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:
- Through Monday: A slow moving weather system will bring prolonged, moderate to heavy rainfall, focused along the divide and in Glacier Park region.
- River, stream, and creek rises from widespread rain and snow melt, leading to the potential minor flooding.
A widespread rainfall event will continue through Tuesday as a low pressure system spins over central Montana. The focus of precipitation is now north I-90 and east of US-93. Currently, radar is estimating light precipitation rates but it is expected for periods of moderate precipitation to pulse into northwest MT through midnight. An additional 0.50 to 1.50 inches of precipitation is possible from the Mission Valley/ mountains and eastward to the Continental Divide. Some flooding concerns continue, especially at Flathead River near Colombia Falls and Clark Fork above Missoula. These river systems may not peak until Monday afternoon. Most streams and creeks are running cold and fast, exercise caution when recreating in or around any water body.
Snow levels are above 7000 feet, the main concern now is cold, wet, and raw back country conditions. Any recreators should prepare for these conditions.
A quick mid-week warmup brings us back to normal temperatures or slightly above normal. Late Wednesday into Thursday and again Saturday into Sunday, could bring more unsettled weather producing showers and thunderstorms. More to come on the evolution of these systems.
AVIATION
A large upper low will wobble around eastern Montana into Monday bringing periods of precipitation into the Northern Rockies. The heaviest precipitation will be north of I-90, mountain obscurations will be common, with visibility and ceilings down to MVFR at times (infrequently to IFR) at KGPI and occasionally KMSO. Other terminal sites and across north-central Idaho will see lower precipitation chances and lesser aviation impacts. West to northwest winds of 15-20 kts will be common each afternoon as well.
MSO WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES
MT...Flood Watch through Monday morning for Flathead/Mission Valleys...West Glacier Region.
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.