471
FXUS65 KMSO 110936
AFDMSO

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Missoula MT
336 AM MDT Tue Mar 11 2025

.DISCUSSION...

KEY MESSAGES:

- Occasional pass level snow and slick roads, mainly overnight/early
  morning periods throughout the week.

- Continued cool/ Spring like weather pattern into early next week

*Snowy Passes This Morning, Unsettled Weather Ahead*

Cold temperatures this morning will allow 2 to 4 inches of snow
to accumulate on roadways at Lookout and Lolo Passes. Travel
impacts should remain confined to these higher elevations, as
valley roads are above freezing, with only occasional rain or snow
showers making it to the surface.

*Midweek Moisture & Rising Snow Levels*

Moisture continues to flow into the Northern Rockies through Wednesday
and Thursday, bringing rising snow levels between 4,000 and 5,000
feet. The ID/MT border and Lemhi County passes can expect several
more inches of snow late Wednesday into Thursday, with a chance
of some overnight and early morning road coverage. By late
Thursday, snow levels drop to valley floors, but precipitation
looks scattered and disorganized into Friday. The chance of
valley snowfall has decreased, with probabilities now under 30%
along the Divide and under 15% for valleys near US-93 and the
Camas Prairie.

*Weekend Outlook: More Mountain Snow, Spring-Like Showers*

Forecast models continue to support another trough moving into
the western U.S. late this weekend into early next week,
delivering more mountain snowfall, particularly along the ID/MT
border and northwest Montana. However, widespread precipitation
remains unlikely, with the pattern favoring spring-like,
scattered showers rather than a well-organized storm system.
Valley impacts appear minimal at this time.


&&

.AVIATION...An unstable atmosphere today will bring showers and
mountain obscurations across much of north central Idaho and
west-central Montana. Showers will be most focused on the terrain
but valleys will see a few showers which could briefly drop
ceilings/visibility, mainly for KMSO through 11/1800z. Breezy
southwest to west winds will continue in the terrain, especially
across southwest Montana, with gusts up to 25 kts, including at
KBTM. Other valleys will see some breezy afternoon winds, but
overall lighter than what was experienced on Sunday.


&&

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

$$