Lakeside, Montana 7 Day Weather Forecast

Wx Forecast - Wx Discussion - Wx Aviation

586
FXUS65 KMSO 181025
AFDMSO

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Missoula MT
325 AM MST Sat Jan 18 2025

.DISCUSSION...

KEY MESSAGES:

- Dangerous wind chills (-30F to -40F) near and along the
  Continental Divide Sunday night into Monday morning.

The Arctic air mass that crossed the Continental Divide yesterday remains
stalled along the Idaho/western Montana border and is expected to stay in
this area through Sunday, when a secondary surge of cold air
pushes into the region. Snow showers this morning are concentrated
along and ahead of the frontal boundary, particularly in the
Bitterroot Valley and the Highway 12 corridor into north- central
Idaho. These areas could see another 1 to 2 inches of snow today.
Cold and breezy conditions will persist across the Northern
Rockies.

Forecast models are trending towards a snowier pattern late
tonight into Sunday as a shortwave moves through northwest flow
aloft. A deep dendritic growth zone will lead to high snow ratios,
possibly resulting in a widespread 1 to 2 inches of light, fluffy
snow, especially in western Montana. While snow totals may be
modest, the dry nature of the snow could create slippery roads and
localized reductions in visibility.

Sunday into Sunday night, a secondary Arctic surge will bring even colder
air to western Montana and north-central Idaho, with dangerous wind chills
of -30F to -40F near the Continental Divide and bitterly cold conditions
farther west. By early next week, this Arctic air will expand
into central Idaho, bringing single-digit lows Monday morning,
while much of Montana remains below zero.

Extreme Cold Warnings are in effect for the Butte/Blackfoot and
Potomac/Seeley Lake regions Sunday through Monday morning. Cold Weather
Advisories are in place for wind chills of -15F to -30F in the
West Glacier region, Flathead/Mission and Missoula valleys, and
Lemhi County. If traveling of spending time outdoors dress in
layers, cover exposed skin, and protect pets and livestock.

On Monday, Arctic air interacting with the relatively warm waters
of Flathead Lake may produce lake-effect snow, primarily
affecting the southern half of the lake and Highway 35. Be
prepared for rapidly changing conditions.

Temperatures are expected to gradually moderate by midweek as the Arctic
air moves out, though they will remain below seasonal averages. Long-range
models suggest a 50% chance of another Arctic air mass affecting western
Montana beyond a week. Stay prepared for extended below-average
temperatures and wintry conditions.

&&

.AVIATION...

A push of Arctic air has worked into western Montana and has
stalled out generally along the Idaho/western Montana border.
Areas of light to moderate snow showers will be common through
this morning along and ahead of the cold front, bringing
occasional reduced visibility, especially through north central
Idaho and along the Highway 93 corridor between Missoula and Lost
Trail Pass. The next push of Arctic air arrives in Northwest
Montana early Saturday (around 12Z at KGPI) with northeasterly
gusts of 25-35 kts. These easterly winds will impact the remainder
of western Montana Saturday but at diminished speeds of 15-25
kts, although a bit stronger near canyon gaps. Forecast models
have trended towards a snowier pattern for late Saturday night
into Sunday, with widespread light snow anticipated across mainly
western Montana. Anticipated low ceilings and lowered visibility.

&&

.MSO WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
MT...Winter Weather Advisory until 5 PM MST this afternoon for
     Bitterroot/Sapphire Mountains...Butte/Blackfoot Region...
     Flathead/Mission Valleys...Lower Clark Fork Region...
     Missoula/Bitterroot Valleys...Potomac/Seeley Lake Region...
     West Glacier Region.

     Cold Weather Advisory from 5 AM Sunday to 11 AM MST Monday for
     Bitterroot/Sapphire Mountains...Flathead/Mission Valleys...
     Missoula/Bitterroot Valleys...West Glacier Region.

     Extreme Cold Warning from 5 AM Sunday to 11 AM MST Monday for
     Butte/Blackfoot Region...Potomac/Seeley Lake Region.

ID...Winter Weather Advisory until 4 PM PST this afternoon for
     Northern Clearwater Mountains...Southern Clearwater
     Mountains.

     Cold Weather Advisory from 5 AM Sunday to 11 AM MST Monday for
     Eastern Lemhi County...Western Lemhi County.

&&

$$