Winter Storm Warning Issued for Northern Clearwater Mountains; Up to 50 Inches of Snow Forecast

Alert Details

The National Weather Service in Missoula, MT, has issued a Winter Storm Warning for the Northern Clearwater Mountains. This alert indicates a high likelihood of extreme winter storm impacts due to heavy snowfall and gusty winds.

Affected Areas

The warning covers the Northern Clearwater Mountains region. Specific locations mentioned include Highway 11 from Pierce to Headquarters, as well as the communities of Pierce and Elk River.

What You Should Do

Residents are advised to avoid travel in the impacted areas if possible. If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency. For the latest road conditions, call 5 1 1. Expect considerable disruptions to normal activities and infrastructure. Life-saving actions may be needed in extreme conditions.

Expected Conditions

Heavy snow is forecast throughout the region. Total snow accumulations are expected to reach 1 to 5 inches in lower elevations, while higher terrain could see between 20 and 50 inches. Winds are expected to gust as high as 35 mph. These conditions will create dangerous or impossible traveling conditions, particularly impacting the Wednesday evening and Thursday morning commutes over higher passes.

Timeline

The Winter Storm Warning is in effect from 5:00 PM PDT on Wednesday, March 11, until 11:00 AM PDT on Saturday, March 14.