textproduct: Missoula

DISCUSSION

KEY MESSAGES:

-Renewed Localized Icing Threat Tonight: A light wintry mix will move across Northwest Montana (Mission Valley northward).

-Locally Dense Fog Saturday Morning: Especially from I-90 southward.

-Wintry Mix into Monday: Snow levels lower near valley floors on Monday.

-Active and Windy Mid-Week: Winter impacts, with gusty winds becoming an increasing concern.

Temperatures have warmed into the 30s this afternoon for most valleys (even some 40s in mixed locations), aiding road recovery across the region. Wintry mix continues to diminish and is now primarily confined to the higher terrain.

A weak disturbance will move through tonight, bringing a light wintry mix to Northwest Montana, mainly from the Mission Valley northward. While precipitation amounts will be light (generally under 0.05"), road temperatures near freezing will likely lead to renewed icy conditions. Additionally, locally dense fog is expected to develop as skies clear early Saturday, particularly from I-90 southward.

Another round of light wintry precipitation is anticipated Saturday night through Sunday. While valley inversions will slowly weaken, overnight lows near freezing will maintain the potential for icy sidewalks and roadways. A cold front Sunday night into Monday will drop snow levels toward valley floors (approx. 3,000 feet); however, precipitation remains unorganized and showery.

The outlook for next week remains active and unsettled. Ensemble clusters favor a broad trough over the western U.S., with a moisture plume Tuesday into Wednesday followed by a strong cold front on Wednesday. Beyond typical winter impacts, gusty winds will be an increasing concern for both Tuesday and Wednesday.

AVIATION

Lingering mixed precipitation and scattered showers will diminish across most of the region this evening except near KGPI where an overnight round of mix and freezing rain are in the forecast after midnight and through the early morning. Otherwise the primary concern shifts back toward the redevelopment of LIFR/IFR weather conditions overnight into Saturday morning due to low stratus and fog from abundant low-level moisture and light winds. Areas near KBTM will likely be one of the exceptions with a broken mid-level cloud deck and VFR weather conditions generally prevailing. KSMN remains AMD NOT SKED due to transmission issues/limitations.

MSO WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

MT...Winter Weather Advisory from 11 PM this evening to 11 AM MST Saturday for Flathead/Mission Valleys...Kootenai/Cabinet Region...West Glacier Region.

ID...None.