061
FXUS65 KGGW 290728
AFDGGW

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Glasgow MT
128 AM MDT Wed Jul 29 2026

.KEY MESSAGES...

- Hot temperatures with highs in the 90s west and north and 100 to
  105 east are expected today. A Heat Advisory is in effect today for
  parts of the east where highs of 100 to 105 are expected.

- Isolated to scattered storms are expected this afternoon through
  Thursday night SPC has a Slight Risk of severe storms in the
  east today and a Marginal Risk in all areas Thursday.

- Thursday will be not as hot but the heat returns Friday and
  Saturday with upper ridge. Saturday is expected to be the
  hottest day before a strong cold front Saturday night bring
  cooler temperatures Sunday and Monday.

&&

.DISCUSSION...

WEATHER PATTERN OVERVIEW:

Upper ridging over the western U.S. will remain in place in
varying degrees through at least Saturday. Hot weather will
continue into the weekend. Today will be somewhat hotter with many
areas in the east between 100 and 105 for highs and heat impact
reaching into major in some of the 100+ areas. Will issue a Heat
Advisory for several zones in the east today.

Smoke from western Montana and Pacific NW wildfires will continue
to be over the area today and tonight with unhealthy air quality
at times and variable visibility.

Weak waves will move through the ridge at various times through
Thursday night with chances for showers and thunderstorms over
parts of the region. Models are showing increased instability and
higher dew points this afternoon and evening with a cool front
moving through that could lead to a few severe thunderstorms. SPC
has a slight risk mainly east of the Yellowstone River today with
a threat of large hail and damaging winds. Additional chances for
showers and thunderstorms continue late tonight through Thursday
night over eastern Montana with a surface low over the area.

High on Thursday will be 5 to 10 degrees lower before the ridge
strengthen Friday and Saturday. At this point, Saturday looks like
it will be very hot with highs above 100 in most areas.

Ridge moves east Saturday night and upper trough moves for Sunday
and Monday. A strong dry cold front on Sunday is expected to bring
gusty NW winds followed by much cooler temperatures on Monday.

FORECAST CONFIDENCE & DEVIATIONS:

High confidence in the hot weather continuing through Saturday.
Low confidence in timing any showers and thunderstorms.

Deviated from the NBM to tweak pops at times this afternoon
through Thursday to provide better hour to hour consistency and
better match SPC Outlooks for convection.


&&

.AVIATION...
FLIGHT CATEGORY: VFR - MVFR.

DISCUSSION: Upper ridging will continue to provide hot
temperatures to the region. Smoke and haze will impact visibility
through the TAF period with MVFR conditions possible at times.
There will be varying amounts of mid and high clouds across the
region today and tonight. A cold front will bring chances for
showers and thunderstorms this afternoon and tonight with strong
and erratic winds possible.

DENSITY ALTITUDE: Increased density altitude is expected today
with temperatures near or over 100 in the afternoon and evening.
Extra power and longer runway will be needed for takeoffs.


&&

.GGW WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
Heat Advisory from 11 AM this morning to 7 PM MDT this evening
for Dawson-Eastern Roosevelt-McCone-Prairie-Richland-Western
Roosevelt-Wibaux.

&&

$$

weather.gov/glasgow