580
WWUS45 KMSO 130201
WSWMSO
URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MISSOULA MT
801 PM MDT THU MAR 12 2026
IDZ005-141800-
/O.CON.KMSO.WS.W.0002.000000T0000Z-260314T1800Z/
NORTHERN CLEARWATER MOUNTAINS-
701 PM 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 35 MPH.
* WHERE...ELK RIVER, PIERCE, AND HIGHWAY 11 PIERCE TO HEADQUARTERS.
* 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.
IDZ006-141800-
/O.CON.KMSO.WS.W.0002.000000T0000Z-260314T1800Z/
SOUTHERN CLEARWATER MOUNTAINS-
701 PM 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...DIXIE.
* WHEN...UNTIL 11 AM PDT 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 WEDNESDAY EVENING AND
THURSDAY MORNING COMMUTES, ESPECIALLY OVER HIGHER PASSES.
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.
MTZ002-141800-
/O.CON.KMSO.WS.W.0003.000000T0000Z-260314T1800Z/
WEST GLACIER REGION-
801 PM MDT THU MAR 12 2026
..WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON MDT SATURDAY
* WHAT...HEAVY SNOW. THERE IS A LIKELIHOOD OF DEVELOPING OR ONGOING
MAJOR WINTER WEATHER IMPACTS TO ISOLATED EXTREME WINTER STORM
IMPACTS. ADDITIONAL SNOW ACCUMULATIONS BETWEEN 4 AND 17 INCHES.
WINDS GUSTING AS HIGH AS 35 MPH.
* WHERE...POLEBRIDGE, ESSEX, GLACIER NATIONAL PARK, BAD ROCK CANYON,
HIGHWAY 83 BIGFORK TO SWAN LAKE, AND MARIAS PASS.
* WHEN...UNTIL NOON MDT SATURDAY.
* IMPACTS...VISIBILITIES MAY DROP BELOW 1/4 MILE DUE TO FALLING AND
BLOWING SNOW. 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 FRIDAY MORNING AND EVENING COMMUTES, ESPECIALLY OVER HIGHER
PASSES.
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.
MTZ004-141800-
/O.CON.KMSO.WS.W.0002.000000T0000Z-260314T1800Z/
LOWER CLARK FORK REGION-
801 PM 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...HIGHWAY 200 TROUT CREEK TO HERON, EVARO HILL, I-90 LOOKOUT
PASS TO HAUGAN, AND HIGHWAY 200 THOMPSON FALLS TO PLAINS.
* 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.
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.
MTZ006-141800-
/O.CON.KMSO.WS.W.0002.000000T0000Z-260314T1800Z/
BITTERROOT/SAPPHIRE MOUNTAINS-
801 PM 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 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.
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.
MTZ007-141800-
/O.CON.KMSO.WS.W.0002.000000T0000Z-260314T1800Z/
BUTTE/BLACKFOOT REGION-
801 PM 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.
* WHERE...HOMESTAKE PASS, GEORGETOWN LAKE, HIGHWAY 12 GARRISON TO
ELLISTON, BUTTE, AND MACDONALD 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 FRIDAY MORNING AND EVENING 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.
MTZ043-141800-
/O.CON.KMSO.WS.W.0002.000000T0000Z-260314T1800Z/
POTOMAC/SEELEY LAKE REGION-
801 PM MDT THU MAR 12 2026
..WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 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...HIGHWAY 83 SEELEY LAKE TO CONDON, I-90 EAST MISSOULA TO
BEARMOUTH, AND HIGHWAY 200 BONNER TO GREENOUGH.
* WHEN...UNTIL 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.
MTZ003-131800-
/O.NEW.KMSO.WW.Y.0014.260313T0201Z-260313T1800Z/
FLATHEAD/MISSION VALLEYS-
801 PM MDT THU MAR 12 2026
..WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON MDT FRIDAY
* WHAT...SNOW. THERE IS A LIKELIHOOD OF DEVELOPING OR ONGOING
MODERATE TO ISOLATED MAJOR WINTER WEATHER IMPACTS. ADDITIONAL SNOW
ACCUMULATIONS OF ABOUT 2-5 INCHES. WINDS GUSTING AS HIGH AS 35 MPH.
* WHERE...FLATHEAD VALLEY EARLY THURSDAY NIGHT, SPREADING SOUTH
THROUGH THE MISSION VALLEY BY FRIDAY MORNING.
* WHEN...UNTIL NOON MDT FRIDAY.
* 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 FRIDAY
MORNING COMMUTE, ESPECIALLY OVER HIGHER PASSES.
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.
CLICK HERE TO GO TO PREVIOUS BULLETINS.
Main Text Page