737
FXUS65 KMSO 040959
AFDMSO

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Missoula MT
Issued by National Weather Service Spokane WA
259 AM MST Wed Nov 4 2026

.DISCUSSION...

KEY MESSAGES:

-  Areas of fog or low clouds again possible tonight.

-  Light precipitation is possible Thursday onward.

Near-Term (Today):
Strong temperature inversions and moisture from regional
waterways (like the 50-degree Flathead Lake) have locked in
fog and low clouds across northwest to west-central Montana
this morning. Expect these clouds to largely erode by this
afternoon. However, clouds may linger in the Mission and Flathead
Valleys and around Flathead Lake, which would keep high
temperatures cooler than forecast. Caution: Freezing fog may
create icy, slick spots on bridges and overpasses this morning.

Tonight - Thursday: Another round of fog or low clouds is
possible. A weak shortwave trough will traverse the area on
Thursday. For the valleys, it will mainly bring
cloudy skies with low clouds possibly lingering in a few narrow
valleys of northwest Montana. Snow showers above 5000 feet are
possible in the mountains with minimal accumulations.

Friday  Saturday Morning: Leftover Pacific moisture will keep
skies mostly cloudy, with lingering mountain showers focused over
northwest Montana.

Saturday Afternoon: A break between systems will allow for a mild
day with above-average temperatures and increasing high clouds.

Sunday: A flattening ridge brings breezy southwest winds and a
renewed chance of showers from north-central Idaho to northwest
Montana.

Early next week: High pressure keeps temperatures above average
and most areas dry, though light precipitation remains possible
from central Idaho to NW Montana. Nightly valley fog remains a
threat. Longer-range models hint at a much more unsettled, wet
pattern arriving by mid-month.


&&

.AVIATION...Valley fog and low clouds will persist through the
morning hours, then begin to erode by this afternoon. Low clouds
may last longer in the Mission Valley and around Flathead Lake.
Mountain obscuration will be a hazard this morning. Another round
of valley fog or low clouds are possible tonight.


&&

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

$$