textproduct: Missoula

DISCUSSION

KEY MESSAGES:

- Near record or record cold temperatures forecast for Saturday morning.

- Cold lasts into early next week.

Showers at 1am are consolidating over the Northern Bitterroot Valley. Combine that with breezy conditions and a few icy spots could be possible in the south hills of Missoula and northern Bitteroot Valley this morning commute.

Afternoon showers are expected today as the region remains under cold, cyclonic flow. These showers will be capable of rapidly reducing visibility.

Attention shifts to unseasonably cold mornings as a persistent cyclonic flow remains over the Northern Rockies. With temperatures approaching record lows through mid-week, expect a significant diurnal swing; kids will need jackets in the mornings while carrying them home during the afternoons. Additionally, remember to protect any sensitive plants overnight until temperatures start to moderate mid-week. This flow will also allow a few disturbances to cycle through the region during this period.

AVIATION

Showers will continue mainly I-90 and south through the morning and reinitiate region wide this afternoon under northwest flow. With temperatures at or just below freezing, precipitation will be frozen overnight and mixed with rain during afternoons.

MSO WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

MT...Winter Weather Advisory until noon MDT today for Bitterroot/Sapphire Mountains...Butte/Blackfoot Region... Potomac/Seeley Lake Region.

Winter Weather Advisory until 11 AM MDT this morning for Lower Clark Fork Region...Missoula/Bitterroot Valleys.

ID...Winter Weather Advisory until noon MDT /11 AM PDT/ today for Eastern Lemhi County...Southern Clearwater Mountains... Western Lemhi County.