988
FXUS65 KMSO 021932
AFDMSO

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Missoula MT
1232 PM MST Sun Nov 2 2025

.DISCUSSION...

KEY MESSAGES:

-Active weather pattern this coming week.


Breezy west winds will continue across the Northern Rockies this
afternoon and then begin to diminish after sunset. These winds
will create choppy conditions on area lakes, especially Flathead
lake. The lake wind advisory for Flathead has been extended until
6 pm MST today.

A subtle ridge of high pressure slides over the region tonight
into Monday morning causing a reduction in shower activity over
the Northern Rockies. Then by Monday afternoon a plume of moisture
will move into northwest Montana bringing some light precipitation
to the area. This band of moisture shifts southward Monday night
impacting the remainder of the Northern Rockies. Snow levels are
anticipated to be relatively high (around 5000ft) for this time of
year, so any accumulating snow will be mainly limited to the
higher terrain. Mountain passes could receive a few inches of new
snow, but impacts will be fairly limited.

Another weak ridge develops over the region late Tuesday into
Wednesday morning causing a reduction in precipitation. Then a
plume of moisture makes its way into the Northern Rockies
Wednesday night into Thursday causing widespread precipitation
with snow levels being around 6000 ft this time.

This rinse and repeat pattern appears Friday into Saturday with
break in precipitation followed by more widespread showers.

Temperatures throughout the week appear to be running around 5 to
10 degrees above after for this time of year.



&&

.AVIATION...Gusty west winds will continue across all terminals
this afternoon, then see a decrease after sunset this evening.
Bands of showers have developed across portions of west central
Montana this afternoon. These showers will be within the vicinity
of KMSO and KHRF this afternoon. The shower activity is also
expected to diminish after sunset this evening.

&&

.MSO WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
MT...Lake Wind Advisory until 6 PM MST this evening for
     Flathead/Mission Valleys.

ID...None.
&&

$$