Weather Alert in Montana

Recent Locations: Big Sky, MT

Avalanche Warning issued February 25 at 8:24AM MST by NWS Missoula MT

AREAS AFFECTED: Potomac/Seeley Lake Region

DESCRIPTION: AVWMSO The following message is transmitted at the request of West Central Montana Avalanche Center Missoula MT. ...AVALANCHE WARNING ISSUED BY THE WEST CENTRAL MONTANA AVALANCHE CENTER... 07:30 MST Wed Feb 25 2026 The West Central Montana Avalanche Center in Missoula has issued a BACKCOUNTRY AVALANCHE WARNING for the following areas: NWS Missoula MT - MTZ043 (MTZ043) * WHAT...Several feet of new snow, coupled with strong ridgetop winds, have created dangerous avalanche conditions. This new snow will likely overload buried weak layers and lead to large natural avalanches. Travel in and below avalanche terrain is not recommended. * WHERE...The Seeley Lake mountains above 5500'. * WHEN...In effect from Wed 07:30 MST to Thu 04:00 MST. * IMPACTS...Natural and human-triggered avalanches are 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 of steeper slopes. 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. 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 Cirrus Clouds?

Home - Education - Cloud Types - Cirrus Clouds

Next Topic: Condensation

Cirrus clouds are high-level clouds that occur above 20,000 feet and are composed mainly of ice crystals. They are thin and wispy in appearance.

What do they indicate?
They are often the first sign of an approaching storm.

Next Topic: Condensation

Weather Topic: What are Contrails?

Home - Education - Cloud Types - Contrails

Next Topic: Cumulonimbus Clouds

A contrail is an artificial cloud, created by the passing of an aircraft.

Contrails form because water vapor in the exhaust of aircraft engines is suspended in the air under certain temperatures and humidity conditions. These contrails are called exhaust contrails.

Another type of contrail can form due to a temporary reduction in air pressure moving over the plane's surface, causing condensation. These are called aerodynamic contrails.

When you can see your breath on a cold day, it is also because of condensation. The reason contrails last longer than the condensation from your breath is because the water in contrails freezes into ice particles.

Next Topic: Cumulonimbus Clouds