Routine Fire Wx Fcst (With/Without 6-10 Day Outlook)
Issued by NWS Missoula, MT
Issued by NWS Missoula, MT
044
FNUS55 KMSO 130843
FWFMSO
Fire Weather Planning Forecast for Wrn Montana and N Cntrl Idaho
National Weather Service Missoula MT
243 AM MDT Sun Sep 13 2026
...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM NOON TODAY TO 9 PM MDT THIS
EVENING for portions of East Beaverhead...
...HIGH WIND WARNING IN EFFECT FROM NOON TODAY TO 6 PM MDT THIS
EVENING for portions of East Beaverhead...
.DISCUSSION...
Idaho (Zones 102 and 103): Showers and embedded thunderstorms will
become more widespread over the area today as a low pressure system and
cold front moves through the area. Anticipate a shift from easterly
winds to westerly through this morning. Wetting rains are likely for
most all locations (80 to 100 percent), with the exception being near
the Bitterroot Divide where probabilities are lower.
Northwest MT (Zones 104 and 105): Locally strong easterly winds are
occurring this morning along west facing slopes and gap/canyon
locations ahead of a low pressure system. These winds will weaken
through the morning and shift to southwesterly by mid day. Showers and
embedded thunderstorms will become more widespread over the area as a
low pressure system and cold front moves through the area. Wetting
rains are likely for most all locations (80 to 100 percent), with the
exception being in the southern Flathead NF where probabilities are
lower.
West Central MT (Zones 106, 107 and 108): Locally strong easterly winds
are occurring this morning along west facing slopes and gap/canyon
locations ahead of a low pressure system. These winds will weaken
through the morning and shift to westerly by mid day. Showers and
embedded thunderstorms will become more widespread over the area as a
low pressure system and cold front moves through the area. Wetting rains
are likely for western portions of the Lolo NF and CSKT (80 to 100
percent), but significantly lower from Alberton south and east.
Southwest MT (Zones 109, 110 and 111): Large weather differences are
expected for the Bitterroot and Beaverhead-Deerlodge Forests today as a
cold front tracks eastward and stalls along the Continental Divide.
Cooler and showery conditions will favored over the Bitterroot NF, while
warm, dry, and windy conditions are favored east of the divide,
particularly for the east Beaverhead. Widespread critical fire weather
conditions are anticipated for the East Beaverhead (111) due to low RHs
in the teens and southwest winds 20 to 30 mph with gusts to 45 mph. The
worst fire weather conditions will impact the Dillon and Madison
Districts, where the driest air and strongest winds are expected.
View Weather Briefing videos on our YouTube channel
at https://www.youtube.com/NWSMissoula
IDZ102-103-140845-
Palouse/Hells Canyon-Clearwater/Nez Perce-
143 AM PDT Sun Sep 13 2026
.TODAY...
* Sky/Weather.........Mostly cloudy. Rain showers and slight chance
of thunderstorms.
* Max Temperature.....60-70 valleys and 45-55 ridges.
* Min Humidity........57-67 percent valleys and 67-77 percent
ridges.
* 20-Foot Winds.......
* Lower Elevation......Calm to variable less than 7 mph.
* Ridge Top............West 10-15 mph.
* Mixing Height.......3 kft agl until 1100. 6 kft agl after 1300.
* Transport Winds.....West 15 mph.
* Chance Lightning....25 percent.
* CWR (> 0.10 Inch)...80 percent over the Palouse/Hells
Canyon...and 50 percent toward the Clearwater/Nez Perce.
.TONIGHT...
* Sky/Weather.........Mostly cloudy. Rain showers. Snow level 7500
feet.
* Min Temperature.....40-45 valleys and 30-40 ridges.
* Max Humidity........77-87 percent.
* 20-Foot Winds.......
* Lower Elevation......Southwest 5-15 mph.
* Ridge Top............Southwest 10-20 mph.
* Mixing Height.......3 kft agl until 2000, then below 500 ft to 1
kft agl.
* Transport Winds.....West 15 mph.
* Chance Lightning....Near 0 percent over the Palouse/Hells
Canyon...and 15 percent toward the Clearwater/Nez Perce.
* CWR (> 0.10 Inch)...50 percent.
.MONDAY...
* Sky/Weather.........Partly cloudy. Chance of rain. Snow level
7500 feet.
* Max Temperature.....65-75 valleys and 48-58 ridges.
* Min Humidity........40-50 percent valleys and 50-60 percent
ridges.
* 20-Foot Winds.......
* Lower Elevation......West 10-15 mph.
* Ridge Top............West 10-20 mph decreasing to 5-10 mph in the
afternoon.
* Mixing Height.......3 kft agl until 1100. 6 kft agl after 1300.
* Transport Winds.....West 15 mph.
* Chance Lightning....Near 0 percent.
* CWR (> 0.10 Inch)...0 percent.
.TUESDAY...Partly cloudy. Lows 40-50. Highs 65-75. Min humidities
30-40 percent. Diurnal terrain winds to 10 mph.
.WEDNESDAY...Partly cloudy with slight chance of rain. Chance of rain
20 percent. Lows 40-50. Highs 65-75. Min humidities 30-40 percent.
North winds 5-10 mph.
.THURSDAY...Mostly clear. Lows 40-50. Highs 70-80. Northeast winds
5-10 mph.
.FRIDAY...Mostly clear. Lows 45-55. Highs 75-85.
.SATURDAY...Mostly clear. Lows 45-55. Highs 75-85.
$$
MTZ104-105-140845-
Kootenai-Flathead/Glacier Park-
243 AM MDT Sun Sep 13 2026
.TODAY...
* Sky/Weather.........Mostly cloudy. Chance of rain in the morning.
Slight chance of thunderstorms in the afternoon.
* Max Temperature.....55-60 valleys and 45-50 ridges.
* Min Humidity........65-75 percent valleys and 79-89 percent
ridges.
* 20-Foot Winds.......
* Lower Elevation......Calm to variable less than 7 mph.
* Ridge Top............Southeast 15-25 mph becoming southwest 5-10
mph in the afternoon.
* Mixing Height.......1-2 kft agl until 1200, then 4 kft agl.
* Transport Winds.....East 15 mph until 1100, then south 10 mph
until 1300, then southwest 15 mph.
* Chance Lightning....25 percent.
* CWR (> 0.10 Inch)...90 percent over the Kootenai...and 60 percent
toward the Flathead/Glacier Park.
.TONIGHT...
* Sky/Weather.........Mostly cloudy. Chance of rain. Slight chance
of snow after midnight. Snow level 7000 feet.
* Min Temperature.....35-45.
* Max Humidity........82-92 percent.
* 20-Foot Winds.......
* Lower Elevation......Variable less than 5 mph.
* Ridge Top............West 15-25 mph.
* Mixing Height.......2 kft agl until 2000, then below 500 ft to 1
kft agl.
* Transport Winds.....Southwest 15 mph.
* Chance Lightning....Near 0 percent.
* CWR (> 0.10 Inch)...30 percent over the Kootenai...and 50 percent
toward the Flathead/Glacier Park.
.MONDAY...
* Sky/Weather.........Mostly cloudy. Chance of rain.
* Max Temperature.....55-65 valleys and 45-55 ridges.
* Min Humidity........59-69 percent valleys and 81-91 percent
ridges.
* 20-Foot Winds.......
* Lower Elevation......Calm to variable less than 7 mph.
* Ridge Top............West 15-25 mph decreasing to 5-15 mph in the
afternoon.
* Mixing Height.......3 kft agl until 1200, then 4 kft agl.
* Transport Winds.....West 15 mph.
* Chance Lightning....Near 0 percent.
* CWR (> 0.10 Inch)...10 percent.
.TUESDAY...Mostly cloudy with slight chance of rain. Chance of rain
20 percent. Lows 40-50. Highs 55-65. Min humidities 50-60 percent.
South winds 5-10 mph.
.WEDNESDAY...Partly cloudy with slight chance of rain. Chance of rain
20 percent. Lows 40-50. Highs 60-70. Min humidities 35-45 percent.
Diurnal terrain winds to 10 mph.
.THURSDAY...Mostly clear. Lows 40-50. Highs 65-75. Southwest winds
5-10 mph.
.FRIDAY...Mostly clear. Lows 45-55. Highs 65-75.
.SATURDAY...Mostly clear. Lows 45-55. Highs 65-75.
$$
MTZ106-108-140845-
West Lolo-East Lolo-
243 AM MDT Sun Sep 13 2026
.TODAY...
* Sky/Weather.........Partly cloudy. Rain showers and slight chance
of thunderstorms.
* Max Temperature.....50-60.
* Min Humidity........52-62 percent valleys and 62-72 percent
ridges.
* 20-Foot Winds.......
* Lower Elevation......Calm to becoming upslope/upvalley 4-8 mph in
the afternoon.
* Ridge Top............South 10-20 mph becoming west 5-15 mph in
the afternoon.
* Mixing Height.......1-2 kft agl until 1100. 5 kft agl after 1500.
* Transport Winds.....East 10 mph until 0900. West 15 mph after
1100.
* Chance Lightning....20 percent.
* CWR (> 0.10 Inch)...70 percent over the West Lolo...and 0 percent
toward the East Lolo.
.TONIGHT...
* Sky/Weather.........Partly cloudy. Chance of rain. Snow level
7000 feet.
* Min Temperature.....35-45.
* Max Humidity........79-89 percent.
* 20-Foot Winds.......
* Lower Elevation......Southwest 10-20 mph.
* Ridge Top............West 5-15 mph increasing to southwest 15-25
mph after midnight.
* Mixing Height.......3 kft agl until 2000, then below 500 ft to 1
kft agl.
* Transport Winds.....West 15 mph.
* Chance Lightning....Near 0 percent.
* CWR (> 0.10 Inch)...10 percent.
.MONDAY...
* Sky/Weather.........Mostly cloudy. Chance of rain.
* Max Temperature.....55-65 valleys and 45-55 ridges.
* Min Humidity........51-61 percent valleys and 61-71 percent
ridges.
* 20-Foot Winds.......
* Lower Elevation......West 10-20 mph.
* Ridge Top............West 15-25 mph decreasing to 5-15 mph in the
afternoon.
* Mixing Height.......3 kft agl until 1100. 5 kft agl after 1500.
* Transport Winds.....West 20 mph.
* Chance Lightning....Near 0 percent.
* CWR (> 0.10 Inch)...10 percent.
.TUESDAY...Partly cloudy. Lows 35-45. Highs 60-70. Min humidities
35-45 percent. Southeast winds 5-10 mph.
.WEDNESDAY...Partly cloudy with slight chance of rain. Chance of rain
20 percent. Lows 40-50. Highs 60-70. Min humidities 35-45 percent.
Diurnal terrain winds to 10 mph.
.THURSDAY...Mostly clear. Lows 40-50. Highs 65-75. Diurnal terrain
winds to 10 mph.
.FRIDAY...Mostly clear. Lows 45-55. Highs 70-80.
.SATURDAY...Mostly clear. Lows 45-55. Highs 70-80.
$$
MTZ107-140845-
Flathead Reservation-
243 AM MDT Sun Sep 13 2026
.TODAY...
* Sky/Weather.........Mostly cloudy. Chance of rain in the morning.
Slight chance of thunderstorms in the afternoon.
* Max Temperature.....60-65 valleys and 40-45 ridges.
* Min Humidity........56-66 percent valleys and 93 percent ridges.
* 20-Foot Winds.......
* Lower Elevation......West 5-15 mph.
* Ridge Top............South 15-25 mph becoming west 5-15 mph in
the afternoon.
* Mixing Height.......Below 500 ft to 1 kft agl until 1100. 4 kft
agl after 1500.
* Transport Winds.....East 10 mph until 1000, then west 15 mph.
* Chance Lightning....25 percent over areas west of Highway
93...and 20 percent toward the Mission Mtns and areas east of
Highway 93.
* CWR (> 0.10 Inch)...40 percent over areas west of Highway
93...and 60 percent toward the Mission Mtns and areas east of
Highway 93.
.TONIGHT...
* Sky/Weather.........Mostly cloudy. Chance of rain. Snow level
7000 feet.
* Min Temperature.....40-45 valleys and 30-35 ridges.
* Max Humidity........80-90 percent.
* 20-Foot Winds.......
* Lower Elevation......Southwest 5-15 mph.
* Ridge Top............West 5-15 mph increasing to southwest 15-25
mph after midnight.
* Mixing Height.......4 kft agl until 1900. Below 500 ft to 1 kft
agl after 2100.
* Transport Winds.....Southwest 15 mph.
* Chance Lightning....Near 0 percent.
* CWR (> 0.10 Inch)...10 percent over areas west of Highway
93...and 60 percent toward the Mission Mtns and areas east of
Highway 93.
.MONDAY...
* Sky/Weather.........Mostly cloudy. Chance of rain.
* Max Temperature.....60-65 valleys and 40-45 ridges.
* Min Humidity........50-60 percent valleys and 77-87 percent
ridges.
* 20-Foot Winds.......
* Lower Elevation......Southwest 5-15 mph.
* Ridge Top............West 15-25 mph decreasing to 5-15 mph in the
afternoon.
* Mixing Height.......2 kft agl until 1100. 5 kft agl after 1500.
* Transport Winds.....West 15 mph.
* Chance Lightning....Near 0 percent.
* CWR (> 0.10 Inch)...10 percent over areas west of Highway
93...and 50 percent toward the Mission Mtns and areas east of
Highway 93.
.TUESDAY...Mostly cloudy. Lows 40-50. Highs 60-70. Min humidities
40-50 percent. Southeast winds 5-10 mph.
.WEDNESDAY...Partly cloudy with slight chance of rain. Chance of rain
20 percent. Lows 45-55. Highs 60-70. Min humidities 35-45 percent.
Diurnal terrain winds to 10 mph.
.THURSDAY...Mostly clear. Lows 45-55. Highs 65-75. Diurnal terrain
winds to 10 mph.
.FRIDAY...Mostly clear. Lows 45-55. Highs 70-80.
.SATURDAY...Mostly clear. Lows 45-55. Highs 70-80.
$$
MTZ109-140845-
Bitterroot-
243 AM MDT Sun Sep 13 2026
.TODAY...
* Sky/Weather.........Partly cloudy. Chance of rain. Slight chance
of thunderstorms in the afternoon.
* Max Temperature.....65-70 valleys and 50-55 ridges.
* Min Humidity........39-49 percent valleys and 47-57 percent
ridges.
* 20-Foot Winds.......
* Lower Elevation......Calm to becoming west 5-15 mph in the
afternoon.
* Ridge Top............Southwest 5-15 mph.
* Mixing Height.......1-2 kft agl until 1000. 8 kft agl after 1400.
* Transport Winds.....South 10 mph until 0800, then southwest 15
mph until 1300, then 20 mph.
* Chance Lightning....20 percent.
* CWR (> 0.10 Inch)...0 percent.
.TONIGHT...
* Sky/Weather.........Partly cloudy. Chance of rain and snow. Snow
level 7500 feet.
* Min Temperature.....30-40.
* Max Humidity........76-86 percent.
* 20-Foot Winds.......
* Lower Elevation......West 5-15 mph becoming south 5-10 mph after
midnight.
* Ridge Top............West 5-15 mph increasing to 15-25 mph after
midnight.
* Mixing Height.......4 kft agl until 2000, then below 500 ft to 1
kft agl.
* Transport Winds.....West 15 mph.
* Chance Lightning....Near 0 percent.
* CWR (> 0.10 Inch)...10 percent.
.MONDAY...
* Sky/Weather.........Partly cloudy. Chance of rain and slight
chance of snow.
* Max Temperature.....60-65 valleys and 50-55 ridges.
* Min Humidity........42-52 percent valleys and 49-59 percent
ridges.
* 20-Foot Winds.......
* Lower Elevation......West 10-20 mph.
* Ridge Top............West 15-25 mph decreasing to 5-15 mph in the
afternoon.
* Mixing Height.......2 kft agl until 1000. 5 kft agl after 1400.
* Transport Winds.....West 15 mph.
* Chance Lightning....Near 0 percent.
* CWR (> 0.10 Inch)...0 percent.
.TUESDAY...Partly cloudy. Lows 35-45. Highs 60-70. Min humidities
25-35 percent. Diurnal terrain winds to 10 mph.
.WEDNESDAY...Partly cloudy with slight chance of rain. Chance of rain
20 percent. Lows 40-50. Highs 60-70. Min humidities 30-40 percent.
North winds 5-10 mph.
.THURSDAY...Mostly clear. Lows 40-50. Highs 65-75. Diurnal terrain
winds to 10 mph.
.FRIDAY...Mostly clear. Lows 40-50. Highs 65-75.
.SATURDAY...Mostly clear. Lows 45-55. Highs 70-80.
$$
MTZ111-140845-
East Beaverhead-
243 AM MDT Sun Sep 13 2026
...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM NOON TODAY TO 9 PM MDT THIS
EVENING...
...HIGH WIND WARNING IN EFFECT FROM NOON TODAY TO 6 PM MDT THIS
EVENING...
.TODAY...
* Sky/Weather.........Partly cloudy.
* Max Temperature.....75-80 valleys and 60-65 ridges.
* Min Humidity........12-22 percent.
* 20-Foot Winds.......
* Lower Elevation......East 10-20 mph increasing to southwest 35-45
mph in the afternoon.
* Ridge Top............South 20-30 mph.
* Mixing Height.......Below 500 ft to 1 kft agl until 1000. 11 kft
agl after 1400.
* Transport Winds.....Southeast 10 mph until 1000, then south 20
mph until 1200, then southwest 30 mph until 1400, then 35 mph.
* Chance Lightning....Near 0 percent.
* CWR (> 0.10 Inch)...0 percent.
.TONIGHT...
* Sky/Weather.........Partly cloudy. Slight chance of rain showers.
* Min Temperature.....30-40.
* Max Humidity........91-94 percent valleys and 67-77 percent
ridges.
* 20-Foot Winds.......
* Lower Elevation......Southwest 25-35 mph decreasing to 5-10 mph
after midnight.
* Ridge Top............West 20-30 mph decreasing to 5-15 mph after
midnight.
* Mixing Height.......9 kft agl until 1900. Below 500 ft to 1 kft
agl after 2000.
* Transport Winds.....Southwest 25 mph until 2000, then west 15
mph.
* Chance Lightning....Near 0 percent.
* CWR (> 0.10 Inch)...0 percent.
.MONDAY...
* Sky/Weather.........Partly cloudy.
* Max Temperature.....65-70 valleys and 45-55 ridges.
* Min Humidity........23-33 percent valleys and 29-39 percent
ridges.
* 20-Foot Winds.......
* Lower Elevation......West 10-20 mph.
* Ridge Top............West 10-20 mph.
* Mixing Height.......2 kft agl until 0900. 7 kft agl after 1400.
* Transport Winds.....West 15 mph until 1100, then 20 mph.
* Chance Lightning....Near 0 percent.
* CWR (> 0.10 Inch)...0 percent.
.TUESDAY...Mostly clear. Lows 35-45. Highs 65-75. Min humidities
10-20 percent. South winds 10-15 mph.
.WEDNESDAY...Partly cloudy. Lows 40-50. Highs 60-70. Min humidities
15-25 percent. North winds 10-15 mph.
.THURSDAY...Mostly clear. Lows 35-45. Highs 65-75. Southwest winds
10-15 mph.
.FRIDAY...Partly cloudy with chance of rain showers. Chance of showers
30 percent. Lows 40-50. Highs 65-75.
.SATURDAY...Mostly clear. Lows 40-50. Highs 70-80.
$$
MTZ110-140845-
Deerlodge/West Beaverhead-
243 AM MDT Sun Sep 13 2026
.TODAY...
* Sky/Weather.........Partly cloudy. Slight chance of thunderstorms
in the afternoon.
* Max Temperature.....65-70 valleys and 55-60 ridges.
* Min Humidity........25-35 percent valleys and 32-42 percent
ridges.
* 20-Foot Winds.......
* Lower Elevation......Calm to becoming west 10-20 mph in the
afternoon.
* Ridge Top............Southwest 10-20 mph.
* Mixing Height.......Below 500 ft to 1 kft agl until 1000. 9 kft
agl after 1300.
* Transport Winds.....Southeast 10 mph until 1000, then southwest
20 mph until 1300, then 25 mph.
* Chance Lightning....20 percent.
* CWR (> 0.10 Inch)...0 percent.
.TONIGHT...
* Sky/Weather.........Partly cloudy. Chance of rain. Chance of snow
after midnight. Snow level 7500 feet.
* Min Temperature.....20-30 valleys and 30-35 ridges.
* Max Humidity........90-100 percent valleys and 81-91 percent
ridges.
* 20-Foot Winds.......
* Lower Elevation......West 10-20 mph.
* Ridge Top............West 15-25 mph.
* Mixing Height.......7 kft agl until 1900. Below 500 ft to 1 kft
agl after 2000.
* Transport Winds.....West 20 mph until 2400, then 15 mph.
* Chance Lightning....Near 0 percent.
* CWR (> 0.10 Inch)...10 percent.
.MONDAY...
* Sky/Weather.........Partly cloudy.
* Max Temperature.....55-60 valleys and 45-50 ridges.
* Min Humidity........34-44 percent.
* 20-Foot Winds.......
* Lower Elevation......West 10-20 mph.
* Ridge Top............West 10-20 mph.
* Mixing Height.......2 kft agl until 0900. 6 kft agl after 1200.
* Transport Winds.....West 20 mph.
* Chance Lightning....Near 0 percent.
* CWR (> 0.10 Inch)...0 percent.
.TUESDAY...Partly cloudy. Lows 30-40. Highs 60-70. Min humidities
15-25 percent. Southwest winds 5-10 mph.
.WEDNESDAY...Partly cloudy. Lows 35-45. Highs 60-70. Min humidities
25-35 percent. North winds 5-10 mph.
.THURSDAY...Mostly clear. Lows 35-45. Highs 65-75. Southwest winds
5-10 mph.
.FRIDAY...Mostly clear. Lows 40-50. Highs 65-75.
.SATURDAY...Mostly clear. Lows 40-50. Highs 70-80.
$$