748
FXUS65 KMSO 201902
AFDMSO

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Missoula MT
102 PM MDT Sun Sep 20 2026

.DISCUSSION...

KEY MESSAGES:

-  Patchy dense fog early Monday morning.

-  Warm, dry week ahead for the region.

-  Showers return late next week or early next weekend.

High pressure took hold over the Northern Rockies today. Recent
rainfall and stable conditions was a recipe for patchy dense fog
this morning, which will continue each morning for the next few
days.

Another low pressure system is moving into the West Coast and
heading toward the Desert Southwest. There is also a broad trough
established across the northern Pacific Ocean. These two features
will bring winds from the southwest into the Northern Rockies. As
a result, the region will see warm and mild conditions most of the
week. Afternoon temperatures will be about 10 to 12 degrees above
normal with light winds and partly cloudy skies.

As the broad trough over the northern Pacific moves eastward, it
will bring widespread rainfall and isolated thunderstorms back to
the Northern Rockies by the end of the coming week. Expect
increasing westerly winds as a cold front moves through the area.
Snow levels will remain high this week, likely falling to 6500 to
7000 feet behind the front next weekend.


&&

.AVIATION...Low-level moisture from recent rainfall, combined with
stable conditions, will cause some patchy fog across the region
Monday morning. Fog or stratus may develop shortly after midnight
tonight, especially for KGPI, KMSO, and KSMN. Winds will remain
light and variable for the next 24 hours with mostly sunny skies.



&&

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

$$