National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office

• Home
• Site Map
• News
• Organization
• Search for: NWS All NOAA 

000
FXUS65 KMSO 060828
AFDMSO

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Missoula MT
228 AM MDT Thu May 6 2021

.DISCUSSION...High pressure ridging today will bring a brief taste
of summer with high temperatures in the upper 70s to lowers 80s
for the valleys of western Montana, approaching 90F in the lower
elevations of north-central Idaho. Near-record highs are possible
for a few locations. Even with the warm air temperatures, use
caution if recreating in areas lakes and rivers as water
temperatures are still quite chilly.

Increasing mid level moisture and weak elevated instability may
cause a few high based showers and thunderstorms by early this
evening, especially across north-central Idaho. Given significant
dewpoint depressions, there is a potential of gusty winds with
any shower/thunderstorm activity. Shower coverage will increase
overnight into Friday morning along and behind a cold front but
precipitation amounts will remain on the lighter side. Scattered
showers will continue on Friday with a few thunderstorms possible
in Lemhi County into Southwest Montana during the afternoon. Gusty
winds of 25-30 mph are also possible with the frontal passage and
it will remain breezy at times through Saturday.

A broad trough of low pressure is still anticipated to settle
over the Northern Rockies this weekend into early next week with
high confidence in below normal temperatures and daily shower
activity. Unfortunately, forecast models remain inconsistent on
the details of how widespread and how heavy precipitation will be.
Areas along the Divide will likely see the bulk of the
precipitation, while the rest of the region should plan for the
potential of scattered showers, especially in the afternoon and
evening hours each day.


&&

.AVIATION...VFR conditions are expected today as high and mid
level clouds pass through the region. A few high based showers and
thunderstorms capable of gusty winds are possible by early this
evening with the best chances over north-central Idaho. Shower
coverage will gradually increase overnight into early Friday
morning along and behind a cold front. Gusty winds up to 25 kt
are possible with the frontal passage as well.




&&

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

$$