Columbia Falls, Montana 7 Day Weather Forecast

Wx Forecast - Wx Discussion - Wx Aviation

332
FXUS65 KMSO 240956
AFDMSO

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Missoula MT
256 AM MST Sat Jan 24 2026

.DISCUSSION...


KEY MESSAGES:

-  Cold temperatures through the weekend, with below zero wind
   chills along the divide

-  Light snow along the Divide and southwest Montana Saturday into
   Sunday morning.

-  Dry, stagnant pattern returns next week January 26-30.

Temperatures are quite cold this morning, ranging from the single
digits above zero to negative single digits across western
Montana...north-central Idaho temperatures are milder from the
teens to 20s though Powell is in the single digits.

A weak shortwave will bring light snow along and west of the
Divide later today through Sunday morning. Snow amounts will range
from a trace up to 2 inches.

Dry conditions return Sunday afternoon and will last into next
week as strong high pressure builds over the region. Valley
temperature inversions will set up, creating stagnant conditions.
A couple of disturbances could bring light mountain snow Thursday
and Friday.



&&

.AVIATION...Light snow will be possible along the Continental
Divide after 2200Z/1500MST this afternoon continuing through
1500Z/0800MST Sunday morning, mainly impacting BTM off and on with
lower ceiling and visibility. A ridge of high pressure building
over the region through early next week, means that the fog and
stratus will eventually become reestablished over the region, but
that will take time, probably at least a couple of days.

&&

.MSO WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
MT...None.
ID...None.
&&

$$