Weather Alert in Montana
Winter Storm Watch issued March 31 at 10:34AM MDT until April 3 at 6:00AM MDT by NWS Missoula MT
AREAS AFFECTED: Bitterroot/Sapphire Mountains; Butte/Blackfoot Region; Potomac/Seeley Lake Region
DESCRIPTION: * WHAT...Heavy snow possible. There is a chance of moderate to major winter weather impacts. Total snow accumulations between 6 and 12 inches possible for terrain above 5500 feet, including MacDonald Pass, Homestake Pass, Lost Trail Pass and Lolo Pass. 2 to 6 inches possible down to 3000 feet, including Butte, Seeley Lake and Anaconda. Winds could gust as high as 35 mph. * WHERE...Butte, Highway 12 Garrison to Elliston, I-90 East Missoula to Bearmouth, Georgetown Lake, Highway 93 Sula to Lost Trail Pass, Highway 83 Seeley Lake to Condon, Lolo Pass, MacDonald Pass, Homestake Pass, and Highway 200 Bonner to Greenough. * WHEN...From Thursday morning through late Thursday night. * IMPACTS...For MODERATE winter weather impacts, expect disruptions to normal activities. Hazardous traveling conditions. Use extra caution while driving. Closures and disruptions to infrastructure may occur. For MAJOR winter weather impacts, expect considerable disruptions to normal activities. Dangerous or impossible traveling conditions. Avoid travel in the impacted areas if possible. Widespread closures and disruptions to infrastructure may occur. The hazardous conditions could impact the Thursday morning and evening commutes, especially over higher passes. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Heavy, wet snow may cause power outages and tree damage.
INSTRUCTION: Monitor the latest forecasts for updates on this situation.
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Weather Topic: What are Shelf Clouds?
Home - Education - Cloud Types - Shelf Clouds
Next Topic: Sleet
A shelf cloud is similar to a wall cloud, but forms at the front
of a storm cloud, instead of at the rear, where wall clouds form.
A shelf cloud is caused by a series of events set into motion by the advancing
storm; first, cool air settles along the ground where precipitation has just fallen.
As the cool air is brought in, the warmer air is displaced, and rises above it,
because it is less dense. When the warmer air reaches the bottom of the storm cloud,
it begins to cool again, and the resulting condensation is a visible shelf cloud.
Next Topic: Sleet
Weather Topic: What is Snow?
Home - Education - Precipitation - Snow
Next Topic: Stratocumulus Clouds
Snow is precipitation taking the form of ice crystals. Each ice crystal, or snowflake,
has unique characteristics, but all of them grow in a hexagonal structure.
Snowfall can last for sustained periods of time and result in significant buildup
of snow on the ground.
On the earth's surface, snow starts out light and powdery, but as it begins to melt
it tends to become more granular, producing small bits of ice which have the consistency of
sand. After several cycles of melting and freezing, snow can become very dense
and ice-like, commonly known as snow pack.
Next Topic: Stratocumulus Clouds
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