741
FXUS65 KMSO 120817
AFDMSO

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Missoula MT
217 AM MDT Mon May 12 2025

.DISCUSSION...

KEY MESSAGES:

- Snow levels will start to decrease this evening adding more snow
  in the Anaconda and Pintlar mountains as well as along the
  Continental Divide.

- Cooler and showery conditions continue through the week and into
  next weekend.

A broad trough moves over the region today, causing a shift to
cooler and moister weather. Recent model runs have trended drier
in a strip through west central Montana affecting much of the
Bitterroot Valley and east of Missoula along Highway 200 over
Roger`s Pass and along I-90 towards Garrison Junction. Even still,
everywhere is expected to get some precipitation. Overall, most
valley locations will pick up between 0.20 and 0.75 inches of new
rain by Tuesday evening. Elevations above 6,000 ft will get some
of that new moisture as snow, so if you`re venturing into the back
country, be prepared for Winter weather.

The rest of the week through next weekend will be unsettled with a
chance for showers each day. Daytime highs will be running 5 to 10
degrees cooler than average which is in the 60s. At night, thanks
to increased cloud cover temperatures in the lower valleys could
range in the 40s and 30s in the higher valleys.


&&

.AVIATION...A broad trough moving over the region will cause lower
ceilings and more showers today. MVFR conditions may last for
hours at a time, but any IFR or lower restrictions are expected to
pass pretty quickly with the heavier showers. Snow levels will
also be coming down, and while snow accumulation is not expected
at any terminals, some precipitation may fall as snow at high
elevation terminals like KBTM.



&&

.MSO WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
MT...None.
ID...None.
&&

$$