A RED FLAG WARNING has been issued for most of the state until midnight.
A LAKE WIND ADVISORY remains in effect from noon until 8 pm.
A HEAT ADVISORY remains in effect from noon today until 8 pm.
AN AIR QUALITY WARNING has been issued for the entire state until this afternoon.
Today will not be a good day to be outside for an extended period of time. Not only will it be hot, but wildfire smoke will continue to impact the air quality across the state. As of 7:30 AM, several locations air quality was UNHEALTHY FOR SENSITIVE GROUPS and UNHEALTHY. Hot temperatures trending in the 90s and triple digits, combine with strong west winds that are expected to gust up to 40 mph at times, and humidity expected to drop into the teens will heighten fire danger. A few showers will be likely over portions of southwest and central Montana.
Tuesday, a shift in the weather pattern will help relieve heat from the region. The wind will shift to a northerly flow, and that will allow a period of improving air quality. A potent cold front will push through the area and bring much-needed rain and cool the temperatures down nearly 30degrees. Tuesday's rain will be beneficial not only to firefighters but also to ongoing drought conditions. Heavy downpours can be expected Tuesday night into Wednesday over many locations in west-central, southwest, central and north-central Montana. Rain totals will likely exceed over an inch by Thursday morning. With periods of heavy rain, localized flooding cannot be ruled out.
Wednesday will be noticeably colder. The passage of Tuesday's cold front, rain showers, and cloud cover will keep the high temperatures in the 50s and 60s. Overnight lows will be especially cold, so if you have any plants outside, I will encourage you to cover them.
Have a great day.
A.R. 😊
