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000
FXUS65 KMSO 160955
AFDMSO

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Missoula MT
355 AM MDT Tue Apr 16 2024

.DISCUSSION...An approaching cold front will increase pressure gradients
this afternoon resulting in some gusty westerly winds. Gusty westerly
winds will be similar to Monday`s numbers with gusts of 15-25 mph.
This will lead to some choppy waters on Flathead and surrounding
lakes. Mostly cloudy skies and a cooler air mass will keep temperatures
in check, some 10-15 degrees cooler than Monday. Finally increasing
moisture/instability will result in scattered showers from north
to south during the afternoon and evening hours.

The large trough will move southward by this evening. This will
open the door for colder air from Alberta moving over the divide.

A band of snow will accompany the backdoor front reaching Marias
Pass this evening then spreading across the rest of western
Montana by Wednesday morning. Scattered showers will also occur
in north-central Idaho with snow levels near valley floors.

Winter weather advisories are in effect along the Divide in
Northwest Montana. Snow amounts of 2-5 inches will occur along
the divide and Marias Pass where slushy conditions will be the
main impacts over the passes.

Grassy surfaces in the valleys will see an inch or less.
The higher valleys of Southwest Montana may experience some brief
road impacts from slushy conditions early Wednesday morning.

Scattered showers will continue areawide Wednesday afternoon into
Thursday morning as the trough lingers.

By Thursday and Friday, a milder ridge will build over the Pacific
Northwest. Colder surface high pressure over central Montana will
result in a northeast gradient which will bring gusty Northeast
Winds across northwest Montana.


Temperatures will warm up to seasonal norms this weekend with
high temps in the mid 50s to around 60. Saturday will be dry and
sunny. Sunday a weak short wave will trigger scattered showers.

&&

.AVIATION...Breezy westerly winds 10 to 20 kts will occur again
this afternoon. Otherwise VFR conditions will occur at all
terminals through 16/2100z. Scattered showers will develop after
16/2100z through 17/1200z at KGPI. These showers will move
southward and impact KMSO, KHRF and KBTM between 17/0100z and
17/1200z . pick up again on Tuesday afternoon.




&&

.MSO WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
MT...Winter Weather Advisory from 6 PM this evening to 6 AM MDT
     Wednesday for West Glacier Region.

ID...None.
&&

$$