343
FXUS65 KMSO 040949
AFDMSO

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Missoula MT
349 AM MDT Fri Apr 4 2025

.DISCUSSION...

KEY MESSAGES:

- Warming and drying through the weekend due to a ridge of high
  pressure

-Cold front moves through on Monday followed by an active pattern
 next week.

An isolated shower or two will continue to move through the
Northern Rockies early this morning. These showers will be capable
of producing light snow, but impacts should be very minimal.

Yesterday`s widespread precipitation has allowed for the
development of fog across portions of north central Idaho into
northwest Montana, particularly in the valleys of Mineral and
Lincoln counties of Montana along with Clearwater county in Idaho.
The fog is expected to diminish throughout the late morning.

A ridge of high pressure will be building over the Northern
Rockies today through the weekend causing a warming and drying
trend. Temperatures are expected to be 10 to 15 degrees above
seasonal average for Saturday and Sunday.

A cold front is expected to push through the region on Monday.
Temperatures should spike to above seasonal normals before the
frontal passage. The front will bring widespread precipitation,
but any snow should be mainly confined to the highest elevations.
Snow levels will be dropping throughout Monday night into Tuesday
to around 4500 feet. Scattered light showers will still be
linger across the region Monday night which could allow for some
snow accumulations for mountain passes along the Montana/Idaho
border and Marias pass near Glacier National Park.

A secondary surge of moisture is anticipated for Tuesday causing
an increase in shower intensity and coverage. Once again the snow
will be mainly confined to the higher elevations with Hwy 2 from
West Glacier to Marias pass having around a 50% chance of getting
over an inch of snow by Wednesday morning.

A transitory ridge slides through the Northern Rockies some time
between Wednesday into Thursday giving the region around a 24 hour
respite in the shower activity. Then back to showery conditions
for the end of week and potentially into the weekend.

&&

.AVIATION...A few isolated showers continue to move through
western Montana early this morning. KHRF could be impacted by a
light snow shower between 04/10z to 04/13z causing a reduction in
visibility and lowered ceiling. Fog has developed in the valleys
of north central Idaho up into northwest Montana this morning.
KGPI has the potential for vicinity fog this morning. The fog will
dissipate throughout the morning. After the fog burns off, fair
flying conditions are expected as a ridge of high pressure builds
over the Northern Rockies.


&&

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

$$