BOZEMAN – Strong SW flow aloft is pushing sub-tropical moisture into Idaho this afternoon and it will continue to lift into Montana tonight through Thursday.
Scattered thunderstorms are possible over SW Montana Wednesday late afternoon into the early evening hours. Most storms should diminish after midnight.
The Storm Prediction Center has a “slight” risk for severe thunderstorms over SW Montana Thursday afternoon into Thursday evening.
This means there is a chance some of the thunderstorms could produce property damage. Due to the very dry air at the surface, as thunderstorms develop evaporation from falling moisture hitting the dry lower levels will produce stronger micro-burst wind gusts. Erratic wind gusts over 60 mph could produce property damage and combined with numerous lighting strikes new fire starts are also possible.
Hopefully, some storms will produce brief heavy rain Thursday afternoon but this time of the year we worry about dry thunderstorm activity.
