National Weather Service issues Winter Advisory, Winter Warning

National Weather Service-Missoula has issued a Winter Storm Advisory for the Southern Clearwater Mountains and Orofino/Grangeville Region from Monday afternoon through Tuesday morning and Winter Storm Warning for the Northern Clearwater Mountains from 11 a.m. Tuesday through 10 a.m. Wednesday.

Snow is expected. There is a likelihood of minor winter weather impacts. Total snow accumulations up to one inch in the Camas Prairie, but up to 3 inches at Elk City and Dixie. Lolo Pass snowfall will range from 2 to 4 inches.

Areas of particular impact include: Greer Grade, US Highway 12 Lowell to Lolo Pass, Dixie, Grangeville and vicinity, Camas Prairie, Whitebird Grade, and Elk City.

Winter traveling conditions are forecast for the areas of impact. For minor winter weather impacts, expect a few inconveniences to normal activities. Use caution while driving. The hazardous conditions could impact the Monday evening and Tuesday morning commutes, especially over higher passes.

Precautionary/Preparedness Actions

Slow down and use caution while traveling. The latest road conditions can be obtained by calling 5 1 1.

Orofino, elevation 1,039 feet

Monday night: Patchy fog. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 34. Calm wind.

Tuesday: Rain, mainly after 1 p.m. Patchy fog before noon. High near 42. Light and variable wind. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Tuesday night: Rain. Low around 36. Light and variable wind becoming south around 6 miles per hour in the evening. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Wednesday: Rain likely, mainly before 11 a.m. Snow level 3,100 feet lowering to 2,100 feet. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 43. West wind 5 to 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Winter Storm Warning

A Winter Storm Warning has been issued for the Northern Clearwater Mountains from 11 a.m. Tuesday through 10 a.m. Wednesday.

Heavy snow is expected. There is a likelihood of major winter weather impacts. Total snow accumulations between 2 and 5 inches at lower elevations, 6 and 12 inches above 3,000 feet and 12 to 18 inches in the high terrain. Winds could gust as high as 35 mph.

Areas of particular impact are: State Highway 11 Pierce to Headquarters, Pierce, and Elk River.

For major winter weather impacts, expect considerable disruptions to normal activities. Dangerous or impossible traveling conditions are forecast. Avoid travel in the impacted areas if possible. The hazardous conditions could impact the Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning commutes, especially over higher passes.

Precautionary/Preparedness Actions

Those who must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in the vehicle in case of an emergency. The latest road conditions can be obtained by calling 5 1 1.

Pierce, elevation 3,085 feet

Monday night: A slight chance of snow before 3 a.m., then a slight chance of snow after 4 a.m. Patchy fog. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 26. Calm wind. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Tuesday: Snow likely before 2 p.m., then snow, possibly mixed with rain between 2 p.m. and 3 p.m., then snow after 3 p.m. Patchy fog before 11 a.m. High near 35. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.

Tuesday night: Rain and snow. Snow level 3,800 feet. Low around 28. Southwest wind 3 to 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of 2 to 4 inches possible.

Wednesday: Snow, mainly before 10 a.m. High near 34. West southwest wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible.

Wednesday night: Snow. Patchy fog. Low around 22. Calm wind. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of 2 to 4 inches possible.