diff --git a/conftest.py b/conftest.py
index 53d55d7..a75404e 100644
--- a/conftest.py
+++ b/conftest.py
@@ -58,9 +58,15 @@ def webapp():
     def make_webapp_url( endpoint, **kwargs ):
         """Generate a webapp URL."""
         with app.test_request_context():
+            # NOTE: When we perform actions at high speed, the notification balloons can build up
+            # very quickly, causing problems by obscuring other elements and making them non-clickable :-/
+            # We used to explicitly dismiss them, but it's simpler to just always disable them.
+            kwargs["store_msgs"] = 1
+            # check if the tests are being run headless
             if pytest.config.option.headless: #pylint: disable=no-member
-                # headless browsers have no clipboard support :-/
+                # yup - there is no clipboard support :-/
                 pytest.config.option.no_clipboard = True #pylint: disable=no-member
+            # check if we should disable using the clipboard for snippets
             if pytest.config.option.no_clipboard: #pylint: disable=no-member
                 # NOTE: It's not a bad idea to bypass the clipboard, even when running in a browser,
                 # to avoid problems if something else uses the clipboard while the tests are running.
diff --git a/vasl_templates/webapp/static/snippets.js b/vasl_templates/webapp/static/snippets.js
index fcc7e7c..b1aae29 100644
--- a/vasl_templates/webapp/static/snippets.js
+++ b/vasl_templates/webapp/static/snippets.js
@@ -20,11 +20,6 @@ var gDefaultScenario = null ;
 
 function generate_snippet( $btn, extra_params )
 {
-    // initialize
-    storeMsgForTestSuite( "_last-info_", "" ) ;
-    storeMsgForTestSuite( "_last-warning_", "" ) ;
-    storeMsgForTestSuite( "_last-error_", "" ) ;
-
     // extract the scenario date components
     var params = {} ;
     var scenario_date = $("input[name='SCENARIO_DATE']").datepicker( "getDate" ) ;
diff --git a/vasl_templates/webapp/static/utils.js b/vasl_templates/webapp/static/utils.js
index 0f2e7de..e3df78e 100644
--- a/vasl_templates/webapp/static/utils.js
+++ b/vasl_templates/webapp/static/utils.js
@@ -146,62 +146,26 @@ function ask( title, msg, args )
 
 // - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
 
-function showInfoMsg( msg )
-{
-    // show the informational message
-    $.growl( {
-        style: "notice",
-        title: null,
-        message: msg,
-        location: "br",
-    } ) ;
-    storeMsgForTestSuite( "_last-info_", msg ) ;
-}
+function showInfoMsg( msg ) { doShowNotificationMsg( "info", msg ) ; }
+function showWarningMsg( msg ) { doShowNotificationMsg( "warning", msg ) ; }
+function showErrorMsg( msg ) { doShowNotificationMsg( "error", msg ) ; }
 
-// - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
-
-function showWarningMsg( msg )
+function doShowNotificationMsg( msg_type, msg )
 {
-    // show the warning message
-    $.growl( {
-        style: "warning",
-        title: null,
-        message: msg,
-        location: "br",
-    } ) ;
-    storeMsgForTestSuite( "_last-warning_", msg ) ;
-}
-
-// - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
+    if ( getUrlParam( "store_msgs" ) ) {
+        // store the message for the test suite
+        $( "#_last-" + msg_type + "_" ).val( msg ) ;
+        return ;
+    }
 
-function showErrorMsg( msg )
-{
-    // show the error message
+    // show the notification message
     $.growl( {
-        style: "error",
+        style: (msg_type === "info") ? "notice" : msg_type,
         title: null,
         message: msg,
         location: "br",
-        fixed: true,
+        fixed: (msg_type == "error"),
     } ) ;
-    storeMsgForTestSuite( "_last-error_", msg ) ;
-}
-
-// - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
-
-function storeMsgForTestSuite( id, msg )
-{
-    // store a message for the test suite
-    if ( ! getUrlParam( "store_msgs" ) )
-        return ;
-    var $elem = $( "#"+id ) ;
-    if ( $elem.length === 0 ) {
-        // NOTE: The <div> we store the message in must be visible, otherwise
-        // Selenium doesn't return any text for it :-/
-        $elem = $( "<div id='" + id + "' style='z-index-999;'></div>" ) ;
-        $("body").append( $elem ) ;
-    }
-    $elem.html( msg ) ;
 }
 
 // - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
diff --git a/vasl_templates/webapp/templates/index.html b/vasl_templates/webapp/templates/index.html
index 444c68a..c04424e 100644
--- a/vasl_templates/webapp/templates/index.html
+++ b/vasl_templates/webapp/templates/index.html
@@ -24,6 +24,10 @@
     <input id="load-template-pack" type="file" accept=".zip,.j2" style="display:none;">
 </div>
 
+<!-- these are for the test suite -->
+<textarea id="_last-info_" style="display:none;"></textarea>
+<textarea id="_last-warning_" style="display:none;"></textarea>
+<textarea id="_last-error_" style="display:none;"></textarea>
 <textarea id="_template_pack_persistence_" style="display:none;"></textarea>
 
 <!-- ----------------------------------------------------------------- -->
diff --git a/vasl_templates/webapp/tests/test_ob.py b/vasl_templates/webapp/tests/test_ob.py
index 6771697..d25f7a1 100644
--- a/vasl_templates/webapp/tests/test_ob.py
+++ b/vasl_templates/webapp/tests/test_ob.py
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ import types
 from selenium.webdriver.support.ui import Select
 
 from vasl_templates.webapp.tests.utils import \
-    get_nationalities, get_clipboard, get_stored_msg, select_tab, find_child, find_children, \
+    get_nationalities, get_clipboard, get_stored_msg, set_stored_msg_marker, select_tab, find_child, find_children, \
     add_simple_note, edit_simple_note, get_sortable_entry_count, drag_sortable_entry_to_trash, \
     select_droplist_val
 
@@ -92,7 +92,7 @@ def test_nationality_specific( webapp, webdriver ): #pylint: disable=too-many-lo
     """Check that nationality-specific buttons are shown/hidden correctly."""
 
     # initialize
-    webdriver.get( webapp.url_for( "main", store_msgs=1 ) )
+    webdriver.get( webapp.url_for( "main" ) )
     nationalities = get_nationalities( webapp )
 
     # initialize
@@ -108,16 +108,17 @@ def test_nationality_specific( webapp, webdriver ): #pylint: disable=too-many-lo
         # test snippet generation
         set_scenario_date( date )
         select_tab( "ob1" )
+        marker = set_stored_msg_marker( "_last-warning_" )
         btn.click()
         assert get_clipboard() == expected
         # check if a warning was issued
-        last_warning = get_stored_msg( "_last-warning_" ) or ""
+        last_warning = get_stored_msg( "_last-warning_" )
         image_url = find_child( "img", btn ).get_attribute( "src" )
         if warning:
             assert "are only available" in last_warning
             assert "snippet-disabled.png" in image_url
         else:
-            assert last_warning == ""
+            assert last_warning == marker
             assert "snippet.png" in image_url
 
     # initialize
diff --git a/vasl_templates/webapp/tests/test_scenario_persistence.py b/vasl_templates/webapp/tests/test_scenario_persistence.py
index c9145d7..225c592 100644
--- a/vasl_templates/webapp/tests/test_scenario_persistence.py
+++ b/vasl_templates/webapp/tests/test_scenario_persistence.py
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ from selenium.webdriver.support.ui import Select
 
 from vasl_templates.webapp.tests.utils import \
     get_nationalities, set_template_params, select_tab, select_menu_option, get_sortable_entry_text, \
-    get_stored_msg, set_stored_msg, find_child, find_children
+    get_stored_msg, set_stored_msg, set_stored_msg_marker, find_child, find_children
 
 # ---------------------------------------------------------------------
 
@@ -158,7 +158,7 @@ def test_unknown_vo( webapp, webdriver ):
     """Test detection of unknown vehicles/ordnance."""
 
     # initialize
-    webdriver.get( webapp.url_for( "main", scenario_persistence=1, store_msgs=1 ) )
+    webdriver.get( webapp.url_for( "main", scenario_persistence=1 ) )
     _ = _save_scenario() # nb: force the "scenario-persistence" element to be created
 
     # load a scenario that has unknown vehicles/ordnance
@@ -170,6 +170,7 @@ def test_unknown_vo( webapp, webdriver ):
         "VEHICLES_2": [ "unknown vehicle 2" ],
         "ORDNANCE_2":  [ "unknown ordnance 2" ],
     }
+    _ = set_stored_msg_marker( "_last-warning_" )
     _load_scenario( scenario_params )
     last_warning = get_stored_msg( "_last-warning_" )
     assert last_warning.startswith( "Unknown vehicles/ordnance:" )
diff --git a/vasl_templates/webapp/tests/test_snippets.py b/vasl_templates/webapp/tests/test_snippets.py
index 28da9fb..8c3b2d3 100644
--- a/vasl_templates/webapp/tests/test_snippets.py
+++ b/vasl_templates/webapp/tests/test_snippets.py
@@ -2,9 +2,9 @@
 
 from selenium.webdriver.common.keys import Keys
 
-from vasl_templates.webapp.tests.utils import select_tab, set_template_params, get_clipboard
 from vasl_templates.webapp.tests.utils import \
-    wait_for_page_ready, get_stored_msg, dismiss_notifications, find_child, \
+    select_tab, set_template_params, get_clipboard, \
+    wait_for_page_ready, get_stored_msg, set_stored_msg_marker, find_child, \
     for_each_template, add_simple_note, edit_simple_note, \
     get_sortable_entry_count, generate_sortable_entry_snippet, drag_sortable_entry_to_trash
 
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@ def test_scenario_snippets( webapp, webdriver ):
     """Test HTML snippet generation."""
 
     # initialize
-    webdriver.get( webapp.url_for( "main", store_msgs=1 ) )
+    webdriver.get( webapp.url_for( "main" ) )
     select_tab( "scenario" )
     btn = find_child( "button.generate[data-id='scenario']" )
 
@@ -65,7 +65,7 @@ def test_vc_snippets( webapp, webdriver ):
     """Test HTML snippet generation."""
 
     # initialize
-    webdriver.get( webapp.url_for( "main", store_msgs=1 ) )
+    webdriver.get( webapp.url_for( "main" ) )
     select_tab( "scenario" )
     btn = find_child( "button.generate[data-id='victory_conditions']" )
 
@@ -100,7 +100,7 @@ def test_scenario_notes_snippets( webapp, webdriver ):
     """Test HTML snippet generation."""
 
     # initialize
-    webdriver.get( webapp.url_for( "main", store_msgs=1 ) )
+    webdriver.get( webapp.url_for( "main" ) )
     select_tab( "scenario" )
 
     # add some scenario notes and check their snippets
@@ -125,7 +125,7 @@ def test_players_snippets( webapp, webdriver ):
     """Test HTML snippet generation."""
 
     # initialize
-    webdriver.get( webapp.url_for( "main", store_msgs=1 ) )
+    webdriver.get( webapp.url_for( "main" ) )
     select_tab( "scenario" )
     btn = find_child( "button.generate[data-id='players']" )
 
@@ -183,7 +183,6 @@ def test_edit_templates( webapp, webdriver ):
         webdriver.execute_script( "$(arguments[0]).click();", elem )
         edit_template( orig_template_id )
         # check that the new template is being used
-        dismiss_notifications()
         elem = find_child( "button.generate[data-id='{}']".format( orig_template_id ) )
         elem.click()
         assert get_clipboard() == "EDITED TEMPLATE: {}".format( orig_template_id )
@@ -239,6 +238,7 @@ def _test_snippet( btn, params, expected, expected2 ):
 
     # set the template parameters and generate the snippet
     set_template_params( params )
+    marker = set_stored_msg_marker( "_last-warning_" )
     btn.click()
     snippet = get_clipboard()
     lines = [ l.strip() for l in snippet.split("\n") ]
@@ -246,7 +246,7 @@ def _test_snippet( btn, params, expected, expected2 ):
     assert snippet == expected
 
     # check warnings for mandatory parameters
-    last_warning = get_stored_msg( "_last-warning_" ) or ""
+    last_warning = get_stored_msg( "_last-warning_" )
     if isinstance( expected2, list):
         # check for mandatory parameters
         param_names = [ "scenario name", "scenario location", "scenario date" ]
@@ -261,4 +261,4 @@ def _test_snippet( btn, params, expected, expected2 ):
     else:
         # make sure there was no warning message
         assert expected2 is None
-        assert not last_warning
+        assert last_warning == marker
diff --git a/vasl_templates/webapp/tests/test_ssr.py b/vasl_templates/webapp/tests/test_ssr.py
index c18fd56..97e4806 100644
--- a/vasl_templates/webapp/tests/test_ssr.py
+++ b/vasl_templates/webapp/tests/test_ssr.py
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@
 import html
 
 from vasl_templates.webapp.tests.utils import \
-    select_tab, find_child, get_clipboard, dismiss_notifications, \
+    select_tab, find_child, get_clipboard, \
     add_simple_note, edit_simple_note, drag_sortable_entry_to_trash, get_sortable_entry_count
 
 # ---------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -36,7 +36,6 @@ def test_ssr( webapp, webdriver ):
         if width:
             val += "\nwidth = [{}]".format( width )
         assert html.unescape( get_clipboard() ) == val
-        dismiss_notifications()
 
     # add an SSR and generate the SSR snippet
     add_ssr( "This is my first SSR." )
diff --git a/vasl_templates/webapp/tests/test_template_packs.py b/vasl_templates/webapp/tests/test_template_packs.py
index 8b65631..6508eb7 100644
--- a/vasl_templates/webapp/tests/test_template_packs.py
+++ b/vasl_templates/webapp/tests/test_template_packs.py
@@ -9,9 +9,8 @@ from selenium.webdriver.support.ui import Select
 
 from vasl_templates.webapp import snippets
 from vasl_templates.webapp.tests.utils import \
-    select_tab, select_menu_option, dismiss_notifications, get_clipboard, \
-    get_stored_msg, set_stored_msg, add_simple_note, for_each_template, find_child, find_children, \
-    select_droplist_val, get_droplist_vals
+    select_tab, select_menu_option, get_clipboard, get_stored_msg, set_stored_msg, set_stored_msg_marker,\
+    add_simple_note, for_each_template, find_child, find_children, select_droplist_val, get_droplist_vals
 
 # ---------------------------------------------------------------------
 
@@ -19,13 +18,12 @@ def test_individual_files( webapp, webdriver ):
     """Test loading individual template files."""
 
     # initialize
-    webdriver.get( webapp.url_for( "main", store_msgs=1, template_pack_persistence=1 ) )
+    webdriver.get( webapp.url_for( "main", template_pack_persistence=1 ) )
 
     # try uploading a customized version of each template
     def test_template( template_id, orig_template_id ):
         """Test uploading a customized version of the template."""
         # make sure generating a snippet returns something
-        dismiss_notifications()
         elem, clipboard = _generate_snippet( template_id, orig_template_id )
         assert clipboard != ""
         # upload a new template
@@ -35,7 +33,6 @@ def test_individual_files( webapp, webdriver ):
         )
         select_menu_option( "template_pack" )
         # make sure generating a snippet returns the new version
-        dismiss_notifications()
         elem.click()
         assert get_clipboard() == "UPLOADED TEMPLATE"
     for_each_template( test_template )
@@ -44,16 +41,18 @@ def test_individual_files( webapp, webdriver ):
     set_stored_msg( "_template_pack_persistence_",
         "filename.xyz | UPLOADED TEMPLATE"
     )
+    _ = set_stored_msg_marker( "_last-error_" )
     select_menu_option( "template_pack" )
-    last_error_msg = get_stored_msg("_last-error_" )
+    last_error_msg = get_stored_msg( "_last-error_" )
     assert "Invalid template extension" in last_error_msg
 
     # try uploading a template with an unknown filename
     set_stored_msg( "_template_pack_persistence_",
         "unknown.j2 | UPLOADED TEMPLATE"
     )
+    _ = set_stored_msg_marker( "_last-error_" )
     select_menu_option( "template_pack" )
-    last_error_msg = get_stored_msg("_last-error_" )
+    last_error_msg = get_stored_msg( "_last-error_" )
     assert "Invalid template filename" in last_error_msg
 
 # ---------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -62,23 +61,26 @@ def test_zip_files( webapp, webdriver ):
     """Test loading ZIP'ed template packs."""
 
     # initialize
-    webdriver.get( webapp.url_for( "main", store_msgs=1, template_pack_persistence=1 ) )
+    webdriver.get( webapp.url_for( "main", template_pack_persistence=1 ) )
 
     # upload a template pack that contains a full set of templates
     zip_data = _make_zip_from_files( "full" )
+    marker = set_stored_msg_marker( "_last-error_" )
     _upload_template_pack( zip_data )
-    assert get_stored_msg("_last-error_") is None
+    assert get_stored_msg( "_last-error_" ) == marker
 
     # check that the uploaded templates are being used
     _check_snippets( lambda tid: "Customized {}.".format( tid.upper() ) )
 
     # upload only part of template pack
+    _ = set_stored_msg_marker( "_last-error_" )
     _upload_template_pack( zip_data[ : int(len(zip_data)/2) ] )
-    assert get_stored_msg("_last-error_").startswith( "Can't unpack the ZIP:" )
+    assert get_stored_msg( "_last-error_" ).startswith( "Can't unpack the ZIP:" )
 
     # try uploading an empty template pack
+    _ = set_stored_msg_marker( "_last-error_" )
     _upload_template_pack( b"" )
-    assert get_stored_msg("_last-error_").startswith( "Can't unpack the ZIP:" )
+    assert get_stored_msg( "_last-error_" ).startswith( "Can't unpack the ZIP:" )
 
     # NOTE: We can't test the limit on template pack size, since it happens after the browser's
     # "open file" dialog has finished, but before we read the file data (i.e. we don't execute
@@ -105,7 +107,7 @@ def test_nationality_data( webapp, webdriver ):
     """Test a template pack with nationality data."""
 
     # initialize
-    webdriver.get( webapp.url_for( "main", store_msgs=1, template_pack_persistence=1 ) )
+    webdriver.get( webapp.url_for( "main", template_pack_persistence=1 ) )
     select_tab( "scenario" )
 
     # select the British as player 1
@@ -122,8 +124,9 @@ def test_nationality_data( webapp, webdriver ):
 
     # upload a template pack that contains nationality data
     zip_data = _make_zip_from_files( "with-nationality-data" )
+    marker = set_stored_msg_marker( "_last-error_" )
     _upload_template_pack( zip_data )
-    assert get_stored_msg("_last-error_") is None
+    assert get_stored_msg( "_last-error_" ) == marker
 
     # check that the UI was updated correctly
     assert tab_ob1.text.strip() == "Poms! OB"
@@ -170,7 +173,6 @@ def _check_snippets( expected ):
 
     def test_template( template_id, orig_template_id ):
         """Test each template."""
-        dismiss_notifications()
         _, clipboard = _generate_snippet( template_id, orig_template_id )
         assert clipboard == expected( template_id )
     for_each_template( test_template )
diff --git a/vasl_templates/webapp/tests/test_vehicles_ordnance.py b/vasl_templates/webapp/tests/test_vehicles_ordnance.py
index 3d5a6ee..5a08742 100644
--- a/vasl_templates/webapp/tests/test_vehicles_ordnance.py
+++ b/vasl_templates/webapp/tests/test_vehicles_ordnance.py
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@ from selenium.webdriver.common.action_chains import ActionChains
 
 from vasl_templates.webapp.tests.utils import \
     wait_for_page_ready, select_tab, set_template_params, find_child, find_children, \
-    get_clipboard, click_dialog_button, dismiss_notifications
+    get_clipboard, click_dialog_button
 
 # ---------------------------------------------------------------------
 
@@ -64,7 +64,6 @@ def test_crud( webapp, webdriver ):
         """Check the generated vehicle/ordnance snippet."""
         # check the snippet
         select_tab( "ob{}".format( player_no ) )
-        dismiss_notifications()
         btn = find_child( "button[data-id='{}_{}']".format( vo_type, player_no ) )
         btn.click()
         buf = get_clipboard()
@@ -135,7 +134,6 @@ def test_snippets( webapp, webdriver ):
         vo_type0 = vo_type[:-1] if vo_type.endswith("s") else vo_type
         # test a full example
         add_vo( vo_type, 1, "a german {}".format(vo_type) )
-        dismiss_notifications()
         btn = find_child( "button[data-id='{}_1']".format( vo_type ) )
         btn.click()
         expected = [
@@ -152,7 +150,6 @@ def test_snippets( webapp, webdriver ):
 
         # test a partial example
         add_vo( vo_type, 1, "another german {}".format(vo_type) )
-        dismiss_notifications()
         btn = find_child( "button[data-id='{}_1']".format( vo_type ) )
         btn.click()
         expected = [
@@ -168,7 +165,6 @@ def test_snippets( webapp, webdriver ):
 
         # test a minimal example
         add_vo( vo_type, 1, "name only" )
-        dismiss_notifications()
         btn = find_child( "button[data-id='{}_1']".format( vo_type ) )
         btn.click()
         assert get_clipboard() == \
@@ -194,7 +190,6 @@ def test_variable_capabilities( webapp, webdriver ):
     vehicles2 = find_child( "button.generate[data-id='vehicles_2']" )
     def do_test( month, year, expected ):
         """Set the date and check the vehicle snippet."""
-        dismiss_notifications()
         select_tab( "scenario" )
         set_template_params( { "SCENARIO_DATE": "{:02d}/01/{}".format(month,year) } )
         select_tab( "ob2" )
diff --git a/vasl_templates/webapp/tests/utils.py b/vasl_templates/webapp/tests/utils.py
index 2827129..c6cfab0 100644
--- a/vasl_templates/webapp/tests/utils.py
+++ b/vasl_templates/webapp/tests/utils.py
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@ import urllib.request
 import json
 import time
 import re
+import uuid
 
 import pytest
 from PyQt5.QtWidgets import QApplication
@@ -233,22 +234,24 @@ def find_sortable_helper( sortable, tag ):
 
 # ---------------------------------------------------------------------
 
-def get_stored_msg( msg_id ):
+def get_stored_msg( msg_type ):
     """Get a message stored for us by the front-end."""
-    elem = find_child( "#"+msg_id )
-    if not elem:
-        return None
-    if elem.tag_name == "div":
-        return elem.text
+    elem = find_child( "#" + msg_type )
     assert elem.tag_name == "textarea"
     return elem.get_attribute( "value" )
 
-def set_stored_msg( msg_id, val ):
+def set_stored_msg( msg_type, val ):
     """Set a message for the front-end."""
-    elem = find_child( "#"+msg_id )
+    elem = find_child( "#" + msg_type )
     assert elem.tag_name == "textarea"
     _webdriver.execute_script( "arguments[0].value = arguments[1]", elem, val )
 
+def set_stored_msg_marker( msg_type ):
+    """Store marker text in the message buffer (so we can tell if the front-end changes it)."""
+    marker = "marker:{}:{}".format( msg_type, uuid.uuid4() )
+    set_stored_msg( msg_type, marker )
+    return marker
+
 # - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
 
 def find_child( sel, parent=None ):
@@ -295,6 +298,7 @@ def get_droplist_vals( sel ):
 
 def dismiss_notifications():
     """Dismiss all notifications."""
+    assert False, "Shouldn't need to call this function." # nb: notifications have been disabled during tests
     while True:
         elem = find_child( ".growl-close" )
         if not elem: