Special Weather Statement, NWS Great Falls, MT

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Great Falls MT
305 PM MDT Wed Aug 4 2021

.SYNOPSIS...

The recent warmth will continue through Thursday, with just some
isolated showers and thunderstorms across the area. Cooler air
will begin to work into the area on Friday, bringing highs in the
70s for most of the area over the weekend, as well as additional
shower and thunderstorm chances.

&&

.DISCUSSION...

Unsettled weather will continue through the weekend as a brief
break in the otherwise hot and dry summer pattern continues. A
weak upper level disturbance will push through the area today, and
has already begun to kick off a few isolated showers and
thunderstorms across the plains this afternoon. Given the rather
dry lower levels, there will be some risk of strong, gusty outflow
winds with showers and storms today, especially as they collapse.

Another, more potent disturbance will push into the area tomorrow
afternoon from the southwest, which will bring a higher chance for
afternoon showers and thunderstorms, especially across
Southwestern Montana. With a dry mixed layer again tomorrow, these
showers and thunderstorms may be on the gusty side, and lightning
outside of the thunderstorms will create a concern for new fire
starts. With that in mind, a Red Flag Warning has been issued for
portions of Southwestern Montana for tomorrow afternoon. As of now
it goes through midnight, but a transition to wetter, more
widespread thunderstorms may allow for this to end a little
earlier than currently expected.

As we head into the weekend, upper level troughing will set up
across the Northern US and Canadian Rockies, which will result in
a cooler and wetter air mass working its way into Montana. Highs
across most of the area this weekend will only reach into the 70s
at lower elevations, with the higher elevations topping out in the
50s. Might have to watch snow levels to see if some of the higher
peaks in Glacier see a few snowflakes, but odds are that snow
levels stay just above the peaks.

After the cooler weekend, upper level ridging will build back
into the area next week, bringing us back to more seasonable
temperatures with few chances for precipitation. Ludwig

&&

.AVIATION...
1150 AM MDT Wed Aug 4 2021 (04/18Z TAF period)

As high pressure remains overhead today, expect generally light
winds at all terminals. However, skies will remain smoky and hazy
across the area, with periods of MVFR and mountain obscuration. In
addition, there will be a few showers and thunderstorms across the
area, but confidence was too low to put in TAFs, but any
thunderstorm could produce brief gusty winds. After a calm night,
expect showers and thunderstorms to return tomorrow afternoon from
KHLN south. Ludwig

Refer to weather.gov/zlc for more detailed regional aviation weather
and hazard information.

&&

.FIRE WEATHER...

Scattered thunderstorms are expected across Southwestern Montana
tomorrow afternoon through the evening. Given the dry lower
levels, thunderstorms will likely start out on the dry side, with
gusty outflow winds and dry lightning possible. Looking towards
the weekend, Saturday and Sunday will likely be dry and breezy,
with critical fire weather conditions possible both days. Ludwig

&&

.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
GTF  92  54  92  61 /  20  20  10  30
CTB  90  52  89  60 /  30  30   0  20
HLN  95  60  94  61 /  20  10  20  50
BZN  90  54  91  55 /  20  10  30  60
WYS  80  43  81  47 /  30  20  30  70
DLN  87  53  86  53 /  20  10  40  80
HVR  91  58  92  63 /  20  40   0  20
LWT  88  55  90  59 /  20  30  10  30

&&

.TFX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
Red Flag Warning from noon Thursday to midnight MDT Thursday
night Central and Eastern Lewis and Clark National Forest
Areas...Helena and Townsend Ranger Districts of the Helena
National Forest...Lincoln Ranger District of the Helena National
Forest.

Red Flag Warning from noon Thursday to midnight MDT Thursday
night Deerlodge/Western Beaverhead National Forest...Eastern
Beaverhead National Forest.

&&

http://www.weather.gov/greatfalls

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Great Falls MT
336 PM MDT Wed Aug 4 2021

MTZ012-014-042200-
Cascade MT-Central and Southern Lewis and Clark MT-
336 PM MDT Wed Aug 4 2021

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of eastern Lewis and
Clark and southwestern Cascade Counties through 400 PM MDT...

At 335 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 11
miles northeast of Wolf Creek, or 13 miles southwest of Cascade,
moving east at 15 mph.

HAZARD...Winds in excess of 30 mph. Brief heavy rain also possible.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects.

Locations impacted include...
Tower Rock State Park, Craig, and the Harris Mountain Fire area.

This includes Interstate 15 between mile markers 231 and 250.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

This storm may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio
stations and available television stations for additional information
and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.

&&

LAT...LON 4704 11202 4722 11198 4722 11156 4696 11162
TIME...MOT...LOC 2135Z 278DEG 13KT 4713 11189

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...30 MPH

SC

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Great Falls MT
344 PM MDT Wed Aug 4 2021

MTZ010-042215-
Eastern Glacier MT-
344 PM MDT Wed Aug 4 2021

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of northeastern Glacier
County through 415 PM MDT...

At 344 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 17
miles northeast of North Browning, or 26 miles northwest of Cut Bank,
moving east at 25 mph.

HAZARD...Winds in excess of 30 mph and half inch hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
         possible.

This storm will remain over mainly rural areas of northeastern
Glacier County.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

This storm may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio
stations and available television stations for additional information
and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.

&&

LAT...LON 4876 11293 4886 11291 4887 11260 4871 11262
TIME...MOT...LOC 2144Z 270DEG 20KT 4880 11286

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...30 MPH

CMC

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Great Falls MT
359 PM MDT Wed Aug 4 2021

MTZ010-042245-
Eastern Glacier MT-
359 PM MDT Wed Aug 4 2021

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of north central
Glacier County through 445 PM MDT...

At 359 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 28
miles north of North Browning, or 33 miles northwest of Cut Bank,
moving east at 20 mph.

HAZARD...Winds in excess of 30 mph and half inch hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
         possible.

This storm will remain over mainly rural areas of north central
Glacier County.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

This storm may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio
stations and available television stations for additional information
and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.

&&

LAT...LON 4899 11288 4900 11256 4890 11255 4893 11296
      4900 11296
TIME...MOT...LOC 2159Z 265DEG 17KT 4897 11286

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...30 MPH

CMC

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Great Falls MT
409 PM MDT Wed Aug 4 2021

MTZ010-044-042300-
Eastern Glacier MT-Toole MT-
409 PM MDT Wed Aug 4 2021

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of east central Glacier
and northwestern Toole Counties through 500 PM MDT...

At 409 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 12
miles north of Cut Bank, moving east at 25 mph.

HAZARD...Winds in excess of 30 mph and half inch hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
         possible.

Locations impacted include...
Sunburst, Kevin and Santa Rita.

This includes Interstate 15 between mile markers 389 and 393.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

&&

LAT...LON 4874 11245 4890 11243 4893 11189 4868 11190
TIME...MOT...LOC 2209Z 273DEG 22KT 4881 11229

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...30 MPH

CMC

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Great Falls MT
413 PM MDT Wed Aug 4 2021

MTZ012-054-042245-
Cascade MT-Meagher MT-
413 PM MDT Wed Aug 4 2021

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of northwestern Meagher
and south central Cascade Counties through 445 PM MDT...

At 412 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 16
miles southeast of Cascade, moving southeast at 25 mph.

HAZARD...Winds in excess of 30 mph and pea size hail. Brief heavy
         rain is also possible.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
         possible.

This storm will remain over mainly rural areas of northwestern
Meagher and south central Cascade Counties.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

This storm may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio
stations and available television stations for additional information
and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.

&&

LAT...LON 4700 11168 4717 11158 4706 11107 4682 11123
TIME...MOT...LOC 2212Z 293DEG 23KT 4706 11154

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...30 MPH

SC

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Great Falls MT
414 PM MDT Wed Aug 4 2021

MTZ012-014-048-042245-
Cascade MT-Southern Rocky Mountain Front MT-
Central and Southern Lewis and Clark MT-
414 PM MDT Wed Aug 4 2021

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of central Lewis and
Clark and west central Cascade Counties through 445 PM MDT...

At 414 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 13
miles southwest of Fort Shaw, or 16 miles northwest of Cascade,
moving east at 30 mph.

HAZARD...Winds in excess of 30 mph and half inch hail. Brief heavy
         rain is also possible.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
         possible.

Locations impacted include...
Cascade.

This includes the following highways...
 Interstate 15 between mile markers 253 and 265.
 Highway 200 between mile markers 111 and 124.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

This storm may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio
stations and available television stations for additional information
and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.

&&

LAT...LON 4728 11214 4746 11212 4749 11156 4722 11158
TIME...MOT...LOC 2214Z 272DEG 25KT 4737 11203

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...30 MPH

SC