MISSOULA, MT — Monsoon moisture is pushing north into the region, setting up afternoon and evening thunderstorms while temperatures stay above normal into next week. The main concern today is that a few storms could turn strong to severe, bringing hail, damaging wind, heavy rain and frequent lightning.
Clearing skies this morning should give the atmosphere several hours of sun, which can add instability by late afternoon. The Storm Prediction Center has placed the area under a Marginal to Slight Risk for severe weather.
Storm Threat This Afternoon
Storms are expected to start over the mountains of central Idaho and northeast Oregon early this afternoon. From there, they should spread north into western Montana through the evening.
Forecasters said some storms may become better organized, especially near the Continental Divide in western Montana and across the Camas Prairie in Idaho. The strongest cells could produce hail larger than 1 inch and wind gusts of 60 mph or higher.
What Residents May See
Along with hail and wind, the storms could bring brief heavy rain and frequent lightning. Those hazards can develop quickly, even in storms that do not stay severe for long.
The setup points to an active late-day period after the morning clears out. Anyone with outdoor plans should expect changing conditions as storms build.
Another Round Friday
A second round of strong storms is possible Friday, though the severe weather risk appears a little lower than today. Gusty winds, hail, lightning and brief heavy rain could still show up.
That means the stretch of unsettled weather is not ending after one round. The atmosphere remains capable of producing scattered thunderstorms into the end of the workweek.
Weekend Turns Hotter
By the weekend, more areas are expected to trend warmer and drier, with fewer thunderstorms in the forecast. Saturday may also turn breezy.
High temperatures this weekend are expected to reach the low to mid 90s, keeping the region in a summer heat pattern even as storm chances ease.
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