506
FXUS65 KGGW 081059
AFDGGW

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Glasgow MT
359 AM MST Wed Jan 8 2025

.DISCUSSION...

KEY MESSAGES:

 - Much warmer temperatures are expected through the end of the
   week.

 - A mix of rain, snow, and freezing rain are possible today along
   with gusty northwest winds producing blowing snow.

 - An Alberta clipper is expected to cross the region Friday and
   Saturday bringing accumulating snow.

WEATHER PATTERN OVERVIEW:

Pacific shortwave sliding through the northern Rockies will bring
much warmer air eastward, pushing the arctic airmass eastward.
With the chinook followed by a weak cold front/cold air advection,
gusty winds are anticipated today into tonight with the potential
for blowing and drifting snow. The cold front will also bring the
potential for light precipitation, which could occur as rain,
snow, or freezing rain. Accumulations of ice or snow are expected
to be light.

Upper ridge builds onshore on Thursday followed by a Pacific
shortwave to cross the Canadian Rockies and spin up a lee low over
Alberta. This low dives southward into the northern Plains on
Friday, spreading snow into Montana Friday night into Saturday.
Snow will linger through the weekend with arctic high pressure
pushing into the plains.
FORECAST CONFIDENCE & DEVIATIONS:

Medium to high confidence in the warmer temperatures on today as
the NW winds will mix out the cold inversion.

Medium confidence on precipitation type for tonight into Thursday
depending on the mixing out of the inversion. Winds will be strong
enough for blowing snow, especially in the northeast, but have low
confidence on the blow ability of the snow.

Low confidence in precip amounts for the weekend storm.



&&

.AVIATION...
VFR for today, with MVFR to IFR possible overnight with a band of
mixed precipitation sliding across the region. Icing potential is
moderate to high overnight with the chance for freezing rain,
especially at KOLF.



&&

.GGW WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
None.
&&

$$

weather.gov/glasgow