902
FXUS65 KMSO 031857
AFDMSO

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Missoula MT
1257 PM MDT Thu Apr 3 2025

.DISCUSSION...

KEY MESSAGES:

-  A Canadian cold front is bringing snow to northwest Montana,
   including the Flathead valley through this afternoon

-  Temperatures will increase going into the weekend, peaking on
   Sunday

-  Low pressure moves into the Northern Rockies Monday PM -
   Tuesday AM

Minor winter weather impacts are lingering in northwest Montana
this afternoon behind a Canadian cold front that moved over the
Continental Divide this morning. Snow will continue, moving
southward as the afternoon unfolds. Expect rain turning to light
snow this afternoon for west-central Montana including Missoula,
the Bitterroot Valley, and possibly Butte. The main feature
resulting in today`s winter weather, a Canadian low and an
associated cold front, will move east tonight while high pressure
builds in its wake.

Clouds will decrease on Friday as temperatures begin to rise.
Daytime highs will get into the 60s by Saturday in the valleys of
western Montana, while the lower Salmon and Clearwater valleys
flirt with 70. Sunday is still looking like the warmest day during
this period of high pressure. Montana will start to see 70
degrees as the Bitterroot Valley has some upper 60s to low 70s in
their forecast. Elsewhere in Montana, expect mid to upper 60s in
the valleys. Meanwhile, in Idaho, the forecast shows upper 70s for
the lower Salmon/Clearwater valleys.

Low pressure will take back over by Monday night. Snow levels will
remain at mountain pass level or above, and precipitation will be
focused on Continental Divide in MT, and Clearwater and Idaho
Counties in ID, especially in the higher terrain. A dusting of new
snow on Lookout, Lolo, Lost Trail, and Marias Passes on Tuesday
morning should not be a surprise to motorists. A cool, active
pattern will persist through about Wednesday under moist southwest
flow aloft.


&&

.AVIATION...A cold front will continue to slide to the south and
west during this afternoon and evening, potentially impacting
KMSO and KBTM with decreasing visibility and ceiling with
rain/snow showers. Gusty north or northeasterly winds will
accompany precipitation. Clouds will decrease overnight tonight as
high pressure builds for Friday.


&&

.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.
&&

$$