Routine Fire Wx Fcst (With/Without 6-10 Day Outlook)
Issued by NWS Missoula, MT
Issued by NWS Missoula, MT
275
FNUS55 KMSO 152018
FWFMSO
Fire Weather Planning Forecast for Wrn Montana and N Cntrl Idaho
National Weather Service Missoula MT
218 PM MDT Tue Sep 15 2026
.DISCUSSION...
Idaho (Zones 102 and 103): Temperatures will begin to moderate Wednesday
and warm to around 5 to 7 degrees above normal through the rest of the
week. Modest amounts of Southwest Monsoon moisture will arrive under a
southwesterly flow Thursday and Friday, that will aid in the
development of scattered showers and thunderstorms, producing brief
heavy rainfall and occasional lightning. Gusty outflows up to around 30
mph will be possible as well. A warming and drying trend will return
this weekend, as a ridge of high pressure builds over the Northern
Rockies.
Northwest MT (Zones 104 and 105): Temperatures will begin to moderate
Wednesday and warm to around 5 to 7 degrees above normal through the
rest of the week. Modest amounts of Southwest Monsoon moisture will
arrive under a southwesterly flow Thursday and Friday, that will aid in
the development of scattered showers and thunderstorms, producing brief
heavy rainfall and occasional lightning. Gusty outflows up to around 30
mph will be possible as well. Most of the activity will be confined over
the Flathead NF, the Kootenai will mostly see an increase in
cloudcover. A warming and drying trend will return this weekend, as a
ridge of high pressure builds over the Northern Rockies.
West Central MT (Zones 106, 107 and 108): Temperatures will begin to
moderate Wednesday and warm to around 5 to 7 degrees above normal
through the rest of the week. An easterly wind develops on Wednesday,
generally remaining between 10 and 20 mph along and west of the Divide.
Modest amounts of Southwest Monsoon moisture will arrive under a
southwesterly flow Thursday and Friday, that will aid in the development
of scattered showers and thunderstorms, producing brief heavy rainfall
and occasional lightning. Gusty outflows up to around 30 mph will be
possible as well. A warming and drying trend will return this weekend,
as a ridge of high pressure builds over the Northern Rockies.
Southwest MT (Zones 109, 110 and 111): Temperatures will begin to
moderate Wednesday and warm to around 5 to 7 degrees above normal
through the rest of the week. A northeasterly wind develops on
Wednesday, generally remaining between 10 and 20 mph along and west of
the Divide. A few ridge locations in the Deerlodge NF could experience
gusts between 20 and 30 mph. Modest amounts of Southwest Monsoon
moisture will arrive under a southwesterly flow Thursday and Friday,
that will aid in the development of scattered showers and thunderstorms,
producing brief heavy rainfall and occasional lightning. Gusty outflows
up to around 30 mph will be possible as well. A warming and drying
trend will return this weekend, as a ridge of high pressure builds over
the Northern Rockies.
IDZ102-103-162030-
Palouse/Hells Canyon-Clearwater/Nez Perce-
118 PM PDT Tue Sep 15 2026
.TONIGHT...
* Sky/Weather.........Partly cloudy.
* Min Temperature.....35-45.
* Max Humidity........73-83 percent valleys and 79-89 percent
ridges.
* 20-Foot Winds.......
* Lower Elevation......Variable less than 5 mph.
* Ridge Top............North 5-10 mph.
* Mixing Height.......3 kft agl until 1900, then below 500 ft to 1
kft agl.
* Transport Winds.....Variable less than 10 mph.
* Chance Lightning....0 percent over the Palouse/Hells Canyon...and
near 0 percent toward the Clearwater/Nez Perce.
* CWR (> 0.10 Inch)...0 percent.
.WEDNESDAY...
* Sky/Weather.........Partly cloudy.
* Max Temperature.....75-85 valleys and 60-70 ridges.
* Min Humidity........29-39 percent.
* 20-Foot Winds.......
* Lower Elevation......Calm to variable less than 7 mph.
* Ridge Top............Northeast 5-10 mph.
* Mixing Height.......Below 500 ft to 1 kft agl until 1100. 5 kft
agl after 1300.
* Transport Winds.....Northeast 10 mph.
* Chance Lightning....0 percent.
* CWR (> 0.10 Inch)...0 percent.
.WEDNESDAY NIGHT...
* Sky/Weather.........Partly cloudy.
* Min Temperature.....45-50 valleys and 35-45 ridges.
* Max Humidity........67-77 percent.
* 20-Foot Winds.......
* Lower Elevation......East 5-10 mph.
* Ridge Top............Northeast 5-15 mph becoming east after
midnight.
* Mixing Height.......4 kft agl until 1900, then below 500 ft to 1
kft agl.
* Transport Winds.....Northeast 10 mph.
* Chance Lightning....Near 0 percent.
* CWR (> 0.10 Inch)...0 percent.
.THURSDAY...
* Sky/Weather.........Partly cloudy. Slight chance of thunderstorms
in the afternoon.
* Max Temperature.....80-85 valleys and 65-75 ridges.
* Min Humidity........35-45 percent valleys and 42-52 percent
ridges.
* 20-Foot Winds.......
* Lower Elevation......Calm to becoming upslope/upvalley 4-8 mph in
the afternoon.
* Ridge Top............Southeast 5-15 mph becoming southwest up to
5 mph in the afternoon.
* Mixing Height.......1-2 kft agl until 1200, then 4 kft agl until
1400, then 6 kft agl until 1700, then 3 kft agl.
* Transport Winds.....Variable less than 10 mph until 1400, then
west 10 mph.
* Chance Lightning....15 percent over the Palouse/Hells
Canyon...and 25 percent toward the Clearwater/Nez Perce.
* CWR (> 0.10 Inch)...0 percent over the Palouse/Hells Canyon...and
30 percent toward the Clearwater/Nez Perce.
.FRIDAY...Cooler. Mostly cloudy with rain showers and slight chance of
thunderstorms. Chance of precipitation 80 percent. Lows 50-60. Highs
65-75. Min humidities 30-40 percent. Variable winds up to 10 mph.
.SATURDAY...Mostly clear. Chance of rain. Chance of rain 40 percent.
Lows 45-55. Highs 70-80. Min humidities 25-35 percent. Diurnal terrain
winds to 10 mph.
.SUNDAY...Mostly clear. Lows 45-55. Highs 75-85. Diurnal terrain winds
to 10 mph.
.MONDAY...Mostly clear. Lows 50-60. Highs 75-85.
.TUESDAY...Partly cloudy. Lows 45-55. Highs 70-80.
$$
MTZ104-105-162030-
Kootenai-Flathead/Glacier Park-
218 PM MDT Tue Sep 15 2026
.TONIGHT...
* Sky/Weather.........Partly cloudy. Chance of rain.
* Min Temperature.....35-45.
* Max Humidity........92-100 percent valleys and 86-96 percent
ridges.
* 20-Foot Winds.......
* Lower Elevation......North 5-10 mph.
* Ridge Top............North 10-15 mph.
* Mixing Height.......1-2 kft agl until 2000, then below 500 ft to
1 kft agl.
* Transport Winds.....Northeast 10 mph.
* Chance Lightning....Near 0 percent.
* CWR (> 0.10 Inch)...10 percent.
.WEDNESDAY...
* Sky/Weather.........Partly cloudy.
* Max Temperature.....70-75 valleys and 50-60 ridges.
* Min Humidity........32-42 percent valleys and 48-58 percent
ridges.
* 20-Foot Winds.......
* Lower Elevation......Calm to variable less than 7 mph.
* Ridge Top............Northeast 5-15 mph.
* Mixing Height.......1-2 kft agl until 1100. 5 kft agl after 1400.
* Transport Winds.....Northeast 10 mph.
* Chance Lightning....0 percent over the Kootenai...and near 0
percent toward the Flathead/Glacier Park.
* CWR (> 0.10 Inch)...0 percent.
.WEDNESDAY NIGHT...
* Sky/Weather.........Mostly clear.
* Min Temperature.....35-45.
* Max Humidity........87-97 percent valleys and 75-85 percent
ridges.
* 20-Foot Winds.......
* Lower Elevation......Northeast 5-10 mph.
* Ridge Top............East 10-15 mph.
* Mixing Height.......4 kft agl until 1900, then below 500 ft to 1
kft agl.
* Transport Winds.....East 10 mph.
* Chance Lightning....0 percent.
* CWR (> 0.10 Inch)...0 percent.
.THURSDAY...
* Sky/Weather.........Partly cloudy.
* Max Temperature.....75-80 valleys and 60-70 ridges.
* Min Humidity........25-35 percent valleys and 37-47 percent
ridges.
* 20-Foot Winds.......
* Lower Elevation......Calm to variable less than 7 mph.
* Ridge Top............Southeast 5-10 mph becoming northwest up to
5 mph in the afternoon.
* Mixing Height.......Below 500 ft to 1 kft agl until 1200, then 3
kft agl until 1400, then 5 kft agl until 1700, then 3 kft agl.
* Transport Winds.....Variable less than 10 mph.
* Chance Lightning....Near 0 percent.
* CWR (> 0.10 Inch)...0 percent.
.FRIDAY...Partly cloudy with chance of rain. Chance of rain 40 percent.
Lows 50-60. Highs 65-75. Min humidities 35-45 percent. West winds
5-10 mph.
.SATURDAY...Partly cloudy with slight chance of rain. Chance of rain
20 percent. Lows 45-55. Highs 65-75. Min humidities 35-45 percent.
Southwest winds 5-10 mph.
.SUNDAY...Mostly clear. Lows 45-55. Highs 65-75. Southwest winds
5-10 mph.
.MONDAY...Mostly clear. Lows 45-55. Highs 65-75.
.TUESDAY...Partly cloudy. Lows 45-55. Highs 65-75.
$$
MTZ106-108-162030-
West Lolo-East Lolo-
218 PM MDT Tue Sep 15 2026
.TONIGHT...
* Sky/Weather.........Partly cloudy.
* Min Temperature.....35-45.
* Max Humidity........75-85 percent.
* 20-Foot Winds.......
* Lower Elevation......North 5-10 mph.
* Ridge Top............North 5-10 mph.
* Mixing Height.......4 kft agl until 1900, then below 500 ft to 1
kft agl.
* Transport Winds.....Variable less than 10 mph.
* Chance Lightning....Near 0 percent.
* CWR (> 0.10 Inch)...0 percent.
.WEDNESDAY...
* Sky/Weather.........Partly cloudy.
* Max Temperature.....65-75 valleys and 60-65 ridges.
* Min Humidity........30-40 percent valleys and 41-51 percent
ridges.
* 20-Foot Winds.......
* Lower Elevation......Calm to variable less than 7 mph.
* Ridge Top............Northeast 5-10 mph.
* Mixing Height.......1-2 kft agl until 1100. 4 kft agl after 1400.
* Transport Winds.....East 10 mph.
* Chance Lightning....0 percent.
* CWR (> 0.10 Inch)...0 percent.
.WEDNESDAY NIGHT...
* Sky/Weather.........Mostly clear.
* Min Temperature.....40-45.
* Max Humidity........81-91 percent valleys and 75-85 percent
ridges.
* 20-Foot Winds.......
* Lower Elevation......East 5-10 mph.
* Ridge Top............East 10-15 mph.
* Mixing Height.......4 kft agl until 1900, then below 500 ft to 1
kft agl.
* Transport Winds.....East 10 mph.
* Chance Lightning....0 percent.
* CWR (> 0.10 Inch)...0 percent.
.THURSDAY...
* Sky/Weather.........Partly cloudy.
* Max Temperature.....73-83 valleys and 65-75 ridges.
* Min Humidity........27-37 percent valleys and 36-46 percent
ridges.
* 20-Foot Winds.......
* Lower Elevation......Calm to variable less than 7 mph.
* Ridge Top............Southeast 5-10 mph becoming northeast up to
5 mph in the afternoon.
* Mixing Height.......Below 500 ft to 1 kft agl until 1200, then 4
kft agl until 1400, then 6 kft agl until 1700, then 3 kft agl.
* Transport Winds.....East 10 mph.
* Chance Lightning....Near 0 percent over the West Lolo...and 20
percent toward the East Lolo.
* CWR (> 0.10 Inch)...0 percent.
.FRIDAY...Cooler. Mostly cloudy with rain showers and slight chance of
thunderstorms. Chance of precipitation 80 percent. Lows 50-60. Highs
65-75. Min humidities 40-50 percent. Variable winds up to 10 mph.
.SATURDAY...Partly cloudy with chance of rain showers and slight chance
of thunderstorms. Chance of precipitation 30 percent. Lows 45-55. Highs
65-75. Min humidities 30-40 percent. Diurnal terrain winds to 10 mph.
.SUNDAY...Mostly clear. Lows 45-55. Highs 70-80. Diurnal terrain winds
to 10 mph.
.MONDAY...Mostly clear. Lows 45-55. Highs 70-80.
.TUESDAY...Partly cloudy. Lows 45-55. Highs 65-75.
$$
MTZ107-162030-
Flathead Reservation-
218 PM MDT Tue Sep 15 2026
.TONIGHT...
* Sky/Weather.........Partly cloudy.
* Min Temperature.....45-50 valleys and 35-40 ridges.
* Max Humidity........76-86 percent.
* 20-Foot Winds.......
* Lower Elevation......North 5-10 mph.
* Ridge Top............Southeast 5-10 mph becoming west after
midnight.
* Mixing Height.......1-2 kft agl until 2000, then below 500 ft to
1 kft agl.
* Transport Winds.....Variable less than 10 mph.
* Chance Lightning....Near 0 percent.
* CWR (> 0.10 Inch)...0 percent.
.WEDNESDAY...
* Sky/Weather.........Partly cloudy.
* Max Temperature.....70-75 valleys and 50-55 ridges.
* Min Humidity........37-47 percent valleys and 55-65 percent
ridges.
* 20-Foot Winds.......
* Lower Elevation......Calm to variable less than 7 mph.
* Ridge Top............Northeast 5-10 mph.
* Mixing Height.......1-2 kft agl until 1100. 4 kft agl after 1500.
* Transport Winds.....Variable less than 10 mph.
* Chance Lightning....0 percent.
* CWR (> 0.10 Inch)...0 percent.
.WEDNESDAY NIGHT...
* Sky/Weather.........Mostly clear.
* Min Temperature.....40-50.
* Max Humidity........73-83 percent.
* 20-Foot Winds.......
* Lower Elevation......Downslope/downvalley 1-3 mph.
* Ridge Top............East 5-15 mph.
* Mixing Height.......3 kft agl until 1900, then below 500 ft to 1
kft agl.
* Transport Winds.....Variable less than 10 mph.
* Chance Lightning....0 percent.
* CWR (> 0.10 Inch)...0 percent.
.THURSDAY...
* Sky/Weather.........Partly cloudy.
* Max Temperature.....75-80 valleys and 55-60 ridges.
* Min Humidity........36-46 percent valleys and 54-64 percent
ridges.
* 20-Foot Winds.......
* Lower Elevation......Calm to becoming upslope/upvalley 4-8 mph in
the afternoon.
* Ridge Top............South 5-15 mph becoming west up to 5 mph in
the afternoon.
* Mixing Height.......1-2 kft agl until 1200, then 3 kft agl.
* Transport Winds.....Variable less than 10 mph.
* Chance Lightning....Near 0 percent.
* CWR (> 0.10 Inch)...0 percent.
.FRIDAY...Mostly cloudy with chance of rain showers and slight chance
of thunderstorms. Chance of precipitation 50 percent. Lows 50-60. Highs
70-80. Min humidities 35-45 percent. Variable winds up to 10 mph.
.SATURDAY...Partly cloudy with slight chance of rain. Chance of rain
20 percent. Lows 50-60. Highs 70-80. Min humidities 35-45 percent.
Diurnal terrain winds to 10 mph.
.SUNDAY...Mostly clear. Lows 50-60. Highs 70-80. Diurnal terrain winds
to 10 mph.
.MONDAY...Mostly clear. Lows 50-60. Highs 70-80.
.TUESDAY...Partly cloudy. Lows 50-60. Highs 70-80.
$$
MTZ109-162030-
Bitterroot-
218 PM MDT Tue Sep 15 2026
.TONIGHT...
* Sky/Weather.........Partly cloudy.
* Min Temperature.....35-45.
* Max Humidity........83-93 percent valleys and 71-81 percent
ridges.
* 20-Foot Winds.......
* Lower Elevation......North 5-10 mph.
* Ridge Top............North 5-10 mph.
* Mixing Height.......4 kft agl until 1900. Below 500 ft to 1 kft
agl after 2100.
* Transport Winds.....North 10 mph until 0200, then variable less
than 10 mph.
* Chance Lightning....Near 0 percent.
* CWR (> 0.10 Inch)...0 percent.
.WEDNESDAY...
* Sky/Weather.........Partly cloudy then becoming mostly sunny.
* Max Temperature.....75-80 valleys and 60-65 ridges.
* Min Humidity........30-40 percent.
* 20-Foot Winds.......
* Lower Elevation......Calm to variable less than 7 mph.
* Ridge Top............Northeast 5-10 mph.
* Mixing Height.......Below 500 ft to 1 kft agl until 1100. 6 kft
agl after 1500.
* Transport Winds.....Northeast 10 mph.
* Chance Lightning....0 percent.
* CWR (> 0.10 Inch)...0 percent.
.WEDNESDAY NIGHT...
* Sky/Weather.........Partly cloudy.
* Min Temperature.....40-45.
* Max Humidity........82-92 percent valleys and 66-76 percent
ridges.
* 20-Foot Winds.......
* Lower Elevation......North 5-10 mph in the evening becoming
downslope/downvalley 2-5 mph.
* Ridge Top............East 5-15 mph.
* Mixing Height.......1-2 kft agl until 2000, then below 500 ft to
1 kft agl.
* Transport Winds.....Northeast 10 mph until 0200, then variable
less than 10 mph.
* Chance Lightning....Near 0 percent over the Darby, Sula, and West
Fork Districts...and 0 percent toward areas north of Hamilton.
* CWR (> 0.10 Inch)...0 percent.
.THURSDAY...
* Sky/Weather.........Partly cloudy. Slight chance of thunderstorms
in the afternoon.
* Max Temperature.....80-85 valleys and 65-70 ridges.
* Min Humidity........32-42 percent valleys and 39-49 percent
ridges.
* 20-Foot Winds.......
* Lower Elevation......Calm to variable less than 7 mph.
* Ridge Top............Southeast 5-10 mph.
* Mixing Height.......Below 500 ft to 1 kft agl until 1100, then 3
kft agl until 1300, then 5 kft agl until 1400, then 7 kft agl
until 1700, then 4 kft agl.
* Transport Winds.....Southeast 10 mph until 1700, then south 10
mph.
* Chance Lightning....25 percent over the Darby, Sula, and West
Fork Districts...and 20 percent toward areas north of Hamilton.
* CWR (> 0.10 Inch)...20 percent.
.FRIDAY...Cooler. Mostly cloudy with rain showers and slight chance of
thunderstorms. Chance of precipitation 90 percent. Lows 45-55. Highs
60-70. Min humidities 45-55 percent. Variable winds up to 10 mph.
.SATURDAY...Partly cloudy with chance of rain showers and slight chance
of thunderstorms. Chance of precipitation 30 percent. Lows 45-55. Highs
65-75. Min humidities 30-40 percent. Diurnal terrain winds to 10 mph.
.SUNDAY...Mostly clear. Lows 45-55. Highs 65-75. Diurnal terrain winds
to 10 mph.
.MONDAY...Mostly clear. Lows 45-55. Highs 70-80.
.TUESDAY...Partly cloudy. Lows 45-55. Highs 65-75.
$$
MTZ110-111-162030-
Deerlodge/West Beaverhead-East Beaverhead-
218 PM MDT Tue Sep 15 2026
.TONIGHT...
* Sky/Weather.........Partly cloudy.
* Min Temperature.....25-35 valleys and 35-40 ridges.
* Max Humidity........86-96 percent valleys and 66-76 percent
ridges.
* 20-Foot Winds.......
* Lower Elevation......Northeast 5-15 mph.
* Ridge Top............Southeast 5-15 mph becoming south 5-10 mph
after midnight.
* Mixing Height.......8 kft agl until 1900. Below 500 ft to 1 kft
agl after 2000.
* Transport Winds.....Southwest 10 mph until 1900, then southeast
10 mph until 2000, then northeast 10 mph.
* Chance Lightning....Near 0 percent.
* CWR (> 0.10 Inch)...0 percent.
.WEDNESDAY...
* Sky/Weather.........Partly cloudy.
* Max Temperature.....65-75 valleys and 55-65 ridges.
* Min Humidity........25-35 percent.
* 20-Foot Winds.......
* Lower Elevation......Calm to becoming 10-15 mph in the afternoon.
* Ridge Top............East 10-20 mph.
* Mixing Height.......1-2 kft agl until 1100. 8 kft agl after 1500.
* Transport Winds.....Northeast 10 mph until 1300 increasing to Northeast
15 mph by the evening.
* Chance Lightning....0 percent over the Deerlodge/West
Beaverhead...and near 0 percent toward the East Beaverhead.
* CWR (> 0.10 Inch)...0 percent.
.WEDNESDAY NIGHT...
* Sky/Weather.........Partly cloudy.
* Min Temperature.....28-38 valleys and 40-45 ridges.
* Max Humidity........87-97 percent valleys and 70-80 percent
ridges.
* 20-Foot Winds.......
* Lower Elevation......Northeast 5-15 mph.
* Ridge Top............Northeast 10-20 mph.
* Mixing Height.......5 kft agl until 1900, then below 500 ft to 1
kft agl.
* Transport Winds.....East 10 mph.
* Chance Lightning....Near 0 percent.
* CWR (> 0.10 Inch)...0 percent.
.THURSDAY...
* Sky/Weather.........Partly cloudy. Chance of rain in the morning.
Slight chance of thunderstorms in the afternoon.
* Max Temperature.....75-80 valleys and 60-70 ridges.
* Min Humidity........27-37 percent valleys and 34-44 percent
ridges.
* 20-Foot Winds.......
* Lower Elevation......Calm to becoming 10-15 mph in the afternoon.
* Ridge Top............Southeast 5-10 mph becoming south 10-20 mph
in the afternoon.
* Mixing Height.......1-2 kft agl until 1100, then 4 kft agl until
1300, then 7 kft agl until 1500, then 8 kft agl until 1700, then
6 kft agl.
* Transport Winds.....Southeast 10 mph until 1200, then south 15
mph.
* Chance Lightning....25 percent.
* CWR (> 0.10 Inch)...10 percent.
.FRIDAY...Mostly cloudy with rain showers and slight chance of
thunderstorms. Chance of precipitation 80 percent. Lows 45-55. Highs
65-75. Min humidities 35-45 percent. Southwest winds 10-15 mph.
.SATURDAY...Mostly cloudy with chance of rain showers and slight chance
of thunderstorms. Chance of precipitation 30 percent. Lows 40-50. Highs
60-70. Min humidities 25-35 percent. West winds 5-10 mph.
.SUNDAY...Mostly clear. Lows 40-50. Highs 65-75. West winds 5-10 mph.
.MONDAY...Mostly clear. Lows 40-50. Highs 70-80.
.TUESDAY...Partly cloudy. Lows 45-55. Highs 65-75.
$$