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:
- Areas of fog or low clouds again possible tonight.
- Light precipitation is possible Thursday onward.
Near-Term (Today): Strong temperature inversions and moisture from regional waterways (like the 50-degree Flathead Lake) have locked in fog and low clouds across northwest to west-central Montana this morning. Expect these clouds to largely erode by this afternoon. However, clouds may linger in the Mission and Flathead Valleys and around Flathead Lake, which would keep high temperatures cooler than forecast. Caution: Freezing fog may create icy, slick spots on bridges and overpasses this morning.
Tonight - Thursday: Another round of fog or low clouds is possible. A weak shortwave trough will traverse the area on Thursday. For the valleys, it will mainly bring cloudy skies with low clouds possibly lingering in a few narrow valleys of northwest Montana. Snow showers above 5000 feet are possible in the mountains with minimal accumulations.
Friday Saturday Morning: Leftover Pacific moisture will keep skies mostly cloudy, with lingering mountain showers focused over northwest Montana.
Saturday Afternoon: A break between systems will allow for a mild day with above-average temperatures and increasing high clouds.
Sunday: A flattening ridge brings breezy southwest winds and a renewed chance of showers from north-central Idaho to northwest Montana.
Early next week: High pressure keeps temperatures above average and most areas dry, though light precipitation remains possible from central Idaho to NW Montana. Nightly valley fog remains a threat. Longer-range models hint at a much more unsettled, wet pattern arriving by mid-month.
AVIATION
Valley fog and low clouds will persist through the morning hours, then begin to erode by this afternoon. Low clouds may last longer in the Mission Valley and around Flathead Lake. Mountain obscuration will be a hazard this morning. Another round of valley fog or low clouds are possible tonight.
MSO WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES
MT...None. ID...None.
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