Winter Storm Warning 20, NWS Missoula, MT

236 
WWUS45 KMSO 242008 AAA
WSWMSO

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE...UPDATED
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MISSOULA MT
108 PM MST WED DEC 24 2014


MTZ004-251200-
/O.CON.KMSO.WS.W.0020.000000T0000Z-141225T1800Z/
LOWER CLARK FORK REGION-
108 PM MST WED DEC 24 2014

...WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 11 AM MST
THURSDAY...

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

* IMPACTS/TIMING: PERIODS OF MODERATE TO HEAVY SNOW WILL CONTINUE
  WITH ROAD CONDITIONS REMAINING HAZARDOUS, ESPECIALLY OVER
  LOOKOUT PASS. EXPECT LOW VISIBILITY DUE TO PERIODS OF INTENSE
  SNOWFALL... WITH DANGEROUS TRAVEL EXPECTED... PARTICULARLY FROM
  HAUGAN TO LOOKOUT PASS. EAST OF HAUGAN... LESSER SNOW AMOUNTS
  ARE EXPECTED... BUT TRAVEL IMPACTS WILL DEFINITELY BE PRESENT.

* SNOW ACCUMULATIONS: HAUGAN TO LOOKOUT PASS: 6-10 INCHES. 
  ELSEWHERE: UP TO 4 INCHES. 

* LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...EVARO HILL...HIGHWAY 200 THOMPSON
  FALLS TO PLAINS...HIGHWAY 200 TROUT CREEK TO HERON...I-90
  LOOKOUT PASS TO HAUGAN

&&

$$

MTZ001-003-251200-
/O.CON.KMSO.WW.Y.0073.000000T0000Z-141225T1800Z/
KOOTENAI/CABINET REGION-FLATHEAD/MISSION VALLEYS-
108 PM MST WED DEC 24 2014

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

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 11 AM MST
THURSDAY. 

* IMPACTS/TIMING: PERIODS OF SNOWFALL WILL CONTINUE THROUGHOUT THE
  DAY AND OVERNIGHT. TRAVEL WILL REMAIN DIFFICULT THROUGH
  THURSDAY MORNING.

* SNOW ACCUMULATIONS: GENERAL VALLEY SNOW ACCUMULATIONS OF 2-4 
  INCHES WITH HIGHER TERRAIN ACCUMULATIONS OF 5-10 INCHES. 

* LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...HIGHWAY 2 KALISPELL TO LIBBY... 
  HIGHWAY 37 EUREKA TO LIBBY...HIGHWAY 56 BULL LAKE ROAD...
  HIGHWAY 93 EUREKA TO WHITEFISH...FLATHEAD LAKE...FLATHEAD 
  VALLEY... MISSION VALLEY...POLSON

$$

MTZ002-043-251200-
/O.CON.KMSO.WW.Y.0073.000000T0000Z-141225T1800Z/
WEST GLACIER REGION-POTOMAC/SEELEY LAKE REGION-
108 PM MST WED DEC 24 2014

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

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 11 AM MST
THURSDAY. 

* IMPACTS/TIMING: PERIODS OF SNOW...MODERATE TO HEAVY AT TIMES...
  ARE EXPECTED THROUGH EARLY THURSDAY MORNING...CREATING SNOW
  PACKED ROADWAYS. GUSTY WINDS OF 30-40 MPH WILL OCCASIONALLY LEAD
  TO LOW VISIBILITIES FROM BLOWING SNOW... MAINLY OVER MARIAS
  PASS.

* SNOW ACCUMULATIONS: MARIAS PASS 8-12 INCHES WITH 4-8 INCHES OF 
  SNOW FOR THE SEELEY LAKE AREA. LOWER VALLEY LOCATIONS WILL 
  GENERALLY SEE 1-3 INCHES. 

* LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...BAD ROCK CANYON...ESSEX...HIGHWAY 
  83 BIGFORK TO SWAN LAKE...MARIAS PASS...POLEBRIDGE...HIGHWAY 
  200 BONNER TO GREENOUGH...HIGHWAY 83 SEELEY LAKE TO CONDON...I-
   90 EAST MISSOULA TO BEARMOUTH

$$

IDZ009-010-251200-
/O.CON.KMSO.WW.Y.0073.141225T0000Z-141225T1800Z/
WESTERN LEMHI COUNTY-EASTERN LEMHI COUNTY-
108 PM MST WED DEC 24 2014

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 5 PM THIS
AFTERNOON TO 11 AM MST THURSDAY...

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 5 PM THIS
AFTERNOON TO 11 AM MST THURSDAY. 

* IMPACTS/TIMING: PERIODS OF MODERATE TO HEAVY SNOW ARE EXPECTED
  THROUGH THURSDAY MORNING... CREATING SNOW PACKED ROADWAYS.
  GUSTY WINDS OF 30-40 MPH MAY CREATE REDUCED VISIBILITIES IN
  BLOWING SNOW... ESPECIALLY OVER GILMORE SUMMIT.

* SNOW ACCUMULATIONS: LOST TRAIL PASS 6-10 INCHES...WILLIAMS 
  CREEK SUMMIT 4-8 INCHES WITH 2-4 INCHES FOR GILMORE SUMMIT. 
  LOWER VALLEY LOCATIONS WILL GENERALLY SEE 1-3 INCHES. 

* LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...SHOUP...BANNOCK PASS...HIGHWAY 28 
  TENDOY TO LONE PINE...HIGHWAY 93 LOST TRAIL PASS TO 
  GIBBONSVILLE...LEMHI PASS...SALMON

$$

MTZ006-007-251200-
/O.CON.KMSO.WW.Y.0073.141225T0000Z-141225T1800Z/
BITTERROOT/SAPPHIRE MOUNTAINS-BUTTE/BLACKFOOT REGION-
108 PM MST WED DEC 24 2014

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 5 PM THIS
AFTERNOON TO 11 AM MST THURSDAY...

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 5 PM THIS
AFTERNOON TO 11 AM MST THURSDAY. 

* IMPACTS/TIMING: PERIODS OF SNOW...MODERATE TO HEAVY AT TIMES...
  ARE EXPECTED THROUGH THURSDAY MORNING... CREATING SNOW PACKED
  ROADWAYS. GUSTY WINDS OF 30-40 MPH MAY CREATE REDUCED
  VISIBILITIES FROM BLOWING SNOW FOR AREAS SUCH AS MACDONALD PASS.

* SNOW ACCUMULATIONS: LOLO AND LOST TRAIL PASSES 6-10 INCHES 
  WITH HOMESTAKE AND MACDONALD PASSES SEEING 3-6 INCHES OF SNOW. 
  GENERAL LOWER ELEVATION ACCUMULATIONS OF 1-3 INCHES ARE 
  ANTICIPATED. 

* LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...HIGHWAY 93 SULA TO LOST TRAIL 
  PASS...LOLO PASS...BUTTE...GEORGETOWN LAKE...HIGHWAY 12 
  GARRISON TO ELLISTON...HOMESTAKE PASS...MACDONALD PASS

$$

MTZ005-251200-
/O.CON.KMSO.WW.Y.0073.141225T0300Z-141225T1800Z/
MISSOULA/BITTERROOT VALLEYS-
108 PM MST WED DEC 24 2014

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 8 PM THIS
EVENING TO 11 AM MST THURSDAY...

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 8 PM THIS
EVENING TO 11 AM MST THURSDAY. 

* IMPACTS/TIMING: LIGHT RAIN WILL SWITCH OVER TO PERIODS OF LIGHT
  TO MODERATE SNOW THIS EVENING AND CONTINUE INTO THURSDAY MORNING.
  SLIPPERY AND POTENTIALLY SNOW PACKED ROADS ARE
  ANTICIPATED...LEADING TO HAZARDOUS TRAVEL CONDITIONS.

* SNOW ACCUMULATIONS: GENERAL VALLEY ACCUMULATIONS OF 1-3 INCHES.

* LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...BITTERROOT VALLEY...MISSOULA

$$

IDZ005-006-251200-
/O.CON.KMSO.WW.Y.0073.000000T0000Z-141225T1800Z/
NORTHERN CLEARWATER MOUNTAINS-SOUTHERN CLEARWATER MOUNTAINS-
108 PM MST WED DEC 24 2014

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 AM PST
THURSDAY ABOVE 2500 FEET...

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY ABOVE 2500 FEET REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL
10 AM PST THURSDAY. 

* IMPACTS/TIMING: PERIODS OF SNOW...MODERATE TO HEAVY AT TIMES...
  ARE EXPECTED THROUGH CHRISTMAS MORNING...CREATING SNOW PACKED
  ROADWAYS.

* SNOW ACCUMULATIONS: LOLO PASS 6-10 INCHES. ELK CITY AND DIXIE 
  ARE EXPECTED TO RECEIVE 3-6 INCHES. 

* LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...ELK RIVER...HIGHWAY 11 PIERCE TO 
  HEADQUARTERS...PIERCE...DIXIE...ELK CITY...HIGHWAY 12 LOWELL 
  TO LOLO PASS

$$

IDZ007-008-251200-
/O.CON.KMSO.WW.Y.0073.141225T0000Z-141225T1800Z/
OROFINO/GRANGEVILLE REGION-LOWER HELLS CANYON/SALMON RIVER REGION-
108 PM MST WED DEC 24 2014

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 4 PM THIS
AFTERNOON TO 10 AM PST THURSDAY ABOVE 2500 FEET...

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY ABOVE 2500 FEET REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM
4 PM THIS AFTERNOON TO 10 AM PST THURSDAY. 

* IMPACTS/TIMING: LIGHT RAIN IS EXPECTED TO SWITCH OVER TO PERIODS
  OF LIGHT TO MODERATE SNOW THIS EVENING AND CONTINUE INTO
  THURSDAY MORNING FOR ELEVATIONS ABOVE 2500 FEET. SLIPPERY AND
  POTENTIALLY SNOW PACKED ROADS ARE ANTICIPATED... LEADING TO
  HAZARDOUS TRAVEL CONDITIONS. GUSTY WINDS WILL ALSO BE PRESENT
  AND COULD LEAD TO INTERMITTENT PERIODS OF BLOWING SNOW.

* SNOW ACCUMULATIONS: GENERAL VALLEY ACCUMULATIONS OF 2-4 INCHES 
  WITH 4-8 INCHES AT GREER AND WHITE BIRD GRADES. 

* LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...CAMAS PRAIRIE...GRANGEVILLE AND 
  VICINITY...GREER GRADE...WHITE BIRD GRADE

$$

315 
WWUS45 KMSO 250038
WSWMSO

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MISSOULA MT
538 PM MST WED DEC 24 2014


MTZ004-251800-
/O.CAN.KMSO.WS.W.0020.000000T0000Z-141225T1800Z/
/O.EXA.KMSO.WW.Y.0073.000000T0000Z-141225T1800Z/
LOWER CLARK FORK REGION-
538 PM MST WED DEC 24 2014

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 11 AM MST THURSDAY...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN MISSOULA HAS ISSUED A WINTER
WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SNOW...WHICH IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 11 AM MST
THURSDAY.

* IMPACTS/TIMING: PERIODS OF LIGHT TO MODERATE SNOW IS EXPECTED
  TO CONTINUE THIS EVENING INTO THURSDAY MORNING FOR ELEVATIONS
  ABOVE 2500 FEET. SLIPPERY AND POTENTIALLY SNOW PACKED ROADS ARE
  ANTICIPATED... LEADING TO HAZARDOUS TRAVEL CONDITIONS. GUSTY
  WINDS WILL ALSO BE PRESENT AND COULD LEAD TO INTERMITTENT
  PERIODS OF BLOWING SNOW.

* SNOW ACCUMULATIONS: ADDITIONAL SNOW ACCUMULATIONS FOR HAUGEN TO
  LOOKOUT PASS: 4-6 INCHES. ELSEWHERE: UP TO 2-4 INCHES.

* LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...EVARO HILL...HIGHWAY 200 THOMPSON 
  FALLS TO PLAINS...HIGHWAY 200 TROUT CREEK TO HERON...I-90 
  LOOKOUT PASS TO HAUGAN

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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

&&

$$

MTZ001-003-251800-
/O.CON.KMSO.WW.Y.0073.000000T0000Z-141225T1800Z/
KOOTENAI/CABINET REGION-FLATHEAD/MISSION VALLEYS-
538 PM MST WED DEC 24 2014

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

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 11 AM MST
THURSDAY. 

* IMPACTS/TIMING: PERIODS OF SNOWFALL WILL CONTINUE THROUGHOUT 
  THE DAY AND OVERNIGHT. TRAVEL WILL REMAIN DIFFICULT THROUGH 
  THURSDAY MORNING. 

* SNOW ACCUMULATIONS: GENERAL VALLEY SNOW ACCUMULATIONS OF 2-4 
  INCHES WITH HIGHER TERRAIN ACCUMULATIONS OF 5-10 INCHES. 

* LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...HIGHWAY 2 KALISPELL TO LIBBY... 
  HIGHWAY 37 EUREKA TO LIBBY...HIGHWAY 56 BULL LAKE ROAD...
  HIGHWAY 93 EUREKA TO WHITEFISH...FLATHEAD LAKE...FLATHEAD 
  VALLEY... MISSION VALLEY...POLSON

$$

MTZ002-043-251800-
/O.CON.KMSO.WW.Y.0073.000000T0000Z-141225T1800Z/
WEST GLACIER REGION-POTOMAC/SEELEY LAKE REGION-
538 PM MST WED DEC 24 2014

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

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 11 AM MST
THURSDAY. 

* IMPACTS/TIMING: PERIODS OF SNOW...MODERATE TO HEAVY AT TIMES...
   ARE EXPECTED THROUGH EARLY THURSDAY MORNING...CREATING SNOW 
  PACKED ROADWAYS. GUSTY WINDS OF 30-40 MPH WILL OCCASIONALLY 
  LEAD TO LOW VISIBILITIES FROM BLOWING SNOW... MAINLY OVER 
  MARIAS PASS. 

* SNOW ACCUMULATIONS: MARIAS PASS 8-12 INCHES WITH 4-8 INCHES OF 
  SNOW FOR THE SEELEY LAKE AREA. LOWER VALLEY LOCATIONS WILL 
  GENERALLY SEE 1-3 INCHES. 

* LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...BAD ROCK CANYON...ESSEX...HIGHWAY 
  83 BIGFORK TO SWAN LAKE...MARIAS PASS...POLEBRIDGE...HIGHWAY 
  200 BONNER TO GREENOUGH...HIGHWAY 83 SEELEY LAKE TO CONDON...I-
   90 EAST MISSOULA TO BEARMOUTH

$$

IDZ009-010-251800-
/O.CON.KMSO.WW.Y.0073.000000T0000Z-141225T1800Z/
WESTERN LEMHI COUNTY-EASTERN LEMHI COUNTY-
538 PM MST WED DEC 24 2014

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

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 11 AM MST
THURSDAY. 

* IMPACTS/TIMING: PERIODS OF MODERATE TO HEAVY SNOW ARE EXPECTED 
  THROUGH THURSDAY MORNING... CREATING SNOW PACKED ROADWAYS. 
  GUSTY WINDS OF 30-40 MPH MAY CREATE REDUCED VISIBILITIES IN 
  BLOWING SNOW... ESPECIALLY OVER GILMORE SUMMIT. 

* SNOW ACCUMULATIONS: LOST TRAIL PASS 6-10 INCHES...WILLIAMS 
  CREEK SUMMIT 4-8 INCHES WITH 2-4 INCHES FOR GILMORE SUMMIT. 
  LOWER VALLEY LOCATIONS WILL GENERALLY SEE 1-3 INCHES. 

* LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...SHOUP...BANNOCK PASS...HIGHWAY 28 
  TENDOY TO LONE PINE...HIGHWAY 93 LOST TRAIL PASS TO 
  GIBBONSVILLE...LEMHI PASS...SALMON

$$

MTZ006-007-251800-
/O.CON.KMSO.WW.Y.0073.000000T0000Z-141225T1800Z/
BITTERROOT/SAPPHIRE MOUNTAINS-BUTTE/BLACKFOOT REGION-
538 PM MST WED DEC 24 2014

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

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 11 AM MST
THURSDAY. 

* IMPACTS/TIMING: PERIODS OF SNOW...MODERATE TO HEAVY AT TIMES...
   ARE EXPECTED THROUGH THURSDAY MORNING... CREATING SNOW PACKED 
  ROADWAYS. GUSTY WINDS OF 30-40 MPH MAY CREATE REDUCED 
  VISIBILITIES FROM BLOWING SNOW FOR AREAS SUCH AS MACDONALD 
  PASS. 

* SNOW ACCUMULATIONS: LOLO AND LOST TRAIL PASSES 6-10 INCHES 
  WITH HOMESTAKE AND MACDONALD PASSES SEEING 3-6 INCHES OF SNOW. 
  GENERAL LOWER ELEVATION ACCUMULATIONS OF 1-3 INCHES ARE 
  ANTICIPATED. 

* LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...HIGHWAY 93 SULA TO LOST TRAIL 
  PASS...LOLO PASS...BUTTE...GEORGETOWN LAKE...HIGHWAY 12 
  GARRISON TO ELLISTON...HOMESTAKE PASS...MACDONALD PASS

$$

MTZ005-251800-
/O.CON.KMSO.WW.Y.0073.141225T0300Z-141225T1800Z/
MISSOULA/BITTERROOT VALLEYS-
538 PM MST WED DEC 24 2014

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

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 11 AM MST
THURSDAY. 

* IMPACTS/TIMING: LIGHT RAIN WILL SWITCH OVER TO PERIODS OF 
  LIGHT TO MODERATE SNOW THIS EVENING AND CONTINUE INTO THURSDAY 
  MORNING. SLIPPERY AND POTENTIALLY SNOW PACKED ROADS ARE 
  ANTICIPATED...LEADING TO HAZARDOUS TRAVEL CONDITIONS. 

* SNOW ACCUMULATIONS: GENERAL VALLEY ACCUMULATIONS OF 1-3 INCHES.

* LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...BITTERROOT VALLEY...MISSOULA

$$

IDZ005-006-251800-
/O.CON.KMSO.WW.Y.0073.000000T0000Z-141225T1800Z/
NORTHERN CLEARWATER MOUNTAINS-SOUTHERN CLEARWATER MOUNTAINS-
538 PM MST WED DEC 24 2014

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 AM PST
THURSDAY ABOVE 2500 FEET...

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY ABOVE 2500 FEET REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL
10 AM PST THURSDAY. 

* IMPACTS/TIMING: PERIODS OF SNOW...MODERATE TO HEAVY AT TIMES...
   ARE EXPECTED THROUGH CHRISTMAS MORNING...CREATING SNOW PACKED 
  ROADWAYS. 

* SNOW ACCUMULATIONS: LOLO PASS 6-10 INCHES. ELK CITY AND DIXIE 
  ARE EXPECTED TO RECEIVE 3-6 INCHES. 

* LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...ELK RIVER...HIGHWAY 11 PIERCE TO 
  HEADQUARTERS...PIERCE...DIXIE...ELK CITY...HIGHWAY 12 LOWELL 
  TO LOLO PASS

$$

IDZ007-008-251800-
/O.CON.KMSO.WW.Y.0073.000000T0000Z-141225T1800Z/
OROFINO/GRANGEVILLE REGION-LOWER HELLS CANYON/SALMON RIVER REGION-
538 PM MST WED DEC 24 2014

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 AM PST
THURSDAY ABOVE 2500 FEET...

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY ABOVE 2500 FEET REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL
10 AM PST THURSDAY. 

* IMPACTS/TIMING: LIGHT RAIN IS EXPECTED TO SWITCH OVER TO 
  PERIODS OF LIGHT TO MODERATE SNOW THIS EVENING AND CONTINUE 
  INTO THURSDAY MORNING FOR ELEVATIONS ABOVE 2500 FEET. SLIPPERY 
  AND POTENTIALLY SNOW PACKED ROADS ARE ANTICIPATED... LEADING 
  TO HAZARDOUS TRAVEL CONDITIONS. GUSTY WINDS WILL ALSO BE 
  PRESENT AND COULD LEAD TO INTERMITTENT PERIODS OF BLOWING 
  SNOW. 

* SNOW ACCUMULATIONS: GENERAL VALLEY ACCUMULATIONS OF 2-4 INCHES 
  WITH 4-8 INCHES AT GREER AND WHITE BIRD GRADES. 

* LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...CAMAS PRAIRIE...GRANGEVILLE AND 
  VICINITY...GREER GRADE...WHITE BIRD GRADE

$$

Area Forecast Discussion...UPDATED
National Weather Service Missoula MT
617 AM MST WED DEC 24 2014

...SNOW TO IMPACT TRAVEL TODAY THROUGH CHRISTMAS...

...SNOW THIS WEEKEND FOLLOWED BY MUCH COLDER TEMPERATURES...

.DISCUSSION...Precipitation just ahead of a strong weather
disturbance has been falling all night across much of Northwest
Montana. Accumulating snows have been reported in many of these
areas, especially in the West Glacier, Columbia Falls, and Kalispell
regions. Expect a messy commute this morning, as snow has
switched to rain most everywhere in Northwest Montana. There is a
potential for pockets of freezing rain this morning, as some of
the lower valleys in Northwest Montana remain at or below
freezing as rain falls. Colder air from this storm system will
quickly return to Northwest Montana and North Central Idaho toward
noon, and rain/snow mix will return to all snow.

The area of precipitation from this storm will intensify and
encompass West Central and Southwest Montana during the day.
Valley locations can expect rain with temperatures in the mid and
upper 30s. Snow levels will be around 3500-4500 feet, so travel
over mountain passes will be impacted, with anywhere from 6-10
inches of snow over 24 hours. Other lower passes, such as Evaro
Hill along US 93, look to receive 1-2 inches of snow during the
day and more amounts this evening and overnight. Please see our detailed
winter weather advisories across the region for more information
on your specific location and its impacts. In addition, gusty winds
at higher elevations at times may reduce visibility due to blowing
snow.

Snow levels will lower to all valley floors during the evening
hours and produce a few inches of snow by Christmas morning.
Timing is critical: if snow levels decrease faster than expected,
a few inches (1-2”) could turn into several inches (3-5”) in
high travel impacted areas, such as the Flathead, Missoula, and
Bitterroot Valleys, as well as the I-90 Corridor. Stay tuned for
any updates of possible change.

The main storm system will begin to exit the region during
Christmas morning, leaving behind mainly snow showers with little
overall impacts, except perhaps an additional inch or two over
the higher elevations and mountain passes in Southwest Montana and
east central Idaho.

To recap total snow potential:

Today through Christmas morning...
Lookout, Lolo and Lost Trail Passes - 6-10"
Homestake and MacDonald Passes - 3-6"
Seeley/Swan Valley: 3-6”
Evaro Hill: 1-4"
Kalispell and the Mission Valley - 1-3 inches.
Butte and Southwest Montana - 2-4 inches
Grangeville and the Camas Prairie: 2-4”

This evening through Christmas Morning:

Missoula, Hamilton and the I-90 corridor: 1-3 inches
Salmon and Leadore: 2-4”

A weak wave of energy will impact the region Friday and produce
mainly snow showers with little accumulations anticipated.
Temperatures will stay below freezing the rest of the week.

Saturday & Sunday: This period looks potentially snowy across
much of central Idaho and western Montana. Both mountain and
valley locations could see measurable snowfall. Confidence has
increased for the chance for precipitation. Depending on the track
of the storm, the mountains along the Montana and Idaho border
could see up to a foot of snow, while valleys could see several
inches of snow. This would negatively impact travel during one of
the most traveled weekends of the year.

Potential cold outbreak: Night-time weather model runs have
switched back to more of a colder solution for Sunday onwards.
The reason why they seem to be hesitant with this pattern is
because they are having a tough time resolving the huge upper
level ridge over eastern Alaska. The ECMWF, high-resolution GFS,
and ensembles all have a similar placement of the amplified ridge
over eastern Alaska which would allow the colder air to penetrate
further south and west. With this in mind, we have trended a
little colder. If we are able to build a deeper snowpack across
the area this weekend, and we are able to experience the arctic
influx, temperatures could be dramatically colder but confidence
remains low at this time. With the potential for transportable
snow this weekend, blowing snow could become a big issue with low
visibilities and dangerous travel if the arctic cold front is able
to push through Sunday or Monday.

&&

.AVIATION...A very moist frontal system will bring moderate
precipitation across the region today. A cold front will sag south
with time and will generally be pushing southeast through KGPI by
24/1900z...KMSO by 25/0000z and through KBTM and KSMN by
25/0300z. This will result in a mixture of rain...snow and even
pockets of freezing rain ahead of this frontal boundary. The
highest potential for strong gusty winds with the cold front
passage appears to be from KSMN to KBTM. The steady precipitation
will to turn to numerous snow showers across much of central Idaho
and western Montana by tonight. Expect possible widespread low
ceilings and visibilities as a result...although the drying nature
of northeasterly winds at KGPI could keep a higher ceiling there. Conditions
will begin to improve north to south from KGPI to KMSO between
25/1200z and 25/1800z as the trough moves southeast out of the
area. Snow showers will be confined to the higher terrain on
Christmas Day.

&&

.MSO WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
MT...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY from 5 PM this afternoon to 11 AM MST
     Thursday Bitterroot/Sapphire Mountains...Butte/Blackfoot
     Region.

     WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY from 8 PM this evening to 11 AM MST
     Thursday Missoula/Bitterroot Valleys.

     WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY until 11 AM MST Thursday Lower Clark
     Fork Region.

     WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY until 11 AM MST Thursday
     Flathead/Mission Valleys...Kootenai/Cabinet Region.

     WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY until 11 AM MST Thursday Potomac/Seeley
     Lake Region...West Glacier Region.

ID...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY from 5 PM this afternoon to 11 AM MST
     Thursday Eastern Lemhi County...Western Lemhi County.

     WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY from 4 PM this afternoon to 10 AM PST
     Thursday ABOVE 2500 FEET for the Lower Hells Canyon/Salmon
     River Region...Orofino/Grangeville Region.

     WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY from 10 AM this morning to 10 AM PST
     Thursday ABOVE 2500 FEET for the Northern Clearwater
     Mountains...Southern Clearwater Mountains.

&&

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MISSOULA MT
232 AM MST WED DEC 24 2014

...TIME...  ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
...DATE...  ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0231 AM     SNOW             4 NNW CORAM             48.47N 114.07W
12/24/2014  M7.0 INCH        FLATHEAD           MT   PUBLIC

            7" SNOW IN 5.5 HOURS

&&

NWS MISSOULA MT
IRIS SYSTEM

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MISSOULA MT
547 AM MST WED DEC 24 2014

...TIME...  ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
...DATE...  ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0530 AM     SNOW             WHITEFISH               48.41N 114.34W
12/24/2014  M5.0 INCH        FLATHEAD           MT   PUBLIC

            STILL SNOWING.

&&

NWS MISSOULA MT
IRIS SYSTEM