190
FXUS65 KMSO 171004
AFDMSO

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Missoula MT
404 AM MDT Fri May 17 2024


.DISCUSSION...Widespread rains have developed this early morning
across western Montana and the Idaho panhandle ahead and along the
first cold frontal push. In addition to areas of rain, westerly
winds will gusts between 15-25 mph this morning.

A secondary front with colder air will move into the region from
British Columbia this afternoon. Colder temperatures with an
unstable atmosphere will trigger showers and even a few
thunderstorms this afternoon and evening. The frontal passage
today will also contain some strong winds very similar to what we
had yesterday, frequent gusts of 25-40 mph.

Wind advisories are in effect today across central Idaho, west
central and southwest Montana. Winds will be stronger in the
vicinity of showers where a strong shower may well produce gusts
around 50 mph. Snow levels will drop to around 5000 this evening
however showers will have diminished enough for any kind of
impact.


Saturday will be dry but cool. A large baggy trough will settle
over the western U.S. Sunday through the beginning of Memorial
weekend. Several weather disturbances will develop and move
through this trough bringing occasional rains and some higher
elevation snow. Snow levels will fluctuate between 6000 and 7000
feet next week with little impacts.


&&

.AVIATION...A cold front will move through the NR today through
this evening. Gusty west-northwest winds will impact all terminals
today with frequent gusts of 25-35 knots. Expect mountain
obscurations, lower visibility and gusty outflows to 40 mph in the
vicinity of showers this afternoon and evening. A few isolated
thunderstorms will occur this afternoon.

&&

.MSO WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
MT...Wind Advisory from noon today to 8 PM MDT this evening for
     Butte/Blackfoot Region...Missoula/Bitterroot Valleys.

ID...Wind Advisory from noon today to 8 PM MDT this evening for
     Eastern Lemhi County...Western Lemhi County.

&&

$$