485
FXUS65 KMSO 190801
AFDMSO

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Missoula MT
201 AM MDT Fri Jul 19 2024

...Excessive Heat through Early Next Week...

.DISCUSSION...Model consensus remains strong for several days of
excessive heat beginning today and continuing into next week.
Temperatures will soar into the 100-115 degree range in much of
central Idaho and western Montana valleys. Midslopes and ridgetops
will also experience high temperatures, ranging from the 70s to
80s during the day. Wildfire smoke may inhibit full daytime
heating, potentially preventing the most extreme temperatures from
occurring. Despite this, with prolonged excessive heat and
overnight lows remaining in the 60s to 70s, both Heat Warnings and
Heat Advisories remain in effect for a large portion of western
Montana and central Idaho. For more information on your exact area
and any heat impacts, please visit www.weather.gov/missoula.

Heat safety for both humans and animals will be crucial during
this time and should not be taken lightly. The presence of smoke
in the air will degrade air quality, adding to the stress on the
body. Those sensitive to both heat and poor air quality should
take special care to ensure their well-being.

Relief is expected as the high-pressure ridge shifts east by the
middle of next week, with a low-pressure center moving inland from
the Washington coast by Friday. Temperatures will start to cool a
few degrees each day beginning as early as Tuesday (July 23), but
any major improvement will depend on the timing and track of the
low-pressure system.


&&

.AVIATION...
Hot and dry conditions will persist into the weekend, with light
winds except for typical afternoon gusts of 10-20 knots. High-
density altitude will remain a concern due to the abnormally hot
temperatures. Smoke from regional and local wildfires will create
hazy skies and localized visibility reductions.





&&

.MSO WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
MT...Excessive Heat Warning from 1 PM this afternoon to midnight MDT
     Tuesday night for Kootenai/Cabinet Region...Lower Clark
     Fork Region.

     Heat Advisory from 1 PM this afternoon to midnight MDT Tuesday
     night for Flathead/Mission Valleys...Missoula/Bitterroot
     Valleys...Potomac/Seeley Lake Region...West Glacier Region.

ID...Excessive Heat Warning from noon today to 11 PM PDT Tuesday for
     Lower Hells Canyon/Salmon River Region...Northern
     Clearwater Mountains...Orofino/Grangeville Region...
     Southern Clearwater Mountains.

&&

$$