FXUS65 KMSO 121946 AFDMSO Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Missoula MT 146 PM MDT Sun Apr 12 2026 .DISCUSSION... KEY MESSAGES: - Tonight-Monday: Widespread precipitation and mountain snow above 5000 feet. - Wednesday-Thursday: Significant cold front, snow levels down to around 1500 feet by Thursday morning. Light valley snow accumulations and moderate travel impacts in the mountains. Satellite and radar is showing that the lowered cloud deck is making its way into north central Idaho and west central Montana. While the bulk of the precipitation is still lingering in southern Idaho. The precipitation will steadily move northward into the region by mid to late afternoon and linger over the region throughout the night into Monday morning. Idaho and Clearwater Counties will receive the bulk of the precipitation during this event. The models are struggling on how the band of precipitation will drape over western Montana tonight. The latest guidance is showing the band mainly impacting an area from Lookout pass to Swan Valley, but this band could shift to the north or south. The placement of this band will be the deciding factor on which mountain passes could have some slushy conditions by Monday morning. A significant cold front is still on track to impact the Northern Rockies on Wednesday with a trough of low pressure moving through the region on Thursday. The area should anticipate significantly cooler temperatures by Thursday along with widespread precipitation with most valley locations experiencing at least some light snow fall. The uncertainty lies in how the precipitation will develop over the Northern Rockies during this period. The guidance is leaning towards the bulk of the precipitation falling during the frontal passage followed by a lingering showers, instead of wrap around steady precipitation lasting for 24-48 hours. At this time, the valleys are not expected to receive any significant impacts from the snow. While the mountain passes could experience a storm total snowfall of 4 to 9 inches causing moderate travel impacts. A ridge of high pressure is anticipated to slide over the region by the weekend bringing a warming and drying trend. && .AVIATION...Showers and thunderstorms will be moving into the region this afternoon and evening impacting most terminals with a lesser extent at KGPI. The shower activity will transition to steady precipitation over north central Idaho tonight with a band extending into western Montana. Latest model solutions are showing this band developing between KMSO and KGPI tonight. Areas under the band of precipitation should expected lowered ceilings and visibility for the majority of the night. The feature moves out of the region by Monday afternoon leaving behind scattered showers. && .MSO WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... MT...None. ID...None. && $$