Alert archive / Montana / Wind Chill Advisories in 2019

Wind Chill Advisory 1, NWS Missoula, MT

February 3, 20196 counties in Montana

NWS Missoula, MT issued this wind chill advisory at Feb 3, 2019, 8:49 PM MST for 6 counties in Montana. It took effect at Feb 3, 2019, 9:00 PM MST. It was in force for 14 hr.

The area

The counties it named.

The facts

Issued
Feb 3, 2019, 8:49 PM MST (03:49 UTC)
In effect from
Feb 3, 2019, 9:00 PM MST
Expired
Feb 4, 2019, 11:00 AM MST
In force
14 hr
Issued by
NWS Missoula, MT

Counties Flathead County, MT, Lincoln County, MT, Mineral County, MT, Missoula County, MT, Ravalli County, MT, Sanders County, MT

The radar

The Missoula radar (KMSX), 66 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 03:52 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, 3.8 hours before the alert went out and 137 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, Spokane, WA at 00:00Z on 2019-02-04Temperature 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 km15 km-30°-20°-10°0°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, Spokane, WA at 00:00Z on 2019-02-04The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 63 square meters per square second.193958Sfc1 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
610 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
32 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
63 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
80 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

What forecasters said that day

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

NWS Missoula, MT wrote its last area forecast discussion before this wind chill advisory went out at Feb 3, 2:25 PM MST, 6 hours 24 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Feb 3, 2:25 PM MST, 6 hours 24 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Missoula MT
225 PM MST Sun Feb 3 2019

...SIGNIFICANT WINTER STORM UNDERWAY...
...DANGEROUS WIND CHILLS EXPECTED NOW THROUGH MONDAY...

.DISCUSSION...The arctic blast has overtaken western Montana,
and continues to march westward with time. Snow, blowing snow, low
visibility, bitterly cold temperatures, and dangerous wind chills
will continue. Hazardous driving conditions currently exist
across the breadth of western Montana, with localized blizzard
conditions producing near zero visibility in and around the
Missoula valley eastward along I-90 through the Bearmouth area. A
Blizzard Warning is now in effect for this area now through 9pm
MST tonight.

Snow will begin to taper somewhat later tonight area-wide, but
strong east to northeasterly winds will last well into the day
Monday, and possible into Tuesday as well. Hazardous travel will
likely expand into north central Idaho as the arctic front makes
its way there tonight into Monday.

In addition, strong winds will combine with very low ambient
temperatures to create dangerous wind chills values during this
time, especially Monday morning. Locations along the Continental
Divide will experience wind chills as low as 30 to 40 degrees
below zero tomorrow morning, with a very high potential for
frostbite to any exposed skin. For locations slightly further
west, wind chills will be in the 10 to 20 below zero range, with
frostbite also possible to exposed skin. Please protect your loved
ones, pets, and livestock during this dangerously cold period.
Wind chills will once again be quite low Tuesday morning as well,
with Continental Divide locations being the most at risk for
frostbite.

Keep in mind that snow will reintensify Monday morning, lasting
through the afternoon as a refocused area of moisture forms
across north central Idaho into west central (and possibly as far
north as northwest Montana). Gusty winds will also continue,
keeping blowing and drifting of snow as hazard to those traveling.
Continue to monitor road conditions, and use utmost caution if
you must travel!

Wintry weather doesn’t stop there. Snow showers remain in the
forecast Tuesday, with locations south of I-90 seeing another 1 to
3 inches possible. The best focus of moisture during this time
frame will exist across Clearwater and Lemhi counties in Idaho.

The good news is that a brief break comes by mid-week, with a
periodic improvement in weather conditions through Thursday.
Temperatures will moderate by this time as well, though temps are
not likely to reach or rise above freezing. Another wintry system
could drop down out of Canada and impact the Northern Rockies by
the weekend, so stay tuned to the unfolding details as they become
available. One thing is certain: this is going to be one snowy,
cold week!

&&

.AVIATION...Extreme winter weather conditions will continue to
exist for KGPI, KMSO, and KBTM. Heavy snow, visibility one quarter
mile or less for prolonged periods of time, and strong winds
producing blowing snow will continue to be the main impacts
through at least Monday mid-morning, if not longer. A
reintensification of snow will form early Monday morning, likely
after 04/1000Z through 04/1800Z for KGIC through KMSO, and may
extend far enough north to impact KGPI. This will only further
worsen already degraded conditions. Aviation impacts will continue
for much of Monday.

&&

.MSO WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
MT...Winter Storm Warning until 2 PM MST Monday Butte/Blackfoot
     Region.

     Winter Storm Warning until 2 PM MST Monday Bitterroot/Sapphire
     Mountains.

     Winter Storm Warning until 2 PM MST Monday Missoula/Bitterroot
     Valleys.

     Blizzard Warning until 9 PM MST this evening Missoula/Bitterroot
     Valleys.

     Winter Storm Warning until 2 PM MST Monday Lower Clark Fork
     Region.

     Winter Storm Warning until 2 PM MST Monday Flathead/Mission
     Valleys.

     Winter Storm Warning until 2 PM MST Monday West Glacier Region.

     Winter Storm Warning until 2 PM MST Monday Kootenai/Cabinet
     Region.

     Winter Storm Warning until 2 PM MST Monday Potomac/Seeley Lake
     Region.

     Blizzard Warning until 9 PM MST this evening Potomac/Seeley Lake
     Region.

ID...Winter Weather Advisory until 2 PM MST Monday Eastern Lemhi
     County...Western Lemhi County.

     Winter Storm Warning until 4 PM PST Monday Lower Hells
     Canyon/Salmon River Region.

     Winter Storm Warning until 4 PM PST Monday Orofino/Grangeville
     Region.

     Winter Storm Warning until 1 PM PST Monday Southern Clearwater
     Mountains.

     Winter Storm Warning until 1 PM PST Monday Northern Clearwater
     Mountains.

&&

In the hours before

Local storm report, Feb 3, 4:55 PM MST, 3 hours 54 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MISSOULA MT
455 PM MST SUN FEB 3 2019

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

1259 PM     NON-TSTM WND GST 6 NW MISSOULA           46.92N 114.09W
02/03/2019  M37 MPH          MISSOULA           MT   ASOS

            ASOS STATION MSO, MISSOULA, MT.

0530 AM     NON-TSTM WND GST 2 ENE CLEARWATER        47.01N 113.33W
02/03/2019  M39 MPH          MISSOULA           MT   MESONET

            MESONET STATION TS856, CLEARWATER JNCTN.

0445 AM     NON-TSTM WND GST 2 WNW EVERGREEN         48.24N 114.32W
02/03/2019  M41 MPH          FLATHEAD           MT   MESONET

            MESONET STATION D4026, 2 WNW EVERGREEN.

1045 PM     NON-TSTM WND GST ESSEX                   48.28N 113.61W
02/02/2019  M43 MPH          FLATHEAD           MT   MESONET

            MESONET STATION MTESX, ESSEX.

0643 AM     NON-TSTM WND GST GARRISON                46.52N 112.81W
02/03/2019  M47 MPH          POWELL             MT   MESONET

            MESONET STATION MTGAR, GARRISON.

&&
Local storm report, Feb 3, 5:38 PM MST, 3 hours 11 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MISSOULA MT
538 PM MST SUN FEB 3 2019

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

0130 PM     SNOW             3 WNW KALISPELL         48.21N 114.36W
02/03/2019  M3.8 INCH        FLATHEAD           MT   PUBLIC

            5/8 MI VISIBILITY WITH BLOWING AND DRIFTING
            OCCURRING.

&&
Local storm report, Feb 3, 5:43 PM MST, 3 hours 6 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MISSOULA MT
543 PM MST SUN FEB 3 2019

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

0541 PM     NON-TSTM WND GST 3 NW LA SALLE           48.34N 114.28W
02/03/2019  0 MPH            FLATHEAD           MT   LAW ENFORCEMENT

            HODGSON ROAD BETWEEN HIGHWAY 2 AND HIGHWAY
            93 CLOSED BY FLATHEAD SHERIFF DUE TO HIGH
            WINDS AND DRIFTING SNOW. WIND SPEEDS
            UNKNOWN.

&&
Local storm report, Feb 3, 5:53 PM MST, 2 hours 56 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MISSOULA MT
553 PM MST SUN FEB 3 2019

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

1157 AM     HEAVY SNOW       3 WNW KALISPELL         48.21N 114.36W
02/03/2019  E3.4 INCH        FLATHEAD           MT   TRAINED SPOTTER

            REPORTS 1/2 MILE VISIBILITY IN SNOW AND
            BLOWING SNOW. VISIBILITY HAS BEEN DOWN TO
            1/4 MILE A COUPLE TIMES THIS MORNING. DRIFTS
            ARE MORE THAN 2 FEET.

&&
Local storm report, Feb 3, 6:02 PM MST, 2 hours 47 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MISSOULA MT
602 PM MST SUN FEB 3 2019

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

0507 PM     SNOW             2 SW NEWCOMB            45.90N 112.55W
02/03/2019  M6.5 INCH        SILVER BOW         MT   TRAINED SPOTTER

&&
Local storm report, Feb 3, 6:32 PM MST, 2 hours 17 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MISSOULA MT
632 PM MST SUN FEB 3 2019

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

0431 PM     SNOW             1 WNW HUSON             47.04N 114.35W
02/03/2019  E2.7 INCH        MISSOULA           MT   PUBLIC

            FROM ABOUT 8AM TO 4:30PM.

&&

The office that day

Everything else NWS Missoula, MT issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Feb 3, 8:49 PM MSTWind Chill WarningMSODeer Lodge, Flathead, Granite, Lake, Missoula, Powell and 2 more14 hr
Feb 4, 11:05 AM MSTWind Chill WarningMSODeer Lodge, Flathead, Granite, Lake, Powell, Silver Bow6 hr
Feb 4, 11:05 AM MSTWind Chill AdvisoryMSOFlathead, Granite, Lake, Missoula, Powell, Sanders24 hr

Nearby

Wind Chill Advisories in Montana, 2019Every wind chill advisory in 2019

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.