Routine Fire Wx Fcst (With/Without 6-10 Day Outlook)
Issued by NWS Great Falls, MT
Issued by NWS Great Falls, MT
371
FNUS55 KTFX 202103
FWFTFX
Fire Weather Planning Forecast for North-Central Montana
National Weather Service Great Falls MT
303 PM MDT Wed Aug 20 2025
.DISCUSSION...
An unstable southwesterly flow aloft is bringing another round of
scattered showers and thunderstorms this afternoon into tonight,
strongest and most widespread over the eastern zones. The primary
thunderstorm hazards will be localized strong, gusty winds, hail,
and brief downpours in addition to lightning. Thunderstorm gust
probabilities are running around 50 to 80% for 35 mph and 5 to 10%
for 60 mph, again highest over the eastern zones. Otherwise, very
warm, dry, and breezy conditions are expected today before a cold
frontal passage brings cooler temperatures and little to no
shower and thunderstorm chances heading into the weekend. Westerly
winds are most pronounced over zone 112 this afternoon where non-
thunderstorm wind gusts may exceed 30 mph. The cold front will
bring a northerly wind shift tonight followed by mostly easterly
winds on Thursday.
MTZ112-211030-
Eastern Glacier/Toole/Central/Eastern Pondera/Liberty-
303 PM MDT Wed Aug 20 2025
.TONIGHT...
* Sky/Weather...........Partly cloudy.
* Chance Lightning.......0 percent.
* Min Temperature.......46-51.
24 hr trend......9 degrees down.
* Max Humidity..........77-87 percent.
24 hr trend......5 percent down.
* Wind (20 FT).
Lower Elevations...Northwest winds 15 to 20 mph.
Ridges.............Northwest winds 15 to 20 mph.
* Mixing Height.........8500 ft agl decreasing to 500-1500 ft agl.
* Transport Winds.......Northwest around 30 mph decreasing to 20 to
25 mph after midnight.
* CWR...................0 percent.
.THURSDAY...
* Sky/Weather...........Mostly sunny.
* Chance Lightning.......0 percent.
* Max Temperature.......73-78...66-72 higher elevations.
24 hr trend......11 degrees down...5 degrees down higher
elevations.
* Min Humidity..........23-29 percent.
24 hr trend......4 percent up...4 percent down higher
elevations.
* Wind (20 FT).
Lower Elevations...North winds 10 to 15 mph.
Ridges.............Northwest winds 10 to 15 mph.
* Mixing Height.........1000-2000 ft agl increasing to 8000-8500 ft
agl.
* Transport Winds.......Northwest 15 to 20 mph.
* CWR...................0 percent.
.THURSDAY NIGHT...
* Sky/Weather...........Partly cloudy.
* Chance Lightning.......0 percent.
* Min Temperature.......45-51.
24 hr trend......Unchanged.
* Max Humidity..........60-70 percent.
24 hr trend......25 percent down...5 percent down higher
elevations.
* Wind (20 FT).
Lower Elevations...North winds 10 to 15 mph.
Ridges.............North winds 10 to 15 mph.
* Mixing Height.........8000 ft agl decreasing to 500-1500 ft agl.
* Transport Winds.......Northeast 20 to 25 mph.
* CWR...................0 percent.
.FRIDAY...
* Sky/Weather...........Mostly sunny.
* Chance Lightning.......0 percent.
* Max Temperature.......69-75...62-67 higher elevations.
24 hr trend......8 degrees down...3 degrees down higher
elevations.
* Min Humidity..........30-36 percent.
24 hr trend......5 percent up...11 percent up higher elevations.
* Wind (20 FT).
Lower Elevations...North winds 10 to 15 mph.
Ridges.............North winds 10 to 15 mph.
* Mixing Height.........1000-2500 ft agl increasing to 7000 ft agl.
* Transport Winds.......North 15 to 20 mph.
* CWR...................0 percent.
.FORECAST DAYS 3 THROUGH 7......
.SATURDAY...Mostly clear. Lows in the mid 40s. Highs in the mid
70s. East winds 10 to 15 mph.
.SUNDAY...Mostly clear. Lows in the upper 40s. Highs in the upper
70s. East winds 10 to 15 mph.
.MONDAY...Mostly clear. Lows around 50. Highs around 80. East
winds 10 to 15 mph.
.TUESDAY...Mostly clear. Lows in the lower 50s. Highs in the
lower 80s.
.WEDNESDAY...Mostly clear. Lows in the lower 50s. Highs in the
lower 80s.
$$
MTZ113-211030-
Hill and Blaine Counties-
303 PM MDT Wed Aug 20 2025
.TONIGHT...
* Sky/Weather...........Partly cloudy. Chance of showers and
thunderstorms in the evening.
* Chance Lightning.......40 percent.
* Min Temperature.......52-57...46-53 higher elevations.
24 hr trend......9 degrees down.
* Max Humidity..........77-87 percent.
24 hr trend......5 percent up...16 percent up higher elevations.
* Wind (20 FT).
Lower Elevations...Northwest winds 10 to 15 mph.
Ridges.............Northwest winds 10 to 15 mph.
* Mixing Height.........7000 ft agl decreasing to 500-1000 ft agl.
* Transport Winds.......Northwest 20 to 25 mph.
* CWR...................10 percent.
.THURSDAY...
* Sky/Weather...........Sunny.
* Chance Lightning.......0 percent.
* Max Temperature.......73-78...67-72 higher elevations.
24 hr trend......11 degrees down.
* Min Humidity..........27-34 percent.
24 hr trend......4 percent up.
* Wind (20 FT).
Lower Elevations...Northwest winds 10 to 15 mph.
Ridges.............Northwest winds 10 to 15 mph.
* Mixing Height.........500-2000 ft agl increasing to 7000-7500 ft
agl.
* Transport Winds.......Northwest 20 to 25 mph.
* CWR...................0 percent.
.THURSDAY NIGHT...
* Sky/Weather...........Mostly clear.
* Chance Lightning.......0 percent.
* Min Temperature.......47-53.
24 hr trend......2 degrees down.
* Max Humidity..........61-71 percent.
24 hr trend......17 percent down.
* Wind (20 FT).
Lower Elevations...North winds 10 to 15 mph.
Ridges.............North winds 5 to 10 mph.
* Mixing Height.........7000 ft agl decreasing to 500-1500 ft agl.
* Transport Winds.......North 20 to 25 mph.
* CWR...................0 percent.
.FRIDAY...
* Sky/Weather...........Mostly sunny.
* Chance Lightning.......0 percent.
* Max Temperature.......71-76...64-69 higher elevations.
24 hr trend......2 degrees down.
* Min Humidity..........30-38 percent.
24 hr trend......1 percent down.
* Wind (20 FT).
Lower Elevations...Northwest winds 10 to 15 mph.
Ridges.............North winds 10 to 15 mph.
* Mixing Height.........500-1500 ft agl increasing to 6500-7000 ft
agl.
* Transport Winds.......Northwest around 25 mph.
* CWR...................0 percent.
.FORECAST DAYS 3 THROUGH 7......
.SATURDAY...Mostly clear. Lows in the upper 40s. Highs in the mid
70s. Northeast winds 10 to 15 mph.
.SUNDAY...Mostly clear. Lows in the upper 40s. Highs in the upper
70s. East winds 10 to 15 mph.
.MONDAY...Mostly clear. Lows around 50. Highs around 80. East
winds 10 to 15 mph.
.TUESDAY...Mostly clear. Lows in the lower 50s. Highs in the
lower 80s.
.WEDNESDAY...Mostly clear. Lows in the lower 50s. Highs in the
lower 80s.
$$
MTZ114-211030-
Lewis and Clark National Forest Rocky Mountain District-
Rocky Mountain Front-
303 PM MDT Wed Aug 20 2025
.TONIGHT...
* Sky/Weather...........Partly cloudy. Haze in the evening.
* Chance Lightning.......0 percent.
* Min Temperature.......45-53.
24 hr trend......9 degrees down.
* Max Humidity..........63-73 percent.
24 hr trend......3 percent up.
* Wind (20 FT).
Lower Elevations...West winds 10 to 15 mph.
Ridges.............West winds 10 to 15 mph.
* Mixing Height.........9500 ft agl decreasing to 1000-2000 ft agl.
* Transport Winds.......West around 25 mph becoming northwest 15 to
20 mph after midnight.
* CWR...................0 percent.
.THURSDAY...
* Sky/Weather...........Sunny.
* Chance Lightning.......0 percent.
* Max Temperature.......75-80...64-74 higher elevations.
24 hr trend......13 degrees down...7 degrees down higher
elevations.
* Min Humidity..........21-27 percent.
24 hr trend......3 percent up...12 percent down higher
elevations.
* Wind (20 FT).
Lower Elevations...North winds around 5 mph shifting to the
northeast in the afternoon.
Ridges.............West winds 10 to 15 mph.
* Mixing Height.........1000-2500 ft agl increasing to 7500-8500 ft
agl.
* Transport Winds.......Northwest 15 to 20 mph.
* CWR...................0 percent.
.THURSDAY NIGHT...
* Sky/Weather...........Mostly clear.
* Chance Lightning.......0 percent.
* Min Temperature.......42-51.
24 hr trend......1 degree up.
* Max Humidity..........59-68 percent.
24 hr trend......2 percent down.
* Wind (20 FT).
Lower Elevations...North winds 10 to 15 mph.
Ridges.............Northeast winds 10 to 15 mph.
* Mixing Height.........8000 ft agl decreasing to 1000-1500 ft agl.
* Transport Winds.......Northeast 15 to 20 mph.
* CWR...................0 percent.
.FRIDAY...
* Sky/Weather...........Sunny.
* Chance Lightning.......0 percent.
* Max Temperature.......70-75...58-68 higher elevations.
24 hr trend......5 degrees down.
* Min Humidity..........28-33 percent...33-43 percent higher
elevations.
24 hr trend......5 percent up...19 percent up higher elevations.
* Wind (20 FT).
Lower Elevations...Northeast winds 10 to 15 mph.
Ridges.............Northeast winds 15 to 20 mph shifting to
the east in the afternoon.
* Mixing Height.........1000-2000 ft agl increasing to 5000-6500 ft
agl.
* Transport Winds.......Northeast 15 to 20 mph.
* CWR...................0 percent.
.FORECAST DAYS 3 THROUGH 7......
.SATURDAY...Mostly clear. Lows in the mid 40s. Highs in the mid
70s. Northeast winds 15 to 20 mph.
.SUNDAY...Mostly clear. Lows in the upper 40s. Highs in the upper
70s. Northeast winds 10 to 15 mph.
.MONDAY...Partly cloudy. Lows around 50. Highs in the upper 70s.
Northeast winds 10 to 15 mph.
.TUESDAY...Mostly clear. Lows around 50. Highs in the upper 70s.
.WEDNESDAY...Partly cloudy. Lows in the lower 50s. Highs around
80.
$$
MTZ115-211030-
Chouteau and Fergus Counties-
303 PM MDT Wed Aug 20 2025
.TONIGHT...
* Sky/Weather...........Mostly cloudy then becoming partly cloudy.
Chance of showers and thunderstorms.
* Chance Lightning.......30 percent.
* Min Temperature.......53-60.
24 hr trend......6 degrees down.
* Max Humidity..........69-79 percent.
24 hr trend......4 percent down...10 percent down higher
elevations.
* Wind (20 FT).
Lower Elevations...North winds 10 to 15 mph shifting to the
west after midnight.
Ridges.............Northwest winds 10 to 15 mph.
* Mixing Height.........7000 ft agl decreasing to 500-1000 ft agl.
* Transport Winds.......Northwest 15 to 20 mph.
* CWR...................10 percent.
.THURSDAY...
* Sky/Weather...........Mostly sunny.
* Chance Lightning.......0 percent.
* Max Temperature.......76-81...68-74 higher elevations.
24 hr trend......13 degrees down.
* Min Humidity..........27-36 percent.
24 hr trend......3 percent up...10 percent up higher elevations.
* Wind (20 FT).
Lower Elevations...Northwest winds 10 to 15 mph.
Ridges.............Northwest winds 10 to 15 mph.
* Mixing Height.........500-2000 ft agl increasing to 7500 ft agl.
* Transport Winds.......Northwest 15 to 20 mph.
* CWR...................0 percent.
.THURSDAY NIGHT...
* Sky/Weather...........Partly cloudy.
* Chance Lightning.......0 percent.
* Min Temperature.......51-56.
24 hr trend......2 degrees down.
* Max Humidity..........57-66 percent.
24 hr trend......8 percent down.
* Wind (20 FT).
Lower Elevations...Northeast winds 10 to 15 mph.
Ridges.............Northeast winds 5 to 10 mph.
* Mixing Height.........5500-7000 ft agl decreasing to 500-1500 ft
agl early in the evening.
* Transport Winds.......Northeast 20 to 25 mph.
* CWR...................0 percent.
.FRIDAY...
* Sky/Weather...........Mostly sunny.
* Chance Lightning.......0 percent.
* Max Temperature.......72-77...63-70 higher elevations.
24 hr trend......3 degrees down.
* Min Humidity..........29-36 percent.
24 hr trend......5 percent up...unchanged higher elevations.
* Wind (20 FT).
Lower Elevations...North winds 10 to 15 mph.
Ridges.............North winds 10 to 15 mph.
* Mixing Height.........500-1500 ft agl increasing to 7000-7500 ft
agl.
* Transport Winds.......North 15 to 20 mph.
* CWR...................0 percent.
.FORECAST DAYS 3 THROUGH 7......
.SATURDAY...Mostly clear. Lows in the upper 40s. Highs in the
upper 70s. East winds 10 to 15 mph.
.SUNDAY...Mostly clear. Lows in the lower 50s. Highs in the upper
70s. East winds 15 to 20 mph.
.MONDAY...Partly cloudy. Lows in the lower 50s. Highs in the
lower 80s. East winds 15 to 20 mph.
.TUESDAY...Mostly clear. Lows in the lower 50s. Highs in the
lower 80s.
.WEDNESDAY...Mostly clear. Lows in the mid 50s. Highs in the mid
80s.
$$
MTZ116-118-211030-
Lincoln Ranger District of the Helena National Forest-
Helena and Townsend Ranger Districts of the Helena National
Forest-
303 PM MDT Wed Aug 20 2025
.TONIGHT...
* Sky/Weather...........Partly cloudy. Slight chance of showers and
thunderstorms in the evening. Haze through the night.
* Chance Lightning.......20 percent.
* Min Temperature.......48-56.
24 hr trend......6 degrees down.
* Max Humidity..........57-67 percent.
24 hr trend......9 percent up...4 percent down higher
elevations.
* Wind (20 FT).
Lower Elevations...Northwest winds 10 to 15 mph.
Ridges.............Northwest winds 10 to 15 mph.
* Mixing Height.........8500 ft agl decreasing to 1000-2000 ft agl.
* Transport Winds.......Northwest 20 to 25 mph.
* CWR...................0 percent.
.THURSDAY...
* Sky/Weather...........Sunny. Haze.
* Chance Lightning.......0 percent.
* Max Temperature.......76-84...67-76 higher elevations.
24 hr trend......7 degrees down.
* Min Humidity..........19-28 percent.
24 hr trend......3 percent up...2 percent down higher
elevations.
* Wind (20 FT).
Lower Elevations...North winds 10 to 15 mph.
Ridges.............Northwest winds 10 to 15 mph.
* Mixing Height.........1000-2500 ft agl increasing to 7500-8500 ft
agl.
* Transport Winds.......Northwest 15 to 20 mph.
* CWR...................0 percent.
.THURSDAY NIGHT...
* Sky/Weather...........Mostly clear. Haze in the evening.
* Chance Lightning.......0 percent.
* Min Temperature.......46-53.
24 hr trend......2 degrees down.
* Max Humidity..........60-70 percent.
24 hr trend......3 percent up.
* Wind (20 FT).
Lower Elevations...North winds 10 to 15 mph.
Ridges.............North winds 10 to 15 mph.
* Mixing Height.........8000 ft agl decreasing to 1000-1500 ft agl.
* Transport Winds.......North 15 to 20 mph increasing to northeast
around 25 mph after midnight.
* CWR...................0 percent.
.FRIDAY...
* Sky/Weather...........Sunny.
* Chance Lightning.......0 percent.
* Max Temperature.......71-81...63-73 higher elevations.
24 hr trend......3 degrees down...8 degrees down higher
elevations.
* Min Humidity..........29-39 percent.
24 hr trend......6 percent up...14 percent up higher elevations.
* Wind (20 FT).
Lower Elevations...Northeast winds 15 to 20 mph.
Ridges.............North winds 20 to 25 mph becoming northeast
10 to 15 mph in the afternoon.
* Mixing Height.........1000-2500 ft agl increasing to 7000 ft agl.
* Transport Winds.......Northeast 20 to 25 mph.
* CWR...................0 percent.
.FORECAST DAYS 3 THROUGH 7......
.SATURDAY...Mostly clear. Lows in the upper 40s. Highs in the
upper 70s. Northeast winds 15 to 20 mph.
.SUNDAY...Mostly clear. Lows around 50. Highs in the upper 70s.
Northeast winds 15 to 20 mph.
.MONDAY...Partly cloudy. Lows in the lower 50s. Highs in the
upper 70s. Northeast winds 10 to 15 mph.
.TUESDAY...Partly cloudy. Lows in the lower 50s. Highs in the
upper 70s.
.WEDNESDAY...Partly cloudy. Slight chance of showers and
thunderstorms. Lows in the lower 50s. Highs in the upper 70s.
$$
MTZ117-211030-
Central and Eastern Lewis and Clark National Forest Areas-
303 PM MDT Wed Aug 20 2025
.TONIGHT...
* Sky/Weather...........Mostly cloudy then becoming partly cloudy.
Haze in the evening. Chance of showers and thunderstorms in the
evening.
* Chance Lightning.......30 percent.
* Min Temperature.......49-55.
24 hr trend......6 degrees down.
* Max Humidity..........61-71 percent.
24 hr trend......5 percent down.
* Wind (20 FT).
Lower Elevations...Northwest winds 10 to 15 mph.
Ridges.............Northwest winds 10 to 15 mph.
* Mixing Height.........9000 ft agl decreasing to 1000 ft agl.
* Transport Winds.......Northwest 20 to 25 mph.
* CWR...................10 percent.
.THURSDAY...
* Sky/Weather...........Mostly sunny.
* Chance Lightning.......0 percent.
* Max Temperature.......75-81...66-75 higher elevations.
24 hr trend......10 degrees down.
* Min Humidity..........26-36 percent.
24 hr trend......4 percent up.
* Wind (20 FT).
Lower Elevations...North winds 10 to 15 mph.
Ridges.............Northwest winds 10 to 15 mph.
* Mixing Height.........1000-2000 ft agl increasing to 7500-8000 ft
agl.
* Transport Winds.......Northwest 15 to 20 mph.
* CWR...................0 percent.
.THURSDAY NIGHT...
* Sky/Weather...........Mostly clear.
* Chance Lightning.......0 percent.
* Min Temperature.......46-52.
24 hr trend......2 degrees down.
* Max Humidity..........62-72 percent.
24 hr trend......8 percent down...3 percent up higher
elevations.
* Wind (20 FT).
Lower Elevations...Northeast winds 10 to 15 mph.
Ridges.............Northeast winds 10 to 15 mph.
* Mixing Height.........7500 ft agl decreasing to 1000-1500 ft agl.
* Transport Winds.......Northeast 20 to 25 mph.
* CWR...................0 percent.
.FRIDAY...
* Sky/Weather...........Mostly sunny.
* Chance Lightning.......0 percent.
* Max Temperature.......70-76...61-70 higher elevations.
24 hr trend......5 degrees down.
* Min Humidity..........30-40 percent.
24 hr trend......11 percent up.
* Wind (20 FT).
Lower Elevations...Northeast winds 10 to 15 mph.
Ridges.............Northeast winds 10 to 15 mph.
* Mixing Height.........1000-2500 ft agl increasing to 5500-6500 ft
agl.
* Transport Winds.......Northeast 15 to 20 mph.
* CWR...................0 percent.
.FORECAST DAYS 3 THROUGH 7......
.SATURDAY...Mostly clear. Lows in the mid 40s. Highs in the mid
70s. East winds 15 to 20 mph.
.SUNDAY...Mostly clear. Lows in the upper 40s. Highs in the mid
70s. East winds 15 to 20 mph.
.MONDAY...Partly cloudy. Lows around 50. Highs in the upper 70s.
Southeast winds 15 to 20 mph.
.TUESDAY...Mostly clear. Lows around 50. Highs in the upper 70s.
.WEDNESDAY...Partly cloudy. Lows in the lower 50s. Highs in the
upper 70s.
$$
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