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546
FXUS65 KMSO 201009
AFDMSO

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Missoula MT
409 AM MDT Fri Sep 20 2024

.DISCUSSION...
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Winds have begun to ramp up in the mountains this
morning signaling the arrival of an upper level wave that is
beginning to shift southeastwards out of Canada. By late this
morning the wind gradient will tighten across the region and
westerly winds gusting 20 to 30 mph are expected through this
afternoon.

In terms of impacts, portions of Flathead Lake will be quite
choppy this morning due to the southwesterly winds of 15 to 20 mph
being observed via the FLBS LakeNet Weather Network. White caps
are being reported at Wood`s Bay with water crashing into some of
the docks there early this morning. There is a 40 percent chance
that winds could be sustained at 20 mph or greater at Blue Bay
through 10 am MDT this morning. Winds are expected to shift to
more of a westerly direction by this afternoon and wind speeds
will lessen to 10 to 18 mph.

With a 1022 millibar high settling over the area by Saturday
morning, there continues to be a frost threat for select locations
from the Weippe to Pierce area in Idaho, to western Montana. So
you may want to protect sensitive plants in these locations. High
pressure continues on Sunday with another chance for frost.

A quick moving shortwave trough will bring showers on Monday
followed by a warm-up by Tuesday and Wednesday as a large
amplitude ridge builds in from the west. This will mean above
average temperatures rising into the 70s and 80s and dry
conditions across the region.
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&&

.AVIATION...
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A dry front will increase the pressure/wind gradient
over the region today and cause westerly winds to increase by the
afternoon hours, generally steady 15 knots with gusts to 25 knots.
Gusts to 35 knots are possible over the Divide between Marias Pass
and MacDonald Pass. High pressure will bring VFR conditions with
light winds on Saturday.
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&&

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

$$