Happy Fall! The weather pattern over the next few days will certainly reflect the new season. A "Pineapple Express" jet stream from the Pacific will direct several storms toward Montana that will result in some rain, a lot of wind, varying temperatures and even a little mountain snow. The activity should keep the air quality good across much of Montana. Rain will fall across much of Washington, Oregon, Idaho and western Montana which will diminish fire activity there. East of the Divide will be a little different with downsloping dry wind that will limit rainfall. What we lack in rain will be made up in wind, a lot of wind. The beginning of this pattern will push into Montana on Wednesday with upper level moisture producing clouds. The wind will begin to ramp up across the plains. Thursday will be a very windy day for most of the state. Rain will mainly fall along and west of the Divide. Friday will be cool, mostly cloudy, windy, and showers will be more numerous west of the Divide. This weekend, clouds will dominate the sky. Everywhere will be windy. Scattered showers are possible Saturday and Sunday. More showers are possible Sunday night into Monday east of the Divide. The pattern will switch to sunny, dry and warmer starting on Tuesday.
Have a great day.
Curtis Grevenitz
Chief Meteorologist
