Winter Storm Warning 16, NWS Missoula, MT

135 
WWUS45 KMSO 191805
WSWMSO

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Missoula MT
1105 AM MST Tue Nov 19 2019

MTZ002-200700-
/O.CAN.KMSO.WS.W.0016.000000T0000Z-191120T0000Z/
/O.EXT.KMSO.WW.Y.0055.191119T1805Z-191120T0700Z/
West Glacier Region-
1105 AM MST Tue Nov 19 2019

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT MST
TONIGHT...
...WINTER STORM WARNING IS CANCELLED...

* WHAT...Snow expected. Total snow accumulations of 3 to 6 
  inches.

* WHERE...Essex and Marias Pass.

* WHEN...Until midnight MST tonight.

* IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult. Blowing snow could 
  significantly reduce visibility.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Slow down and use caution while traveling. 

The latest road conditions for the state you are calling from can
be obtained by calling 5 1 1.

&&

$$

MTZ007-043-200700-
/O.CON.KMSO.WW.Y.0055.000000T0000Z-191120T0700Z/
Butte/Blackfoot Region-Potomac/Seeley Lake Region-
1105 AM MST Tue Nov 19 2019

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT MST
TONIGHT...

* WHAT...Snow and blowing snow expected. Total snow 
  accumulations of 1 to 3 inches.

* WHERE...Butte, Georgetown Lake, Highway 12 Garrison to 
  Elliston, Homestake Pass, MacDonald Pass, Highway 200 Bonner 
  to Greenough, Highway 83 Seeley Lake to Condon, and I-90 East 
  Missoula to Bearmouth.

* WHEN...through midnight MST tonight.

* IMPACTS...Travel could be affected. Patchy blowing snow could 
  significantly reduce visibility.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Slow down and use caution while traveling.

The latest road conditions for the state you are calling from can
be obtained by calling 5 1 1.

&&

$$

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Missoula MT
403 AM MST Mon Nov 18 2019

.DISCUSSION...A mix of fog and low stratus will exist through
this morning as high pressure briefly sets up over the region.
Otherwise, a mix of sun and clouds is expected today with
temperatures running slightly above seasonal normals.

Widespread precipitation is expected across the Northern Rockies
Tuesday into Wednesday morning. An area of low pressure will move
through eastern Washington into northwest Montana Tuesday
afternoon. Snow levels will initially be around 5,000 feet Monday
night into Tuesday morning. Moderate rain with brief periods of
heavy rainfall is expected across Clearwater and Idaho counties
during this time. Half an inch to three quarters of an inch of
precipitation will fall across north central Idaho Monday night
into early Tuesday afternoon.

A cold front remains on track to move across the divide Tuesday.
Cold air will move across Marias Pass by late Tuesday morning and
will enter the Flathead valley through Badrock canyon Tuesday
afternoon. Gusty east to northeasterly winds will accompany the
frontal passage. The heaviest snowfall accumulations are expected
in the Glacier Park region for elevations above 4,500 feet, with
Marias Pass seeing 8-12 inches. The cold air will gradually spread
south and west across western Montana and north central Idaho.
Snow levels will fall to valley floors late Tuesday night into
Wednesday morning for the Missoula and Bitterroot valleys and for
the Highway 200 and I-90 corridors east of Missoula. Only minor
snowfall accumulations are expected for these areas with most
locations seeing less than one inch. The primary concern will be
the gusty northeast winds and cooling temperatures leading to
slick conditions as wet roadways slowly freeze.

As high pressure builds back over western Montana and central
Idaho Wednesday night, clearing skies and light winds will set up
favorable conditions for a cold morning Thursday. Single digits
are possible for valleys along the Continental Divide, with teens
expected elsewhere in western Montana and 20s in central Idaho.
Cool conditions will continue through the day as stable air makes
temperatures sluggish to warm.

A weak wave on Friday will lead to some increased cloud cover and
possibly a few flurries. A more active weather pattern returns by
the weekend, with an indication that temperatures will trend
colder by early next week.

&&

.AVIATION...A mix of low stratus and fog will continue to develop
this morning. Impacts to airfields are most likely across
northwest Montana, including at KGPI through roughly 18/1800z. Low
stratus will cause obscurations of the terrain through the
morning. Otherwise, mid level clouds will increase through the
afternoon ahead of the next weather system. By this evening,
precipitation will enter northwest Montana and central Idaho, with
widespread terrain obscurations and locally lowered visibility
expected.

&&

.MSO WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
MT...Winter Storm Watch from late tonight through Tuesday evening
     West Glacier Region.

ID...None.
&&