Sunny and Warm Weather Ahead for Missoula

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High pressure will bring sunny and warm weather to Missoula, Montana over the next couple of days, with highs reaching the mid-50s to low-60s on Wednesday and the upper-50s to mid-60s on Thursday. Temperatures will climb further on Friday, topping out in the mid-60s to low-70s, though more clouds will start to move in. A southwesterly flow ahead of an incoming trough of low pressure will bring a good chance of scattered thunderstorms on Saturday, with highs still well above average in the mid-60s to low-70s before dropping behind a cold front into the low to mid-50s on Sunday with rain expected.

Why it matters

Warm, sunny weather is a welcome change for Missoula residents after a long winter, allowing them to enjoy outdoor activities. However, the approaching thunderstorms on Saturday could disrupt weekend plans and the return to mountain snow and valley rain early next week may signal the start of a shift in the weather pattern.

The details

According to the forecast, high pressure will remain in the Missoula region through Friday, leading to ample sunshine and above-average temperatures. On Wednesday, highs are expected to reach the mid-50s to low-60s, with breezy west winds up to 20-25 mph. Thursday will see continued sunshine with highs in the upper-50s to mid-60s, while Friday will be the warmest day of the stretch with highs in the mid-60s to low-70s, though more clouds will start to move in. The weather pattern will then shift on Saturday as a southwesterly flow ahead of an incoming trough of low pressure brings a good chance of scattered thunderstorms, with highs still well above average in the mid-60s to low-70s. Temperatures will then drop behind a cold front on Sunday, with highs only reaching the low to mid-50s and rain expected.

• On Wednesday, highs will reach the mid-50s to low-60s.
• On Thursday, highs will be in the upper-50s to mid-60s.
• On Friday, highs will climb to the mid-60s to low-70s.
• On Saturday, there is a good chance of scattered thunderstorms, with highs in the mid-60s to low-70s.
• On Sunday, highs will drop to the low to mid-50s with rain expected.

What’s next

The National Weather Service will continue to monitor the weather patterns and provide updated forecasts as the weekend approaches, alerting residents of Missoula to any changes in the thunderstorm potential or temperature trends.