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-- Discussion containing changed information from previous version are highlighted. --
904
FXUS65 KTFX 231441
AFDTFX

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Great Falls MT
841 AM MDT Fri Apr 23 2021

.UPDATE...

Area remains under a cyclonic NW flow aloft this morning with a
weak embedded shortwave disturbance moving across the area
resulting in light snow or snow showers in many areas early this
morning. This feature has brought a more in the way of clouds/ice
crystals aloft to seed the lower levels with most precipitation
this morning falling as snow. Still, plenty of low level moisture
lingers through this morning for patchy fog and many roads across
the area remain slick from overnight precipitation. This will
improve by late this morning as light snow diminishes and moves
out to the east with the shortwave disturbance. Lingering low
level moisture and light easterly flow at the surface will keep
clouds in place across portions of north-central and central MT
into this afternoon with partial clearing expected elsewhere. A
few snow showers will develop across mainly the mountain areas of
central and SW MT this afternoon as the airmass destabilizes some.
Hoenisch

&&

.SYNOPSIS...

Light freezing drizzle and or snow is expected to persist through
the morning hours today, with gradually improving conditions this
afternoon. Areas of fog are then possible tonight across most of
the Northern Rockies, especially where skies clear and winds
become light and variable.

&&

.AVIATION...
545 AM MDT Fri Apr 23 2021 (23/12Z TAF period)

A mix of MVFR/IFR conditions prevail under post-frontal low clouds
producing areas of light snow.  Light freezing drizzle has occurred
overnight across portions of central Montana, including KGTF, as
liquid cloud droplets are gently lifted in the sub freezing
temperatures. There is moderate confidence these conditions could
develop at KBZN/KEKS this morning through about 14Z. Satellite
imagery and short-term models indicate the low cigs will persist
through much of the morning, gradually lifting and beginning to
break up by early afternoon. As cloud cover thins overnight, we`ll
need to monitor for widespread fog potential early Saturday morning.

Refer to weather.gov/zlc for more detailed regional aviation
weather and hazard information.

&&

.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
GTF  41  27  48  32 /  60  10  60  70
CTB  39  25  42  29 /  20  10  50  60
HLN  49  31  53  35 /  40   0  70  90
BZN  49  30  55  34 /  30   0  60  70
WYS  49  23  46  28 /  30  10  70  70
DLN  52  33  54  33 /  20   0  40  40
HVR  42  25  51  34 /  20   0  30  50
LWT  37  24  49  31 /  60  20  70  80

&&

.TFX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
Winter Weather Advisory until noon MDT today Northern Rocky
Mountain Front...Southern Rocky Mountain Front.

&&

$$

http://www.weather.gov/greatfalls