Alert archive / Montana / Blizzard Warnings in 2018
Blizzard Warning 1, NWS Missoula, MT
NWS Missoula, MT issued this blizzard warning at Feb 3, 2018, 9:03 PM MST for Flathead County, Lake County, Montana. It was in force for 7 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
- Feb 3, 2018, 9:03 PM MST (04:03 UTC)
- Expired
- Feb 4, 2018, 3:51 AM MST
- In force
- 7 hr
- Issued by
- NWS Missoula, MT
Counties Flathead County, MT, Lake County, MT
The radar
The Missoula radar (KMSX), 104 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 04:02 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
Spokane, WA (KOTX), launched 00:00Z, 4.1 hours before the alert went out and 177 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.
- Mixed-layer CAPE
- 0 J/kg
- Mixed-layer CIN
- No buoyant parcel
- Mixed-layer LCL
- 1303 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 85 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- 228 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- 170 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 0.0
- Supercell composite
- 0.0
The text
As transmitted.
428 WWUS45 KMSO 040403 WSWMSO URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Missoula MT 903 PM MST Sat Feb 3 2018 MTZ002-041900- /O.UPG.KMSO.WS.W.0002.000000T0000Z-180204T1900Z/ /O.NEW.KMSO.BZ.W.0001.180204T0403Z-180204T1900Z/ West Glacier Region- 903 PM MST Sat Feb 3 2018 ...BLIZZARD WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON MST SUNDAY... * WHAT...Blizzard conditions. Winds gusting as high as 50 mph will cause whiteout conditions in blowing snow. Significant drifting of the snow is likely. Additional snow accumulations of 3 to 5 inches, with localized amounts up to 8 inches, are expected. * WHERE...Bad Rock Canyon, Essex, Highway 83 Bigfork to Swan Lake, Marias Pass, and Polebridge. * WHEN...Until noon MST Sunday. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Travel will be very dangerous to impossible. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... A Blizzard Warning means severe winter weather conditions are expected or occurring. Falling and blowing snow with strong winds and poor visibilities are likely. This will lead to whiteout conditions, making travel extremely dangerous. Do not travel. If you must travel, have a winter survival kit with you. If you get stranded, stay with your vehicle. The latest road conditions for the state you are calling from can be obtained by calling 5 1 1. && $$ MTZ003-040900- /O.CON.KMSO.WS.W.0002.000000T0000Z-180204T0900Z/ Flathead/Mission Valleys- 903 PM MST Sat Feb 3 2018 ...WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 2 AM MST SUNDAY... * WHAT...Snow and blowing snow expected. Total snow accumulations of 1 to 3 inches are expected. As the cold air makes its way through Badrock Canyon temperatures will quickly drop into the teens which could produce flash freeze. Strong northeast winds gusting 25-40 mph at times combined with snowfall will make for low visibility with sudden and difficult driving conditions. Expect the biggest impacts in the Flathead Valley. * WHERE...Flathead Lake, Flathead Valley, Mission Valley, and Polson. * WHEN...Until 2 AM MST Sunday. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Plan on difficult travel conditions. Winds gusting 30 to 40 mph will cause areas of blowing and drifting snow. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... A Winter Storm Warning for snow means severe winter weather conditions will make travel very hazardous or impossible. If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency. The latest road conditions for the state you are calling from can be obtained by calling 5 1 1. && $$ MTZ007-041900- /O.CON.KMSO.WS.W.0002.000000T0000Z-180204T1900Z/ Butte/Blackfoot Region- 903 PM MST Sat Feb 3 2018 ...WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON MST SUNDAY... * WHAT...Snow and blowing snow expected. Total snow accumulations of 2 to 5 inches are expected. Localized freezing rain will be possible as the cold air first moves into the area. Temperatures quickly dropping into the teens could create flash freeze of area roadways making for difficult driving conditions. * WHERE...Highway 12 Garrison to Elliston, Homestake Pass, and MacDonald Pass. * WHEN...Until noon MST Sunday. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Plan on difficult travel conditions. Winds gusting as high as 35 mph will cause areas of blowing and drifting snow. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... A Winter Storm Warning for snow means severe winter weather conditions will make travel very hazardous or impossible. If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency. The latest road conditions for the state you are calling from can be obtained by calling 5 1 1. && $$ MTZ043-041900- /O.CON.KMSO.WW.Y.0015.000000T0000Z-180204T1900Z/ Potomac/Seeley Lake Region- 903 PM MST Sat Feb 3 2018 ...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON MST SUNDAY... * WHAT...Moderate to Heavy snow expected. Total snow accumulations of 4 to 8 inches are expected. * WHERE...Highway 200 Bonner to Greenough, Highway 83 Seeley Lake to Condon, and I-90 East Missoula to Bearmouth. * WHEN...Until noon MST Sunday. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Travel will be very difficult to impossible. Winds gusting as high as 40 mph will cause areas of blowing and drifting snow. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... A Winter Weather Advisory for snow and blowing snow means periods of snow and blowing snow will cause primarily travel difficulties. Be prepared for snow covered roads and limited visibilities, and use caution while driving. The latest road conditions for the state you are calling from can be obtained by calling 5 1 1. && $$
2 follow-up statements
172 WWUS45 KMSO 040905 WSWMSO URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Missoula MT 205 AM MST Sun Feb 4 2018 MTZ003-041015- /O.EXP.KMSO.WS.W.0002.000000T0000Z-180204T0900Z/ Flathead/Mission Valleys- 205 AM MST Sun Feb 4 2018 ...WINTER STORM WARNING HAS EXPIRED... Arctic air continues to move into the Flathead and Mission valleys, but impacts will be minimal as only light snow has fallen. $$ MTZ002-041900- /O.CON.KMSO.BZ.W.0001.000000T0000Z-180204T1900Z/ West Glacier Region- 205 AM MST Sun Feb 4 2018 ...BLIZZARD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON MST TODAY... * WHAT...Blizzard conditions. Winds gusting as high as 15 mph will cause whiteout conditions in blowing snow. Significant drifting of the snow is likely. Additional snow accumulations of 4 to 7 inches are expected. * WHERE...Bad Rock Canyon, Essex, Highway 83 Bigfork to Swan Lake, Marias Pass, and Polebridge. * WHEN...Until noon MST today. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Travel will be very dangerous to impossible. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... A Blizzard Warning means severe winter weather conditions are expected or occurring. Falling and blowing snow with strong winds and poor visibilities are likely. This will lead to whiteout conditions, making travel extremely dangerous. Do not travel. If you must travel, have a winter survival kit with you. If you get stranded, stay with your vehicle. The latest road conditions for the state you are calling from can be obtained by calling 5 1 1. && $$ MTZ007-041900- /O.CON.KMSO.WS.W.0002.000000T0000Z-180204T1900Z/ Butte/Blackfoot Region- 205 AM MST Sun Feb 4 2018 ...WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON MST TODAY... * WHAT...Heavy snow. Additional snow accumulations of 2 to 4 inches, with localized amounts up to 7 inches, are expected. * WHERE...Butte, Georgetown Lake, Highway 12 Garrison to Elliston, Homestake Pass, and MacDonald Pass. * WHEN...Until noon MST today. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Plan on difficult travel conditions. Be prepared for significant reductions in visibility at times. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... A Winter Storm Warning for snow means severe winter weather conditions will make travel very hazardous or impossible. If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency. The latest road conditions for the state you are calling from can be obtained by calling 5 1 1. && $$ MTZ043-041900- /O.CON.KMSO.WW.Y.0015.000000T0000Z-180204T1900Z/ Potomac/Seeley Lake Region- 205 AM MST Sun Feb 4 2018 ...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON MST TODAY... * WHAT...Snow. Additional snow accumulations of 7 to 10 inches are expected. * WHERE...Highway 200 Bonner to Greenough, Highway 83 Seeley Lake to Condon, and I-90 East Missoula to Bearmouth. * WHEN...Until noon MST today. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Plan on difficult travel conditions. Be prepared for reduced visibilities at times. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... A Winter Weather Advisory for snow means periods of snow will cause primarily travel difficulties. Be prepared for snow covered roads and limited visibilities, and use caution while driving. The latest road conditions for the state you are calling from can be obtained by calling 5 1 1. && $$
333 WWUS45 KMSO 041051 WSWMSO URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Missoula MT 351 AM MST Sun Feb 4 2018 MTZ002-041900- /O.CAN.KMSO.BZ.W.0001.000000T0000Z-180204T1900Z/ /O.EXA.KMSO.WW.Y.0015.000000T0000Z-180204T1900Z/ West Glacier Region- 351 AM MST Sun Feb 4 2018 ...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON MST TODAY... ...BLIZZARD WARNING IS CANCELLED... * WHAT...Snow. Additional snow accumulations of 3 to 6 inches are expected. Blizzard conditions have diminished, as the strongest winds have subsided. Hazardous driving conditions are still anticipated throughout the morning. * WHERE...Bad Rock Canyon, Essex, Highway 83 Bigfork to Swan Lake, Marias Pass, and Polebridge. * WHEN...Until noon MST today. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Plan on difficult travel conditions. Be prepared for reduced visibilities at times. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... A Winter Weather Advisory for snow means periods of snow will cause primarily travel difficulties. Be prepared for snow covered roads and limited visibilities, and use caution while driving. The latest road conditions for the state you are calling from can be obtained by calling 5 1 1. && $$ MTZ007-041900- /O.CON.KMSO.WS.W.0002.000000T0000Z-180204T1900Z/ Butte/Blackfoot Region- 351 AM MST Sun Feb 4 2018 ...WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON MST TODAY... * WHAT...Snow. Additional snow accumulations of 2 to 4 inches are expected. Localized blowing and drifting snow along Highway 12, creating hazardous driving conditions. * WHERE...Butte, Georgetown Lake, Highway 12 Garrison to Elliston, Homestake Pass, and MacDonald Pass. * WHEN...Until noon MST today. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Plan on difficult travel conditions. Be prepared for significant reductions in visibility at times. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... A Winter Storm Warning for snow means severe winter weather conditions will make travel very hazardous or impossible. If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency. The latest road conditions for the state you are calling from can be obtained by calling 5 1 1. && $$ MTZ043-041900- /O.CON.KMSO.WW.Y.0015.000000T0000Z-180204T1900Z/ Potomac/Seeley Lake Region- 351 AM MST Sun Feb 4 2018 ...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON MST TODAY... * WHAT...Snow. Additional snow accumulations of 6 to 9 inches are expected. Localized blowing and drifting snow along Highway 200, creating hazardous driving conditions. * WHERE...Highway 200 Bonner to Greenough, Highway 83 Seeley Lake to Condon, and I-90 East Missoula to Bearmouth. * WHEN...Until noon MST today. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Plan on difficult travel conditions. Be prepared for reduced visibilities at times. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... A Winter Weather Advisory for snow means periods of snow will cause primarily travel difficulties. Be prepared for snow covered roads and limited visibilities, and use caution while driving. The latest road conditions for the state you are calling from can be obtained by calling 5 1 1. && $$
The office that day
Everything else NWS Missoula, MT issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 4, 11:54 AM MST | Winter Storm Warning | MSO | Flathead, Lake | 20 hr |
| Feb 4, 11:54 AM MST | Winter Weather Advisory | MSO | Deer Lodge, Flathead, Granite, Lake, Missoula, Powell and 2 more | 32 hr |
Nearby
Blizzard Warnings in Montana, 2018Every blizzard warning in 2018
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.