An Excuse to Snooze

It has been such a relief across the state to begin seeing moisture and cooler temperatures. The upcoming atmospheric pattern is much welcomed and helpful not only because it's more average for this time of year, but it will work to finally push heavy smoke buildup out of Montana, for a large majority. The western side of the state still will continue to see pretty uncomfortable and poor air quality due to the close proximity to fires. It seems we will finally begin a more permanent trend towards somewhat average conditions and feeling for this time of year, by the weekend. The models stayed pretty straight forward and we started seeing the predicted relief from smoke and air quality issues across the state Wednesday morning as slight showers and a few isolated thunderstorms pressed their way across Montana. These particular bands of moisture worked their way eastward by mid-day Wednesday leaving the afternoon mostly dry for central and western Montana. The beginning to today, Thursday should stay under scattered showers across the central and western side, before we see a large opportunity for moderate to heavy rain with a few thunderstorms across the state. Friday should be a lull in the wet pattern before Saturday through Monday look pretty wet with temperatures in the low 70s. Tuesday rain continues but as a front moves through the state, we'll drop temperature highs to the mid 50s here in Central Montana, allowing snow levels to drop as well, possibly as low as 5000 feet. As always: A cloudy day is no match for a sunny disposition.
Be nice to each other.
- Meteorologist Trey Tonnessen -