED A WINTER
WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SNOW...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM 11 PM THIS
EVENING TO 11 AM MST FRIDAY.


* TIMING: A STRONG UPPER LEVEL DISTURBANCE WILL MOVE INTO THE AREA
  LATE TONIGHT. THE DISTURBANCE WILL BRING PERIODS OF HEAVY SNOW
  WHICH WILL CONTINUE THROUGH LATE FRIDAY MORNING.

* SNOW ACCUMULATION: 6 TO 10 INCHES OF SNOW IS EXPECTED BY LATE
  FRIDAY MORNING. THE HEAVIEST SNOWFALL WILL BE OVER THE NORTH
  FACING SLOPES. 

* IMPACTS: HEAVY SNOW WILL MAKE BACK COUNTRY ACTIVITIES AND TRAVEL
  DIFFICULT LATE TONIGHT THROUGH FRIDAY MORNING.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY CAN BE ISSUED FOR A VARIETY OF WINTER
WEATHER CONDITIONS SUCH AS LIGHT SNOW...BLOWING SNOW...SLEET...
FREEZING RAIN...AND EXTREME WIND CHILLS.

&&

$$

HTTP://WEATHER.GOV/BILLINGS
5 follow-up statements
394 
WWUS45 KBYZ 201534
WSWBYZ

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BILLINGS MT
834 AM MST THU JAN 20 2011

.VERY STRONG WINDS WILL COMBINE WITH FRESH SNOWFALL TO PRODUCE
BLIZZARD CONDITIONS OVER WESTERN PARTS OF SOUTH CENTRAL MONTANA
TODAY AND TONIGHT. VISIBILITIES WILL BE REDUCED TO NEAR ZERO WITH
WHITEOUT CONDITIONS EXPECTED AT TIMES. STRONG WINDS WILL ALSO
CAUSE DANGEROUS CROSS WINDS AND SIGNIFICANT DRIFTING SNOW.

AN UPPER LEVEL DISTURBANCE WILL MOVE INTO NORTH CENTRAL WYOMING
TONIGHT AND WILL BRING PERIODS OF HEAVY SNOW.

MTZ065-066-210345-
/O.EXT.KBYZ.BZ.W.0001.110120T1534Z-110121T1200Z/
LIVINGSTON AREA-BEARTOOTH FOOTHILLS-
INCLUDING THE LOCATIONS OF...LIVINGSTON...SPRINGDALE...FISHTAIL...
MCLEOD...NYE
834 AM MST THU JAN 20 2011

...BLIZZARD WARNING NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 AM MST FRIDAY...

THE BLIZZARD WARNING IS NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 AM MST FRIDAY. 

* TIMING: VERY STRONG WINDS WILL COMBINE WITH FRESH SNOW COVER 
  TO PRODUCE BLIZZARD CONDITIONS TODAY THROUGH TONIGHT. THE WINDS 
  WILL DECREASE LATE TONIGHT AND ALLOW CONDITIONS TO IMPROVE. 

* WINDS: SOUTHWEST WINDS RANGING FROM 35 TO 50 MPH ARE OCCURRING.
  THESE WINDS ARE CREATING BLOWING SNOW AND REDUCING VISIBILITIES
  TO ONE HALF OF A MILE. SOUTHWEST WINDS RANGING FROM 35 TO 55 MPH
  WITH GUSTS TO 65 MPH ARE EXPECTED. 

* IMPACTS: VISIBILITIES COULD BE REDUCED TO ZERO AT TIMES WITH
  WHITEOUT CONDITIONS POSSIBLE. THE STRONG WINDS WILL ALSO CAUSE
  DANGEROUS CROSS WINDS. SIGNIFICANT DRIFTING SNOW IS ALSO
  POSSIBLE. ROADS WILL BECOME SLICK AND SNOWPACKED. 

* PEOPLE WITH TRAVEL PLANS...ESPECIALLY ON INTERSTATE 90...SHOULD
  MONITOR THE WEATHER FORECAST CAREFULLY. THIS IS A POTENTIALLY
  DANGEROUS SITUATION TO TRAVEL IN.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A BLIZZARD WARNING IS ISSUED WHEN SUSTAINED WIND SPEEDS OR
FREQUENT GUSTS OF OVER 35 MPH ARE EXPECTED WITH CONSIDERABLE
FALLING AND OR BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW. VISIBILITIES WILL
BECOME POOR WITH WHITEOUT CONDITIONS AT TIMES. THOSE VENTURING
OUTDOORS MAY BECOME LOST OR DISORIENTED SO PERSONS IN THE WARNING
AREA ARE ADVISED TO STAY INDOORS.

&&

$$

MTZ041-210345-
/O.EXT.KBYZ.BZ.W.0001.110120T1534Z-110121T1200Z/
NORTHERN SWEET GRASS-
INCLUDING THE LOCATIONS OF...BIG TIMBER...MELVILLE
834 AM MST THU JAN 20 2011

...BLIZZARD WARNING NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 AM MST FRIDAY...

THE BLIZZARD WARNING IS NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 AM MST FRIDAY. 

* TIMING: VERY STRONG WINDS WILL COMBINE WITH FRESH SNOW COVER TO
  PRODUCE BLIZZARD CONDITIONS TODAY THROUGH TONIGHT. THE WINDS
  WILL DECREASE LATE TONIGHT AND ALLOW CONDITIONS TO IMPROVE.

* WINDS: SOUTHWEST WINDS RANGING FROM 30 TO 45 MPH WITH GUSTS TO
  55 MPH ARE EXPECTED.

* IMPACTS: VISIBILITIES COULD BE REDUCED TO ZERO AT TIMES WITH
  WHITEOUT CONDITIONS POSSIBLE. THE STRONG WINDS WILL ALSO CAUSE
  DANGEROUS CROSS WINDS. SIGNIFICANT DRIFTING SNOW IS ALSO
  POSSIBLE. ROADS WILL BECOME SLICK AND SNOWPACKED. 

* PEOPLE WITH TRAVEL PLANS...ESPECIALLY ON INTERSTATE 90...SHOULD
  MONITOR THE WEATHER FORECAST CAREFULLY. THIS IS A POTENTIALLY
  DANGEROUS SITUATION TO TRAVEL IN.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A BLIZZARD WARNING IS ISSUED WHEN SUSTAINED WIND SPEEDS OR
FREQUENT GUSTS OF OVER 35 MPH ARE EXPECTED WITH CONSIDERABLE
FALLING AND OR BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW. VISIBILITIES WILL
BECOME POOR WITH WHITEOUT CONDITIONS AT TIMES. THOSE VENTURING
OUTDOORS MAY BECOME LOST OR DISORIENTED SO PERSONS IN THE WARNING
AREA ARE ADVISED TO STAY INDOORS.

&&

$$

MTZ034-210345-
/O.CON.KBYZ.WW.Y.0010.110120T1800Z-110121T1200Z/
NORTHERN STILLWATER-
INCLUDING THE LOCATIONS OF...COLUMBUS...ABSAROKEE...PARK CITY...
REED POINT...RAPELJE
834 AM MST THU JAN 20 2011

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

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

* TIMING: STRONG WINDS WILL COMBINE WITH FRESH SNOW COVER TO 
  PRODUCE AREAS OF BLOWING SNOW TODAY THROUGH TONIGHT. WINDS 
  WILL DECREASE LATE TONIGHT AND ALLOW CONDITIONS TO IMPROVE. 

* WINDS: SOUTHWEST WINDS WILL INCREASE 15 TO 30 MPH BY LATE 
  THIS MORNING. THE WINDS WILL STAY STRONG THROUGH THE DAY AND 
  WILL DECREASE LATE TONIGHT.

* IMPACTS: THE STRONG WINDS AND BLOWING SNOW WILL CAUSE TRAVEL 
  DIFFICULTIES. VISIBILITIES COULD BE REDUCED TO NEAR ZERO AT 
  TIMES. DRIFTING SNOW COULD COVER AREA ROADS OR PARTS OF 
  ROADS TO FURTHER COMPLICATE TRAVELING. 

* PEOPLE WITH TRAVEL PLANS...ESPECIALLY ON INTERSTATE 90... 
  SHOULD PLAN AHEAD AND MONITOR THE WEATHER FORECAST 
  CAREFULLY. THIS IS A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS SITUATION TO 
  TRAVEL IN. PLEASE PLAN AHEAD AS TRAVEL PLANS MAY NEED TO BE 
  DELAYED OR ADJUSTED TO AVOID THIS POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS 
  SITUATION.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY CAN BE ISSUED FOR A VARIETY OF WINTER
WEATHER CONDITIONS SUCH AS LIGHT SNOW...BLOWING SNOW...SLEET...
FREEZING RAIN...AND EXTREME WIND CHILLS.

&&

$$

WYZ098-210345-
/O.CON.KBYZ.WW.Y.0010.110121T0600Z-110121T1800Z/
NORTHEAST BIG HORN MOUNTAINS-
INCLUDING THE LOCATIONS OF...BURGESS JCT
834 AM MST THU JAN 20 2011

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 11 PM THIS
EVENING TO 11 AM MST FRIDAY...

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SNOW REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 11 PM
THIS EVENING TO 11 AM MST FRIDAY.

* TIMING: A STRONG UPPER LEVEL DISTURBANCE WILL MOVE INTO THE 
  AREA LATE TONIGHT. THE DISTURBANCE WILL BRING PERIODS OF HEAVY 
  SNOW WHICH WILL CONTINUE THROUGH LATE FRIDAY MORNING. 

* SNOW ACCUMULATION: 6 TO 10 INCHES OF SNOW IS EXPECTED BY LATE 
  FRIDAY MORNING. THE HEAVIEST SNOWFALL WILL BE OVER THE NORTH 
  FACING SLOPES.

* IMPACTS: HEAVY SNOW WILL MAKE BACK COUNTRY ACTIVITIES AND
  TRAVEL DIFFICULT LATE TONIGHT THROUGH FRIDAY MORNING. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY CAN BE ISSUED FOR A VARIETY OF WINTER
WEATHER CONDITIONS SUCH AS LIGHT SNOW...BLOWING SNOW...SLEET...
FREEZING RAIN...AND EXTREME WIND CHILLS.

&&

$$

HTTP://WEATHER.GOV/BILLINGS
340 
WWUS45 KBYZ 202245
WSWBYZ

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BILLINGS MT
345 PM MST THU JAN 20 2011

.VERY STRONG WINDS WILL COMBINE WITH FRESH SNOWFALL TO PRODUCE
BLIZZARD CONDITIONS OVER WESTERN PARTS OF SOUTH CENTRAL MONTANA
THROUGH TONIGHT. VISIBILITIES WILL BE REDUCED TO NEAR ZERO WITH
WHITEOUT CONDITIONS EXPECTED AT TIMES. STRONG WINDS WILL ALSO
CAUSE DANGEROUS CROSS WINDS AND SIGNIFICANT DRIFTING SNOW.

AN UPPER LEVEL DISTURBANCE WILL MOVE INTO NORTH CENTRAL WYOMING
TONIGHT AND WILL BRING PERIODS OF HEAVY SNOW.

MTZ034-202345-
/O.CAN.KBYZ.WW.Y.0010.000000T0000Z-110121T1200Z/
NORTHERN STILLWATER-
INCLUDING THE LOCATIONS OF...COLUMBUS...ABSAROKEE...PARK CITY...
REED POINT...RAPELJE
345 PM MST THU JAN 20 2011

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IS CANCELLED...

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

BLOWING SNOW HAS NOT CREATED A HAZARD. THEREFORE...THE WINTER
WEATHER ADVISORY HAS BEEN CANCELLED.

$$

MTZ066-202345-
/O.EXT.KBYZ.BZ.W.0001.000000T0000Z-110120T2300Z/
BEARTOOTH FOOTHILLS-
INCLUDING THE LOCATIONS OF...FISHTAIL...MCLEOD...NYE
345 PM MST THU JAN 20 2011

...BLIZZARD WARNING NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL 4 PM MST THIS AFTERNOON...

THE BLIZZARD WARNING WILL EXPIRE AT 4 PM. 

VERY STRONG WINDS HAVE DEVELOPED BUT BLOWING SNOW HAS NOT PRODUCED
BLIZZARD CONDITIONS. THEREFORE...THE BLIZZARD WARNING WILL BE
ALLOWED TO EXPIRE AND A WIND ADVISORY WILL BE ISSUED IN ITS PLACE.

&&

$$

MTZ065-211045-
/O.CON.KBYZ.BZ.W.0001.000000T0000Z-110121T1200Z/
LIVINGSTON AREA-
INCLUDING THE LOCATIONS OF...LIVINGSTON...SPRINGDALE
345 PM MST THU JAN 20 2011

...BLIZZARD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 AM MST FRIDAY...

A BLIZZARD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 AM MST FRIDAY. 

* TIMING: VERY STRONG WINDS WILL COMBINE WITH FRESH SNOW COVER TO
  PRODUCE BLIZZARD CONDITIONS THROUGH TONIGHT. THE WINDS WILL
  DECREASE LATE TONIGHT AND ALLOW CONDITIONS TO IMPROVE.

* WINDS: SOUTHWEST WINDS RANGING FROM 35 TO 55 MPH WITH GUSTS
  EXCEEDING 70 MPH ARE OCCURRING. THESE WINDS ARE CREATING BLOWING
  SNOW AND REDUCING VISIBILITIES TO ONE QUARTER OF A MILE.

* IMPACTS: VISIBILITIES COULD BE REDUCED TO ZERO AT TIMES WITH 
  WHITEOUT CONDITIONS POSSIBLE. THE STRONG WINDS WILL ALSO 
  CAUSE DANGEROUS CROSS WINDS. SIGNIFICANT DRIFTING SNOW IS 
  ALSO POSSIBLE. ROADS WILL BECOME SLICK AND SNOWPACKED.

* PEOPLE WITH TRAVEL PLANS...ESPECIALLY ON INTERSTATE 90...
  SHOULD MONITOR THE WEATHER FORECAST CAREFULLY. THIS IS A 
  POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS SITUATION TO TRAVEL IN.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A BLIZZARD WARNING IS ISSUED WHEN SUSTAINED WIND SPEEDS OR
FREQUENT GUSTS OF OVER 35 MPH ARE EXPECTED WITH CONSIDERABLE
FALLING AND OR BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW. VISIBILITIES WILL
BECOME POOR WITH WHITEOUT CONDITIONS AT TIMES. THOSE VENTURING
OUTDOORS MAY BECOME LOST OR DISORIENTED SO PERSONS IN THE WARNING
AREA ARE ADVISED TO STAY INDOORS.

&&

$$

MTZ041-211045-
/O.CON.KBYZ.BZ.W.0001.000000T0000Z-110121T1200Z/
NORTHERN SWEET GRASS-
INCLUDING THE LOCATIONS OF...BIG TIMBER...MELVILLE
345 PM MST THU JAN 20 2011

...BLIZZARD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 AM MST FRIDAY...

A BLIZZARD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 AM MST FRIDAY. 

* TIMING: VERY STRONG WINDS WILL COMBINE WITH FRESH SNOW COVER TO
  PRODUCE BLIZZARD CONDITIONS THROUGH TONIGHT. THE WINDS WILL
  DECREASE LATE TONIGHT AND ALLOW CONDITIONS TO IMPROVE.

* WINDS: SOUTHWEST WINDS RANGING FROM 30 TO 45 MPH WITH GUSTS 
  TO 55 MPH ARE EXPECTED. 

* IMPACTS: VISIBILITIES COULD BE REDUCED TO ZERO AT TIMES WITH 
  WHITEOUT CONDITIONS POSSIBLE. THE STRONG WINDS WILL ALSO 
  CAUSE DANGEROUS CROSS WINDS. SIGNIFICANT DRIFTING SNOW IS 
  ALSO POSSIBLE. ROADS WILL BECOME SLICK AND SNOWPACKED.

* PEOPLE WITH TRAVEL PLANS...ESPECIALLY ON INTERSTATE 90...
  SHOULD MONITOR THE WEATHER FORECAST CAREFULLY. THIS IS A 
  POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS SITUATION TO TRAVEL IN.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A BLIZZARD WARNING IS ISSUED WHEN SUSTAINED WIND SPEEDS OR
FREQUENT GUSTS OF OVER 35 MPH ARE EXPECTED WITH CONSIDERABLE
FALLING AND OR BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW. VISIBILITIES WILL
BECOME POOR WITH WHITEOUT CONDITIONS AT TIMES. THOSE VENTURING
OUTDOORS MAY BECOME LOST OR DISORIENTED SO PERSONS IN THE WARNING
AREA ARE ADVISED TO STAY INDOORS.

&&

$$

WYZ098-211045-
/O.CON.KBYZ.WW.Y.0010.110121T0600Z-110121T1800Z/
NORTHEAST BIG HORN MOUNTAINS-
INCLUDING THE LOCATIONS OF...BURGESS JCT
345 PM MST THU JAN 20 2011

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 11 PM THIS
EVENING TO 11 AM MST FRIDAY...

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SNOW REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 11 PM
THIS EVENING TO 11 AM MST FRIDAY.

* TIMING: A STRONG UPPER LEVEL DISTURBANCE WILL MOVE INTO THE 
  AREA LATE TONIGHT. THE DISTURBANCE WILL BRING PERIODS OF HEAVY 
  SNOW WHICH WILL CONTINUE THROUGH LATE FRIDAY MORNING. 

* SNOW ACCUMULATION: 6 TO 10 INCHES OF SNOW IS EXPECTED BY LATE 
  FRIDAY MORNING. THE HEAVIEST SNOWFALL WILL BE OVER THE NORTH 
  FACING SLOPES.

* IMPACTS: HEAVY SNOW WILL MAKE BACK COUNTRY ACTIVITIES AND 
  TRAVEL DIFFICULT LATE TONIGHT THROUGH FRIDAY MORNING.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY CAN BE ISSUED FOR A VARIETY OF WINTER
WEATHER CONDITIONS SUCH AS LIGHT SNOW...BLOWING SNOW...SLEET...
FREEZING RAIN...AND EXTREME WIND CHILLS.

&&

$$

MTZ031>033-036-037-058-211045-
/O.NEW.KBYZ.WS.A.0002.110122T1300Z-110123T1300Z/
NORTHERN ROSEBUD-CUSTER-FALLON-POWDER RIVER-CARTER-
SOUTHERN ROSEBUD-
INCLUDING THE LOCATIONS OF...COLSTRIP...FORSYTH...INGOMAR...
ANGELA...MILES CITY...ISMAY...VOLBORG...BAKER...PLEVNA...
WEBSTER...BROADUS...BIDDLE...POWDERVILLE...SONNETTE...EKALAKA...
ALZADA...HAMMOND...BELLTOWER...LAME DEER...ASHLAND...BIRNEY
345 PM MST THU JAN 20 2011

...WINTER STORM WATCH IN EFFECT FROM SATURDAY MORNING THROUGH
LATE SATURDAY NIGHT...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN BILLINGS HAS ISSUED A WINTER
STORM WATCH...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM SATURDAY MORNING THROUGH
LATE SATURDAY NIGHT. 

* TIMING: A STORM SYSTEM WILL MOVE ACROSS THE REGION BEGINNING
  EARLY SATURDAY. THIS SYSTEM WILL EXIT THE REGION LATE SATURDAY
  NIGHT.

* SNOW ACCUMULATION: 2 TO 4 INCHES OF SNOW WILL BE POSSIBLE.

* WINDS: WEST TO NORTHWEST WINDS WILL RANGE FROM 15 TO 25 MPH WITH
  GUSTS TO 35 MPH.

* IMPACTS: SNOWFALL AND STRONG WINDS WILL COMBINE TO PRODUCE AREAS
  OF BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW. VISIBILITIES MAY BE SIGNIFICANTLY
  REDUCED. AREA ROADS MAY BECOME SNOWPACKED MAKING TRAVEL HAZARDOUS.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WINTER STORM WATCH IS ISSUED WHEN SEVERE WINTER WEATHER IS
POSSIBLE BUT NOT IMMINENT. AT THIS TIME THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR
SIGNIFICANT SNOW. FUTURE DRIVING AND WALKING CONDITIONS MAY
BECOME HAZARDOUS SO IT IS IMPORTANT TO MONITOR THE LATEST
FORECASTS.

&&

$$

HTTP://WEATHER.GOV/BILLINGS
898 
WWUS45 KBYZ 202259
WSWBYZ

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BILLINGS MT
359 PM MST THU JAN 20 2011

.VERY STRONG WINDS WILL COMBINE WITH FRESH SNOWFALL TO PRODUCE
BLIZZARD CONDITIONS OVER WESTERN PARTS OF SOUTH CENTRAL MONTANA
THROUGH TONIGHT. VISIBILITIES WILL BE REDUCED TO NEAR ZERO WITH
WHITEOUT CONDITIONS EXPECTED AT TIMES. STRONG WINDS WILL ALSO
CAUSE DANGEROUS CROSS WINDS AND SIGNIFICANT DRIFTING SNOW.

AN UPPER LEVEL DISTURBANCE WILL MOVE INTO NORTH CENTRAL WYOMING
TONIGHT AND WILL BRING PERIODS OF HEAVY SNOW.

MTZ066-210000-
/O.CAN.KBYZ.BZ.W.0001.000000T0000Z-110120T2300Z/
BEARTOOTH FOOTHILLS-
INCLUDING THE LOCATIONS OF...FISHTAIL...MCLEOD...NYE
359 PM MST THU JAN 20 2011

...BLIZZARD WARNING IS CANCELLED...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN BILLINGS HAS CANCELLED THE
BLIZZARD WARNING. 

VERY STRONG WINDS HAVE DEVELOPED BUT BLOWING SNOW HAS NOT CREATED
BLIZZARD CONDITIONS. THEREFORE...THE BLIZZARD WARNING HAS BEEN
CANCELLED AND A WIND ADVISORY HAS BEEN ISSUED IN ITS PLACE.

$$

MTZ065-211100-
/O.CON.KBYZ.BZ.W.0001.000000T0000Z-110121T1200Z/
LIVINGSTON AREA-
INCLUDING THE LOCATIONS OF...LIVINGSTON...SPRINGDALE
359 PM MST THU JAN 20 2011

...BLIZZARD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 AM MST FRIDAY...

A BLIZZARD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 AM MST FRIDAY. 

* TIMING: VERY STRONG WINDS WILL COMBINE WITH FRESH SNOW COVER 
  TOPRODUCE BLIZZARD CONDITIONS THROUGH TONIGHT. THE WINDS WILL 
  DECREASE LATE TONIGHT AND ALLOW CONDITIONS TO IMPROVE. 

* WINDS: SOUTHWEST WINDS RANGING FROM 35 TO 55 MPH WITH GUSTS 
  EXCEEDING 70 MPH ARE OCCURRING. THESE WINDS ARE CREATING 
  BLOWING SNOW AND REDUCING VISIBILITIES TO ONE QUARTER OF A 
  MILE. 

* IMPACTS: VISIBILITIES COULD BE REDUCED TO ZERO AT TIMES WITH 
  WHITEOUT CONDITIONS POSSIBLE. THE STRONG WINDS WILL ALSO 
  CAUSE DANGEROUS CROSS WINDS. SIGNIFICANT DRIFTING SNOW IS 
  ALSO POSSIBLE. ROADS WILL BECOME SLICK AND SNOWPACKED.

* PEOPLE WITH TRAVEL PLANS...ESPECIALLY ON INTERSTATE 90... 
  SHOULD MONITOR THE WEATHER FORECAST CAREFULLY. THIS IS A 
  POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS SITUATION TO TRAVEL IN.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A BLIZZARD WARNING IS ISSUED WHEN SUSTAINED WIND SPEEDS OR
FREQUENT GUSTS OF OVER 35 MPH ARE EXPECTED WITH CONSIDERABLE
FALLING AND OR BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW. VISIBILITIES WILL
BECOME POOR WITH WHITEOUT CONDITIONS AT TIMES. THOSE VENTURING
OUTDOORS MAY BECOME LOST OR DISORIENTED SO PERSONS IN THE WARNING
AREA ARE ADVISED TO STAY INDOORS.

&&

$$

MTZ041-211100-
/O.CON.KBYZ.BZ.W.0001.000000T0000Z-110121T1200Z/
NORTHERN SWEET GRASS-
INCLUDING THE LOCATIONS OF...BIG TIMBER...MELVILLE
359 PM MST THU JAN 20 2011

...BLIZZARD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 AM MST FRIDAY...

A BLIZZARD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 AM MST FRIDAY. 

* TIMING: VERY STRONG WINDS WILL COMBINE WITH FRESH SNOW COVER 
  TOPRODUCE BLIZZARD CONDITIONS THROUGH TONIGHT. THE WINDS WILL 
  DECREASE LATE TONIGHT AND ALLOW CONDITIONS TO IMPROVE. 

* WINDS: SOUTHWEST WINDS RANGING FROM 30 TO 45 MPH WITH GUSTS 
  TO 55 MPH ARE EXPECTED.

* IMPACTS: VISIBILITIES COULD BE REDUCED TO ZERO AT TIMES WITH 
  WHITEOUT CONDITIONS POSSIBLE. THE STRONG WINDS WILL ALSO 
  CAUSE DANGEROUS CROSS WINDS. SIGNIFICANT DRIFTING SNOW IS 
  ALSO POSSIBLE. ROADS WILL BECOME SLICK AND SNOWPACKED.

* PEOPLE WITH TRAVEL PLANS...ESPECIALLY ON INTERSTATE 90... 
  SHOULD MONITOR THE WEATHER FORECAST CAREFULLY. THIS IS A 
  POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS SITUATION TO TRAVEL IN.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A BLIZZARD WARNING IS ISSUED WHEN SUSTAINED WIND SPEEDS OR
FREQUENT GUSTS OF OVER 35 MPH ARE EXPECTED WITH CONSIDERABLE
FALLING AND OR BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW. VISIBILITIES WILL
BECOME POOR WITH WHITEOUT CONDITIONS AT TIMES. THOSE VENTURING
OUTDOORS MAY BECOME LOST OR DISORIENTED SO PERSONS IN THE WARNING
AREA ARE ADVISED TO STAY INDOORS.

&&

$$

WYZ098-211100-
/O.CON.KBYZ.WW.Y.0010.110121T0600Z-110121T1800Z/
NORTHEAST BIG HORN MOUNTAINS-
INCLUDING THE LOCATIONS OF...BURGESS JCT
359 PM MST THU JAN 20 2011

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 11 PM THIS
EVENING TO 11 AM MST FRIDAY...

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SNOW REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 11 PM
THIS EVENING TO 11 AM MST FRIDAY.

* TIMING: A STRONG UPPER LEVEL DISTURBANCE WILL MOVE INTO THE 
  AREA LATE TONIGHT. THE DISTURBANCE WILL BRING PERIODS OF HEAVY 
  SNOW WHICH WILL CONTINUE THROUGH LATE FRIDAY MORNING. 

* SNOW ACCUMULATION: 6 TO 10 INCHES OF SNOW IS EXPECTED BY LATE 
  FRIDAY MORNING. THE HEAVIEST SNOWFALL WILL BE OVER THE NORTH 
  FACING SLOPES.

* IMPACTS: HEAVY SNOW WILL MAKE BACK COUNTRY ACTIVITIES AND 
  TRAVEL DIFFICULT LATE TONIGHT THROUGH FRIDAY MORNING.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY CAN BE ISSUED FOR A VARIETY OF WINTER
WEATHER CONDITIONS SUCH AS LIGHT SNOW...BLOWING SNOW...SLEET...
FREEZING RAIN...AND EXTREME WIND CHILLS.

&&

$$

MTZ031>033-036-037-058-211100-
/O.CON.KBYZ.WS.A.0002.110122T1300Z-110123T1300Z/
NORTHERN ROSEBUD-CUSTER-FALLON-POWDER RIVER-CARTER-
SOUTHERN ROSEBUD-
INCLUDING THE LOCATIONS OF...COLSTRIP...FORSYTH...INGOMAR...
ANGELA...MILES CITY...ISMAY...VOLBORG...BAKER...PLEVNA...
WEBSTER...BROADUS...BIDDLE...POWDERVILLE...SONNETTE...EKALAKA...
ALZADA...HAMMOND...BELLTOWER...LAME DEER...ASHLAND...BIRNEY
359 PM MST THU JAN 20 2011

...WINTER STORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM SATURDAY MORNING
THROUGH LATE SATURDAY NIGHT...

A WINTER STORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM SATURDAY MORNING
THROUGH LATE SATURDAY NIGHT. 

* TIMING: A STORM SYSTEM WILL MOVE ACROSS THE REGION BEGINNING 
  EARLY SATURDAY. THIS SYSTEM WILL EXIT THE REGION LATE SATURDAY 
  NIGHT. 

* SNOW ACCUMULATION: 2 TO 4 INCHES OF SNOW WILL BE POSSIBLE.

* WINDS: WEST TO NORTHWEST WINDS WILL RANGE FROM 15 TO 25 MPH
  WITH GUSTS TO 35 MPH. 

* IMPACTS: SNOWFALL AND STRONG WINDS WILL COMBINE TO PRODUCE
  AREAS OF BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW. VISIBILITIES MAY BE 
  SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCED. AREA ROADS MAY BECOME SNOWPACKED 
  MAKING TRAVEL HAZARDOUS.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WINTER STORM WATCH IS ISSUED WHEN SEVERE WINTER WEATHER IS
POSSIBLE BUT NOT IMMINENT. AT THIS TIME THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR
SIGNIFICANT SNOW. FUTURE DRIVING AND WALKING CONDITIONS MAY
BECOME HAZARDOUS SO IT IS IMPORTANT TO MONITOR THE LATEST
FORECASTS.

&&

$$

HTTP://WEATHER.GOV/BILLINGS
475 
WWUS45 KBYZ 210438
WSWBYZ

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BILLINGS MT
938 PM MST THU JAN 20 2011


MTZ041-210545-
/O.CAN.KBYZ.BZ.W.0001.000000T0000Z-110121T1200Z/
NORTHERN SWEET GRASS-
INCLUDING THE LOCATIONS OF...BIG TIMBER...MELVILLE
938 PM MST THU JAN 20 2011

...BLIZZARD WARNING IS CANCELLED...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN BILLINGS HAS CANCELLED THE
BLIZZARD WARNING. 

WIND HAS DECREASED ACROSS THE AREA AND COUNTY OFFICIALS REPORT
VISIBILITY ISSUES HAVE IMPROVED. HOWEVER...LOCAL BLOWING AND DRIFTING OF
SNOW MAY STILL OCCUR OVERNIGHT IN THE BIG TIMBER TO GREYCLIFF
AREA AND MOTORISTS SHOULD STILL EXERCISE CAUTION. 

$$

MTZ065-211200-
/O.CON.KBYZ.BZ.W.0001.000000T0000Z-110121T1200Z/
LIVINGSTON AREA-
INCLUDING THE LOCATIONS OF...LIVINGSTON...SPRINGDALE
938 PM MST THU JAN 20 2011

...BLIZZARD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 AM MST FRIDAY...

A BLIZZARD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 AM MST FRIDAY. 

* TIMING: WINDS ARE TRENDING DOWN LATE THIS EVENING AND CONDITIONS
  ARE GRADUALLY IMPROVING. HOWEVER...WINDS WILL REMAIN STRONG
  ENOUGH OVERNIGHT TO PRODUCE AREAS OF LOW VISIBILITY IN BLOWING
  SNOW AND VERY DIFFICULT DRIVING CONDITIONS.

* WINDS: SOUTHWEST WINDS RANGING FROM 30 TO 45 MPH WITH GUSTS
  EXCEEDING 60 MPH ARE EXPECTED THROUGH LATE EVENING...GRADUALLY
  DECREASING LATER TONIGHT. 

* IMPACTS: WHILE LOCAL VISIBILITIES COULD STILL BE REDUCED TO
  ZERO AT TIMES OVERNIGHT...THE MAIN CONCERN THE REMAINDER OF THE
  NIGHT WILL BE SIGNIFICANT DRIFTING OF SNOW AND DANGEROUS CROSS
  WINDS ON VERY SLICK AND SNOWPACKED ROADS.

* PEOPLE WITH TRAVEL PLANS...ESPECIALLY ON INTERSTATE 90... SHOULD
  MONITOR THE WEATHER FORECAST AND ROAD CONDITIONS CAREFULLY. THIS
  IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION TO TRAVEL IN.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A BLIZZARD WARNING IS ISSUED WHEN SUSTAINED WIND SPEEDS OR
FREQUENT GUSTS OF OVER 35 MPH ARE EXPECTED WITH CONSIDERABLE
FALLING AND OR BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW. VISIBILITIES WILL
BECOME POOR WITH WHITEOUT CONDITIONS AT TIMES. THOSE VENTURING
OUTDOORS MAY BECOME LOST OR DISORIENTED SO PERSONS IN THE WARNING
AREA ARE ADVISED TO STAY INDOORS.

&&

$$

WYZ098-211645-
/O.CON.KBYZ.WW.Y.0010.110121T0600Z-110121T1800Z/
NORTHEAST BIG HORN MOUNTAINS-
INCLUDING THE LOCATIONS OF...BURGESS JCT
938 PM MST THU JAN 20 2011

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 11 AM MST
FRIDAY...

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SNOW REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 11 AM
MST FRIDAY.

* TIMING: A STRONG DISTURBANCE WILL MOVE INTO THE AREA LATE
  TONIGHT. THE DISTURBANCE WILL BRING PERIODS OF HEAVY SNOW WHICH
  WILL CONTINUE THROUGH LATE FRIDAY MORNING.

* SNOW ACCUMULATION: 5 TO 8 INCHES OF SNOW IS EXPECTED BY LATE
  FRIDAY MORNING. THE HEAVIEST SNOWFALL WILL BE OVER THE NORTH
  FACING SLOPES.

* IMPACTS: HEAVY SNOW WILL MAKE BACK COUNTRY ACTIVITIES AND 
  TRAVEL DIFFICULT LATE TONIGHT THROUGH FRIDAY MORNING.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY CAN BE ISSUED FOR A VARIETY OF WINTER
WEATHER CONDITIONS SUCH AS LIGHT SNOW...BLOWING SNOW...SLEET...
FREEZING RAIN...AND EXTREME WIND CHILLS.

&&

$$

MTZ031>033-036-037-058-211645-
/O.CON.KBYZ.WS.A.0002.110122T1300Z-110123T1300Z/
NORTHERN ROSEBUD-CUSTER-FALLON-POWDER RIVER-CARTER-
SOUTHERN ROSEBUD-
INCLUDING THE LOCATIONS OF...COLSTRIP...FORSYTH...INGOMAR...
ANGELA...MILES CITY...ISMAY...VOLBORG...BAKER...PLEVNA...
WEBSTER...BROADUS...BIDDLE...POWDERVILLE...SONNETTE...EKALAKA...
ALZADA...HAMMOND...BELLTOWER...LAME DEER...ASHLAND...BIRNEY
938 PM MST THU JAN 20 2011

...WINTER STORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM SATURDAY MORNING
THROUGH LATE SATURDAY NIGHT...

A WINTER STORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM SATURDAY MORNING
THROUGH LATE SATURDAY NIGHT. 

* TIMING: A STORM SYSTEM WILL MOVE ACROSS THE REGION BEGINNING 
  EARLY SATURDAY. THIS SYSTEM WILL EXIT THE REGION LATE SATURDAY 
  NIGHT. 

* SNOW ACCUMULATION: 2 TO 4 INCHES OF SNOW WILL BE POSSIBLE.

* WINDS: WEST TO NORTHWEST WINDS WILL RANGE FROM 15 TO 25 MPH 
  WITH GUSTS TO 35 MPH.

* IMPACTS: SNOWFALL AND STRONG WINDS WILL COMBINE TO PRODUCE 
  AREAS OF BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW. VISIBILITIES MAY BE 
  SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCED. AREA ROADS MAY BECOME SNOWPACKED 
  MAKING TRAVEL HAZARDOUS.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WINTER STORM WATCH IS ISSUED WHEN SEVERE WINTER WEATHER IS
POSSIBLE BUT NOT IMMINENT. AT THIS TIME THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR
SIGNIFICANT SNOW. FUTURE DRIVING AND WALKING CONDITIONS MAY
BECOME HAZARDOUS SO IT IS IMPORTANT TO MONITOR THE LATEST
FORECASTS.

&&

$$
BT

HTTP://WEATHER.GOV/BILLINGS
264 
WWUS45 KBYZ 211027
WSWBYZ

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BILLINGS MT
327 AM MST FRI JAN 21 2011

MTZ065-211130-
/O.CAN.KBYZ.BZ.W.0001.000000T0000Z-110121T1200Z/
LIVINGSTON AREA-
INCLUDING THE LOCATIONS OF...LIVINGSTON...SPRINGDALE
327 AM MST FRI JAN 21 2011

...BLIZZARD WARNING IS CANCELLED...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN BILLINGS HAS CANCELLED THE
BLIZZARD WARNING. 

WINDS HAVE DIMINISHED OVER THE AREA AND LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT
REPORTS VISIBILITY ISSUES HAVE IMPROVED. SOME COUNTY ROADS IN
THE AREA ARE STILL BLOCKED DUE TO HEAVY SNOW DRIFTING YESTERDAY
AND PERSONS ARE URGED TO USE CAUTION IF TRAVELING. 

$$

WYZ098-211800-
/O.CON.KBYZ.WW.Y.0010.000000T0000Z-110121T1800Z/
NORTHEAST BIG HORN MOUNTAINS-
INCLUDING THE LOCATIONS OF...BURGESS JCT
327 AM MST FRI JAN 21 2011

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

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

* TIMING: PERIODS OF MODERATE SNOWFALL WILL CONTINUE THIS MORNING.
  THE SNOW WILL CONTINUE THROUGH LATE MORNING.

* SNOW ACCUMULATION: 5 TO 8 INCHES OF SNOW IS EXPECTED BY LATE MORNING.
  THE HEAVIEST SNOWFALL WILL BE OVER THE NORTH FACING SLOPES.

* IMPACTS: HEAVY SNOW WILL MAKE BACK COUNTRY ACTIVITIES AND 
  TRAVEL DIFFICULT LATE TONIGHT THROUGH FRIDAY MORNING.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY CAN BE ISSUED FOR A VARIETY OF WINTER
WEATHER CONDITIONS SUCH AS LIGHT SNOW...BLOWING SNOW...SLEET...
FREEZING RAIN...AND EXTREME WIND CHILLS.

&&

$$

MTZ031>033-036-037-058-212230-
/O.EXT.KBYZ.WS.A.0002.110122T0700Z-110123T1300Z/
NORTHERN ROSEBUD-CUSTER-FALLON-POWDER RIVER-CARTER-
SOUTHERN ROSEBUD-
INCLUDING THE LOCATIONS OF...COLSTRIP...FORSYTH...INGOMAR...
ANGELA...MILES CITY...ISMAY...VOLBORG...BAKER...PLEVNA...
WEBSTER...BROADUS...BIDDLE...POWDERVILLE...SONNETTE...EKALAKA...
ALZADA...HAMMOND...BELLTOWER...LAME DEER...ASHLAND...BIRNEY
327 AM MST FRI JAN 21 2011

...WINTER STORM WATCH NOW IN EFFECT FROM LATE TONIGHT THROUGH
LATE SATURDAY NIGHT...

THE WINTER STORM WATCH IS NOW IN EFFECT FROM LATE TONIGHT THROUGH
LATE SATURDAY NIGHT. 

* TIMING: A STORM SYSTEM WILL MOVE ACROSS THE REGION BEGINNING
  LATE THIS EVENING. THIS SYSTEM WILL EXIT THE REGION SATURDAY NIGHT.

* SNOW ACCUMULATION: 3 TO 5 INCHES OF SNOW WILL BE POSSIBLE.

* WINDS: WEST TO NORTHWEST WINDS WILL RANGE FROM 15 TO 25 MPH WITH
  GUSTS TO 35 MPH.

* IMPACTS: SNOWFALL AND STRONG WINDS WILL COMBINE TO PRODUCE 
  AREAS OF BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW. VISIBILITIES MAY BE 
  SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCED. AREA ROADS MAY ALSO BECOME SNOWPACKED 
  MAKING TRAVEL HAZARDOUS.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WINTER STORM WATCH IS ISSUED WHEN SEVERE WINTER WEATHER IS
POSSIBLE BUT NOT IMMINENT. AT THIS TIME THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR
SIGNIFICANT SNOW. FUTURE DRIVING AND WALKING CONDITIONS MAY
BECOME HAZARDOUS SO IT IS IMPORTANT TO MONITOR THE LATEST
FORECASTS.

&&

$$

HTTP://WEATHER.GOV/BILLINGS

What forecasters said that day

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

NWS Billings, MT wrote its last area forecast discussion before this blizzard warning went out at Jan 20, 2:51 AM MST, 15 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Jan 20, 2:51 AM MST, 15 minutes before
AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BILLINGS MT
251 AM MST THU JAN 20 2011

.SHORT TERM...VALID FOR TDY AND FRI...

FORECAST CHALLENGES FOR THE SHORT TERM ARE GROUND BLIZZARD
CONDITIONS IN THE GAP FLOW AREAS TODAY...HIGH WINDS OVER THE
NORTHWEST ZONES AND SNOW POTENTIAL FOR TONIGHT INTO FRIDAY IN THE
NORTHEAST BIG HORN MOUNTAINS AND EAST ZONES.

GROUND BLIZZARD...GAP FLOW WINDS WILL BE INCREASING THROUGH THE
MORNING AND WILL BECOME STRONG BY LATE MORNING. THESE STRONG
WINDS WILL BE THE RESULT OF A STABLE LAYER AT MOUNTAIN TOP LEVEL
ALONG WITH A DEEPENING LEE SIDE TROUGH. RECENT SNOWFALL OVER THE
AREA YESTERDAY LEFT 5 TO 8 INCHES OF NEW SNOW IN LIVINGSTON..BIG
TIMBER AND NEAR NYE. THESE WINDS WILL CREATE GROUND BLIZZARD
CONDITIONS WITH ZERO VISIBILITIES AT TIMES. THE STRONG WINDS AND
LOW VISIBILITIES WILL CREATE VERY HAZARDOUS TRAVELING CONDITIONS
FROM LIVINGSTON TO BIG TIMBER STARTING LATE THIS MORNING AND
CONTINUING OVERNIGHT. CROSS SECTIONS SHOWING STRONG OMEGA MOVING
INTO THE WEST CENTRAL ZONES WHICH WILL LIMIT WINDS MIXING
DOWN...ESPECIALLY OVER STILLWATER COUNTY. WINDS SHOULD BE IN THE
15 TO 30 MPH RANGE TODAY AND TONIGHT WHICH WILL ONLY CREATE LOCAL
AREAS OF BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW. WILL ISSUE A WINTER WEATHER
ADVISORY FOR STILLWATER COUNTY TODAY FOR AREAS OF BLOWING SNOW.

HIGH WINDS OVER WHEATLAND COUNTY AND THE JUDITH GAP AREA...STRONG
PRESSURE GRADIENT SETTING UP TODAY OVER WHEATLAND COUNTY. WINDS
WILL BE INCREASING THIS MORNING AND SHOULD REACH WARNING CRITERIA
BY LATE MORNING. CROSS SECTIONS SHOWING 55KT WINDS NEAR THE
SURFACE WITH STRONG SUBSIDENCE AND COLD AIR ADVECTION ALOFT.
THESE FACTORS WILL ALLOW THE STRONG WINDS TO MIX DOWN TO THE
SURFACE. WILL RUN THE HIGH WIND WARNING FROM 18Z THIS MORNING
THROUGH 12Z FRIDAY. CROSS SECTIONS SHOWING WINDS ALOFT MUCH
LIGHTER OVER GOLDEN VALLEY COUNTY TODAY AND WILL NOT ISSUE ANY
HIGHLIGHTS FOR THERE.

SNOW CONCERNS...STRONG SHORT WAVE DROPPING SOUTH TONIGHT FROM
BRITISH COLUMBIA. AMPLE MOISTURE WITH BE AVAILABLE WITH THIS WAVE
AS WATER VAPOR SATELLITE SHOWING GOOD MOISTURE FEED FROM THE
PACIFIC NORTHWEST. SOUNDINGS SHOWING UNSTABLE AIR MASS EAST AND
SOUTH OF BILLINGS TONIGHT AHEAD OF THE WAVE. STEEP LAPSE RATES
AROUND 7.5 C/KM WHICH WILL LEAD TO A POTENTIAL OF HEAVY SNOW
SHOWERS. THE BEST AREA FOR INSTABILITY WILL BE OVER THE NORTHEAST
BIG HORN MOUNTAINS WHERE CROSS SECTIONS SHOWING DENDRITIC LAYER
NEAR MOUNTAIN TOP WITH STRONGEST OMEGA LIFTING THROUGH IT. BOTH
GFS/ECMWF/SREF HITTING THE NORTH FACING SLOPES WITH GOOD QPF.
WILL GO AHEAD AND ISSUE SNOW ADVISORY STARTING AT 06Z TONIGHT
THROUGH 18Z FRIDAY FOR 6 TO 10 INCHES OF SNOW BY LATE FRIDAY
MORNING. ANOTHER AREA OF CONCERN IS OVER THE FOUR EASTERN ZONES
AND SOUTHERN BIG HORN COUNTY. DENDRITIC LAYER IS MUCH HIGHER WITH
STRONGEST LIFT STAYING BELOW THE BEST SNOW GROWTH LAYER. HAVE
STILL INCREASED POPS TO CATEGORICAL FOR THESE AREAS WITH UP TO 2
INCHES OF NEW SNOWFALL. MAY NEED HIGHLIGHTS FOR THESE AREAS LATE
TONIGHT BUT WILL HOLD OFF FOR NOW AND LET THE DAY SHIFT HAVE A
LOOK AT THE 12Z MODEL RUNS. RICHMOND

.LONG TERM...VALID FOR SAT...SUN...MON...TUE...WED...

UNSETTLED NORTHWEST FLOW ALOFT WILL DOMINATE THE FORECAST AREA
THROUGH THE ENTIRE EXTENDED PERIOD. SEVERAL UPPER LEVEL
DISTURBANCES WITHIN THE FLOW...EACH ABOUT 24 TO 36 HOURS
APART...WILL MOVE SOUTHEAST OUT OF CANADA ACROSS THE EASTERN HALF
OF THE STATE. THE FIRST DISTURBANCE AFFECTS THE AREA SATURDAY AS
AN ALBERTA CLIPPER TYPE LOW DROPS OUT OF CANADA ACROSS THE
EASTERN PORTIONS OF THE STATE. THIS WILL RESULT IN A GOOD CHANCE
FOR ACCUMULATING SNOW ACROSS MOST OF THE PLAINS...WITH BEST
CHANCES ACROSS THE CENTRAL AND EASTERN ZONES. THE NEXT LOW
ARRIVES SUNDAY AFTERNOON AND NIGHT BUT IS FURTHER EAST ACROSS THE
DAKOTAS. QPF AMOUNTS ARE LESS AND MORE ACROSS OUR EASTERN ZONES
WITH THIS LOW. MODELS DISAGREE BY TUESDAY INTO WEDNESDAY WITH THE
ECMWF BRINGING ANOTHER DISTURBANCE THROUGH THE NORTHWEST FLOW
WITH THE GFS KEEPING CONDITIONS DRY. GIVEN UNSTABLE NORTHWEST
FLOW...CAN'T RULE OUT SOME SCATTERED RAIN/SNOW SHOWER ACTIVITY.
AS FOR TEMPERATURES...MODELS ARE NOT SHOWING ANY ARCTIC INTRUSION
THROUGH THE EXTENDED AS 850MB TEMPERATURES LOOK TO BE ABOVE
FREEZING HEADING INTO NEXT WEEK. THIS WILL RESULT IN READINGS AT
OR SLIGHTLY ABOVE NORMAL FOR THIS TIME OF YEAR. HOOLEY

&&

.AVIATION...

SKIES ACROSS THE FORECAST AREA WILL BE PARTLY TO MOSTLY SUNNY
TODAY WITH VFR CONDITIONS PREVAILING FOR MOST AREAS.
HOWEVER...CLOUDS WILL BE ON THE INCREASE ACROSS THE WESTERN AREAS
AS THE NEXT DISTURBANCE APPROACHES THAT AREA. THIS WILL BRING A
CHANCE FOR AFTERNOON SNOW SHOWERS TO THE MOUNTAINS AND ADJACENT
FOOTHILLS AND PLAINS INCLUDING THE KLVM AREA. IN ADDITION...WINDY
CONDITIONS WILL DEVELOP OVER THE WESTERN AND CENTRAL ZONES LATER
THIS MORNING...INCREASING THROUGH THE AFTERNOON. THE STRONGEST
WINDS WILL DEVELOP ALONG THE BEARTOOTH FOOTHILLS AND THE KLVM
AREA AND AREAS NORTH THROUGH JUDITH GAP. THE COMBINATION OF
STRONG WINDS AND FRESH SNOWFALL WILL PRODUCE AREAS OF BLOWING
SNOW AND SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCED SURFACE VISIBILITIES. HOOLEY

&&

.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMP/POPS...

    TDY FRI     SAT     SUN     MON     TUE     WED
-------------------------------------------------------
BIL 030 027/039 028/035 022/037 024/036 025/041 027/039
    0/N 21/B    44/S    11/B    21/B    12/O    22/O
LVM 028 023/037 025/034 015/032 014/034 020/037 022/035
    2/S 32/J    54/S    11/B    21/B    12/S    22/S
HDN 027 021/036 021/035 020/031 022/036 023/040 025/040
    1/B 43/J    44/S    22/S    21/B    12/S    22/S
MLS 022 022/034 019/029 016/036 022/029 019/036 022/033
    1/B 82/J    26/S    22/O    21/B    12/S    22/S
4BQ 024 021/036 019/033 017/035 022/033 019/039 023/036
    0/B 94/W    26/S    32/O    32/S    12/S    22/S
BHK 019 017/031 012/027 012/031 017/027 016/033 020/031
    1/B 94/J    16/S    32/S    22/S    12/S    22/S
SHR 027 021/037 021/035 018/036 022/034 023/040 024/038
    1/B 56/J    36/S    23/O    42/S    12/O    22/O

&&

.BYZ WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
MT...HIGH WIND WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM THIS MORNING TO 5 AM
      MST FRIDAY FOR ZONES 28-63.
     WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM THIS MORNING TO
      5 AM MST FRIDAY FOR ZONE 34.
     BLIZZARD WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM THIS MORNING TO 5 AM
      MST FRIDAY FOR ZONES 41-65-66.
WY...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 11 PM THIS EVENING TO
      11 AM MST FRIDAY FOR ZONE 98.

&&

WEATHER.GOV/BILLINGS
Hazardous weather outlook, Jan 19, 9:46 PM MST, 5 hours 20 minutes before
HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BILLINGS MT
946 PM MST WED JAN 19 2011

MTZ028>042-056>058-063>068-WYZ098-099-210500-
SOUTHERN WHEATLAND-MUSSELSHELL-TREASURE-NORTHERN ROSEBUD-CUSTER-
FALLON-NORTHERN STILLWATER-YELLOWSTONE-POWDER RIVER-CARTER-
SOUTHERN BIG HORN-EASTERN CARBON-NORTHERN PARK-
NORTHERN SWEET GRASS-GOLDEN VALLEY-RED LODGE FOOTHILLS-
NORTHERN BIG HORN-SOUTHERN ROSEBUD-JUDITH GAP-PARADISE VALLEY-
LIVINGSTON AREA-BEARTOOTH FOOTHILLS-ABSAROKA/BEARTOOTH MOUNTAINS-
CRAZY MOUNTAINS-NORTHEAST BIG HORN MOUNTAINS-SHERIDAN FOOTHILLS-
946 PM MST WED JAN 19 2011

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR PORTIONS OF CENTRAL
MONTANA...SOUTH CENTRAL MONTANA...SOUTHEAST MONTANA AND NORTH
CENTRAL WYOMING.

.DAY ONE...TONIGHT

THE PROBABILITY FOR WIDESPREAD HAZARDOUS WEATHER TONIGHT
 IS LOW.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...THURSDAY THROUGH TUESDAY

VERY STRONG WESTERLY WINDS WILL DEVELOP OVER WESTERN AREAS
THURSDAY MORNING AND CONTINUE THROUGH FRIDAY MORNING. IN AREAS
WITH FRESH SNOW COVER THE STRONG WINDS WILL CREATE SIGNIFICANT
BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW. THOSE PLANNING TRAVEL ON INTERSTATE 90
FROM COLUMBUS TO LIVINGSTON...AND ON HIGHWAY 191 FROM BIG TIMBER
TO JUDITH GAP SHOULD BE PREPARED FOR NEAR WHITEOUT CONDITIONS IN
BLOWING SNOW AS WELL AS DANGEROUS CROSS 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 Billings, MT issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Jan 20, 3:06 AM MSTHigh Wind WarningBYZGolden Valley, Wheatland18 hr
Jan 20, 3:06 AM MSTWinter Weather AdvisoryBYZStillwater28 hr
Jan 20, 3:45 PM MSTWinter Storm WatchBYZCarter, Custer, Fallon, Powder River, Rosebud24 hr
Jan 20, 3:46 PM MSTWind AdvisoryBYZStillwater, Sweet Grass11 hr

Nearby

Blizzard Warnings in Montana, 2011Every blizzard warning in 2011

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.