Flood Watch 4, NWS Missoula, MT

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WGUS65 KMSO 141151
FFAMSO

Flood Watch
National Weather Service Missoula MT
551 AM MDT Wed Jun 14 2017

IDZ009-010-MTZ005>007-141300-
/O.EXP.KMSO.FA.A.0004.000000T0000Z-170614T1200Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Western Lemhi County-Eastern Lemhi County-
Missoula/Bitterroot Valleys-Bitterroot/Sapphire Mountains-
Butte/Blackfoot Region-
551 AM MDT Wed Jun 14 2017

...FLOOD WATCH WILL EXPIRE AT 6 AM MDT EARLY THIS MORNING...

Area streams, creeks and rivers will continue to run swift and 
high. However the threat for significant flooding has likely come
to an end and thus the Flood Watch for portions of east central 
Idaho and west central Montana will expire at 6 AM MDT early this 
morning. 

$$

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Missoula MT
247 PM MDT Tue Jun 13 2017

.DISCUSSION...Over the past 24 hours, rainfall amounts of 2 to 3
inches with locally higher amounts of 3.50 inches have been
observed over the Bitteroot and Sapphire Range. This has caused a
rapid rise in small streams and creeks and is currently
overflowing over roads and into some homes in areas. Due to the
ongoing flooding, a Flood Warning remains in effect till tonight
for Granite and Ravalli county.

Latest satellite imagery is showing the center of the closed low
centered over central Montana. As this low continues to move east,
precipitation will continue to decrease over southwest Montana
and west central Montana this afternoon and evening. The heavy
rain has dissipated, but periods of light to moderate rain will
continue through the afternoon. Rainfall is expected to dissipate
by midnight tonight. With the decrease in precipitation, we do
expect streams and creeks to begin leveling off tonight. Rivers
across the area will continue to see a rise over the next 24-48
hours and we currently have a Flood Watch for the Bitteroot and
Clark Fork River. The latest projections from the River Forecast
Center is showing the Clark Fork River near Drummond and the
Bitterroot River near Missoula approaching Flood stage on
Wednesday.

For northwest Montana, wrap around moisture is expected to
continue through tonight with steady periods of moderate rain
especially along the Continental Divide. An additional 0.4 - 0.7
inches of rain will be possible for the higher terrain of Glacier
park through tonight.

A weak transitory ridge will slide over the Northern Rockies on
Wednesday into Thursday morning causing a respite in
precipitation and a slight warming trend. Then a cold front swings
through the region causing the upper level flow to become westerly
for the end of the week. The front and westerly flow will keep
showers and a few afternoon/evening thunderstorms around the area.
This westerly flow will also producing breezy to potentially even
windy conditions on Thursday afternoon and especially on Friday.

A few showers could linger into Saturday as a ridge of high
pressure builds along the west coast. The ridge is anticipated to
slide over the Northern Rockies by Sunday and into the first part
of next week. This ridge appears to keep the region dry with
temperatures running slightly above normal.

&&

.AVIATION...Steady rain impacting terminals with decreased
ceiling and visibility will slowly end by 14/0600Z. With some
clearing expected, areas of fog and local dense fog, are likely
to develop late tonight. Visibility could become particularly low
at KGPI and KMSO by dawn on Wednesday, June 14th.

&&

.MSO WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
MT...Flood Watch through late tonight Butte/Blackfoot Region.

     Flood Watch through late tonight Bitterroot/Sapphire Mountains...
     Missoula/Bitterroot Valleys.

     Flood Watch through late tonight West Glacier Region.

ID...Flood Watch through late tonight Eastern Lemhi County...Western
     Lemhi County.

&&