BOZEMAN – Noticeable wildfire smoke has once again settled into SW Montana. Air quality conditions are not nearly as terrible as last week but it’s still noticeable with moderate ratings for most reporting stations in our area.
The next weather maker will greatly improve air quality and scrub out most of the lingering smoke beginning Thursday.
A strong cold front will pass through the state from West to East Thursday. This front could produce scattered showers, but the biggest impact will be surface wind gusts over 30 mph locally and 0ver 50 mph along the Rocky mountain front.
A FIRE WEATHER WATCH is up for most of Montana east of the divide and does include the eastern half of SW Montana. The combination of strong surface winds, lower humidity, and warmer than normal temperatures will produce higher fire danger.
So please be very careful with outdoor activities Thursday afternoon and evening to avoid starting new fires.
Once the front passes to our east look for cooler temperatures to move back in Thursday evening through Saturday with a NW flow aloft.
A disorganized upper-level trough will produce scattered showers Friday into Saturday morning but will come to an end by Sunday as a new High-pressure ridge builds over the region.
