Weather Alert in Montana
Air Quality Alert issued September 3 at 8:55AM MDT by NWS Great Falls MT
AREAS AFFECTED: Flathead, MT; Glacier, MT; Lake, MT; Lincoln, MT; Mineral, MT; Missoula, MT; Powell, MT; Sanders, MT
DESCRIPTION: AQAMT The Montana Department of Environmental Quality has issued an air quality alert for Flathead, Lake, Lincoln, Mineral, Missoula, Powell, Sanders, Glacier counties in effect until 9AM on 09/04/2025 An Air Quality Alert means that particulates have been trending upwards and that an exceedence of the 24 hour National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) has occurred or may occur in the near future. Elevated particulate levels from wildfire smoke As of 8AM on 09/03/2025, particulate levels in Great Falls are Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups. As of 8AM on 09/03/2025, particulate levels in Billings, Butte, Columbia Falls, Cut Bank, Glendive, Hamilton, Havre, Lewistown, Seeley Lake, Sidney and Thompson Falls are Moderate. When air quality is Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups... State and local health officials recommend that people with respiratory or heart disease, the elderly and children should limit prolonged exertion. When air quality is Moderate... State and local health officials recommend that unusually sensitive people should consider reducing prolonged or heavy exertion. For more information visit the Montana Department of Environmental Quality at http://todaysair.mtdeq.us
INSTRUCTION: N/A
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Weather Topic: What are Shelf Clouds?
Home - Education - Cloud Types - Shelf Clouds
Next Topic: Sleet
A shelf cloud is similar to a wall cloud, but forms at the front
of a storm cloud, instead of at the rear, where wall clouds form.
A shelf cloud is caused by a series of events set into motion by the advancing
storm; first, cool air settles along the ground where precipitation has just fallen.
As the cool air is brought in, the warmer air is displaced, and rises above it,
because it is less dense. When the warmer air reaches the bottom of the storm cloud,
it begins to cool again, and the resulting condensation is a visible shelf cloud.
Next Topic: Sleet
Weather Topic: What is Snow?
Home - Education - Precipitation - Snow
Next Topic: Stratocumulus Clouds
Snow is precipitation taking the form of ice crystals. Each ice crystal, or snowflake,
has unique characteristics, but all of them grow in a hexagonal structure.
Snowfall can last for sustained periods of time and result in significant buildup
of snow on the ground.
On the earth's surface, snow starts out light and powdery, but as it begins to melt
it tends to become more granular, producing small bits of ice which have the consistency of
sand. After several cycles of melting and freezing, snow can become very dense
and ice-like, commonly known as snow pack.
Next Topic: Stratocumulus Clouds
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