Marine Weather and Tide Forecast for Polson, MT
March 19, 2024 7:05 AM MDT (13:05 UTC) Change Location
Sunrise 7:38 AM Sunset 7:50 PM Moonrise 12:57 PM Moonset 4:52 AM |
Area Discussion for - Missoula, MT
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FXUS65 KMSO 190844 AFDMSO
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Missoula MT 244 AM MDT Tue Mar 19 2024
DISCUSSION
Strong high pressure locked in over the Northern Rockies will bring another spectacular spring day. Unseasonably warm valley temperatures, some 10-15 degrees above normal, will hover around the 70 degree mark. The lower valleys across central Idaho will be in the mid 70s to around the 80 degree mark.
Above normal temperatures will continue into Wednesday for the majority of the Northern Rockies, just not as warm as it has been recently thanks to an increase in some cloud cover. Breezy west winds will develop in the afternoon.
The ridge will begin to weaken late this evening as a Canadian cold front banks up against the Continental Divide near Glacier National Park. At the same time, moisture moving through the northern periphery of the ridge, will allow for the development of mountain snow showers over Marias Pass late Tuesday evening and early Wednesday. A tightening easterly gradient ahead of the advancing cold front will also introduce breezy easterly winds along Highway 2 from Marias Pass to West Glacier Wednesday, ushering in much colder air.
The colder Canadian air-mass will be slow to advance further south into the rest of western Montana, not entering the rest of northwestern Montana until late Thursday. A shortwave moving onshore of the Pacific NW will bring light snow to most elevations north of Flathead Lake during this time, though only minimal valley impacts due to snow are anticipated. How far south the cold air advances remains relatively uncertain, with around a 65% chance of reaching as far south as Missoula by late Saturday.
A series of shortwaves will continue to traverse the Northern Rockies through the weekend, bringing modest snow accumulations to area mountain passes. As for the valleys, most accumulations through this weekend will likely occur during the overnight and early morning hours. Current projections have around 4 inches of snow accumulating during a 72hr period Friday through Sunday for the valleys north of I-90. While snow is likely to fall for area valleys south of the Interstate, accumulations are much more uncertain at this time. The mountains and mountain passes are more likely to see accumulating snow, with a 70% chance for 6 inches or more during the same period.
More seasonable temperatures and unsettled weather conditions will persist into early next week.
AVIATION
VFR conditions will occur at all terminals through 20/1200z. KGPI will begin to receive a northeasterly wind to 10 knots this afternoon.
MSO WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES
MT...None.
ID...None.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Missoula MT 244 AM MDT Tue Mar 19 2024
DISCUSSION
Strong high pressure locked in over the Northern Rockies will bring another spectacular spring day. Unseasonably warm valley temperatures, some 10-15 degrees above normal, will hover around the 70 degree mark. The lower valleys across central Idaho will be in the mid 70s to around the 80 degree mark.
Above normal temperatures will continue into Wednesday for the majority of the Northern Rockies, just not as warm as it has been recently thanks to an increase in some cloud cover. Breezy west winds will develop in the afternoon.
The ridge will begin to weaken late this evening as a Canadian cold front banks up against the Continental Divide near Glacier National Park. At the same time, moisture moving through the northern periphery of the ridge, will allow for the development of mountain snow showers over Marias Pass late Tuesday evening and early Wednesday. A tightening easterly gradient ahead of the advancing cold front will also introduce breezy easterly winds along Highway 2 from Marias Pass to West Glacier Wednesday, ushering in much colder air.
The colder Canadian air-mass will be slow to advance further south into the rest of western Montana, not entering the rest of northwestern Montana until late Thursday. A shortwave moving onshore of the Pacific NW will bring light snow to most elevations north of Flathead Lake during this time, though only minimal valley impacts due to snow are anticipated. How far south the cold air advances remains relatively uncertain, with around a 65% chance of reaching as far south as Missoula by late Saturday.
A series of shortwaves will continue to traverse the Northern Rockies through the weekend, bringing modest snow accumulations to area mountain passes. As for the valleys, most accumulations through this weekend will likely occur during the overnight and early morning hours. Current projections have around 4 inches of snow accumulating during a 72hr period Friday through Sunday for the valleys north of I-90. While snow is likely to fall for area valleys south of the Interstate, accumulations are much more uncertain at this time. The mountains and mountain passes are more likely to see accumulating snow, with a 70% chance for 6 inches or more during the same period.
More seasonable temperatures and unsettled weather conditions will persist into early next week.
AVIATION
VFR conditions will occur at all terminals through 20/1200z. KGPI will begin to receive a northeasterly wind to 10 knots this afternoon.
MSO WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES
MT...None.
ID...None.
Airport Reports
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