textproduct: Missoula

DISCUSSION

KEY MESSAGES:

- Active, wintry, and windy weather continues through this week.

- A potent storm bringing strong to damaging winds is expected Wednesday through Friday, with the most intense conditions on Thursday.

Winds will be story throughout this week as the Jet Stream remains draped across the region. Each afternoon expect winds to increase west or southwesterly gusting 25 to 35 mph, higher in the mountains.

During this time, periods of light precipitation can be expected. Nothing beyond isolated minor winter driving impacts are expected. However, any precipitation that falls overnight could produce trace, slushy accumulations in valleys.

Wednesday our next system will begin to affect our region. The models have continued their trend of strengthening the system. Winds on Thursday will be quite strong, potentially as strong as or stronger than this weekends system. Downed trees and power outages are a potential throughout western Montana. Additionally, this is a very wet system. Without getting specific, snow in the mountains will be measured in feet with the potential of snow water equivalent of 1 to 3 inches, with isolated amounts exceeding 4 inches by Saturday morning. The wind component of this storm will likely effect daily life Thursday and Friday, we'll be closely watching the hydrologic evolution of this system as well.

AVIATION

A strong jet stream aloft with zonal flow is causing windy conditions to continue through Tuesday. Some mountain snow showers are expected today. Impacts at area terminals from showers will be less due to the effects of down slope flow into the valleys, mostly showers in the vicinity.

MSO WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

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