708
FXUS65 KMSO 031335 CCA
AFDMSO

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Missoula MT
357 AM MDT Thu Apr 3 2025

.DISCUSSION...

KEY MESSAGES:

-  A Canadian cold front will bring snow to northwest Montana,
including the Flathead valley late into Thursday

- Warmer and drier conditions Friday into the weekend

- Cold front and active weather Monday through Wednesday


The Canadian cold front is currently pushed up against the
Continental Divide around Glacier National Park. Temperatures on
the west side of the Divide around in the low to upper 30 degree
temperature range while the readings on the east side are in the
low to mid 20 degrees. This air mass is still expected to push
across the Divide today causing an enhancement in the snow
production across northwest Montana. Several winter weather
advisories are currently out for the potential impacts of snow on
roadways this morning causing difficult driving conditions.

Another area of concern is Lookout pass and Evaro hill this
morning as some scattered showers are producing light snow in the
higher elevations. These aforementioned passes could experience a
period of snow covered roadways if a heavy enough shower passes
through this morning.

A ridge of high pressure begins to build over the Northern Rockies
Friday into the weekend. Temperatures should be in the 60s for
most valley locations by Saturday which is around 10 degrees above
seasonal averages. Sunday should experience an addition 5 degrees
warming compared to Saturday.

A cold front is still on track to push through the Northern
Rockies on Monday causing gusty westerly winds along with
widespread precipitation. Snow levels will be dropping to across
5000 feet Monday night into Tuesday morning which could cause
another round of snow accumulations on mountain passes. A cool and
active weather pattern persists through Wednesday. All the models
are indicating that a ridge rebuilding for the latter part of the
work week will bring another round of warm and dry conditions.

&&

.AVIATION...Scattered snow showers will continue to impact
northwest Montana during the early morning hours mainly affecting
KGPI and KMSO. A Canadian cold front will push westward over the
Continental Divide today causing an enhancement of snow over
Northwest Montana. This cold front will continue to slide to the
south and west during the afternoon and evening, potentially
impacting KMSO and KBTM.

&&

.MSO WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
MT...Winter Weather Advisory until 3 PM MDT this afternoon for
     Flathead/Mission Valleys...Kootenai/Cabinet Region...West
     Glacier Region.

ID...None.
&&

$$