Smell You Later, Smoke!

The weather is certainly changing once again across Montana. After days of very smoky and hot weather, the air has begun to cool and clear. Reduced activity from California wildfires has helped but a shift in the wind from the southwest to the west has begun to push the smoke out of the state. On Thursday the wind will continue a shift to more of a northwest and north direction. This will suppress much of the smoke and poor air quality to the south. A few thunderstorms are possible along I-90 but most of the state will be sunny and dry with comfortable temperatures in the 70s and 80s. Friday will be a gorgeous August day with sunshine, light wind, clean air and highs in the 70s and 80s. Saturday's weather will revert back to high fire danger. As a cold front approaches the state, the wind will really increase as the humidity plummets. Highs will reach the upper 80s and low 90s. Please be mindful of the fire danger. That next cold front will move through Montana early on Sunday. There will be widespread showers through the afternoon. Highs will only be in the 50s and 60s. The airmass will be cold enough for snow in the mountains above 7000' at least. This storm will really mark the beginning of the end of fire season. While there still will be fire danger through September and possibly into October, the beginning of September will be cooler than normal with an increase in lower elevation rain and high mountain snow.
Have a great day!
Curtis Grevenitz
Chief Meteorologist