Our warning trend truly begins today with afternoon highs reaching the 70s. Aside from a couple of very isolated showers in southwestern Montana, everybody will be dry under the influence of an upper-level ridge of high pressure. Expect sunny to mostly sunny skies.
A surface low develops off the Canadian Rockies tonight and travels eastward tomorrow with a weak cold front. This will create some showers and thunderstorms along the boundary in the afternoon from Dillon to Lewistown. An isolated thunderstorm could reach as far north as Helena. Highs will still be in the 70s and 80s, even with a cold front coming through.
Friday will be a mainly dry day again, aside from exiting showers and thunderstorms in southeastern Montana. Temperatures will reach the upper 70s to low 80s.
Saturday will be the warmest day of the year for many. An amplified upper-level ridge ahead of a slow-moving cold front ushers in much warmer air from the southwest. Highs reach the 80s and 90s for most east of the Continental Divide. But with the added instability created by the approaching trough, afternoon thunderstorms will pop in western Montana.
Sunday has the potential to produce some stronger thunderstorms for Mother's Day. Hail and wind will be the main threats. Most of eastern Montana will be in the 90s, while slightly cooler air begins to make its way into the west.
Next week will be cooler and stormy as the upper-level trough fully enters Montana.
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WEATHER ALERTS:
A LAKE WIND ADVISORY has been issued for Fort Peck Lake from 9 AM Wednesday until 10 PM Wednesday
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Helena Temperature Records Today:
High: 86 (1992)
Low: 22 (1885)
AVG: 64/39
Great Falls Temperature Records Today:
High: 86 (1987)
Low: 24 (1892)
AVG: 62/35
Have a great Wednesday!
Joey Biancone
Meteorologist
