Just a few days ago Montana was in the midst of the worst heatwave of the year, as highs reached between 100-110. The last two mornings were chilly for August standards, as lows dipped into the 20s, 30s and 40s. Now the pendulum is swinging back in a warmer direction with another round of summer heat. Wildfires will grow over the next several days as temperatures increase, humidity decreases, and the wind increases to a steady afternoon breeze. An AIR QUALITY WARNING is in effect for northwest Montana do to smoke and “unhealthy” air quality. Most of the state will be between “moderate” and “unhealthy for sensitive groups” for the next several days. Wednesday will be hazy and hot with highs in the upper 80s and low 90s. Thursday will be hot and hazy too, but an isolated thunderstorm or two will develop over the western mountain in the afternoon. New lightning strikes could create new wildfires, and this will be a concern for Friday through the weekend as well. A wave of low pressure will move into western Montana on Friday with scattered thunderstorms. A few storms will move through on Saturday, Sunday and Monday as well. These storms will produce rainfall as well, but last week’s thunderstorms created more chaos than help as many lightning strikes turned into new fires.
Have a nice day.
Curtis Grevenitz
