High Fire Danger On One Of The Hottest Days Of Summer

A RED FLAG WARNING is in effect for much of the state. Friday will be one of the hottest days of the year as temperatures climb into the 90s. Some towns across north central Montana could be in jeopardy of having record highs broken. Southwest wind will increase through the afternoon, and with widespread thunderstorm activity, high fire danger will exist. Thunderstorms will produce rain but also lightning strikes that could spark new wildfires. Erratic winds from thunderstorms could create very hazardous firefighting conditions near wildfires. This weekend will be calmer and cooler. Saturday will still have a good west wind but it will be sunny with just an isolated thunderstorm over the mountains. Highs will be warm in the 80s to around 90, and red flag warning conditions could be reached in the afternoon. Sunday will be a great summer's day with sunny skies and highs in the 80s. The wind will be light and a few isolated thunderstorms will develop through the afternoon. Most locations will be dry this entire weekend. Less thunderstorms mean less lightning. Next week will have warm temperatures and isolated to scattered thunderstorms. While fire danger will remain high, conditions likely will not become extreme. By next weekend, a cooler and wetter weather pattern could develop.
Have a great day.
Curtis Grevenitz