FXUS65 KMSO 190801 AFDMSO Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Missoula MT 201 AM MDT Fri Jul 19 2024 ...Excessive Heat through Early Next Week... .DISCUSSION...Model consensus remains strong for several days of excessive heat beginning today and continuing into next week. Temperatures will soar into the 100-115 degree range in much of central Idaho and western Montana valleys. Midslopes and ridgetops will also experience high temperatures, ranging from the 70s to 80s during the day. Wildfire smoke may inhibit full daytime heating, potentially preventing the most extreme temperatures from occurring. Despite this, with prolonged excessive heat and overnight lows remaining in the 60s to 70s, both Heat Warnings and Heat Advisories remain in effect for a large portion of western Montana and central Idaho. For more information on your exact area and any heat impacts, please visit www.weather.gov/missoula. Heat safety for both humans and animals will be crucial during this time and should not be taken lightly. The presence of smoke in the air will degrade air quality, adding to the stress on the body. Those sensitive to both heat and poor air quality should take special care to ensure their well-being. Relief is expected as the high-pressure ridge shifts east by the middle of next week, with a low-pressure center moving inland from the Washington coast by Friday. Temperatures will start to cool a few degrees each day beginning as early as Tuesday (July 23), but any major improvement will depend on the timing and track of the low-pressure system. && .AVIATION... Hot and dry conditions will persist into the weekend, with light winds except for typical afternoon gusts of 10-20 knots. High- density altitude will remain a concern due to the abnormally hot temperatures. Smoke from regional and local wildfires will create hazy skies and localized visibility reductions. && .MSO WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... MT...Excessive Heat Warning from 1 PM this afternoon to midnight MDT Tuesday night for Kootenai/Cabinet Region...Lower Clark Fork Region. Heat Advisory from 1 PM this afternoon to midnight MDT Tuesday night for Flathead/Mission Valleys...Missoula/Bitterroot Valleys...Potomac/Seeley Lake Region...West Glacier Region. ID...Excessive Heat Warning from noon today to 11 PM PDT Tuesday for Lower Hells Canyon/Salmon River Region...Northern Clearwater Mountains...Orofino/Grangeville Region... Southern Clearwater Mountains. && $$