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Short Fuse Warning/Watch
Products related to Severe Thunderstorms
(WFO Missoula)

AFOS/AWIPS Product Category

Product

Issued For

Issuing Office

GTFSVRMSO

Severe Thunderstorm Warning

3/4 inch hail, 50 kt wind (58 mph)

WFO Missoula

GTFFFWMSO

Severe Thunderstorm and Flash Flood Warning

3/4 inch hail, 50 kt wind (58 mph) combined with flash flooding

WFO Missoula

GTFSEL#

Severe Thunderstorm Watch by box

forecast of conditions favorable for severe thunderstorm development

SPC

GTFSEV#

Severe Thunderstorm Watch by counties

forecast of conditions favorable for severe thunderstorm development

SPC

GTFSVSMSO

Severe Weather Statement

observed severe weather, canceling all or part of a warning

WFO Missoula

GTFSPSMSO

Special Weather Statement

canceling all or part of a watch

WFO Missoula

GTFLSRMSO

Local Storm/Spotter Report

reporting severe or significant weather by location, time, and effect; e.g. damage, death, injuries. Include information source

WFO Missoula



Products related to Tornadoes
(WFO Missoula)

AFOS/AWIPS Product Category

Product

Issued For

Issuing Office

GTFTORMSO

Tornado Warning

tornado or funnel cloud observed

WFO Missoula

GTFTORMSO

Tornado and Flash Flood Warning

tornado or funnel cloud observed with flash flooding rainfall

WFO Missoula

GTFSEL#

Tornado/Severe Thunderstorm Watch by box

forecast of conditions favorable for severe thunderstorm development

SPC

GTFSEV#

Tornado/Severe Thunderstorm Watch by counties

forecast of conditions favorable for severe thunderstorm development

SPC

GTFSVSMSO

Severe Weather Statement

more information on Tornado warning, cancellation, or a statement to report a tornado which dissipated before a warning could be issued

WFO Missoula

GTFLSRMSO

Storm Report

reporting severe or significant weather by location, time, and effect; e.g. damage, death, injuries. Include information source

WFO Missoula




Products related to Flooding
(WFO Missoula)

AFOS/AWIPS Product Category

Product

Issued For

Issuing Office

GTFFFWMSO

Flash Flood Warning

urban and small stream flash flooding that is imminent or in progress--life threatening

WFO Missoula

GTFFLWMSO

Flood Warning

major river flooding that is imminent or in progress

WFO Missoula

GTFFFAMSO

Flash Flood/Flood Watch

a threat of flash flooding or flooding when occurrence is not yet certain or imminent; usually more than 6 hours lead time

WFO Missoula

GTFFLWMSO

Small Stream Flood Warning

small stream flooding that is imminent or in progress

not life threatening but is causing property damage

WFO Missoula

GTFFLWMSO

Urban Flood Warning

urban flooding that is imminent or in progress

not life threatening but is causing property damage

WFO Missoula

GTFFLWMSO

Urban and Small Stream Flood Warning

urban and small stream flooding that is imminent or in progress - not life threatening but is causing property damage

WFO Missoula

GTFFLSMSO

Urban and Small Stream Flood Advisory

urban and/or small stream flooding that is a significant inconvenience--not life threatening and causing property damage

WFO Missoula

GTFFFSMSO

Flash Flood Statement

more information on a flash flood watch or warning or to cancel all or a part of those products

WFO Missoula

GTFFLSMSO

Flood Statement

more information on a flood watch, warning or advisory, or to cancel all or part of those products

WFO Missoula

GTFLSRMSO

Local Storm/Spotter Report

reporting flash flooding or other types of flooding by time, location and effect; e.g. damage, death, injuries. Include information source

WFO Missoula



Winter Weather Warnings/Advisories
(Missoula WFO)

Product
 Definition
Winter Storm Watch issued when hazardous weather is forecast to occur, but timing is still uncertain, such as second, third or fourth periods
Winter Storm Warning

** The following Heavy Snow criteria along with any one or more of the following:**

  1. Significant blowing and/or drifting of snow
  2. Sustained and/or frequent wind gusts >20 mph and <35 mph
  3. Wind Chills <20 below zero
  4. Freezing Rain or Sleet.

Heavy Snow Criteria:

Warm Season:
(Early May to mid October)

ALL ELEVATIONS including MSO and GPI Airports:

  • 4 inches or more of snow in 12 hours, or
  • 6 inches or more in 24 hours ...

 

Cool Season
(Mid October to Early May)

Idaho and Montana

Montana:

Zones 3, 5 <= 3500 feet,

Zones 1, 4, 43 <= 4500 feet,

Zones 2, 6, <= 5500 feet,

Zone 7 <= 6500 feet

  • 6 inches or more in 12 hours..or
  • 8 inches or more in 24 hours

Idaho::

Zones 5, 9 <= 4000 feet,

Zones 7, 8 <= 5000 feet,

Zones 6 <= 6000 feet,

Zone 10 <= 7000 feet

  • 6 inches or more in 12 hours...or
  • 8 inches or more in 24 hours


MSO and GPI Airports:
4 inches or more of snow in 12 hours...or
6 inches or more in 24 hours

Winter Weather Advisory issued when multiple hazardous or significant winter weather events are occurring, imminent or have a very high probability of occurring (e.g freezing rain, snow, sleet, wind chill, dense fog etc.). Advisory used when conditions pose a significant inconvenience
Blizzard Warning the following conditions are expected to prevail for 3 hours or longer:

sustained winds or gusts to 35 mph or more AND considerable falling or blowing snow, reducing visibilities frequently to < 1/4 mile
Freezing Rain/Drizzle Advisory Advisory used when conditions pose a significant inconvience from precipitation that is generally light.
Heavy Snow Warning

Heavy Snow Criteria:

Warm Season:
(Early May to mid October)

ALL ELEVATIONS including MSO and GPI Airports:

  • 4 inches or more of snow in 12 hours, or
  • 6 inches or more in 24 hours ...

 

Cool Season
(Mid October to Early May)

Idaho and Montana


Montana:

Zones 3, 5 <= 3500 feet,

Zones 1, 4, 43 <= 4500 feet,

Zones 2, 6, <= 5500 feet,

Zone 7 <= 6500 feet

  • 6 inches or more in 12 hours..or
  • 8 inches or more in 24 hours


Idaho::

Zones 5, 9 <= 4000 feet,

Zones 7, 8 <= 5000 feet,

Zones 6 <= 6000 feet,

Zone 10 <= 7000 feet

  • 6 inches or more in 12 hours...or
  • 8 inches or more in 24 hours


MSO and GPI Airports:
4 inches or more of snow in 12 hours...or
6 inches or more in 24 hours

Ice Storm Warning 1/4 inch accumulation of ice, and when significant and possibly damaging accumulation of ice are expected
Snow and Blowing/Drifting Snow Advisory

or

Blowing and Drifting Snow Advisory

 Snow Advisory Criteria with wind driven snow that reduces visibility.

Blowing and Drifting Snow Advisory can be used without snow falling but for snow that has already accumulated and is picked up and blown by strong winds. Drifting snow is an uneven distribution of snowfall/depth caused by strong surface wind, which may occur during or after snowfall.
Snow Advisory

Advisory Criteria:

Warm Season:
(Early May to mid October)

ALL ELEVATIONS:

  • 1 to 3 inches in 12 hours

 

Cool Season
(Mid October to Early May)

Idaho and Montana

Montana:

Zones 3, 5 <= 3500 feet, Zones 1, 4, 43 <= 4500 feet, Zones 2, 6, <= 5500 feet, and Zone 7 <= 6500 feet

Idaho:

Zones 5, 9 <= 4000 feet, Zones 7, 8 <= 5000 feet, Zone 6 <= 6000 feet and Zone 10 <= 7000 feet,

and GPI and MSO airports

  • 2 to 5 inches in 12 hours, where 4 inches triggers AWWGPI and AWWMSO issuance

No Advisories are issued for snow above 7000 feet

 




Anywhere

Wind Advisory 

Lake Wind Advisory

Issued for sustained winds >=30 mph, < 40 mph or gusts to >= 40 mph

Issued only from April 1 to November 30 for sustained winds > 20 mph, < 40 mph or gusts to 30 mph

GTFNPWMSO

High Wind Warning

Sustained winds >= 40 mph and/or gusts >= 50 mph (58 mph Camas Prairie IDZ007)

GTFNPWMSO

Freeze Warning

Temps at or below 32 over a large area for a significant period or time during the growing season

GTFNPWMSO

Frost Warning

When frost is expected over a large area during the growing season

GTFNPWMSO

High Wind Watch

Normally issued when high winds are expected in the latter portion of the first forecast period or in the second or third periods.

GTFNPWMSO

Wind Chill Warning

-20 F or less with wind >= 10 mph and duration > 1 hour

GTFWSWMSO

Wind Chill Advisory

-10 F or less with wind >= 10 mph and duration > 1 hour

GTFWSWMSO

Dense Fog Advisory

Widespread visibility of less than 1/4 mile

GTFNPWMSO

Dust Storm Warning

Widespread visibility of ¼ mile or less and winds 30 mph or greater

GTFNPWMSO

Volcanic Ash Advisory

Whenever it occurs

GTFNPWMSO

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National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
National Weather Service
Missoula Weather Forecast Office
6633 Aviation Way
Missoula, MT 59808-9381

Tel: (406) 329-4840

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