647
FXUS65 KMSO 020919
AFDMSO

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Missoula MT
219 AM MST Tue Dec 2 2025

.DISCUSSION...


KEY MESSAGES:

-  Widespread Winter Travel Impacts Today: Snow-covered roads will
   create a slick morning commute for almost all elevations.

-  Active Pattern Continues (Late Week): A mix of moisture and
   cold ground temperatures could bring additional rounds of slick
   travel.

Widespread moderate snowfall last evening and overnight has
created snow-covered roads for all elevations in western Montana.
In the valleys of north-central Idaho, expect scattered slick
spots with a trace to 1 inch of snow by sunrise.

For western Montana, scattered snow showers will persist
throughout the day, bringing an additional 1 to 2 inches for the
valleys and 4 to 6 inches in the mountains by this evening. As the
weather disturbance slides south, winds shifting from the north
will target the Camas Prairie. There is a 70 percent chance for up
to 2 inches of snow for Grangeville and vicinity, and a 10
percent chance for 1 to 2 inches around Orofino. The benches and
higher valley communities in Clearwater and Idaho counties can
expect an additional 2 to 4 inches by this evening.

Following a brief lull on Wednesday, active weather returns late
Thursday. A strong storm system over the central Pacific will
direct a steady stream of moisture toward the Northern Rockies by
Friday and Saturday. Forecast details regarding precipitation type
remain complex. Warmer air moving in overhead will likely push out
the cold air, raising the point where snow turns to rain as high
as 5000 feet by Friday afternoon. However, the timing of this
transition remains uncertain.

Friday morning, in particular, could be a hazardous mix for valley
locations; some areas may switch to rain while others continue to
see snow. Valleys that do switch to rain may see ice form on
roadways due to cold ground temperatures. For those who enjoy
backcountry recreation, this weekend into early next week could
see snow accumulations measured in feet above 5000 feet!

&&

.AVIATION...Scattered light snow showers will persist for several
hours today, bringing an additional 1 to 2 inches to the valleys
and 4 to 6 inches in the mountains by this evening across western
Montana. Periods of reduced visibility down to 1 to 2 SM can be
expected under the stronger showers for KGPI, KMSO, KHRF and KBTM.
Timing for the heavier showers are likely to be this morning
between 02/1400Z-02/1800Z. Mountain obscurations and low stratus
can be expected throughout the Northern Rockies through this
evening.

&&

.MSO WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
MT...Winter Weather Advisory until 5 PM MST this afternoon for
     Bitterroot/Sapphire Mountains...Butte/Blackfoot Region...
     Potomac/Seeley Lake Region...West Glacier Region.

     Winter Weather Advisory until noon MST today for
     Flathead/Mission Valleys...Kootenai/Cabinet Region...Lower
     Clark Fork Region.

     Winter Weather Advisory until 2 PM MST this afternoon for
     Missoula/Bitterroot Valleys.

ID...Winter Weather Advisory until 4 PM PST this afternoon for
     Northern Clearwater Mountains...Southern Clearwater
     Mountains.

     Winter Weather Advisory until 9 AM PST this morning for
     Orofino/Grangeville Region.

     Winter Weather Advisory until 11 AM PST this morning for Lower
     Hells Canyon/Salmon River Region.

&&

$$