FXUS65 KMSO 201004

AFDMSO



Area Forecast Discussion

National Weather Service Missoula MT

404 AM MDT Wed Aug 20 2025



.DISCUSSION...



KEY MESSAGES:



- Less hot (closer to normal) rest of the week with another warm 

  up for this weekend.



- Patchy wildfire smoke from nearby fires will continue to 

  decrease air quality and visibility at times.





A dry and weak cold front will be pushing through the Northern

Rockies today into Thursday morning. This front will push the best

instability for convection across Lemhi county into Southwest

Montana today. Gusty westerly winds will be experienced across the

region with the strongest gusts up to 35 mph being along the

Continental Divide near Glacier NP. Temperatures today are

anticipated to be around 5 degrees cooler compared to yesterday. 



A low pressure system over central Canada continues to show a

cooler airmass being pushed southward into central Montana by

Thursday night. This airmass is anticipated to spill over the

divide causing easterly winds for the majority of western Montana. 



A strong ridge of high pressure is still on track to develop over

the region this weekend causing temperatures to warm back to

around 6 to 12 degrees above seasonal averages. The low valleys of

central Idaho including Orofino to Riggins will once again break

well into the 100s. These high afternoon temperatures along with

warm overnight readings could lead to significant heat risks. 



&&



.AVIATION...Isolated showers will continue to move through Lemhi

county into southwest Montana this morning. These storms will

increase in intensity this afternoon. KBTM and KSMN have the best

potential of being impacted by convection throughout the day.

Gusty westerly winds are expected to develop across the region as

a weak dry cold front pushes through the Northern Rockies. 



&&



.MSO WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...

MT...Red Flag Warning from 1 PM this afternoon to 10 PM MDT this 

     evening for East Beaverhead.



ID...None.

&&



$$