Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Missoula, MT

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FXUS65 KMSO 241826
AFDMSO

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Missoula MT
1226 PM MDT Sun Mar 24 2024

.DISCUSSION...A broad trough remains over the western US today.
This evening, a shortwave trough will dive south along the
western edge of that trough and into the northern Rockies region
causing another round of snow showers. Overall, there isn`t much
moisture to work with, so we don`t expect a lot of snow
accumulation. Most impacts will be minor and restricted to the
mountains.

Tuesday night into Wednesday morning there will be a brief period
with a transient ridge over the region, so that is the time period
with the lowest chance of precipitation for the rest of the week.
Most locations outside of far northwest Montana and Glacier
National Park will have below a 10 percent chance of measurable
rain.

By Wednesday afternoon, the ridge progresses east, southwest flow
sets up, and another round of showers will start moving through
the region. By Thursday, winds will increase for a breezy
afternoon, but not by too much with most of western Montana north
of I-90 only showing a 30 percent chance of wind gusts over 30
mph.

Once again ensembles agree very well that this trough will stall
out along the Washington State coast, become a closed low, and
dive south along the US West Coast until it comes ashore in
southern California. As such, this will leave our region under
split flow in a broad trough. Slightly below average temperatures
and light showers are typical this time of year under that
pattern.

&&

.AVIATION... A broad trough across the region will continue to
cause unsettled weather. Most of the energy with this trough
passed last night, so tonight will have generally lower impact
showers under northwest flow aloft.


&&

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

$$


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