Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Great Falls, MT
Issued by NWS Great Falls, MT
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183 FXUS65 KTFX 022258 AFDTFX Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Great Falls MT 458 PM MDT Thu May 2 2024 .SYNOPSIS... Chilly and wet weather continues slowly across north central and central Montana, today. Warmer weather is forecast for Saturday; however, temperatures quickly cool, while active weather returns to the area on Sunday. && .UPDATE... 5 PM Update...Forecast updated to remove the winter highlights for North Central and Southwest MT except for the Bears Paw Mountains area. Scattered snow showers will continue to affect mostly Central and North Central MT through the late evening hours, however the main impact will just be reduced visibility. Impacts to roadways will be limited, thus the advisory has been cancelled. The rest of the forecast is on track. Brusda && .AVIATION... 1131 AM MDT Thu May 2 2024 (02/18Z TAF Period) The primary concern will be for continued sub-VFR conditions, primarily across the plains. Although coverage of snow and rain looks to decrease this afternoon, sub-VFR ceilings look to remain on the plains through Friday morning. Further south across Central and Southwest Montana valleys, concerns for precipitation and low ceilings are lower. A period of rain/snow will be around in the vicinity of the Helena Valley this afternoon and early evening, otherwise these areas look to be rather benign this TAF period. Mountains will be obscured across North-central and portions of Central Montana. -AM Refer to weather.gov/zlc for more detailed regional aviation weather and hazard information. && .PREV DISCUSSION... /ISSUED 304 PM MDT Thu May 2 2024/ Note: The forecast area for the National Weather Service Great Falls Weather Forecast Office includes north central, central and southwest Montana. The current weather producer moves slowly across our region, today. Mountain snowfall continues, while low elevation moisture, mostly, turns to rainfall. Most moisture falls across north central and central Montana. With daytime temperatures warming, I`ve allowed to expire or cancelled Winter Storm Warnings, as well as, some Winter Weather Advisories. In the case of the Winter Storm Warning that was in effect for the Little Belt and Highwood Mountains, I`ve issued a Winter Weather Advisory, in its place. Please, see WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES section, below for current information on winter weather products. Breezy to gusty winds, continue. Wet conditions, along with cool temperatures, and even cooler wind chill temperatures, cause hypothermia concerns for those who may be working or recreating in the backcountry areas. - Fogleman A transient/weak upper level ridge develops Friday across the northern Rockies and shifts east across the area Saturday for a brief period of drier weather between the current upper level low affecting the region and the next one moving onto the west coast this weekend. Temperatures warm some on Friday but remain below seasonal averages with widespread overnight low temperatures likely to fall below freezing under lighter winds and clearing skies Friday night before a seasonably mild and dry day on Saturday. Multi-model ensembles are in broad agreement to take the next next upper level low eastward into the Great Basin by Sunday with southerly flow ahead of this feature importing warmer air and moisture into the region on Sunday. This will bring an increased risk for showers as well as thunderstorms from south to north across the area Sunday afternoon and evening with confidence in timing and additional details decreasing by early next week, though an overall pattern featuring above average precipitation chances is likely, especially for eastern portions of north- central MT. Hoenisch && .PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS... GTF 29 50 26 63 / 70 40 0 0 CTB 27 49 26 59 / 70 10 0 0 HLN 29 55 31 69 / 30 20 0 0 BZN 23 52 28 66 / 20 10 0 0 WYS 17 47 20 59 / 20 10 0 0 DLN 24 52 30 65 / 20 0 0 0 HVR 27 50 27 64 / 50 40 0 0 LWT 24 42 23 59 / 70 50 0 0 && .TFX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... Winter Weather Advisory until 6 AM MDT Friday for Bears Paw Mountains and Southern Blaine. && $$ http://www.weather.gov/greatfalls