Freeze Warning 1, NWS Missoula, MT

399 
WWUS75 KMSO 161541
NPWMSO

URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Missoula MT
941 AM MDT Sat Sep 16 2017

MTZ001-161645-
/O.EXP.KMSO.FZ.W.0001.000000T0000Z-170916T1600Z/
Kootenai/Cabinet Region-
941 AM MDT Sat Sep 16 2017

...FREEZE WARNING WILL EXPIRE AT 10 AM MDT THIS MORNING...

* Impacts/Timing: Temperatures have warmed above freezing for most
  locations with mild temperatures expected this afternoon. 


* Locations impacted include: Highway 2 Kalispell to Libby, 
  Highway 37 Eureka to Libby, Highway 56 Bull Lake Road, and 
  Highway 93 Eureka to Whitefish

$$

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Missoula MT
421 AM MDT Fri Sep 15 2017

...EXCEPTIONALLY COLD TODAY FOR WESTERN MONTANA NEAR THE
CONTINENTAL DIVIDE...MOUNTAIN SNOW CONTINUES...

.DISCUSSION...

A weather system over the Northern Rockies will continue to
produce low elevation rain and high elevation snow through
early Saturday. Hazardous winter driving conditions due to light
snow accumulations on roadways are anticipated above 6000 feet
elevation, particularly for mountain passes along the Continental
Divide. For some areas of the Northern Rockies, such as the
Highway 95 corridor in north central Idaho and Kootenai River
Country in northwest Montana, may not see much precipitation. For
locations relatively closer to the Divide, melted precipitation
accumulation will be greater than 1 inch. The presence of
precipitation and/or high relatively humidity across the region
will continue to squash activity on area wildfires.

Conditions dry across the Northern Rockies for much of the
upcoming weekend, with a brief warm-up to near normal temperatures
on Sunday afternoon. Clearing skies for parts of the region will
allow temperatures to cool near freezing both Saturday and Sunday
morning. Residual moisture from recent rain/snow will allow
middle elevation valleys to develop fog on Sunday morning.

Another long-lasting, cold, wet weather system is expected to
arrive over the Northern Rockies early Monday and keep
precipitation and cold temperatures in the forecast for much of
next week. Snow levels will once again dip below 6000 feet at
times, likely impacting high elevation passes and area travelers,
hunters, and wildland firefighters.

In the longer term, there is little to suggest that the onslaught
of cool Fall weather systems will cease in the next 1 to 2 weeks.

&&

.AVIATION...Light rain showers will remain over KMSO and KSMN for
much of the day today, occasionally reducing visibility and
ceilings. KBTM is currently reporting snow (1000Z), and will
continue off and on until around 15/1700, then turning to a mix of
rain/snow through the evening. Visibility and lowering ceilings
are the main impacts, as the runways are warm enough to melt the
falling snow. KGPI and air terminals in north-central Idaho should
remain dry. Fog may become an issue for area terminals tomorrow
morning, as skies are expected to clear, which will allow for fog
development, due to the precipitation that has fallen.

&&

.MSO WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
MT...Winter Storm Warning until 6 AM MDT Saturday ABOVE 6000 FEET for
     the Bitterroot/Sapphire Mountains...Butte/Blackfoot
     Region...Potomac/Seeley Lake Region.

ID...Winter Storm Warning until 6 AM MDT Saturday ABOVE 6000 FEET for
     the Eastern Lemhi County.

&&