FXUS65 KMSO 120719
AFDMSO

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Missoula MT
119 AM MDT Sat Apr 12 2025

.DISCUSSION...

KEY MESSAGES:

-  A cold front moves across the region today causing  mountain
   snow and valley showers.

- Strong winds with the frontal passage will cause difficult
  conditions for boaters on Flathead Lake today.

- Mild weather returns for early next week.

A trough of low pressure and its associated cold front will move across
the Northern Rockies causing some mountain snow tonight and Sunday
morning. Most of the snow will be in the Whitefish and Swan
mountains and north of the Bob Marshall Wilderness.  Marias Pass is
expected to get around 2 inches and up to 5 inches at the pass,
but remote areas north of the pass will get more, with about a
10% chance of getting over a foot along the Divide in Glacier
Park, as well as the Mission, Swan, and Flathead ranges. Though
elevations below 4,000 ft may also have some snow accumulation,
it's not expected to be much of an impact.

Strong westerly winds behind the front will cause difficult
conditions on Flathead Lake today. High resolution ensembles show
a 70-90 percent chance of having predominant winds over 20 mph
for about 3 hours between 1 PM and 8 PM. The most likely timing is
between 3 PM and 6 PM. Models are showing the strongest winds
mainly on the southern portions of the lake around Wildhorse
Island.

Early next week another ridge builds in and the Northern Rockies will
see more mild weather.

&&

.AVIATION... Gusty west or northwest winds will accompany a cold
front moving through the Northern Rockies airspace this afternoon.
Gusts of 20-30 kts will affect KGPI and KMSO. Expect gusts of
25-35 kts at KBTM after about 12/2200Z. Precipitation in the form
of rain or a rain/snow mix will start this morning with potential
for brief reductions in visibility and ceiling at KMSO and KBTM.
KGPI will see precipitation later this evening and overnight
tonight.

&&

.MSO WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
MT...Lake Wind Advisory from 1 PM this afternoon to 8 PM MDT this
     evening for Flathead/Mission Valleys.

ID...None.
&&

$$