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000
FXUS65 KMSO 131016
AFDMSO

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Missoula MT
316 AM MST Fri Dec 13 2019

.DISCUSSION...Widespread show will continue through the early
morning hours this morning, particularly in the Seeley/Swan
Region, where the higher snow amounts for all valleys have been
received. Also, Lookout, Lolo, and Marias Passes will continue to
experience periods of low visibility and hazardous driving. For
the rest of western Montana and north-central Idaho, snow is more
scattered in nature with variable conditions. This afternoon,
snow will become showery, throughout the Northern Rockies, with
mountain snow continuing and occasionally making it down to area
valleys.

Northwesterly flow is still forecast to develop and influence
north-central Idaho and western Montana during this weekend. This
flow pattern leads to cooler temperatures and lower snow levels,
so precipitation type will primarily be snow during Saturday and
Sunday. Model guidance show shortwave disturbances on both
Saturday and Sunday, which will provide the lift for showers to
develop. Snow amounts appear to be variable from one location to
the next, due to indications that showers may organize into bands
on Saturday. These bands can further enhance the variability of
snow amounts. If traveling through or around north-central Idaho
and western Montana during this weekend, please plan on snow over
mountain passes, and periods of snow and reduced visibility at
lower elevations. Travel impacts may linger into Monday under
continued northwesterly flow.

Valley fog may start to develop early next week, after the recent
moisture and a transition into high pressure. The strength of
next weeks high pressure is somewhat uncertain, but extended
model guidance tend to agree that an active weather pattern will
return by the end of next week.

&&

.AVIATION...Light snow will continue for KGPI, periodically
reducing visibility and ceilings through 13/1700Z this morning.
For KMSO and KSMN, snow will be more scattered in nature, creating
lesser impacts. Patchy fog will also be possible, especially for
KSMN around sunrise, but could also impact KMSO at a lesser
extent. Mountain obscurations will continue throughout the day
today, as mountain showers will continue through sunset.


&&

.MSO WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
MT...Winter Weather Advisory until 11 AM MST this morning
     Bitterroot/Sapphire Mountains.

     Winter Weather Advisory until 11 AM MST this morning Lower Clark
     Fork Region.

     Winter Weather Advisory until 11 AM MST this morning
     Flathead/Mission Valleys.

     Winter Weather Advisory until 11 AM MST this morning West
     Glacier Region.

     Winter Weather Advisory until 11 AM MST this morning
     Kootenai/Cabinet Region.

     Winter Weather Advisory until 11 AM MST this morning
     Potomac/Seeley Lake Region.

ID...Winter Weather Advisory until 10 AM PST this morning Northern
     Clearwater Mountains...Southern Clearwater Mountains.

     Winter Weather Advisory until 11 AM MST this morning Western
     Lemhi County.

&&

$$