Winter Weather in Montana, March 2, 2023

Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Missoula MT 214 PM
MST Thu Mar 2 2023

.DISCUSSION...Snow showers are present across the region with
winds from the southwest in and along a cold frontal passage. The
showers will briefly lower visibilities as they pass. Winds will to
gust 35 to 40 mph in higher elevations while many valleys will
receive gusts 15 to 25 mph. Temperatures will cool below freezing
for all elevations after sunset, setting the stage for valleys to
see minor snowfall accumulations onto roadways. Valley accumulations
will be favored across southern portions of the Seeley-Swan Valley,
and Mission Valleys, and areas south and east of Missoula.

On Friday, west winds and convective snow showers will continue and
surface winds will trend weaker than Thursday. Snow showers will
produce localized areas of heavy snow, leading to brief periods of
slick and highly changeable driving conditions, even with higher sun
angles of early March.

Saturday will begin with a brief break in the active weather. By the
afternoon, a cold front from east of the Continental Divide will
begin to affect northwest Montana, primarily along US Highway 2 near
Marias Pass. There is moderate confidence for this front to move
across the Flathead Valley and Southwest Montana. Lower confidence
exists for the front to reach into the rest of western Montana.

The longwave trough over much of the western U.S. will persist
through much of next week. The unstable cold air mass will bring
snow showers across the entire Northern Rockies each day.
Temperatures will be 10 to 20 degrees colder than normal through
much of next week. This translates to high temps in the 30s and lows
in the teens.

&&

.AVIATION...A cold front will move through the Northern Rockies
tonight and Friday. Increased instability and cold air will result
in vicinity snow showers with gusty outflow winds 25-35 mph at all
terminals through 03/2300z.

&&

.MSO WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
MT...     Winter Weather Advisory until 8 PM MST Friday for West
Glacier      Region.

     Winter Weather Advisory until 8 PM MST Friday for Lower Clark
     Fork Region.

ID...Winter Weather Advisory until 7 PM PST Friday for Northern
     Clearwater Mountains...Southern Clearwater Mountains.

&&

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Missoula MT
546 PM MST Thu Mar 2 2023

MTZ001-004-030130-
Lower Clark Fork Region MT-Kootenai/Cabinet Region MT-
546 PM MST Thu Mar 2 2023

...Intense snow showers will impact portions of southeastern Lincoln,
northwestern Sanders and western Flathead Counties through 630 PM
MST...

At 546 PM MST, Doppler radar was tracking intense snow showers along
a line extending from 17 miles south of Libby to 8 miles southwest of
Noxon. Movement was east at 35 mph.

HAZARD...Visibility one-half mile or less and winds in excess of 30
         mph.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Low visibility could result in dangerous driving
         conditions. Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and
         blow around unsecured objects.

Locations impacted include...
Noxon, Tuscor, White Pine, Trout Creek and Happys Inn.

This includes the following highways...
 Highway 2 between mile markers 38 and 74.
 Highway 200 W between mile markers 12 and 38.

LAT...LON 4838 11492 4769 11528 4781 11585 4783 11585
      4785 11588 4785 11591 4829 11567
TIME...MOT...LOC 0046Z 279DEG 32KT 4815 11571 4789 11590

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...30 MPH

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Missoula MT
549 PM MST Thu Mar 2 2023

MTZ004-030115-
Lower Clark Fork Region MT-
549 PM MST Thu Mar 2 2023

...Intense snow showers will impact portions of east central Mineral,
west central Missoula and southeastern Sanders Counties through 615
PM MST...

At 548 PM MST, Doppler radar was tracking intense snow showers along
a line extending from 7 miles south of St. Regis to 20 miles
southwest of Superior. Movement was east at 60 mph.

HAZARD...Visibility one-half mile or less and winds in excess of 30
         mph.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Low visibility could result in dangerous driving
         conditions. Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and
         blow around unsecured objects. Roads could become very
         slick due to melting and re-freezing of snow.

Locations impacted include...
Superior, Riverbend, Tarkio, Keystone, Lozeau, Quartz, Cyr and Stark.

This includes Interstate 90 between mile markers 35 and 73.

LAT...LON 4728 11506 4728 11434 4699 11451 4697 11505
      4700 11507 4702 11507 4704 11509 4706 11512
      4708 11514
TIME...MOT...LOC 0048Z 264DEG 51KT 4719 11509 4699 11522

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...30 MPH