Weather Alert in Montana

Recent Locations: Butte, MT

Avalanche Watch issued March 11 at 10:14AM MDT by NWS Missoula MT

AREAS AFFECTED: Bitterroot/Sapphire Mountains; Potomac/Seeley Lake Region

DESCRIPTION: AVAMSO The following message is transmitted at the request of West Central Montana Avalanche Center Missoula MT. ...AVALANCHE WATCH ISSUED BY THE WEST CENTRAL MONTANA AVALANCHE CENTER... 07:53 MDT Wed Mar 11 2026 The West Central Montana Avalanche Center in Missoula has issued a BACKCOUNTRY AVALANCHE WATCH for the following areas: NWS Missoula MT - MTZ006 (MTZ006)...MTZ043 (MTZ043) * WHAT...A large winter storm will impact all zones starting Wednesday night with significant snowfall and high wind. * WHERE...The mountains around Seeley Lake, the Rattlesnake, and the Bitterroot Mountains from Lolo Pass to Lost Trail Pass. * WHEN...In effect from Wed 07:53 MDT to Thu 07:53 MDT. * IMPACTS...Snow and strong wind Wednesday night into Thursday Morning will rapidly increase avalanche danger. Avalanche danger could reach HIGH by Thursday morning. Large avalanches may fail naturally as buried weak layers become overloaded by the new snow and wind. * PRECAUTIONARY / PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...Exceptionally dangerous avalanche conditions may develop. 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.

INSTRUCTION: N/A

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Weather Topic: What are Wall Clouds?

Home - Education - Cloud Types - Wall Clouds

Wall Clouds Next Topic: Altocumulus Clouds

A wall cloud forms underneath the base of a cumulonimbus cloud, and can be a hotbed for deadly tornadoes.

Wall clouds are formed by air flowing into the cumulonimbus clouds, which can result in the wall cloud descending from the base of the cumulonimbus cloud, or rising fractus clouds which join to the base of the storm cloud as the wall cloud takes shape.

Wall clouds can be very large, and in the Northern Hemisphere they generally form at the southern edge of cumulonimbus clouds.

Next Topic: Altocumulus Clouds

Weather Topic: What are Altostratus Clouds?

Home - Education - Cloud Types - Altostratus Clouds

Next Topic: Cirrocumulus Clouds

Altostratus clouds form at mid to high-level altitudes (between 2 and 7 km) and are created by a warm, stable air mass which causes water vapor to condense as it rise through the atmosphere. Usually altostratus clouds are featureless sheets characterized by a uniform color.

In some cases, wind punching through the cloud formation may give it a waved appearance, called altostratus undulatus. Altostratus clouds are commonly seen with other cloud formations accompanying them.

Next Topic: Cirrocumulus Clouds