060
FXUS65 KMSO 050916
AFDMSO

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Missoula MT
216 AM MST Thu Nov 5 2026

.DISCUSSION...

KEY MESSAGES:

-  Areas of fog or low clouds will remain through mid-morning or
   early afternoon.

-  Light rain or snow is possible today (Thursday) and again on
   Sunday.

Satellite imagery clearly shows low clouds filling almost all valleys below
6,000 feet, while the mountains remain completely clear this morning. The
persistent low clouds may linger through early this afternoon, limiting
maximum warming due to strong inversions. For example, Missoula`s forecast
high Wednesday was 36F, while the terrain above 6,000 feet warmed into the
mid 40s to low 50s.

This afternoon a weak weather system will move across the Northern Rockies,
pushing a weak to moderate cold front through the region. This front will
increase westerly winds and mix out the low-level valley inversions. A
period of light valley rain and mountain snow is expected as this system
moves through.

High pressure immediately rebuilds late Friday, and patchy valley fog or
low clouds are possible by Saturday. Depending on how quickly valley
inversions rebuild, Saturday afternoon could be quite warm for this time of
year.

Another weak weather system will clip the Northern Rockies on Sunday. While
light rain or snow is possible in far northwest Montana, the mountains will
be breezy with wind gusts of 25 to 35 mph.

High pressure rebuilds again to start next week. As valley inversions
return, afternoon highs will slowly cool, and valley fog and low clouds
will return each morning.

&&

.AVIATION...Another round of valley fog and/or low clouds will be present
this morning and early afternoon. Southwesterly wind gusts at and just
above ridge tops will increase to 25-30 knots from late morning through
early afternoon as a cold front moves through the Northern Rockies. In the
valleys, this cold front is expected to clear out the persistent fog and
stratus, improving low ceilings and visibility. Scattered light showers
will also occur this afternoon as the front passes. A ridge of high
pressure will return Friday into the early weekend.


&&

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

$$