Weather Alert in Montana
Winter Storm Watch issued March 9 at 12:35PM MDT until March 14 at 12:00PM MDT by NWS Missoula MT
AREAS AFFECTED: Bitterroot/Sapphire Mountains
DESCRIPTION: * WHAT...Heavy snow and blowing snow possible above 5000 feet. There is a chance of major winter weather impacts. Total snow accumulations between 1 to 3 feet. Wind gusts of 40 to 60 mph, climbing to 60 to 80 mph along mountain ridgetops and crests. * WHERE...Highway 93 Sula to Lost Trail Pass and Lolo Pass. * WHEN...From Wednesday evening through Saturday morning. * IMPACTS...Visibilities may drop below 1/4 mile due to falling and blowing snow. The strong winds and weight of snow on tree limbs may down power lines and could cause sporadic power outages. Whiteout and blizzard conditions are possible in backcountry areas and may make travel treacherous and potentially life-threatening. 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. Strong winds could cause tree damage. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Snow levels will be climbing Wednesday into Thursday afternoon, reaching as high as 5,000 feet near Lolo Pass and 6,000 feet near Lost Trail Pass. The worst travel conditions are expected during the overnight and early morning periods.
INSTRUCTION: Monitor the latest forecasts for updates on this situation. Persons should consider delaying all travel. If travel is absolutely necessary, drive with extreme caution. Consider taking a winter storm kit along with you, including such items as tire chains, booster cables, flashlight, shovel, blankets and extra clothing. Also take water, a first aid kit, and anything else that would help you survive in case you become stranded. Do not touch downed lines and report any power outages to your electric company. Travel is highly discouraged due to slick roadways and the possibility of downed trees and power lines.
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Weather Topic: What is Graupel?
Home - Education - Precipitation - Graupel
Next Topic: Hail
Graupel is a form of precipitation that is created by atmospheric conditions
which cause supercooled water droplets to contact snow crystals and freeze to
their surface.
Sometimes known as soft hail or snow pellets, graupel is delicate and easily
destroyed by touch. Whereas hail usually falls during severe weather, graupel
doesn't require such conditions to form, and can form in mild precipitation
similar to situations which produce snowfall.
Next Topic: Hail
Weather Topic: What are Hole Punch Clouds?
Home - Education - Cloud Types - Hole Punch Clouds
Next Topic: Mammatus Clouds
A hole punch cloud is an unusual occurrence when a disk-shaped
hole appears in a cirrostratus, cirrocumulus, or altocumulus cloud.
When part of the cloud forms ice crystals, water droplets in the surrounding area
of the cloud evaporate. The effect of this process produces a large elliptical
gap in the cloud. The hole punch cloud formation is rare, but it is not specific
to any geographic area.
Other names which have been used to describe this phenomena include fallstreak hole,
skypunch, and cloud hole.
Next Topic: Mammatus Clouds
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