National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office

• Home
• Site Map
• News
• Organization
• Search for: NWS All NOAA 

000
FXUS65 KMSO 171023
AFDMSO

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Missoula MT
423 AM MDT Wed Apr 17 2024


.DISCUSSION...A short wave with scattered snow/graupel showers
has made its presence over the Northern Rockies this early
morning. Little widespread impacts have shown up so far with road
reports all showing Normal conditions thus far. Radar is starting
to show a more organized area of snow over Flathead Lake and
vicinity moving. If it holds up this snow may bring a quick local
dusting of snow on the roads causing some early morning issues
over Highway 93 and Highway 35 around the lake.

Models continue to show a decent area of snow developing this
morning along the continental divide where a couple of inches may
fall. Winter weather advisories have been issued for these area
with the anticipation of winter driving issues during the morning
commute. Scattered showers will continue area wide this afternoon
into Thursday morning as the trough lingers.

It will be cool today and Thursday with highs in the 40s. A
northeast breeze will make it feel like a miserable raw day.

The northeast gradient continues Thursday and Friday with breezy
and cool conditions with temps in the 40s to around 50.
Scattered showers continue through Thursday evening. Breezy winds
will keep area lakes choppy Wednesday through Friday as well.

Saturday will be a pretty nice spring day. A short lived ridge
will bring sunny skies and an increase in temperatures to around
60 degrees along with some light afternoon breezes.

Sunday a quick moving short wave will bring scattered showers to
the region with continued seasonable temperatures.

A flat ridge early to mid next week will hover over us.
Temperatures will rise into the mid 60s to around 70. For the most
part weather conditions will be dry with a few showers across
central Idaho and southwest Montana.


&&

.AVIATION...Scattered snow showers will impact all terminals the
next 24 hours. Expect mountain obscurations and brief lowering
visibilities from showers. KBTM has a better chance of a couple of
hours of stronger showers between 17/1200z and 17/1700z.


$$