The first full week of summer will be very active with strong to severe thunderstorms. A large area of low pressure over the eastern Pacific will slowly push toward Montana over the next several days. This low will send waves of energy into Montana each day, resulting in thunderstorm development. Tuesday’s storms will be confined to the southwest and west central areas in the state. While these thunderstorms likely will not be severe, any thunderstorm activity is dangerous. Highs will be below average yet again, in the 60s and 70s. Wednesday the energy will increase and the strength of the thunderstorms will also pick up. An isolated severe storm or two are possible. Highs again will be below average in the 70s. Thursday, the area of low pressure will move through the Pacific Northwest getting closer to Montana. The energy, atmospheric spin and upper level wind shear will increase. These conditions will set the stage for supercell thunderstorm development. Large hail and violent wind are the most likely severe aspects. But with supercell storms, these thunderstorms rotate. There is a slight chance for an isolated tornado. The worst storms will likely be off the Rocky Mountain Front and across northcentral Montana through the evening hours. Thunderstorms will hit the state again on Friday, with the activity decreasing over the final week of June. Real summer heat will move into Montana heading into the July 4th holiday weekend.
Have a great day.
Curtis Grevenitz
