Winter Storm Warning 4, NWS Missoula, MT

Issued

Mar 17, 2016, 7:33 AM MDT (13:33 UTC)

Expired

Mar 17, 2016, 10:33 AM MDT

In force

3 hr

Issued by

NWS Missoula, MT

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

The Missoula radar (KMSX), 98 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 13:32 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.

038 
WWUS45 KMSO 171333
WSWMSO

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MISSOULA MT
733 AM MDT THU MAR 17 2016


MTZ003-180000-
/O.UPG.KMSO.WW.Y.0027.000000T0000Z-160318T0000Z/
/O.NEW.KMSO.WS.W.0004.160317T1333Z-160317T1800Z/
733 AM MDT THU MAR 17 2016

...WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON MDT TODAY...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN MISSOULA HAS ISSUED A WINTER
STORM WARNING FOR TREACHEROUS ROAD CONDITIONS...WHICH IS IN
EFFECT UNTIL NOON MDT TODAY. THE WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IS NO
LONGER IN EFFECT.

* * IMPACTS/TIMING: HEAVY SNOW THIS MORNING HAS CAUSED SEVERE
  DRIVING CONDITIONS ESPECIALLY IN THE SOUTHERN FLATHEAD VALLEY
  AND NORTHERN MISSION VALLEY. THIS AREA OF SNOW WILL CONTINUE
  SOUTH AND SIMILAR CONDITIONS EXPECTED THROUGHOUT THE REST OF THE
  MISSION VALLEY.

* SNOW ACCUMULATIONS: 1 TO 2 INCHES NORTH OF FLATHEAD LAKE. 1 TO 
  3 INCHES SOUTH OF FLATHEAD LAKE WITH LOCAL AREAS SEEING UP TO 
  4 INCHES ALONG THE VALLEY HILLSIDES AND BENCHES. 

* LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...FLATHEAD LAKE...FLATHEAD VALLEY...
   MISSION VALLEY...POLSON

$$

IDZ005>007-MTZ005-171800-
/O.CON.KMSO.WW.Y.0027.000000T0000Z-160317T1800Z/
733 AM MDT THU MAR 17 2016 /633 AM PDT THU MAR 17 2016/

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON MDT
/11 AM PDT/ TODAY...

* IMPACTS/TIMING: PERIODS OF SNOWFALL WILL OCCUR THROUGH THE MID 
  MORNING HOURS. THE BIGGEST IMPACT WILL BE LIGHT SNOW 
  ACCUMULATIONS AND FREEZING OF ROAD SURFACES WHICH WERE 
  INITIALLY WET FROM SNOWFALL OVERNIGHT. THIS IS EXPECTED DURING 
  THE EARLY MORNING COMMUTE. SOME OF THE AREAS OF MOST CONCERN 
  IS BLUE MOUNTAIN ROAD... THE S CURVES BETWEEN LOLO AND 
  MISSOULA AND THE FOOTHILLS AND BENCHES. 

* SNOW ACCUMULATIONS: 1 TO 3 INCHES... ESPECIALLY IN THE 
  FOOTHILLS AND BENCHES. 

* LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...ELK RIVER...HIGHWAY 11 PIERCE TO 
  HEADQUARTERS...PIERCE...DIXIE...ELK CITY...HIGHWAY 12 LOWELL 
  TO LOLO PASS...CAMAS PRAIRIE...GRANGEVILLE AND VICINITY...
  GREER GRADE...BITTERROOT VALLEY...MISSOULA

$$

MTZ004-180000-
/O.CON.KMSO.WW.Y.0027.000000T0000Z-160318T0000Z/
733 AM MDT THU MAR 17 2016

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM MDT THIS
EVENING...

* IMPACTS/TIMING: HEAVY SNOWFALL FOR BRIEF PERIODS OF TIME WILL 
  PRODUCE ACCUMULATING SNOW ON THE ROADWAYS THE REST OF THE 
  EARLY MORNING HOURS INTO MUCH OF TODAY. THERE COULD BE TIMES 
  WHERE ROADS ARE VERY SLICK AND VISIBILITY IS SIGNIFICANTLY 
  REDUCED THROUGH TODAY. 

* SNOW ACCUMULATIONS: 3 TO 6 INCHES OVER LOOKOUT PASS WITH 1 TO 
  3 INCHES AT LOWER ELEVATIONS SUCH AS EVARO HILL AND I-90 FROM 
  ST REGIS TO NINE MILE. 

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

$$

MTZ002-180200-
/O.CON.KMSO.WW.Y.0027.000000T0000Z-160318T0200Z/
733 AM MDT THU MAR 17 2016

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM MDT THIS
EVENING...

* IMPACTS/TIMING: SNOW SHOWERS WILL BE MOST FREQUENT AND 
  STRONGEST AS A COLD FRONT DRAGS THROUGH THE AREA EARLY THIS 
  MORNING THROUGH THE MID MORNING HOURS. THOSE TRAVELING 
  THROUGHOUT THE AREA OVERNIGHT SHOULD BE PREPARED FOR WINTER 
  WEATHER DRIVING CONDITIONS... ESPECIALLY DURING THE PRE-DAWN 
  HOURS THIS MORNING. 

* SNOW ACCUMULATIONS: 1 TO 2 INCHES THROUGHOUT THE PARK WITH UP 
  TO 4 INCHES OVER MARIAS PASS. 2 TO 4 INCHES SOUTH OF US-2 AND 
  THROUGHOUT BIGFORK... SWAN LAKE... HUNGRY HORSE & COLUMBIA 
  FALLS. 4 TO 8 INCHES ACROSS THE HIGHER TERRAIN THROUGHOUT THE 
  BOB MARSHALL & GREAT BEAR WILDERNESS. 

* LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...BAD ROCK CANYON...ESSEX...HIGHWAY 
  83 BIGFORK TO SWAN LAKE...MARIAS PASS...POLEBRIDGE

$$

MTZ043-180200-
/O.CON.KMSO.WW.Y.0027.000000T0000Z-160318T0200Z/
733 AM MDT THU MAR 17 2016

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM MDT THIS
EVENING...

* IMPACTS/TIMING: THE PASSAGE OF AN OVERNIGHT/EARLY MORNING COLD 
  FRONT WILL BRING AN INCREASE OF SNOW TO THE REGION...LIKELY 
  IMPACTING TRAVEL THROUGH THE MORNING COMMUTE AND INTO THE 
  AFTERNOON HOURS. THE HEAVIEST SNOWFALL IS EXPECTED THROUGH THE 
  MORNING HOURS. 

* SNOW ACCUMULATIONS: WIDESPREAD 2 TO 4 INCHES ACROSS THE 
  VALLEYS WITH 4 TO 8 INCHES EXPECTED THROUGHOUT THE HIGHER 
  TERRAIN. UP TO A FOOT OF NEW SNOW IS POSSIBLE THROUGHOUT THE 
  MISSION MOUNTAINS. 

* LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...HIGHWAY 200 BONNER TO GREENOUGH...
   HIGHWAY 83 SEELEY LAKE TO CONDON...I-90 EAST MISSOULA TO 
  BEARMOUTH

$$

MTZ006-180200-
/O.CON.KMSO.WW.Y.0027.000000T0000Z-160318T0200Z/
733 AM MDT THU MAR 17 2016

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM MDT THIS
EVENING...

* IMPACTS/TIMING: INTENSE SNOW WILL CONTINUE EARLY THIS MORNING 
  AND THROUGH THE EARLY AFTERNOON HOURS. THERE COULD BE TIMES 
  WHERE ROADS ARE VERY SLICK AND VISIBILITY SIGNIFICANTLY 
  REDUCED TODAY. 

* SNOW ACCUMULATIONS: 3 TO 6 INCHES OVER LOLO PASS WITH 1 TO 3 
  INCHES LEADING UP TO LOST TRAIL PASS. THE HIGHER TERRAIN OF 
  THE BITTERROOT MOUNTAINS WILL SEE 6 TO 9 INCHES OF NEW SNOW 
  THROUGH THIS EVENING. 

* LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...HIGHWAY 93 SULA TO LOST TRAIL 
  PASS...LOLO PASS

$$

MTZ007-180200-
/O.CON.KMSO.WW.Y.0027.000000T0000Z-160318T0200Z/
733 AM MDT THU MAR 17 2016

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM MDT THIS
EVENING...

* IMPACTS/TIMING: SNOW WILL INCREASE AND BECOME MORE INTENSE 
  BEFORE DAWN THIS MORNING AS A COLD FRONT MOVES THROUGH. 
  FRONTAL PASSAGE AND LIKELY THE MOST INTENSE SNOWFALL ARE 
  EXPECTED BY MID MORNING WITH PERIODS OF LIGHTER SNOWFALL 
  CONTINUING UNTIL EARLY IN THE EVENING. THOSE WITH OUTDOOR 
  PLANS SHOULD BE PREPARED FOR COLDER...BREEZY CONDITIONS WITH 
  ACCUMULATING SNOWFALL LIKELY THROUGHOUT THE DAY. 

* SNOW ACCUMULATIONS: 1 TO 3 INCHES IN AND AROUND BUTTE... 
  ANACONDA & DEER LODGE. 2 TO 5 INCHES ARE LIKELY FROM DRUMMOND 
  TO MACDONALD PASS NORTHWARD TO OVANDO. SIMILARLY... 2 TO 5 
  INCHES ARE LIKELY ALONG MONTANA HIGHWAY 1... PHILIPSBURG AND 
  GEORGETOWN LAKE WITH UP TO 8 INCHES ACROSS THE HIGHER TERRAIN 
  OF THE PINTLER... FLINT CREEK & JOHN LONG MOUNTAINS. 

* LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...BUTTE...GEORGETOWN LAKE...HIGHWAY 
  12 GARRISON TO ELLISTON...HOMESTAKE PASS...MACDONALD PASS

$$

151 
WWUS45 KMSO 171633
WSWMSO

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MISSOULA MT
1033 AM MDT THU MAR 17 2016


MTZ003-171745-
/O.CAN.KMSO.WS.W.0004.000000T0000Z-160317T1800Z/
1033 AM MDT THU MAR 17 2016

...WINTER STORM WARNING IS CANCELLED...

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

SEVERE DRIVING CONDITIONS ARE NO LONGER OCCURRING AND ROAD
CONDITIONS ARE BEGINNING TO IMPROVE. 

$$

IDZ005>007-171745-
/O.CAN.KMSO.WW.Y.0027.000000T0000Z-160317T1800Z/
933 AM PDT THU MAR 17 2016

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IS CANCELLED...

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



$$

MTZ004-005-172000-
/O.EXT.KMSO.WW.Y.0027.000000T0000Z-160317T2000Z/
1033 AM MDT THU MAR 17 2016

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL 2 PM MDT THIS
AFTERNOON...

* IMPACTS/TIMING: A BAND OF HEAVY SNOW WILL CONTINUE TO PASS ALONG
  INTERSTATE 90 AND WILL ARRIVE TO MISSOULA AROUND NOON. HEAVY
  SNOW WITH VISIBILITIES AT OR BELOW ONE QUARTER MILE ARE EXPECTED
  AS THE BAND PASSES. QUICK SNOW ACCUMULATIONS AND A PERIOD OF
  POOR TRAVEL CAN BE EXPECTED DURING THE LUNCH HOUR IN THE
  MISSOULA AND BITTERROOT VALLEYS. THIS BAND WILL CONTINUE WEST
  ALONG INTERSTATE 90 THROUGH AROUND 2PM. PLEASE USE CAUTION AS
  ROAD CONDITIONS WILL CHANGE RAPIDLY.

* SNOW ACCUMULATIONS: A QUICK 1 TO 3 INCHES

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

$$

MTZ002-180200-
/O.CON.KMSO.WW.Y.0027.000000T0000Z-160318T0200Z/
1033 AM MDT THU MAR 17 2016

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM MDT THIS
EVENING...

* IMPACTS/TIMING: SNOW SHOWERS WILL CONTINUE INTO THIS AFTERNOON
  WITH ADDITIONAL LIGHT ACCUMULATIONS EXPECTED NEAR MARIAS PASS.
 

* LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...BAD ROCK CANYON...ESSEX...HIGHWAY 
  83 BIGFORK TO SWAN LAKE...MARIAS PASS...POLEBRIDGE

$$

MTZ043-180200-
/O.CON.KMSO.WW.Y.0027.000000T0000Z-160318T0200Z/
1033 AM MDT THU MAR 17 2016

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM MDT THIS
EVENING...

* IMPACTS/TIMING: A BAND OF HEAVY SNOW WILL CONTINUE INTO EARLY
  THIS AFTERNOON. 

* SNOW ACCUMULATIONS: WIDESPREAD 4 TO 6 INCHES ACROSS THE VALLEYS
  WITH 6 TO 8 INCHES EXPECTED THROUGHOUT THE HIGHER TERRAIN. UP
  TO A FOOT OF NEW SNOW IS POSSIBLE THROUGHOUT THE MISSION
  MOUNTAINS.

* LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...HIGHWAY 200 BONNER TO GREENOUGH...
   HIGHWAY 83 SEELEY LAKE TO CONDON...I-90 EAST MISSOULA TO 
  BEARMOUTH

$$

MTZ006-180200-
/O.CON.KMSO.WW.Y.0027.000000T0000Z-160318T0200Z/
1033 AM MDT THU MAR 17 2016

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM MDT THIS
EVENING...

* IMPACTS/TIMING: INTENSE SNOW WILL CONTINUE EARLY THIS MORNING 
  AND THROUGH THE EARLY AFTERNOON HOURS. THERE COULD BE TIMES 
  WHERE ROADS ARE VERY SLICK AND VISIBILITY SIGNIFICANTLY 
  REDUCED TODAY. 

* SNOW ACCUMULATIONS: 3 TO 6 INCHES OVER LOLO PASS WITH 1 TO 3 
  INCHES LEADING UP TO LOST TRAIL PASS. THE HIGHER TERRAIN OF 
  THE BITTERROOT MOUNTAINS WILL SEE 6 TO 9 INCHES OF NEW SNOW 
  THROUGH THIS EVENING. 

* LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...HIGHWAY 93 SULA TO LOST TRAIL 
  PASS...LOLO PASS

$$

MTZ007-180200-
/O.CON.KMSO.WW.Y.0027.000000T0000Z-160318T0200Z/
1033 AM MDT THU MAR 17 2016

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM MDT THIS
EVENING...

* IMPACTS/TIMING: SNOW WILL INCREASE AND BECOME MORE INTENSE THIS
  MORNING AS A COLD FRONT MOVES THROUGH. FRONTAL PASSAGE AND
  LIKELY THE MOST INTENSE SNOWFALL ARE EXPECTED BY MID MORNING
  WITH PERIODS OF LIGHTER SNOWFALL CONTINUING UNTIL EARLY IN THE
  EVENING. THOSE WITH OUTDOOR PLANS SHOULD BE PREPARED FOR
  COLDER...BREEZY CONDITIONS WITH ACCUMULATING SNOWFALL LIKELY
  THROUGHOUT THE DAY.

* SNOW ACCUMULATIONS: 1 TO 3 INCHES IN AND AROUND BUTTE... 
  ANACONDA & DEER LODGE. 2 TO 5 INCHES ARE LIKELY FROM DRUMMOND 
  TO MACDONALD PASS NORTHWARD TO OVANDO. SIMILARLY... 2 TO 5 
  INCHES ARE LIKELY ALONG MONTANA HIGHWAY 1... PHILIPSBURG AND 
  GEORGETOWN LAKE WITH UP TO 8 INCHES ACROSS THE HIGHER TERRAIN 
  OF THE PINTLER... FLINT CREEK & JOHN LONG MOUNTAINS. 

* LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...BUTTE...GEORGETOWN LAKE...HIGHWAY 
  12 GARRISON TO ELLISTON...HOMESTAKE PASS...MACDONALD PASS

$$

Winter Storm Warnings in Montana, 2016Every winter storm warning in 2016

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.