Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Glasgow, MT

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000 FXUS65 KGGW 202011 AFDGGW Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Glasgow MT 211 PM MDT Sat Apr 20 2024 .DISCUSSION...
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KEY MESSAGES: 1) A return toward spring is expected the rest of this weekend as a broad ridge pattern builds into the area this week. 2) Strong winds and near critical fire weather concerns come in on Monday. WEATHER PATTERN OVERVIEW: There is a surface high pressure system in place today, and a warm day is expected on Sunday ahead of the next quick moving low pressure system. Winds will be switching direction to the northwest on Sunday night, with high (80 percent) confidence that wind gusts will reach or exceed 40 mph on Monday. Very little precipitation accumulation, if any, will be associated with this disturbance. The combo of wind and lack of precipitation suggest near critical fire weather conditions, so a Fire Weather Watch is in place for the day Monday. Areas south of a line extending from the Little Rockies to Culbertson are the most susceptible to fire weather conditions. CONFIDENCE AND POTENTIAL DEVIATIONS FROM BASE FORECAST: Confidence is high for temperatures, low precipitation amounts, and the general wind pattern. With regard to near critical fire weather conditions moving into red flag criteria Sunday night into Monday, moderate confidence exists. No departures were made from the NBM at this time, but the focus will be on the accuracy of wind forecast values Sunday through Monday night. -Zanker/Stoinskers
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&& .AVIATION...
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LAST UPDATED: 2030Z FLIGHT CAT RANGE: VFR DISCUSSION: High pressure has moved in, resulting in quiet flying conditions through tonight with mostly clear skies and light winds. WIND: Northwest winds 5 to 10 knots, becoming light and variable after 00Z, becoming south at 5 to 10 knots after 09Z, increasing to 10 to 20 knots after 15Z.
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&& .FIRE WEATHER...
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A strong cold front will move through the area late Sunday night into Monday morning. Latest NBM model run suggests precipitation probabilities will remain mainly north of the Missouri River, and and that sustained wind speeds of 25 to 35 mph will be widespread across the entire area. Over the past two weeks, Dawson, Prairie, and Wibaux county have received around 25 percent of normal precipitation, ERC values are around 60 percent in eastern MT. Based on this, there is high (70 percent) confidence locations south of a line from the Little Rockies to Culbertson will have near critical conditions for fire weather on Monday. This is in response to forecast winds reaching and/or exceeding RH values during Monday afternoon. A Fire Weather Watch will be in effect for Zones 122, 135, 136, and 137 on Monday.
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&& .GGW WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
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Fire Weather Watch from Monday morning through Monday evening for Dawson/McCone/Prairie/Richland/Wibaux Counties-Southern Petroleum and Southern Garfield Counties-The Little Rockies-The Lower Missouri River Breaks including the Charles M Russell National Wildlife Refuge.
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&& $$ weather.gov/glasgow

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