641
FXUS65 KMSO 111100
AFDMSO

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Missoula MT
400 AM MST Tue Nov 11 2025

.DISCUSSION...

KEY MESSAGES:

 - Stable conditions today causing patchy fog and low stratus

 - Cold front Thursday night bringing gusty winds and widespread
   precipitation

 - Active weather pattern through the weekend into next week


A ridge of high pressure will be building over the Northern
Rockies today causing stable conditions. The developing valley
inversions along with yesterday`s light precipitation has allowed
for the development of patchy fog and low stratus. These
conditions are anticipated to diminish during the late morning
hours today.

A plume of moisture is expected to traverse through Clearwater
county into northwest Montana on Wednesday morning causing
scattered light showers. Snow levels will be around pass level so
light snow accumulations could be experienced on Lolo, Lookout and
Marias passes.

An approaching cold front will create gusty southerly winds over
the Camas Prairie around Grangeville Thursday afternoon. Then the
cold front will push through the Northern Rockies Thursday night
into Friday. This front will bring gusty westerly winds and
widespread precipitation. Snow levels appear to be around 5000
feet by Friday morning, so any impacts from snow will be confined
to the higher terrain, especially for the mountain passes along
the Montana/Idaho border.

The Northern Rockies will be under an active weather pattern
through the weekend into next week. Temperatures will be around
to slightly below seasonal averages during this period. Snow
levels will be low enough that most locations will experience snow
during periods of precipitation this weekend.


&&

.AVIATION...A ridge of high pressure will be building over the
region today causing stable conditions. Strengthening valley
inversions combined with yesterday`s light precipitation has
allowed for the development of fog and low stratus this morning.
KGPI will continue to be impacted by both fog and low stratus
until late morning into early afternoon. KMSO has a high
probability of having fog develop near the terminal around sunrise
this morning. Mid level clouds will hinder the development of
fog/low stratus over KHRF, KSMN and KBTM today.

&&

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

$$