Whitefish, Montana Weather Forecast Discussion

612
FXUS65 KMSO 260853
AFDMSO
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Missoula MT
253 AM MDT Fri Sep 26 2025
.DISCUSSION...
KEY MESSAGES:
- A ridge builds back over the region for Saturday and Sunday with
  temperatures warming back into the 80s in valleys.
- High confidence in a pattern change next week with beneficial
  precipitation in north-central ID, with lower confidence in
  precipitation amounts in W. MT.
Today will be cooler and breezier than the previous days but also
shortlived. Saturday and Sunday temperatures slowly warm, with
locations south and east of I-90 potentially warming 10 to 15
degrees above normal.
Monday a digging Pacific trough produces southerly flow over our
region, transporting monsoon moisture into the Northern Rockies.
Initially in these situations mainly cloud storms develop due to
a dry surface layer and a few storms initiating in the mountains
via orographic uplift. Analysis of the atmosphere on Monday would
suggest a few storms or virga showers capable of producing strong
outflow winds up to 40 mph.
Tuesday the atmosphere moistens up sufficiently and showers and
thunderstorms become more numerous. The best confidence of
beneficial precipitation remains in the valleys and mountains of
north-central ID and the mountains of western MT. Currently, valleys
of western MT, south of I-90, have a 25 to 50% chance of
receiving at least 0.10" or a wetting rain.
Areas north of I-90 may not get into the mix until Wednesday and
Thursday as the main Pacific low pressure system moves onshore,
potentially taking a track through the panhandle of ID into
southern Canada. Stay tuned to the forecast as this system
continues to come into focus.
&&
.AVIATION...Gusty west winds of 15-25 knot range are possible this
afternoon and early evening. Generally, VFR conditions will be
present through Saturday.
&&
.MSO WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
MT...None.
ID...None.
&&
$$

NWS MSO Office Area Forecast Discussion