Alert archive / Montana / Winter Storm Warnings in 2021

Winter Storm Warning 1, NWS Missoula, MT

January 2, 2021Mineral County, Missoula County, Sanders County, Montana

NWS Missoula, MT issued this winter storm warning at Jan 2, 2021, 3:16 AM MST for Mineral County, Missoula County, Sanders County, Montana. It took effect at Jan 2, 2021, 5:00 PM MST. It was in force for 19 hr. 1 report came from inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The counties it named, with what was reported inside it.

The facts

Issued
Jan 2, 2021, 3:16 AM MST (10:16 UTC)
In effect from
Jan 2, 2021, 5:00 PM MST
Expired
Jan 3, 2021, 12:22 PM MST
In force
19 hr
Issued by
NWS Missoula, MT

Counties Mineral County, MT, Missoula County, MT, Sanders County, MT

The radar

The Missoula radar (KMSX), 59 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 10:15 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.

What was reported inside it

TimeReportWhereRemark
Jan 3, 10:35 AM MSTHEAVY SNOW 93 Nnw East Portal, MTMDT REPORTED SEVERE DRIVING CONDITIONS DUE TO HEAVY SNOW FROM LOOKOUT PASS TO TAFT 7:35 AM TO 10:30 AM WITH 9 INCHES REPORTED AT THE BASE OF SKI LOOKOUT.

Local storm reports filed while the alert was in force, from inside its polygon or its counties.

The nearest sounding before it

Spokane, WA (KOTX), launched 00:00Z, 10.3 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 2021-01-02Temperature 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°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, Spokane, WA at 00:00Z on 2021-01-02The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 155 square meters per square second.1939587897Sfc1 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
1191 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
45 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
155 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
219 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

560 
WWUS45 KMSO 021016
WSWMSO

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Missoula MT
316 AM MST Sat Jan 2 2021

MTZ004-032000-
/O.UPG.KMSO.WS.A.0001.210103T0000Z-210103T2100Z/
/O.NEW.KMSO.WS.W.0001.210103T0000Z-210103T2000Z/
Lower Clark Fork Region-
316 AM MST Sat Jan 2 2021

...WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 5 PM THIS AFTERNOON TO
1 PM MST SUNDAY...

* WHAT...Heavy mixed precipitation expected. A burst of snow will
  impact Lookout Pass through daybreak today, accumulating 3 to 6
  inches. The next period of interest will be tonight into Sunday
  with heavy mixed precipitation expected. Additional snow
  accumulations of up 12 inches at Lookout Pass with only light
  amounts for lower elevations. Ice accumulations of a light glaze
  are possible for valleys as well. Highest impacts are expected
  from Taft to Lookout Pass on I-90, however icy and slick 
  conditions may exist east of Taft. Winds gusting as high as 45 
  mph.

* WHERE...Evaro Hill, Highway 200 Thompson Falls to Plains, 
  Highway 200 Trout Creek to Heron, and I-90 Lookout Pass to 
  Haugan.

* WHEN...From 5 PM this afternoon to 1 PM MST Sunday.

* IMPACTS...Travel will be difficult from Taft to Lookout Pass.
  Patchy blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility. Gusty
  winds could bring down tree branches leading to localized power
  outages.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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.

&&

$$
2 follow-up statements
926 
WWUS45 KMSO 022058
WSWMSO

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Missoula MT
158 PM MST Sat Jan 2 2021

MTZ004-032000-
/O.CON.KMSO.WS.W.0001.210103T0000Z-210103T2000Z/
Lower Clark Fork Region-
158 PM MST Sat Jan 2 2021

...WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 5 PM THIS
AFTERNOON TO 1 PM MST SUNDAY...

* WHAT...Heavy mixed precipitation expected. Accumulations of up
  12 inches at Lookout Pass with only light amounts for lower
  elevations. Ice accumulations of a light glaze are possible for
  valleys as well. Highest impacts are expected from Taft to
  Lookout Pass on I-90, however icy and slick conditions may exist
  east of Taft. Winds gusting as high as 45 mph in the higher
  elevations.


* WHERE...Evaro Hill, Highway 200 Thompson Falls to Plains, 
  Highway 200 Trout Creek to Heron, and I-90 Lookout Pass to 
  Haugan.

* WHEN...From 5 PM this afternoon to 1 PM MST Sunday.

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

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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.

&&

$$

MTZ006-032000-
/O.NEW.KMSO.WW.Y.0001.210103T0000Z-210103T2000Z/
Bitterroot/Sapphire Mountains-
158 PM MST Sat Jan 2 2021

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 5 PM THIS AFTERNOON TO
1 PM MST SUNDAY...

* WHAT...Snow expected. Total snow accumulations of 3 to 6 
  inches. Winds gusting as high as 50 mph.

* WHERE...Bitterroot/Sapphire Mountains.

* WHEN...From 5 PM this afternoon to 1 PM MST Sunday.

* IMPACTS...Travel could be affected. Patchy blowing snow could 
  significantly reduce visibility. Gusty winds could bring down 
  tree branches.

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.

&&

$$

MTZ002-032000-
/O.NEW.KMSO.WW.Y.0001.210103T0600Z-210103T2000Z/
West Glacier Region-
158 PM MST Sat Jan 2 2021

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 11 PM THIS EVENING TO
1 PM MST SUNDAY...

* WHAT...Mixed precipitation expected. Total snow accumulations of
  trace to 2 inches below 3500 feet and 4 to 9 inches Essex to 
  Marias Pass and ice accumulations of a light glaze. Winds 
  gusting as high as 55 mph in the higher elevations.

* WHERE...Bad Rock Canyon, Essex, Highway 83 Bigfork to Swan 
  Lake, Marias Pass, and Polebridge.

* WHEN...From 11 PM this evening to 1 PM MST Sunday.

* IMPACTS...Travel could be affected. Areas of blowing snow could 
  significantly reduce visibility. Strong winds could cause damage
  to trees and power lines.

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.

&&

$$

IDZ005-006-032000-
/O.NEW.KMSO.WW.Y.0001.210103T0000Z-210103T2000Z/
Northern Clearwater Mountains-Southern Clearwater Mountains-
1258 PM PST Sat Jan 2 2021

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 4 PM THIS AFTERNOON TO
NOON PST SUNDAY ABOVE 3500 FEET...

* WHAT...Mixed precipitation expected above 3500 feet. Total snow
  accumulations of 4 to 7 inches and ice accumulations of a light
  glaze. Winds gusting as high as 40 mph in the higher elevations.

* WHERE...Lolo Pass...Northern Clearwater Mountains and Southern 
  Clearwater Mountains.

* WHEN...From 4 PM this afternoon to noon PST Sunday.

* 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.

&&

$$
153 
WWUS45 KMSO 031922
WSWMSO

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Missoula MT
1222 PM MST Sun Jan 3 2021

MTZ004-032030-
/O.CAN.KMSO.WS.W.0001.000000T0000Z-210103T2000Z/
Lower Clark Fork Region-
1222 PM MST Sun Jan 3 2021

...WINTER STORM WARNING IS CANCELLED...

Conditions have significantly improved.

$$

MTZ006-032030-
/O.CON.KMSO.WW.Y.0001.000000T0000Z-210103T2000Z/
Bitterroot/Sapphire Mountains-
1222 PM MST Sun Jan 3 2021

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1 PM MST THIS
AFTERNOON...

* WHAT...Snow. Additional snow accumulations of up to one inch. 
  Winds gusting as high as 40 mph.

* WHERE...Lost Trail Pass...Bitterroot/Sapphire Mountains.

* WHEN...Until 1 PM MST this afternoon.

* IMPACTS...Travel could be affected. Areas of 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.

&&

$$

MTZ002-032030-
/O.CON.KMSO.WW.Y.0001.000000T0000Z-210103T2000Z/
West Glacier Region-
1222 PM MST Sun Jan 3 2021

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1 PM MST THIS
AFTERNOON...

* WHAT...Snow. Additional snow accumulations of up to one inch. 
  Winds gusting as high as 50 mph.

* WHERE...Bad Rock Canyon, Essex, Highway 83 Bigfork to Swan 
  Lake, Marias Pass, and Polebridge.

* WHEN...Until 1 PM MST this afternoon.

* IMPACTS...Travel could be affected. Widespread blowing snow 
  could significantly reduce visibility. Gusty winds could bring 
  down tree branches.

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.

&&

$$

IDZ005-006-032030-
/O.CON.KMSO.WW.Y.0001.000000T0000Z-210103T2000Z/
Northern Clearwater Mountains-Southern Clearwater Mountains-
1122 AM PST Sun Jan 3 2021

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON PST TODAY
ABOVE 3500 FEET...

* WHAT...Snow above 3500 feet. Additional snow accumulations of 
  up to one inch. Winds gusting as high as 35 mph.

* WHERE...Southern Clearwater Mountains and Northern Clearwater 
  Mountains.

* WHEN...Until noon PST today.

* 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.

&&

$$

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Jan 2, 1:37 PM MSTWind AdvisoryMSODeer Lodge, Flathead, Granite, Lake, Lincoln, Missoula and 4 more27 hr
Jan 2, 1:58 PM MSTWinter Weather AdvisoryMSOFlathead, Granite, Lake, Missoula, Ravalli23 hr

Nearby

Winter Storm Warnings in Montana, 2021Every winter storm warning in 2021

Sources

The product and its follow-ups from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service and Storm Prediction Center text; local storm reports from the same archive; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.