Weather Alert in Montana
Avalanche Warning issued February 24 at 9:37AM MST by NWS Missoula MT
AREAS AFFECTED: Bitterroot/Sapphire Mountains; Potomac/Seeley Lake Region
DESCRIPTION: AVWMSO The following message is transmitted at the request of the West Central Montana Avalanche Center Missoula MT. ...AVALANCHE WARNING ISSUED BY THE WEST CENTRAL MONTANA AVALANCHE CENTER... 08:23 MST Tue Feb 24 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 strong storm with new and windblown snow has created dangerous avalanche conditions. This new snow will likely overload buried weak layers and lead to large natural avalanches. Travel in avalanche terrain is not recommended. * WHERE...The Bitterroot, Rattlesnake, and Seeley Lake mountains above 5500' and all elevations around Lolo Pass. * WHEN...In effect from Tue 08:23 MST to Wed 06:00 MST. * IMPACTS...Natural and human-triggered avalanches are very likely. Avalanches will release on weak layers buried two to four feet deep. It will be possible to remotely trigger avalanches from below, above, or to the side. Avalanches may connect across terrain features, creating large and destructive avalanches. * PRECAUTIONARY / PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...Dangerous avalanche conditions exist. Travel in avalanche terrain is not recommended. Avoid travel underneath steep slopes. Even small slopes like roadcuts and gullies have potential to deposit enough debris to bury or injure a person. Consult https://missoulaavalanche.org/ or www.avalanche.org for more detailed information.
INSTRUCTION: N/A
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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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