Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Missoula, MT
Issued by NWS Missoula, MT
036 FXUS65 KMSO 030731 AFDMSO Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Missoula MT 131 AM MDT Wed Jul 3 2024 .DISCUSSION...Showers and thunderstorms continued overnight across northwest Montana and along a portion of the Continental Divide, with the expectation that thunderstorm coverage will expand across most of western Montana through the day today. North central Idaho will largely miss out on the shower and thunderstorm activity today. Northwesterly flow will continue on Thursday and Friday, keeping unstable and showery conditions in western Montana, but gradually decreasing as high pressure builds to the west and shoves any remaining moisture east of the Divide and out of our area. Confidence remains high that an extended period of heat will occur, starting this weekend and continuing well into next week. The middle of next week looks to be the hottest period, with valleys in central Idaho hitting the 100-115 degree range, and western Montana valleys reaching into the 90s to 105 degree range by next Wednesday (July 10th). Nighttime temperatures only look to cool into the 50s to 60s, which will make it difficult for those without air conditioning or any other manner of sufficiently cooling down to find respite from the heat. Please check on the elderly, those susceptible to heat, and protect all animals/livestock during this stretch of hot temperatures. && .AVIATION...Showers and thunderstorms will exist early this morning at KGPI and the greater northwest Montana region through late morning. The extra rain will increase the chance of fog this morning as well. This disturbance, combined with above-average atmospheric moisture, is expected to increase thunderstorm coverage across most of western Montana this afternoon and evening. North central Idaho airspace will largely miss out on today`s convective activity. && .MSO WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... MT...None. ID...Excessive Heat Watch from Sunday afternoon through Tuesday evening for Lower Hells Canyon/Salmon River Region... Orofino/Grangeville Region. && $$