textproduct: Missoula

DISCUSSION

KEY MESSAGES:

- Showers and isolated thunderstorms continue this afternoon and evening primarily in NW Montana.

- A strong ridge brings dry conditions and high temperatures into the 70s and 80s through the next week.

- Dry afternoons with minimum relative humidities in the 20% range and below.

A passing disturbance will trigger scattered showers and isolated thunderstorms, again, this afternoon and evening. The highest chances remain across northwest Montana, tapering off as you head south toward the I-90 corridor. Expect brief heavy rain and localized gusty winds near any storms, alongside widespread afternoon gusts of 15-25 mph.

Starting Friday, a broad ridge of high pressure builds across the western U.S. dominating the weather pattern through the next week. This will bring a prolonged period of dry, quiet weather with high temperatures climbing into the 70s and 80s. Afternoon relative humidities will dry out into the 20 percent range and below. A couple of very weak waves may brush the region on Saturday and Monday, but impacts will be limited to slightly breezier winds and a minimal (10 percent) chance of a passing shower.

AVIATION

Scattered showers and isolated thunderstorms are possible this afternoon and evening. This activity will primarily focus across northwest and west-central Montana, between 07/2000z and 08/0100z with brief MVFR conditions possible due to lowered ceilings along with some gusty outflow winds. Otherwise, widespread west-northwest winds will gust 15-25 kts at most terminals this afternoon before subsiding this evening. Note for KHRF: Active prescribed burning and fuels management in the vicinity is creating periodic, localized reductions in visibility due to smoke. Note for KSMN: Sensor observations are back online and reporting normally once again.

MSO WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

MT...None. ID...None.