textproduct: Missoula
This forecast discussion was created in the public domain by the National Weather Service. It can be found in its original form here.
DISCUSSION
KEY MESSAGES:
- Frost possible in the days through mid week
- Slow warming trend with lingering showers, especially during the afternoon and evening
The Northern Rockies will continue to be under the influence of a broad low pressure system. The upper level flow will be north to northwesterly through mid week. This flow pattern will keep the region under cool and showery conditions. Areas that are under clear skies at night should anticipate temperatures dropping below freezing with high elevation locations having the potential to drop into the low 20 degrees each morning. Very subtle disturbances will be moving through the flow causing isolated to scattered showers across the region. The shower activity is expected to increase in coverage and intensity during the afternoon hours as the atmosphere becomes more unstable, then showers will decrease after sunset.
A ridge of high pressure will slide over the Northern Rockies by Thursday into Friday causing a significant warming and drying trend. Temperatures should be running around 10 degrees above seasonal average by Friday. Some of the models are showing a very weak disturbance moving along the Canadian border that could cause clouds and a few showers across northwest Montana.
The long term models are still showing a larger low pressure system impacting the western United States, but the path of the system is still uncertain. The consensus of the models is for increased shower activity with high snow levels, so impacts from snow will be fairly minimal.
AVIATION
A broad low pressure system will remain over the Northern Rockies airspace, with moisture and instability fueling scattered showers. Radar imagery so far this afternoon, shows activity focusing along the divide and the Idaho/Montana border. Shower activity will continue to expand, becoming more widespread over the higher terrain through the early evening. Terrain obscuration and icing will be primary concerns, with rain and snow showers leading to brief visibility and ceiling reductions. Surface winds will remain out of the northeast to east through this evening.
MSO WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES
MT...None. ID...None.
IMPORTANT This is an independent project and has no affiliation with the National Weather Service or any other agency. Do not rely on this website for emergency or critical information: please visit weather.gov for the most accurate and up-to-date information available.
textproduct.us is built and maintained by Joshua Thayer.