Alert archive / Montana / Winter Storm Warnings in 2021

Winter Storm Warning 13, NWS Missoula, MT

December 20, 2021Missoula County, Ravalli County, Montana

NWS Missoula, MT issued this winter storm warning at Dec 20, 2021, 7:33 AM MST for Missoula County, Ravalli County, Montana. It was in force for 3 hr. 6 reports 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
Dec 20, 2021, 7:33 AM MST (14:33 UTC)
Expired
Dec 20, 2021, 11:00 AM MST
In force
3 hr
Issued by
NWS Missoula, MT

Counties Missoula County, MT, Ravalli County, MT

The radar

The Missoula radar (KMSX), 54 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 14:33 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
Dec 20, 7:43 AM MSTHEAVY SNOW 6Lolo, MT
Dec 20, 7:44 AM MSTHEAVY SNOW 6Conner, MT
Dec 20, 7:50 AM MSTSNOW 41 Sse Stevensville, MT
Dec 20, 8:30 AM MSTSNOW 34 Nnw Ninemile, MT
Dec 20, 10:27 AM MSTHEAVY SNOW 101 Se Pinesdale, MT
Dec 20, 11:00 AM MSTSNOW 46 Nw Missoula, MT

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 12:00Z, 2.6 hours before the alert went out and 220 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 12:00Z on 2021-12-20Temperature 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 12:00Z on 2021-12-20The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 82 square meters per square second.1939587897117Sfc1 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
1069 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
73 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
82 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
274 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

644 
WWUS45 KMSO 201433
WSWMSO

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Missoula MT
733 AM MST Mon Dec 20 2021

MTZ005-210000-
/O.UPG.KMSO.WW.Y.0072.000000T0000Z-211221T0000Z/
/O.NEW.KMSO.WS.W.0013.211220T1433Z-211220T1800Z/
/O.NEW.KMSO.WW.Y.0073.211220T1800Z-211221T0000Z/
Missoula/Bitterroot Valleys-
733 AM MST Mon Dec 20 2021

...WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 11 AM MST THIS MORNING...
...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM THIS MORNING TO
5 PM MST THIS AFTERNOON...

* WHAT...For the Winter Storm Warning, heavy snow. Additional snow
  accumulations of up to 2 inches. Hazardous driving conditions
  are present in the Missoula Valley this morning due to heavy
  snowfall and very slick roads. For the Winter Weather Advisory,
  snow expected. Total snow accumulations of up to one inch.

* WHERE...Missoula/Bitterroot Valleys.

* WHEN...For the Winter Storm Warning, until 11 AM MST this 
  morning. For the Winter Weather Advisory, from 11 AM this 
  morning to 5 PM MST this afternoon.

* IMPACTS...Travel could be affected.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in
your vehicle in case of an emergency. 

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.

&&

$$

IDZ005-210000-
/O.CON.KMSO.WW.Y.0072.000000T0000Z-211221T0000Z/
Northern Clearwater Mountains-
633 AM PST Mon Dec 20 2021

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 4 PM PST THIS
AFTERNOON...

* WHAT...Snow. Additional snow accumulations of 2 to 6 inches.

* WHERE...Elk River, Highway 11 Pierce to Headquarters, and 
  Pierce.

* WHEN...Until 4 PM PST Monday.

* IMPACTS...Travel could be difficult.

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.

&&

$$

IDZ006-210000-
/O.CON.KMSO.WW.Y.0072.000000T0000Z-211221T0000Z/
Southern Clearwater Mountains-
633 AM PST Mon Dec 20 2021

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 4 PM PST THIS
AFTERNOON...

* WHAT...Snow. Additional snow accumulations of 1 to 3 inches 
  below 3500 feet. 3 to 7 inches snow above 3500 feet.

* WHERE...Dixie, Elk City, and Highway 12 Lowell to Lolo Pass.

* WHEN...Until 4 PM PST Monday.

* IMPACTS...Travel could be difficult.

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.

&&

$$

MTZ006-210000-
/O.CON.KMSO.WW.Y.0072.000000T0000Z-211221T0000Z/
Bitterroot/Sapphire Mountains-
733 AM MST Mon Dec 20 2021

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 PM MST THIS
AFTERNOON...

* WHAT...Snow. Additional snow accumulations of 3 to 6 inches.

* WHERE...Bitterroot/Sapphire Mountains.

* WHEN...Until 5 PM MST Monday.

* IMPACTS...Travel could be difficult.

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.

&&

$$

MTZ004-210000-
/O.CON.KMSO.WW.Y.0072.000000T0000Z-211221T0000Z/
Lower Clark Fork Region-
733 AM MST Mon Dec 20 2021

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 PM MST THIS
AFTERNOON...

* WHAT...Snow. Additional snow accumulations of 3 to 5 inches 
  from Lookout Pass to mile marker 10 on I-90. Up to 2 inches 
  elsewhere.

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

* WHEN...Until 5 PM MST Monday.

* IMPACTS...Travel could be difficult.

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.

&&

$$

MTZ007-043-210000-
/O.CON.KMSO.WW.Y.0072.000000T0000Z-211221T0000Z/
Butte/Blackfoot Region-Potomac/Seeley Lake Region-
733 AM MST Mon Dec 20 2021

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 PM MST THIS
AFTERNOON...

* WHAT...Additional snow accumulations of up to three inches and 
  icy conditions as temperatures dropped below freezing 
  overnight after the snow has started accumulating.

* WHERE...Butte, Georgetown Lake, Highway 12 Garrison to 
  Elliston, Homestake Pass, and MacDonald Pass.

* WHEN...For the Winter Storm Warning, until 5 AM MST early this 
  morning. For the Winter Weather Advisory, until 5 PM MST this 
  afternoon.

* IMPACTS...Travel could be difficult.

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.

&&

$$

MTZ003-210000-
/O.CON.KMSO.WW.Y.0072.000000T0000Z-211221T0000Z/
Flathead/Mission Valleys-
733 AM MST Mon Dec 20 2021

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 PM MST THIS
AFTERNOON...

* WHAT...Snow. Additional snow accumulations of 2 to 4 inches. 
  Areas around Flathead Lake and the Mission Valley will be on 
  the higher end of the snow amount range. The Flathead Valley 
  will see around 2 inches through the day.

* WHERE...Flathead Lake, Flathead Valley, Mission Valley, and 
  Polson.

* WHEN...Until 5 PM MST Monday.

* IMPACTS...Travel could be difficult.

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.

&&

$$
1 follow-up statement
676 
WWUS45 KMSO 201734
WSWMSO

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Missoula MT
1034 AM MST Mon Dec 20 2021

MTZ005-210000-
/O.EXP.KMSO.WS.W.0013.000000T0000Z-211220T1800Z/
/O.CON.KMSO.WW.Y.0073.211220T1800Z-211221T0000Z/
Missoula/Bitterroot Valleys-
1034 AM MST Mon Dec 20 2021

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 PM MST THIS
AFTERNOON...
...WINTER STORM WARNING WILL EXPIRE AT 11 AM MST THIS MORNING...

* WHAT...Snow expected. Light to moderate snow will continue
  through the rest of the day. An additional 1 to 2 inches of snow
  are expected, with isolated high amounts.

* WHERE...Missoula/Bitterroot Valleys.

* WHEN...For the Winter Storm Warning, until 11 AM MST this 
  morning. For the Winter Weather Advisory, from 11 AM this 
  morning to 5 PM MST this afternoon.

* IMPACTS...Travel could be affected.

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.

&&

$$

IDZ005-210000-
/O.CON.KMSO.WW.Y.0072.000000T0000Z-211221T0000Z/
Northern Clearwater Mountains-
934 AM PST Mon Dec 20 2021

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 4 PM PST THIS
AFTERNOON...

* WHAT...Snow. Additional snow accumulations of 2 to 6 inches.

* WHERE...Elk River, Highway 11 Pierce to Headquarters, and 
  Pierce.

* WHEN...Until 4 PM PST Monday.

* IMPACTS...Travel could be difficult.

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.

&&

$$

IDZ006-210000-
/O.CON.KMSO.WW.Y.0072.000000T0000Z-211221T0000Z/
Southern Clearwater Mountains-
934 AM PST Mon Dec 20 2021

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 4 PM PST THIS
AFTERNOON...

* WHAT...Snow. Additional snow accumulations of 1 to 3 inches 
  below 3500 feet. 3 to 7 inches snow above 3500 feet.

* WHERE...Dixie, Elk City, and Highway 12 Lowell to Lolo Pass.

* WHEN...Until 4 PM PST Monday.

* IMPACTS...Travel could be difficult.

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.

&&

$$

MTZ006-210000-
/O.CON.KMSO.WW.Y.0072.000000T0000Z-211221T0000Z/
Bitterroot/Sapphire Mountains-
1034 AM MST Mon Dec 20 2021

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 PM MST THIS
AFTERNOON...

* WHAT...Snow. Additional snow accumulations of 3 to 6 inches.

* WHERE...Bitterroot/Sapphire Mountains.

* WHEN...Until 5 PM MST Monday.

* IMPACTS...Travel could be difficult.

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.

&&

$$

MTZ004-210000-
/O.CON.KMSO.WW.Y.0072.000000T0000Z-211221T0000Z/
Lower Clark Fork Region-
1034 AM MST Mon Dec 20 2021

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 PM MST THIS
AFTERNOON...

* WHAT...Snow. Additional snow accumulations of 3 to 5 inches 
  from Lookout Pass to mile marker 10 on I-90. Up to 2 inches 
  elsewhere.

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

* WHEN...Until 5 PM MST Monday.

* IMPACTS...Travel could be difficult.

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.

&&

$$

MTZ007-043-210000-
/O.CON.KMSO.WW.Y.0072.000000T0000Z-211221T0000Z/
Butte/Blackfoot Region-Potomac/Seeley Lake Region-
1034 AM MST Mon Dec 20 2021

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 PM MST THIS
AFTERNOON...

* WHAT...Additional snow accumulations of up to three inches and 
  icy conditions as temperatures dropped below freezing 
  overnight after the snow has started accumulating.

* WHERE...Butte, Georgetown Lake, Highway 12 Garrison to 
  Elliston, Homestake Pass, and MacDonald Pass.

* WHEN...For the Winter Storm Warning, until 5 AM MST early this 
  morning. For the Winter Weather Advisory, until 5 PM MST this 
  afternoon.

* IMPACTS...Travel could be difficult.

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.

&&

$$

MTZ003-210000-
/O.CON.KMSO.WW.Y.0072.000000T0000Z-211221T0000Z/
Flathead/Mission Valleys-
1034 AM MST Mon Dec 20 2021

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 PM MST THIS
AFTERNOON...

* WHAT...Snow. Additional snow accumulations of 2 to 4 inches. 
  Areas around Flathead Lake and the Mission Valley will be on 
  the higher end of the snow amount range. The Flathead Valley 
  will see around 2 inches through the day.

* WHERE...Flathead Lake, Flathead Valley, Mission Valley, and 
  Polson.

* WHEN...Until 5 PM MST Monday.

* IMPACTS...Travel could be difficult.

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
Dec 20, 7:33 AM MSTWinter Weather AdvisoryMSOMissoula, Ravalli18 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.