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FXUS65 KMSO 172025
AFDMSO

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Missoula MT
125 PM MST Wed Dec 17 2025

.DISCUSSION...

KEY MESSAGES:

 - Snow and rain Thursday through Saturday: Following the front,
   cooler and unsettled weather will prevail for the remainder of
   the week, with snow levels dropping to valley floors at times
   and periods of mountain snow affecting travel.

 - Mountain snow Sunday and Monday: Another round of mountain
   snow as snow levels rise above 5000 feet Saturday night.

Rains this morning are pushing the YAAK River near Troy back into
action stage. With cooling temperatures today, this should be
temporary, still stay attuned to changing conditions and local
government communications.

Winds will remain elevated through the afternoon but slowly
decrease over time. Any snow shower this afternoon could produce
winds equal to the peak winds this morning of 50 to 60 mph,
greatly reducing visibility. Snow intensities may be sufficient to
produce brief but changeable road conditions.

Thursday will start cooler than previous days with a break in
atmospheric river activity. By afternoon, clouds increase and
precipitation returns. This system will continue roughly 48 hours
with snow levels starting and potentially ending in the valleys.
Valleys could receive accumulations up to 1 inch Thursday evening
before changing to rain, then end with up to an inch of snow on
Saturday. Area mountains will be a different story as mountain
passes receive 7 to 14 inches of snow, while higher elevations
could receive 1 to 2 feet especially along the ID/ MT border. Most
of that snow will fall by Friday morning, 5 to 9 inches, at area
passes. Wind gusts 20 to 30 mph on Friday will produce blowing
and drifting of snow further impacting driving conditions.

After brief high pressure ridging late Saturday, our next system
impacts the region Sunday into Monday.


&&

.AVIATION...Winds will slowly decrease in intensity throughout the
day. However, any shower in the vicinity will be able to produce
gusts up to 45 kts. A drier and cooler air mass has moved into
the Northern Rockies, so any showers will be snow. Rapid
reductions in both visibility and ceilings can be expected in
showers.

Overnight through Thursday morning will see more benign weather.
By afternoon though, clouds increase along with precipitation
chances as the next system arrives.


&&

.MSO WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
MT...Winter Weather Advisory from 1 PM Thursday to 11 AM MST Saturday
     for Bitterroot/Sapphire Mountains...Lower Clark Fork Region.

     High Wind Warning until 5 PM MST this afternoon for
     Bitterroot/Sapphire Mountains...Flathead/Mission Valleys...
     Kootenai/Cabinet Region...Lower Clark Fork Region...
     Missoula/Bitterroot Valleys.

     Winter Storm Warning until 11 PM MST this evening for West
     Glacier Region.

     High Wind Warning until 8 PM MST this evening for
     Butte/Blackfoot Region...Potomac/Seeley Lake Region.

ID...High Wind Warning until 2 PM MST /1 PM PST/ this afternoon for
     Eastern Lemhi County...Lower Hells Canyon/Salmon River
     Region...Northern Clearwater Mountains...
     Orofino/Grangeville Region...Southern Clearwater
     Mountains...Western Lemhi County.

     Winter Weather Advisory from noon Thursday to 10 AM PST Saturday
     for Southern Clearwater Mountains.

&&

$$