A RED FLAG WARNING has been issued for Friday because of thunderstorms producing lightning strikes and erratic wind, but the storms will also produce rain. An AIR QUALITY WARNING is in effect for western areas of the Hi-Line into Friday morning for unhealthy air. Much of the state is facing moderate air quality at best. Temperatures will cool somewhat, the humidity will increase, and showers of rain will continue Friday night into Saturday morning for western and central Montana. Not much moisture will move up to the Hi-Line until later in the weekend and early next week. Friday will be warm in the western areas with highs in the 80s, but falling into the 70s and 60s where thunderstorms move through. The thunderstorms will again produce lightning, but also rain. Wind will increase near the thunderstorms in the afternoon and evening. Even though these storms will be “wet”, the rain may not be heavy enough to douse a lightning-sparked new wildfire. So, some new wildfire starts are likely. Eastern Montana will be smoky, hot and dry. Highs will mainly be in the 90s, but a few places like Glasgow will top 100. Friday night into Saturday morning, showers and a few thunderstorms will continue in the west-central part of the state. Saturday will be a mostly cloudy and cooler day with showers and areas of rain in the morning. By the afternoon, the sun will pop through the clouds and the atmosphere will destabilize enough to pop scattered thunderstorms. Once again, the storms will produce lightning but also rainfall. Highs will be in the 70s to around 80. Sunday will be partly cloudy and smoky again. Afternoon thunderstorms will continue at night into Monday morning. Highs on Sunday and Monday will be in the 70s for the most part, with lows in the 40s and 50s. Cooler air will help the fire situation.
Have a nice day.
Curtis Grevenitz
