Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Great Falls, MT
Issued by NWS Great Falls, MT
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157 FXUS65 KTFX 051732 AFDTFX Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Great Falls MT 1130 AM MDT Wed Jun 5 2024 Aviation Section Updated. .UPDATE... Surface analysis reveals pressure rises continuing across N-central and Southwest Montana. Isolated locations along the Rocky Mountain Front, and downwind of the central Montana island ranges have seen wind gusts up to around 50 mph this morning. Overall observed and forecast trends favor decreasing support for high winds. Some of the high wind warning zones were cancelled earlier this morning, and the rest will be allowed to expire at 18Z (noon). && .SYNOPSIS... Winds will gradually decrease today with warmer and drier conditions following through the rest of the week with just a few showers and thunderstorms across Southwestern Montana during the afternoon. && .AVIATION... 05/18Z TAF Period VFR conditions will prevail through the period with a few mid to high level clouds passing through during the day. Periodic gusts of 25-35kts are occurring at some north-central MT terminals through mid afternoon. Winds aloft and at the surface gradually continue to decrease this afternoon/evening. Refer to weather.gov/zlc for more detailed regional aviation weather and hazard information. && .PREV DISCUSSION... /ISSUED 543 AM MDT Wed Jun 5 2024/ Today... Based on recent observations, the surface winds have de- coupled from the stronger flow aloft which has led to much lower surface wind speeds than what was originally forecasted. When looking at the latest model guidance there is about a 50/50 split as to whether the stronger winds aloft will be able to mix back down to the surface again. Should models like the HRRR pan out, portions of central Montana may still catch a gust up to 60 mph this morning. But should things lean more towards the RAP, then we might be well past the peak wind for this event. Given that enough of the models are still pointing towards a high wind threat this morning, I elected to let the high wind warning run its course through noon today. Otherwise, light showers will be possible this morning along the Rocky Mountain Front and the hi-line. These showers will taper off by the early afternoon leaving warm and dry conditions for the rest of the day. Thursday thru Saturday... An upper level ridge will build over the western CONUS leading to much warmer temperatures with lower elevations seeing highs in the mid 70s to low 80s and higher elevations ranging from the low 60s to the low 70s. Dry conditions will persist across north-central and central Montana with a chance for scattered afternoon thunderstorms in southwestern Montana through the weekend. Sunday thru Monday... A weak disturbance will move across the state bringing a more widespread chance for showers and afternoon thunderstorms. Showers are generally expected to be light, however, some ensemble members are starting to point towards a chance for heavier precipitation in southwestern Montana. That being said, specific details are far from resolved at this point in time. Early Next Week... Long-range model guidance shows the ridge axis moving further east around Monday and remaining more aligned over Montana through early next week. As such, temperatures in the extended forecast are showing the potential to be even warmer with more widespread temperatures above 80 degrees possible. Specifics are still to be determined as some disagreement in the exact placement of the ridge axis remains. But it might finally be safe to say that summer is here... and here to stay. -thor && .PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS... GTF 71 42 81 48 / 0 0 0 0 CTB 67 39 76 44 / 0 0 0 0 HLN 76 47 86 54 / 0 0 0 0 BZN 76 44 84 51 / 0 0 0 0 WYS 72 40 77 45 / 0 0 0 10 DLN 76 45 84 51 / 0 0 0 0 HVR 71 44 77 48 / 10 0 0 0 LWT 66 42 75 46 / 0 0 0 0 && .TFX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... High Wind Warning until noon MDT today for Bears Paw Mountains and Southern Blaine-East Glacier Park Region-Fergus County below 4500ft-Judith Basin County and Judith Gap-Northern Blaine County- Northern High Plains-Snowy and Judith Mountains-Southern High Plains. && $$ http://www.weather.gov/greatfalls