Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Missoula, MT
Issued by NWS Missoula, MT
239 FXUS65 KMSO 031000 AFDMSO Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Missoula MT 400 AM MDT Fri May 3 2024 .DISCUSSION...A ridge of high pressure will be moving over the region today and lingering through Saturday. The Northern Rockies will continue to have a few isolated light showers today, especially during the afternoon hours. Temperatures will be warming over the next 24 to 36 hours as readings are still anticipated to be around 5 degrees above seasonal average by Saturday. The ridge will be short lived as a significant low pressure system will move inland over northern California and track across the Great Basin area Saturday night into Monday. This low pressure system will cause temperatures to drop back to around 10 degrees below average by Monday with widespread precipitation. Snow levels will be dropping to around 5000 feet by Monday morning with north central Idaho into southwest Montana having the potential of receiving a couple inches of snow. The low tracks to the north east into the Dakotas by mid next week. The placement of the low will keep the Northern Rockies in a cool and showery pattern with upslope precipitation impacting the Glacier NP region Tuesday into Wednesday. Marias Pass has the potential of receiving 2 to 4 inches of new snow during this period. Weak northerly flow will persist over the region through the end of the work week keeping temperatures near to slightly below average for this time of year. Then by this weekend the around 70% of the models are showing a ridge of high pressure developing causing a warming and drying trend. && .AVIATION...A ridge of high pressure will be building over the region causing the overnight shower activity to steadily diminish this morning. Enough atmospheric instability should be available this afternoon for the development of a few light showers, especially across extreme northwest Montana. This showers should have little to no impact at area terminals this afternoon and evening. && .MSO WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... MT...None. ID...None. && $$