253
FXUS65 KMSO 271917
AFDMSO

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Missoula MT
117 PM MDT Sat Apr 27 2024

.DISCUSSION...Light showers will continue today. We ended our
winter weather advisories for mountains south of I-90 early, but a
moderate snow shower lowering visibilities over area mountain
passes is still possible.

Another weak wave will pass through the Northern Rockies Sunday
morning. Light precipitation is expected in the mountains with
only a passing shower for most valleys. There is a cold front
associated with the system and Sunday will be a breezy day. A
cooler air mass will slide into north-central Idaho overnight
Sunday, this will set the stage for a weak disturbance Monday
morning.

Monday morning an area of moderate precipitation will be focused
on north-central Idaho and the southern Bitterroot Valley. Snow
levels will lower to around 3800-4500 feet in these locations, so
another round of winter weather highlights is anticipated to be
issued on Sunday for this time period. Locations like Elk City and
Dixie, and Lolo and Lost Trail Passes in Idaho could receive 1 to
3 inches of wet snow, while higher elevations of the Clearwater,
Bitterroot, Anaconda, and Pintler Mountains could receive 6 to 12
inches of snow.

The unsettled and cool pattern continues through the first week of
May. Tuesday through Wednesday, a back door cold front will affect
the Continental Divide. Marias Pass has a 50% chance of receiving
2 inches from this system and 25% chance of 4 inches or more.

Temperatures attempt a return to near normal Thursday with a
transient ridge but by Friday the next system brings widespread
showers.


&&

.AVIATION...A deep trough of low pressure will keep rain showers
in the forecast throughout this afternoon. A shower or two late
this afternoon may be strong enough to lower visibility or
ceilings into MVFR or IFR category. Another round of showers
mainly in the mountains can be expected Sunday, with breezy
southwesterly winds.


&&

.MSO WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
MT...None.
ID...None.
&&

$$