Marine Weather and Tide Forecast for Polson, MT
April 23, 2024 12:09 AM MDT (06:09 UTC) Change Location
 | Sunrise 6:29 AM Sunset 8:41 PM Moonrise 7:48 PM Moonset 5:18 AM |
Area Discussion for - Missoula, MT
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FXUS65 KMSO 221924 AFDMSO
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Missoula MT 124 PM MDT Mon Apr 22 2024
DISCUSSION
Brief ridging builds in tonight and Tuesday with valley high temperatures on Tuesday well into the 60s (70s for north-central Idaho).
Southwest flow advects mid-level moisture into the Northern Rockies Wednesday afternoon into Thursday leading to scattered shower chances. The best chances will be south of I-90 but given the dry low levels, precipitation amounts should be minimal. The westerly pressure gradient increases mid-week as well with afternoon breezes.
Ensembles continue to support a large trough settling over the western U.S. Friday through the upcoming weekend. Much of the energy in the trough is expected to dig into the Great Basin but there is still a decent potential (roughly a 60% chance) for a mid level low to form just south of our region. At this time, late Friday into early Saturday appears to be the best window for closed low formation. Precipitation would be widespread if this low forms, otherwise less precipitation in the form of scattered daily showers would be the alternate scenario. Another question is snow levels, they are currently forecast at 5500-6500 feet, but could trend lower closer to 4500 feet if a well- developed closed low does pass just south of the region. The main implication would be pass level road impacts if these lower snow levels are realized. This is something we will continue to watch as closed low development and location are difficult to pin down this far in the future.
The pattern into the first week of May favors continued unsettled conditions and opportunities for closed lows (and widespread precipitation potential) across the Northern Rockies which fits well with Spring climatology.
AVIATION
VFR conditions are anticipated through Tuesday.
Typical afternoon breezes of 15-20 kts will be common but subside around sunset each day.
MSO WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES
MT...None.
ID...None.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Missoula MT 124 PM MDT Mon Apr 22 2024
DISCUSSION
Brief ridging builds in tonight and Tuesday with valley high temperatures on Tuesday well into the 60s (70s for north-central Idaho).
Southwest flow advects mid-level moisture into the Northern Rockies Wednesday afternoon into Thursday leading to scattered shower chances. The best chances will be south of I-90 but given the dry low levels, precipitation amounts should be minimal. The westerly pressure gradient increases mid-week as well with afternoon breezes.
Ensembles continue to support a large trough settling over the western U.S. Friday through the upcoming weekend. Much of the energy in the trough is expected to dig into the Great Basin but there is still a decent potential (roughly a 60% chance) for a mid level low to form just south of our region. At this time, late Friday into early Saturday appears to be the best window for closed low formation. Precipitation would be widespread if this low forms, otherwise less precipitation in the form of scattered daily showers would be the alternate scenario. Another question is snow levels, they are currently forecast at 5500-6500 feet, but could trend lower closer to 4500 feet if a well- developed closed low does pass just south of the region. The main implication would be pass level road impacts if these lower snow levels are realized. This is something we will continue to watch as closed low development and location are difficult to pin down this far in the future.
The pattern into the first week of May favors continued unsettled conditions and opportunities for closed lows (and widespread precipitation potential) across the Northern Rockies which fits well with Spring climatology.
AVIATION
VFR conditions are anticipated through Tuesday.
Typical afternoon breezes of 15-20 kts will be common but subside around sunset each day.
MSO WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES
MT...None.
ID...None.
Airport Reports
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Missoula, MT,
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