Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Missoula, MT
Issued by NWS Missoula, MT
190 FXUS65 KMSO 171004 AFDMSO Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Missoula MT 404 AM MDT Fri May 17 2024 .DISCUSSION...Widespread rains have developed this early morning across western Montana and the Idaho panhandle ahead and along the first cold frontal push. In addition to areas of rain, westerly winds will gusts between 15-25 mph this morning. A secondary front with colder air will move into the region from British Columbia this afternoon. Colder temperatures with an unstable atmosphere will trigger showers and even a few thunderstorms this afternoon and evening. The frontal passage today will also contain some strong winds very similar to what we had yesterday, frequent gusts of 25-40 mph. Wind advisories are in effect today across central Idaho, west central and southwest Montana. Winds will be stronger in the vicinity of showers where a strong shower may well produce gusts around 50 mph. Snow levels will drop to around 5000 this evening however showers will have diminished enough for any kind of impact. Saturday will be dry but cool. A large baggy trough will settle over the western U.S. Sunday through the beginning of Memorial weekend. Several weather disturbances will develop and move through this trough bringing occasional rains and some higher elevation snow. Snow levels will fluctuate between 6000 and 7000 feet next week with little impacts. && .AVIATION...A cold front will move through the NR today through this evening. Gusty west-northwest winds will impact all terminals today with frequent gusts of 25-35 knots. Expect mountain obscurations, lower visibility and gusty outflows to 40 mph in the vicinity of showers this afternoon and evening. A few isolated thunderstorms will occur this afternoon. && .MSO WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... MT...Wind Advisory from noon today to 8 PM MDT this evening for Butte/Blackfoot Region...Missoula/Bitterroot Valleys. ID...Wind Advisory from noon today to 8 PM MDT this evening for Eastern Lemhi County...Western Lemhi County. && $$