455
WWUS45 KMSO 121109
WSWMSO
URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MISSOULA MT
509 AM MDT THU MAR 12 2026
MTZ002-131115-
/O.CON.KMSO.BZ.W.0001.000000T0000Z-260312T1500Z/
/O.CON.KMSO.WS.W.0003.260312T1500Z-260314T1800Z/
WEST GLACIER REGION-
509 AM MDT THU MAR 12 2026
..BLIZZARD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 AM MDT THIS MORNING
...WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 9 AM THIS MORNING TO
NOON MDT SATURDAY...
* WHAT...FOR THE FIRST WINTER STORM WARNING, HEAVY SNOW EXPECTED.
TOTAL SNOW ACCUMULATIONS UP TO 6 INCHES. FOR THE BLIZZARD WARNING,
BLIZZARD CONDITIONS EXPECTED. THERE IS A HIGH LIKELIHOOD OF
EXTREME IMPACTS FROM STRONG WINDS AND FALLING AND/OR BLOWING SNOW
ON US HIGHWAY 2 EAST OF WEST GLACIER TO MARIAS PASS AND IN
BACKCOUNTRY AND MOUNTAIN AREAS. WIND GUSTS UP TO 80 MPH BUT UP TO
100 MPH IN THE MOUNTAINS. FOR THE SECOND WINTER STORM WARNING,
HEAVY SNOW EXPECTED. THERE IS A LIKELIHOOD OF MAJOR WINTER WEATHER
IMPACTS. TOTAL SNOW ACCUMULATIONS BETWEEN 5 AND 20 INCHES. WINDS
GUSTING AS HIGH AS 40 MPH.
* WHERE...POLEBRIDGE, MARIAS PASS, GLACIER NATIONAL PARK, HIGHWAY 83
BIGFORK TO SWAN LAKE, BAD ROCK CANYON, AND ESSEX.
* WHEN...FOR THE BLIZZARD WARNING, UNTIL 9 AM MDT THIS MORNING. FOR
THE WINTER STORM WARNING, FROM 9 AM THIS MORNING TO NOON MDT
SATURDAY.
* IMPACTS...WHITEOUT CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED AND WILL MAKE TRAVEL
TREACHEROUS AND POTENTIALLY LIFE-THREATENING THROUGH THURSDAY
MORNING. FOR EXTREME WINTER STORM IMPACTS, EXPECT SUBSTANTIAL
DISRUPTIONS TO NORMAL ACTIVITIES. EXTREMELY DANGEROUS OR
IMPOSSIBLE TRAVELING CONDITIONS. TRAVEL IN THE IMPACTED AREAS IS
NOT ADVISED. EXTENSIVE AND WIDESPREAD CLOSURES AND DISRUPTIONS TO
INFRASTRUCTURE MAY OCCUR. LIFE SAVING ACTIONS MAY BE NEEDED. VERY
STRONG WINDS COULD CAUSE EXTENSIVE TREE DAMAGE. VISIBILITIES MAY
DROP BELOW 1/4 MILE DUE TO FALLING AND BLOWING SNOW.
* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...HIGH WINDS WILL IMPACT ALL ELEVATIONS THROUGH
THIS MORNING WITH WIND GUSTS OF 60 TO 80 MPH, THOUGH GUSTS TO 100
MPH ARE POSSIBLE ON THE HIGHEST PEAKS.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
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.
A BLIZZARD WARNING MEANS SEVERE WINTER WEATHER CONDITIONS ARE
EXPECTED OR OCCURRING. FALLING AND BLOWING SNOW WITH STRONG WINDS
ARE LIKELY. THIS WILL LEAD TO WHITEOUT CONDITIONS, MAKING TRAVEL
EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. DO NOT TRAVEL. IF YOU MUST TRAVEL, HAVE A
WINTER SURVIVAL KIT WITH YOU. IF YOU GET STRANDED, STAY IN YOUR
VEHICLE.
IDZ005-131115-
/O.CON.KMSO.WS.W.0002.000000T0000Z-260314T1800Z/
NORTHERN CLEARWATER MOUNTAINS-
409 AM PDT THU MAR 12 2026
..WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 11 AM PDT SATURDAY
* WHAT...HEAVY SNOW EXPECTED. THERE IS A LIKELIHOOD OF EXTREME
WINTER STORM IMPACTS. TOTAL SNOW ACCUMULATIONS 2 TO 8 INCHES IN
THE LOWER ELEVATIONS AND 20 TO 50 INCHES IN THE HIGHER TERRAIN.
WINDS GUSTING AS HIGH AS 50 MPH THURSDAY MORNING, THEN UP TO 35
MPH THEREAFTER.
* WHERE...ELK RIVER, HIGHWAY 11 PIERCE TO HEADQUARTERS, AND PIERCE.
* WHEN...UNTIL 11 AM PDT SATURDAY.
* IMPACTS...FOR EXTREME WINTER STORM IMPACTS, EXPECT SUBSTANTIAL
DISRUPTIONS TO NORMAL ACTIVITIES. EXTREMELY DANGEROUS OR
IMPOSSIBLE TRAVELING CONDITIONS IN THE HIGHER TERRAIN AND
BACKCOUNTRY. TRAVEL IN THE IMPACTED AREAS IS NOT ADVISED. LIFE
SAVING ACTIONS MAY BE NEEDED. THE HAZARDOUS CONDITIONS COULD
IMPACT THE THURSDAY MORNING COMMUTES, ESPECIALLY OVER HIGHER
PASSES. GUSTY WINDS COULD BRING DOWN TREE BRANCHES.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
PERSONS SHOULD DELAY ALL TRAVEL IF POSSIBLE. IF TRAVEL IS ABSOLUTELY
NECESSARY, DRIVE WITH EXTREME CAUTION AND BE PREPARED FOR SUDDEN
CHANGES IN VISIBILITY. LEAVE PLENTY OF ROOM BETWEEN YOU AND THE
MOTORIST AHEAD OF YOU, AND ALLOW EXTRA TIME TO REACH YOUR
DESTINATION. AVOID SUDDEN BRAKING OR ACCELERATION, AND BE ESPECIALLY
CAUTIOUS ON HILLS OR WHEN MAKING TURNS. MAKE SURE YOUR CAR IS
WINTERIZED AND IN GOOD WORKING ORDER.
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.
IDZ006-131115-
/O.CON.KMSO.WS.W.0002.000000T0000Z-260314T1800Z/
SOUTHERN CLEARWATER MOUNTAINS-
409 AM PDT THU MAR 12 2026
...WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 11 AM PDT SATURDAY
ABOVE 5000 FEET...
* WHAT...HEAVY SNOW EXPECTED ABOVE 5000 FEET. THERE IS A LIKELIHOOD
OF EXTREME WINTER STORM IMPACTS. TOTAL SNOW ACCUMULATIONS BETWEEN
3 AND 8 INCHES IN THE LOWER ELEVATIONS AND 2 TO 5 FEET OF SNOW
ABOVE 5,000 FEET. WINDS GUSTING OF 40 TO 60 MPH.
* WHERE...PIERCE, HIGHWAY 11 PIERCE TO HEADQUARTERS, AND BACKCOUNTRY
MOUNTAIN AREAS.
* WHEN...UNTIL 11 AM PDT SATURDAY.
* IMPACTS...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. FOR EXTREME WINTER STORM IMPACTS, EXPECT SUBSTANTIAL
DISRUPTIONS TO NORMAL ACTIVITIES. EXTREMELY DANGEROUS OR
IMPOSSIBLE TRAVELING CONDITIONS. TRAVEL IN THE IMPACTED AREAS IS
NOT ADVISED. EXTENSIVE AND WIDESPREAD CLOSURES AND DISRUPTIONS TO
INFRASTRUCTURE MAY OCCUR. LIFE SAVING ACTIONS MAY BE NEEDED.
WIDESPREAD BLOWING SNOW COULD SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCE VISIBILITY. THE
HAZARDOUS CONDITIONS COULD IMPACT THE THURSDAY MORNING AND EVENING
COMMUTES, ESPECIALLY OVER HIGHER PASSES. STRONG WINDS COULD CAUSE
TREE DAMAGE.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
PERSONS SHOULD DELAY ALL TRAVEL IF POSSIBLE. IF TRAVEL IS ABSOLUTELY
NECESSARY, DRIVE WITH EXTREME CAUTION AND BE PREPARED FOR SUDDEN
CHANGES IN VISIBILITY. LEAVE PLENTY OF ROOM BETWEEN YOU AND THE
MOTORIST AHEAD OF YOU, AND ALLOW EXTRA TIME TO REACH YOUR
DESTINATION. AVOID SUDDEN BRAKING OR ACCELERATION, AND BE ESPECIALLY
CAUTIOUS ON HILLS OR WHEN MAKING TURNS. MAKE SURE YOUR CAR IS
WINTERIZED AND IN GOOD WORKING ORDER.
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.
MTZ004-131115-
/O.CON.KMSO.WS.W.0002.000000T0000Z-260314T1800Z/
LOWER CLARK FORK REGION-
509 AM MDT THU MAR 12 2026
..WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON MDT SATURDAY
* WHAT...HEAVY SNOW AND BLOWING SNOW EXPECTED. THERE IS A LIKELIHOOD
OF EXTREME WINTER STORM IMPACTS. TOTAL SNOW ACCUMULATIONS 2 TO 6
INCHES IN THE LOWER ELEVATIONS AND 1 TO 2 FEET ON I-90 OVER
LOOKOUT PASS AND THE HIGHER TERRAIN. WIND GUSTS OF 45 TO 65 MPH.
* WHERE...I-90 LOOKOUT PASS TO HAUGAN, HIGHWAY 200 THOMPSON FALLS TO
PLAINS, HIGHWAY 200 TROUT CREEK TO HERON, AND EVARO HILL.
* WHEN...UNTIL NOON MDT SATURDAY.
* IMPACTS...FOR EXTREME WINTER STORM IMPACTS, EXPECT SUBSTANTIAL
DISRUPTIONS TO NORMAL ACTIVITIES. EXTREMELY DANGEROUS OR
IMPOSSIBLE TRAVELING CONDITIONS. TRAVEL IN THE IMPACTED AREAS IS
NOT ADVISED. EXTENSIVE AND WIDESPREAD CLOSURES AND DISRUPTIONS TO
INFRASTRUCTURE MAY OCCUR.
* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...STRONG AND POTENTIALLY DAMAGING WINDS WILL
IMPACT ALL ELEVATIONS THIS MORNING. PERIODS OF BLIZZARD CONDITIONS
WILL IMPACT LOOKOUT PASS AND THE HIGHER ELEVATIONS THIS MORNING.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
PERSONS SHOULD DELAY ALL TRAVEL IF POSSIBLE. IF TRAVEL IS ABSOLUTELY
NECESSARY, DRIVE WITH EXTREME CAUTION AND BE PREPARED FOR SUDDEN
CHANGES IN VISIBILITY. LEAVE PLENTY OF ROOM BETWEEN YOU AND THE
MOTORIST AHEAD OF YOU, AND ALLOW EXTRA TIME TO REACH YOUR
DESTINATION. AVOID SUDDEN BRAKING OR ACCELERATION, AND BE ESPECIALLY
CAUTIOUS ON HILLS OR WHEN MAKING TURNS. MAKE SURE YOUR CAR IS
WINTERIZED AND IN GOOD WORKING ORDER.
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.
MTZ006-131115-
/O.CON.KMSO.WS.W.0002.000000T0000Z-260314T1800Z/
BITTERROOT/SAPPHIRE MOUNTAINS-
509 AM MDT THU MAR 12 2026
...WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON MDT SATURDAY
ABOVE 5000 FEET...
* WHAT...HEAVY SNOW EXPECTED ABOVE 5000 FEET. THERE IS A LIKELIHOOD
OF MAJOR WINTER WEATHER IMPACTS TO ISOLATED EXTREME WINTER STORM
IMPACTS. TOTAL SNOW ACCUMULATIONS BETWEEN 3 TO 8 INCHES IN THE
LOWER ELEVATIONS, WITH 2 TO 5 FEET ABOVE 5,000 FEET. WIND GUSTS
BETWEEN 50 TO 70 MPH, WITH GUSTS OF 80 MPH OR GREATER ALONG THE
BITTERROOT CREST THROUGH THIS AFTERNOON, THEN GUSTS 40 TO 55 MPH
TONIGHT THROUGH FRIDAY.
* WHERE...HIGHWAY 93 SULA TO LOST TRAIL PASS AND LOLO PASS.
* WHEN...UNTIL NOON MDT SATURDAY.
* IMPACTS...FOR EXTREME WINTER STORM IMPACTS, EXPECT SUBSTANTIAL
DISRUPTIONS TO NORMAL ACTIVITIES. EXTREMELY DANGEROUS OR
IMPOSSIBLE TRAVELING CONDITIONS. TRAVEL IN THE IMPACTED AREAS IS
NOT ADVISED. EXTENSIVE AND WIDESPREAD CLOSURES AND DISRUPTIONS TO
INFRASTRUCTURE MAY OCCUR. LIFE SAVING ACTIONS MAY BE NEEDED. THE
HAZARDOUS CONDITIONS COULD IMPACT THE THURSDAY MORNING AND EVENING
COMMUTES, ESPECIALLY OVER HIGHER PASSES.
* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...STRONG AND POTENTIALLY DAMAGING WINDS ALONG
WITH PERIODS OF BLIZZARD CONDITIONS WILL IMPACT ALL ELEVATIONS
THIS MORNING.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
PERSONS SHOULD DELAY ALL TRAVEL IF POSSIBLE. IF TRAVEL IS ABSOLUTELY
NECESSARY, DRIVE WITH EXTREME CAUTION AND BE PREPARED FOR SUDDEN
CHANGES IN VISIBILITY. LEAVE PLENTY OF ROOM BETWEEN YOU AND THE
MOTORIST AHEAD OF YOU, AND ALLOW EXTRA TIME TO REACH YOUR
DESTINATION. AVOID SUDDEN BRAKING OR ACCELERATION, AND BE ESPECIALLY
CAUTIOUS ON HILLS OR WHEN MAKING TURNS. MAKE SURE YOUR CAR IS
WINTERIZED AND IN GOOD WORKING ORDER.
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.
MTZ007-131115-
/O.CON.KMSO.WS.W.0002.000000T0000Z-260314T1800Z/
BUTTE/BLACKFOOT REGION-
509 AM MDT THU MAR 12 2026
..WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON MDT SATURDAY
* WHAT...HEAVY SNOW AND BLOWING SNOW EXPECTED. THERE IS A LIKELIHOOD
OF MAJOR WINTER WEATHER IMPACTS TO ISOLATED EXTREME WINTER STORM
IMPACTS. TOTAL SNOW ACCUMULATIONS OF 10 TO 20 INCHES FOR HIGHWAY
12 OVER MACDONALD PASS AND GEORGETOWN LAKE AND THE HIGHER TERRAIN.
TOTAL SNOW ACCUMULATIONS OF 1 TO 6 INCHES AT LOWER ELEVATIONS.
WINDS GUSTS BETWEEN 40 TO 60 MPH, WITH GUSTS OF 60 TO 80 MPH AT
HIGHER ELEVATIONS.
* WHERE...BUTTE, HIGHWAY 12 GARRISON TO ELLISTON, GEORGETOWN LAKE,
MACDONALD PASS, AND HOMESTAKE PASS.
* WHEN...UNTIL NOON MDT SATURDAY.
* 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. 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. FOR EXTREME
WINTER STORM IMPACTS, EXPECT SUBSTANTIAL DISRUPTIONS TO NORMAL
ACTIVITIES. EXTREMELY DANGEROUS OR IMPOSSIBLE TRAVELING
CONDITIONS. TRAVEL IN THE IMPACTED AREAS IS NOT ADVISED. EXTENSIVE
AND WIDESPREAD CLOSURES AND DISRUPTIONS TO INFRASTRUCTURE MAY
OCCUR. LIFE SAVING ACTIONS MAY BE NEEDED. THE HAZARDOUS CONDITIONS
COULD IMPACT THE THURSDAY MORNING AND EVENING COMMUTES, ESPECIALLY
OVER HIGHER PASSES. VERY STRONG WINDS COULD CAUSE EXTENSIVE TREE
DAMAGE.
* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...THE GREATEST CONCERN FOR STRONG AND DAMAGING
WINDS ACROSS LOWER ELEVATIONS IS FOCUSED ALONG THE INTERSTATE 90
CORRIDOR BETWEEN GARRISON JUNCTION AND ANACONDA. PERIODS OF
BLIZZARD CONDITIONS WILL IMPACT MACDONALD PASS, THE GEORGETOWN
LAKE AREA, AND THE HIGHER ELEVATIONS THIS MORNING.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
PERSONS SHOULD DELAY ALL TRAVEL IF POSSIBLE. IF TRAVEL IS ABSOLUTELY
NECESSARY, DRIVE WITH EXTREME CAUTION AND BE PREPARED FOR SUDDEN
CHANGES IN VISIBILITY. LEAVE PLENTY OF ROOM BETWEEN YOU AND THE
MOTORIST AHEAD OF YOU, AND ALLOW EXTRA TIME TO REACH YOUR
DESTINATION. AVOID SUDDEN BRAKING OR ACCELERATION, AND BE ESPECIALLY
CAUTIOUS ON HILLS OR WHEN MAKING TURNS. MAKE SURE YOUR CAR IS
WINTERIZED AND IN GOOD WORKING ORDER.
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.
MTZ043-131115-
/O.CON.KMSO.WS.W.0002.260313T0000Z-260314T1800Z/
POTOMAC/SEELEY LAKE REGION-
509 AM MDT THU MAR 12 2026
...WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 6 PM THIS EVENING TO
NOON MDT SATURDAY...
* WHAT...HEAVY SNOW EXPECTED. THERE IS A LIKELIHOOD OF MAJOR WINTER
STORM IMPACTS. TOTAL SNOW ACCUMULATIONS BETWEEN 6 TO 12 INCHES,
WITH 1 TO 3 FEET OF SNOW IN THE MOUNTAINS. WINDS GUSTING AS HIGH
AS 45 MPH.
* WHERE...I-90 EAST MISSOULA TO BEARMOUTH, HIGHWAY 83 SEELEY LAKE TO
CONDON, AND HIGHWAY 200 BONNER TO GREENOUGH.
* WHEN...FROM 6 PM THIS EVENING TO NOON MDT SATURDAY.
* IMPACTS...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.
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.
PERSONS SHOULD DELAY ALL TRAVEL IF POSSIBLE. IF TRAVEL IS ABSOLUTELY
NECESSARY, DRIVE WITH EXTREME CAUTION AND BE PREPARED FOR SUDDEN
CHANGES IN VISIBILITY. LEAVE PLENTY OF ROOM BETWEEN YOU AND THE
MOTORIST AHEAD OF YOU, AND ALLOW EXTRA TIME TO REACH YOUR
DESTINATION. AVOID SUDDEN BRAKING OR ACCELERATION, AND BE ESPECIALLY
CAUTIOUS ON HILLS OR WHEN MAKING TURNS. MAKE SURE YOUR CAR IS
WINTERIZED AND IN GOOD WORKING ORDER.
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