853
FXUS65 KMSO 240810
AFDMSO

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Missoula MT
210 AM MDT Fri May 24 2024

.DISCUSSION...The low pressure system that brought snow to the
Northern Rockies on Thursday is moving east. In its wake, upper
level flow has become northwesterly as a weak ridge builds today.
A disturbance north of the border will keep showers in the
forecast for northwest Montana this morning, along with chances
for isolated thunder along the Continental Divide this afternoon.
Areas hit the hardest by snow on Thursday such as southwest
Montana, Lemhi County, and west- central Montana should expect
partly cloudy skies this afternoon under the ridge.

The ridge does not last long. On Saturday, a low pressure system
will dive south along the Canadian coast towards the Pacific
Northwest. This disturbance will bring the potential for
widespread precipitation. There is still some discrepancy among
model solutions as to the depth of the incoming trough. Saturday`s
system does not appear to be packing the same punch as Thursday`s.
Nevertheless, expect unsettled weather for Saturday afternoon
across the Northern Rockies with snow above about 5000 - 6000 feet
in elevation.

A general warming and drying trend will accompany a ridge of high
pressure building later on Sunday and into early next week. Highs
return to above normal levels with valley highs in the upper 70s
to mid 80s by Tuesday. Southwest flow with Pacific moisture
becomes well established late Tuesday, which is a good scenario
for scattered thunderstorms.


&&

.AVIATION...Showery conditions with occasional visibility and
ceiling reductions continue tonight into Friday morning around
KGPI. Additional instability showers and a few thunderstorms pop
up again on Friday afternoon. Winds will be relatively light
overall but gusts of 15-25 kts will occur near showers/storms.
Expect decreasing clouds overnight tonight before the next round
of unsettled weather arrives on Saturday.



&&

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

$$