858
FXUS65 KGGW 231852
AFDGGW

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Glasgow MT
1252 PM MDT Thu Jul 23 2026

.KEY MESSAGES...

- Triple digit temperatures expected for Friday through Sunday.
  Extreme Heat Warnings and Advisories are in effect for the 3 day
  period.

- Dry conditions most of the time but the could be an isolated
  thunderstorm tonight.

- Drier and breezier conditions Friday and Saturday will increase
  fire weather concerns. A Red Flag Warning is in effect Friday.



&&

.DISCUSSION...

WEATHER PATTERN OVERVIEW:
An upper ridge over the western states will bring the heat back to
the area through the weekend. A weak frontal system will help to
bring west winds Friday, Scattered storms are expected over
southern Sask tonight and one could briefly flirt with the
northern zones. Low chance pops are in place to cover that.

Abundant smoke from the Pacific NW fires is expected to stream
into the area Friday and could knock visibility in some places to
just 2 to 3 miles.

Winds tomorrow across Fort Peck Lake could be strong enough for a
Lake Wind Advisory.

Will upgrade the Extreme Heat Watch to a Warning for most
locations. Some in the northeast zones will have a Heat Advisory
that will last into Sunday.

Will upgrade the Fire Weather Watch for Friday to a Red Flag
Warning. Will not extend it into Saturday as winds do not look to
be strong enough. Fire weather issues may arise Sunday with higher
winds and low humidity. However zones 136 and 137 may not have the
wind to reach the criteria.

The upper ridge next week tries to push east but an upper trough
over the eastern US keeps it at bay. Expect a slight cooldown but
temps will remain above normal with mainly dry conditions.

FORECAST CONFIDENCE & DEVIATIONS:
Added thunderstorm chances to the forecast for tonight as some of
the CAMS are hinting at this. No other changes to NBM.

Low confidence that there will be a thunderstorm somewhere in
northeast Montana tonight, based on HREF. High confidence on
breezy west winds on Friday and on the heat this weekend.
TFJ


&&

.AVIATION...
VFR.

Smoke from the Pacific Northwest will move into the area, dropping
visibility to possibly near 3 miles for 2 to 3 hours Friday
morning to afternoon (15z-22z).

DENSITY ALTITUDE issues will begin to return to the
terminals Friday through the weekend.

WINDS: Will increase from the South tonight then switch to the
West early Friday morning with a weak front moving through. TFJ


&&

.GGW WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
Red Flag Warning from 10 AM to 9 PM MDT Friday for
Dawson/McCone/Prairie/Richland/Wibaux Counties-Northern Valley
and Northern Phillips Counties-Southern Petroleum and Southern
Garfield Counties-The Little Rockies-The Lower Missouri River
Breaks including the Charles M Russell National Wildlife Refuge.

Extreme Heat Warning from 10 AM Friday to 10 PM MDT Sunday for
Central and Southeast Phillips-Central and Southern Valley-
Dawson-Eastern Roosevelt-Garfield-McCone-Petroleum-Prairie-
Richland-Southwest Phillips-Western Roosevelt-Wibaux.

Heat Advisory from 10 AM Friday to 10 PM MDT Sunday for Northern
Phillips-Northern Valley.

&&

$$

weather.gov/glasgow