751
FXUS65 KMSO 201004
AFDMSO

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Missoula MT
404 AM MDT Wed Aug 20 2025

.DISCUSSION...

KEY MESSAGES:

- Less hot (closer to normal) rest of the week with another warm
  up for this weekend.

- Patchy wildfire smoke from nearby fires will continue to
  decrease air quality and visibility at times.


A dry and weak cold front will be pushing through the Northern
Rockies today into Thursday morning. This front will push the best
instability for convection across Lemhi county into Southwest
Montana today. Gusty westerly winds will be experienced across the
region with the strongest gusts up to 35 mph being along the
Continental Divide near Glacier NP. Temperatures today are
anticipated to be around 5 degrees cooler compared to yesterday.

A low pressure system over central Canada continues to show a
cooler airmass being pushed southward into central Montana by
Thursday night. This airmass is anticipated to spill over the
divide causing easterly winds for the majority of western Montana.

A strong ridge of high pressure is still on track to develop over
the region this weekend causing temperatures to warm back to
around 6 to 12 degrees above seasonal averages. The low valleys of
central Idaho including Orofino to Riggins will once again break
well into the 100s. These high afternoon temperatures along with
warm overnight readings could lead to significant heat risks.

&&

.AVIATION...Isolated showers will continue to move through Lemhi
county into southwest Montana this morning. These storms will
increase in intensity this afternoon. KBTM and KSMN have the best
potential of being impacted by convection throughout the day.
Gusty westerly winds are expected to develop across the region as
a weak dry cold front pushes through the Northern Rockies.

&&

.MSO WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
MT...Red Flag Warning from 1 PM this afternoon to 10 PM MDT this
     evening for East Beaverhead.

ID...None.
&&

$$