Weather Alert in Montana
Avalanche Warning issued March 12 at 7:19AM MDT by NWS Missoula MT
AREAS AFFECTED: Bitterroot/Sapphire Mountains; Potomac/Seeley Lake Region
DESCRIPTION: AVWMSO The following message is transmitted at the request of West Central Montana Avalanche Center Missoula MT. ...AVALANCHE WARNING ISSUED BY THE WEST CENTRAL MONTANA AVALANCHE CENTER... 08:00 MDT Thu Mar 12 2026 The West Central Montana Avalanche Center in Missoula has issued a BACKCOUNTRY AVALANCHE WARNING for the following areas: NWS Missoula MT - MTZ006 (MTZ006)...MTZ043 (MTZ043) * WHAT...A large winter storm with 1-3 feet of new snow and strong wind is impacting the area. * WHERE...The Bitterroot Mountains from Lost Trail Pass to Lolo Pass, the Rattlesnake mountains, and the mountains above Seeley Lake. * WHEN...In effect from Thu 08:00 MDT to Fri 06:00 MDT. * IMPACTS...Snow and strong wind has increased the avalanche danger to HIGH. Large natural and human-triggered avalanches are likely. * PRECAUTIONARY / PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...Very dangerous avalanche conditions. Travel in avalanche terrain is not recommended. Avalanches may run long distances and can run into mature forests, valley floors, or flat terrain. Consult https://missoulaavalanche.org/ or www.avalanche.org for more detailed information. Similar avalanche danger may exist at locations outside the coverage area of this or any avalanche center.
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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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