Smoky Big Sky to Improve

A lot going on in the weather across Montana with severe thunderstorms and bad, smoky air. The good news is conditions will improve heading through tonight into Friday. The front that triggered severe thunderstorms will continue to push east through the state into Friday morning. Storms produced heavy rain, violent wind and large hail. The front also will sweep out some of the smoke. A southwest flow brought up smoke from major wildfires in California. As the wind turns to the west by Friday morning, the air quality and visibility will improve. Friday will be a mostly sunny day with a west wind up to 15mph in the afternoon. Highs will range from the upper 80s to the 90s. This weekend will be hot and dry. A front will push through the state on Saturday with an increase in the wind. Along with low humidity, the fire danger will be high. Highs will reach the low to mid 90s for most of the area. Sunday will be breezy as well with high fire danger and highs again in the 90s. Monday, smoke is likely to return to our area as the wind flow switches to the southwest, transporting smoke from California fires. Some moisture will also move into the state in the form of isolated thunderstorms. A cold front will move through the state on Tuesday with scattered thunderstorms and slightly cooler air. With more of a northwest flow, the smoke should once again be pushed out of the area. The rest of the week will be cooler and mainly dry with highs down in the 80s.
Have a great day.
Curtis Grevenitz
Chief Meteorologist