FXUS65 KMSO 041840 AFDMSO Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Missoula MT 1240 PM MDT Tue Aug 4 2026 .DISCUSSION... KEY MESSAGES: - Smoke continues to impact the region. Northwest Montana gets a short break from the smoke today. - Warming, drying trend will take place through the week. - Breezy conditions at the end of the week pose a fire weather risk starting Friday. Visible satellite imagery this morning shows well-established wildfire smoke in the valleys of the Northern Rockies. The lion's share of wildfire smoke is originating in Washington and Oregon, though local fires are certainly contributing to ongoing poor air quality. Light easterly winds this morning will transport some smoke out of northwest Montana today, especially just west of the Continental Divide. However, smoke dispersion models indicate smoke will become re-established tonight as midlevel flow becomes more westerly. A ridge of high pressure will build over the Northern Rockies through the end of the week. Daytime high temperatures will gradually increase through Friday, when highs will be about 10 degrees above normal. Speaking of Friday, the upper level ridge will begin to break down, resulting in increased westerly winds and dry conditions. These hot, dry, windy conditions will bring increased fire weather concerns for Friday through the weekend. && .AVIATION... Decreased visibility due to smoke from wildfires will be the ongoing impact to aviation today and for the rest of the week (at least). Westerly and northwesterly winds have been transporting smoke from fires burning in Washington and Oregon into the Northern Rockies. This trend will continue for several days. One exception will be this afternoon, when light easterly winds will give northwest Montana a break from the smoke. Visibility reductions have not been below MVFR, and aviators should expect that trend to continue. && .MSO WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... MT...None. ID...None. && $$