Routine Fire Wx Fcst (With/Without 6-10 Day Outlook)
Issued by NWS Missoula, MT
Issued by NWS Missoula, MT
505
FNUS55 KMSO 031851
FWFMSO
Fire Weather Planning Forecast for Wrn Montana and N Cntrl Idaho
National Weather Service Missoula MT
1251 PM MDT Wed Sep 3 2025
.DISCUSSION...
Idaho (Zones 102 and 103): Hot and dry conditions will peak this afternoon and
Thursday under a strong high-pressure ridge, with very poor overnight RH
recoveries in thermal belts. Winds today will generally be light and
terrain-driven. On Thursday, north and northwest winds in the afternoon
area expected to increase and shift to east during the evening
especially on exposed ridges. East winds will then remain into Friday
morning. Thicker smoke from Canada may be transported into the area by
Friday. The ridge will begin to weaken by the weekend, allowing for a
return of showers and thunderstorms.
Northwest MT (Zones 104 and 105): The peak of the heatwave will occur
this afternoon with hot, dry conditions and poor overnight RH
recoveries in thermal belts into Thursday morning. An uptick in
northwest winds this afternoon, combined with critically low RH, will
temporarily elevate fire weather concerns. The primary wind event
arrives Thursday morning, as strong easterly winds develop, gusting
25-35 mph through late evening. Thicker smoke from Canada is expected
to arrive with the easterly flow on Thursday. Showers and thunderstorms
are possible over the weekend as the ridge breaks down.
West Central MT (Zones 106, 107 and 108): Hot and dry conditions will
peak this afternoon with poor overnight RH recoveries in the thermal
belts into Thursday morning. A brief increase in northwest winds this
afternoon could elevate fire concerns given the critically low RH. The
main concern shifts to wind on Thursday as easterly winds increase in
the morning continuing through late evening. Thicker smoke is expected
to be transported from Canada on Thursday. A pattern shift this weekend
will bring a return of showers and thunderstorms.
Southwest MT (Zones 109, 110 and 111): Hot and dry conditions will peak
this afternoon with poor overnight RH recoveries in thermal belts
through Thursday morning. A brief increase in northwest winds this
afternoon could temporarily elevate fire concerns. On Thursday,
northeasterly winds will increase, becoming gusty by late morning and afternoon.
Thicker smoke from Canada is expected to arrive on Thursday. The ridge
will weaken by the weekend, allowing for the return of showers and
thunderstorms.
IDZ102-103-041900-
Palouse/Hells Canyon-Clearwater/Nez Perce-
1151 AM PDT Wed Sep 3 2025
.TONIGHT...
* Sky/Weather.........Partly cloudy. Haze. Areas of smoke after
midnight.
* Min Temperature.....55-65.
* Max Humidity........42-52 percent valleys and 35-45 percent
ridges.
* 20-Foot Winds.......
* Lower Elevation......Downslope/downvalley 2-5 mph.
* Ridge Top............Northwest 5-10 mph becoming southwest after
midnight.
* Mixing Height.......9 kft agl until 1900. Below 500 ft to 1 kft
agl after 2000.
* Transport Winds.....Northwest 10 mph.
* Chance Lightning....0 percent in the Palouse/Hells Canyon...and
near 0 percent in the Clearwater/Nez Perce.
* CWR (> 0.10 Inch)...0 percent.
.THURSDAY...
* Sky/Weather.........Mostly sunny. Areas of smoke in the morning.
Haze.
* Max Temperature.....93-103 valleys and 75-85 ridges.
* Min Humidity........13-23 percent.
* 20-Foot Winds.......
* Lower Elevation......Calm to becoming upslope/upvalley 4-8 mph in
the afternoon.
* Ridge Top............South 5-10 mph becoming west to northwest
10-15 mph in the afternoon.
* Mixing Height.......2 kft agl until 1100. 10 kft agl after 1500.
* Transport Winds.....Variable less than 10 mph until 1000, then
northwest 10 mph.
* Chance Lightning....Near 0 percent.
* CWR (> 0.10 Inch)...0 percent.
.THURSDAY NIGHT...
* Sky/Weather.........Partly cloudy. Haze in the evening.
* Min Temperature.....53-63.
* Max Humidity........45-55 percent.
* 20-Foot Winds.......
* Lower Elevation......Northeast 5-10 mph becoming east after
midnight.
* Ridge Top............Northeast 10-20 mph becoming southeast 5-15
mph after midnight.
* Mixing Height.......9 kft agl until 1900. Below 500 ft to 1 kft
agl after 2000.
* Transport Winds.....Northeast 10 mph until 2200, then east 10
mph.
* Chance Lightning....Near 0 percent.
* CWR (> 0.10 Inch)...0 percent.
.FRIDAY...
* Sky/Weather.........Mostly sunny.
* Max Temperature.....90-100 valleys and 73-83 ridges.
* Min Humidity........15-25 percent.
* 20-Foot Winds.......
* Lower Elevation......Calm to becoming upslope/upvalley 4-8 mph in
the afternoon.
* Ridge Top............Southeast 5-15 mph becoming north up to 5
mph in the afternoon.
* Mixing Height.......2 kft agl until 1100. 10 kft agl after 1600.
* Transport Winds.....East 10 mph until 1400, then variable less
than 10 mph.
* Chance Lightning....Near 0 percent.
* CWR (> 0.10 Inch)...0 percent.
.SATURDAY...Partly cloudy with an increasing chance of afternoon
showers and thunderstorms. Chance of precipitation 20 percent. Lows
55-65. Highs 85-95. Min humidities 10-20 percent. East winds 5-10 mph.
.SUNDAY...Not as warm. Partly cloudy with chance of rain showers and
slight chance of thunderstorms. Chance of precipitation 30 percent.
Lows 55-65. Highs 75-85. Min humidities 25-35 percent. Southwest winds
5-10 mph.
.MONDAY...Partly cloudy with chance of rain showers and slight chance
of thunderstorms. Chance of precipitation 30 percent. Lows 55-65. Highs
75-85. Southwest winds 5-10 mph.
.TUESDAY...Cooler. Mostly cloudy with chance of rain showers and slight
chance of thunderstorms. Chance of precipitation 50 percent. Lows
50-60. Highs 65-75.
.WEDNESDAY...Mostly cloudy with chance of rain. Chance of rain
50 percent. Lows 50-60. Highs 65-75.
$$
MTZ104-105-041900-
Kootenai-Flathead/Glacier Park-
1251 PM MDT Wed Sep 3 2025
.TONIGHT...
* Sky/Weather.........Mostly clear. Haze. Areas of smoke after
midnight.
* Min Temperature.....50-60.
* Max Humidity........62-72 percent valleys and 50-60 percent
ridges.
* 20-Foot Winds.......
* Lower Elevation......North 5-10 mph.
* Ridge Top............Northwest 5-10 mph increasing to north 15-25
mph after midnight.
* Mixing Height.......8 kft agl until 1900. 1-2 kft agl after 2000.
* Transport Winds.....Northwest 15 mph until 0400, then north 15
mph.
* Chance Lightning....0 percent in the Kootenai...and near 0
percent in the Flathead/Glacier Park.
* CWR (> 0.10 Inch)...0 percent.
.THURSDAY...
* Sky/Weather.........Partly cloudy. Areas of smoke in the morning.
Haze.
* Max Temperature.....78-88 valleys and 58-68 ridges.
* Min Humidity........27-37 percent valleys and 45-55 percent
ridges.
* 20-Foot Winds.......
* Lower Elevation......Northeast 10-20 mph.
* Ridge Top............Northeast 15-25 mph.
* Mixing Height.......3 kft agl until 1000. 7 kft agl after 1200.
* Transport Winds.....Northeast 15 mph.
* Chance Lightning....Near 0 percent.
* CWR (> 0.10 Inch)...0 percent.
.THURSDAY NIGHT...
* Sky/Weather.........Partly cloudy.
* Min Temperature.....43-53.
* Max Humidity........78-88 percent valleys and 60-70 percent
ridges.
* 20-Foot Winds.......
* Lower Elevation......East 10-20 mph.
* Ridge Top............East 15-25 mph.
* Mixing Height.......6 kft agl until 1900. Below 500 ft to 1 kft
agl after 2000.
* Transport Winds.....East 15 mph.
* Chance Lightning....0 percent.
* CWR (> 0.10 Inch)...0 percent.
.FRIDAY...
* Sky/Weather.........Mostly sunny.
* Max Temperature.....80-90 valleys and 65-75 ridges.
* Min Humidity........16-26 percent valleys and 26-36 percent
ridges.
* 20-Foot Winds.......
* Lower Elevation......Calm to becoming upslope/upvalley 4-8 mph in
the afternoon.
* Ridge Top............Southeast 5-15 mph.
* Mixing Height.......3 kft agl until 1100. 7 kft agl after 1600.
* Transport Winds.....East 10 mph.
* Chance Lightning....0 percent.
* CWR (> 0.10 Inch)...0 percent.
.SATURDAY...Mostly clear. Lows 50-60. Highs 80-90. Min humidities
10-20 percent. East winds 5-10 mph.
.SUNDAY...Partly cloudy with slight chance of rain showers and
thunderstorms. Chance of precipitation 20 percent. Lows 55-65. Highs
75-85. Min humidities 25-35 percent. Southwest winds 5-10 mph.
.MONDAY...Partly cloudy with chance of rain showers and slight chance
of thunderstorms. Chance of precipitation 30 percent. Lows 55-65. Highs
70-80. Southwest winds 5-10 mph.
.TUESDAY...Mostly cloudy with chance of rain showers and slight chance
of thunderstorms. Chance of precipitation 30 percent. Lows 50-60. Highs
70-80.
.WEDNESDAY...Cooler. Mostly cloudy with chance of rain. Chance of rain
50 percent. Lows 50-60. Highs 60-70.
$$
MTZ106-108-041900-
West Lolo-East Lolo-
1251 PM MDT Wed Sep 3 2025
.TONIGHT...
* Sky/Weather.........Mostly clear. Haze.
* Min Temperature.....50-60.
* Max Humidity........45-55 percent valleys and 36-46 percent
ridges.
* 20-Foot Winds.......
* Lower Elevation......West 5-10 mph.
* Ridge Top............West 10-15 mph.
* Mixing Height.......10 kft agl until 1900. Below 500 ft to 1 kft
agl after 2000.
* Transport Winds.....Northwest 15 mph.
* Chance Lightning....Near 0 percent.
* CWR (> 0.10 Inch)...0 percent.
.THURSDAY...
* Sky/Weather.........Partly cloudy. Haze and areas of smoke.
* Max Temperature.....78-88 valleys and 70-80 ridges.
* Min Humidity........23-33 percent valleys and 30-40 percent
ridges.
* 20-Foot Winds.......
* Lower Elevation......East 10-20 mph.
* Ridge Top............East 10-20 mph.
* Mixing Height.......2 kft agl until 1000. 7 kft agl after 1200.
* Transport Winds.....Northwest 10 mph until 0800, then northeast
15 mph.
* Chance Lightning....Near 0 percent.
* CWR (> 0.10 Inch)...0 percent.
.THURSDAY NIGHT...
* Sky/Weather.........Partly cloudy.
* Min Temperature.....43-53.
* Max Humidity........65-75 percent valleys and 55-65 percent
ridges.
* 20-Foot Winds.......
* Lower Elevation......Northeast 10-20 mph becoming east 5-10 mph
after midnight.
* Ridge Top............East 10-20 mph.
* Mixing Height.......5 kft agl until 1900. Below 500 ft to 1 kft
agl after 2100.
* Transport Winds.....East 15 mph.
* Chance Lightning....Near 0 percent in the West Lolo...and 0
percent in the East Lolo.
* CWR (> 0.10 Inch)...0 percent.
.FRIDAY...
* Sky/Weather.........Mostly sunny.
* Max Temperature.....80-90 valleys and 70-80 ridges.
* Min Humidity........13-23 percent valleys and 19-29 percent
ridges.
* 20-Foot Winds.......
* Lower Elevation......East 5-15 mph decreasing to upslope/upvalley
4-8 mph in the afternoon.
* Ridge Top............East 5-15 mph.
* Mixing Height.......3 kft agl until 1100. 7 kft agl after 1500.
* Transport Winds.....East 10 mph.
* Chance Lightning....0 percent.
* CWR (> 0.10 Inch)...0 percent.
.SATURDAY...Mostly clear. Lows 50-60. Highs 80-90. Min humidities
10-20 percent. East winds 5-10 mph.
.SUNDAY...Partly cloudy with slight chance of rain showers and
thunderstorms. Chance of precipitation 20 percent. Lows 55-65. Highs
75-85. Min humidities 25-35 percent. Southwest winds 5-10 mph.
.MONDAY...Partly cloudy with chance of rain showers and slight chance
of thunderstorms. Chance of precipitation 30 percent. Lows 50-60. Highs
70-80. Southwest winds 5-10 mph.
.TUESDAY...Mostly cloudy with chance of rain showers and slight chance
of thunderstorms. Chance of precipitation 30 percent. Lows 50-60. Highs
70-80.
.WEDNESDAY...Cooler. Mostly cloudy with chance of rain. Chance of rain
40 percent. Lows 50-60. Highs 60-70.
$$
MTZ107-041900-
Flathead Reservation-
1251 PM MDT Wed Sep 3 2025
.TONIGHT...
* Sky/Weather.........Mostly clear. Haze.
* Min Temperature.....55-65.
* Max Humidity........42-52 percent.
* 20-Foot Winds.......
* Lower Elevation......West 5-10 mph.
* Ridge Top............Northwest 5-10 mph becoming southwest 5-15
mph after midnight.
* Mixing Height.......10 kft agl until 1900. Below 500 ft to 1 kft
agl after 2000.
* Transport Winds.....Northwest 15 mph until 0200, then 10 mph.
* Chance Lightning....0 percent.
* CWR (> 0.10 Inch)...0 percent.
.THURSDAY...
* Sky/Weather.........Partly cloudy. Haze and areas of smoke.
* Max Temperature.....85-90 valleys and 60-65 ridges.
* Min Humidity........30-40 percent valleys and 40-50 percent
ridges.
* 20-Foot Winds.......
* Lower Elevation......Northeast 5-15 mph.
* Ridge Top............Northeast to east 10-20 mph.
* Mixing Height.......1-2 kft agl until 1000. 7 kft agl after 1400.
* Transport Winds.....Northeast 15 mph until 1100, then 15 mph.
* Chance Lightning....Near 0 percent.
* CWR (> 0.10 Inch)...0 percent.
.THURSDAY NIGHT...
* Sky/Weather.........Partly cloudy. Haze in the evening.
* Min Temperature.....45-55.
* Max Humidity........55-65 percent.
* 20-Foot Winds.......
* Lower Elevation......Northeast 10-20 mph decreasing to 5-10 mph
after midnight.
* Ridge Top............Northeast 15-25 mph becoming southeast after
midnight.
* Mixing Height.......5 kft agl until 1900. Below 500 ft to 1 kft
agl after 2000.
* Transport Winds.....East 15 mph.
* Chance Lightning....0 percent.
* CWR (> 0.10 Inch)...0 percent.
.FRIDAY...
* Sky/Weather.........Mostly sunny.
* Max Temperature.....80-85 valleys and 60-65 ridges.
* Min Humidity........20-30 percent valleys and 27-37 percent
ridges.
* 20-Foot Winds.......
* Lower Elevation......Calm to variable less than 7 mph.
* Ridge Top............Southeast 10-20 mph becoming southwest 5-10
mph in the afternoon.
* Mixing Height.......3 kft agl until 1100. 6 kft agl after 1400.
* Transport Winds.....East 10 mph.
* Chance Lightning....0 percent.
* CWR (> 0.10 Inch)...0 percent.
.SATURDAY...Mostly clear. Lows 50-60. Highs 80-90. Min humidities
10-20 percent. East winds 5-10 mph.
.SUNDAY...Partly cloudy with slight chance of rain showers and
thunderstorms. Chance of precipitation 20 percent. Lows 55-65. Highs
80-90. Min humidities 25-35 percent. South winds 5-10 mph.
.MONDAY...Partly cloudy with chance of rain and slight chance of
thunderstorms. Chance of precipitation 30 percent. Lows 55-65. Highs
75-85. Southwest winds 5-10 mph.
.TUESDAY...Mostly cloudy with chance of rain showers and slight chance
of thunderstorms. Chance of precipitation 30 percent. Lows 55-65. Highs
70-80.
.WEDNESDAY...Mostly cloudy with chance of rain. Chance of rain
40 percent. Lows 50-60. Highs 65-75.
$$
MTZ109-041900-
Bitterroot-
1251 PM MDT Wed Sep 3 2025
.TONIGHT...
* Sky/Weather.........Mostly clear. Haze.
* Min Temperature.....55-60.
* Max Humidity........51-61 percent valleys and 37-47 percent
ridges.
* 20-Foot Winds.......
* Lower Elevation......Northwest 5-10 mph becoming south after
midnight.
* Ridge Top............Northwest 5-10 mph becoming southwest 10-15
mph after midnight.
* Mixing Height.......9 kft agl until 1900. 1-2 kft agl after 2000.
* Transport Winds.....Northwest 10 mph.
* Chance Lightning....0 percent in the Darby, Sula, and West Fork
Districts...and near 0 percent in areas north of Hamilton.
* CWR (> 0.10 Inch)...0 percent.
.THURSDAY...
* Sky/Weather.........Mostly sunny. Haze. Areas of smoke in the
afternoon.
* Max Temperature.....85-90 valleys and 70-80 ridges.
* Min Humidity........19-29 percent.
* 20-Foot Winds.......
* Lower Elevation......Calm to becoming north 10-15 mph in the
afternoon.
* Ridge Top............South 10-15 mph becoming north to northeast
10-20 mph in the afternoon.
* Mixing Height.......3 kft agl until 1100. 10 kft agl after 1400.
* Transport Winds.....West 10 mph until 1000, then north 15 mph.
* Chance Lightning....Near 0 percent.
* CWR (> 0.10 Inch)...0 percent.
.THURSDAY NIGHT...
* Sky/Weather.........Partly cloudy. Haze in the evening.
* Min Temperature.....45-50.
* Max Humidity........81-91 percent valleys and 63-73 percent
ridges.
* 20-Foot Winds.......
* Lower Elevation......Northeast 5-15 mph.
* Ridge Top............North 10-20 mph becoming east 5-15 mph after
midnight.
* Mixing Height.......8 kft agl until 1900. 1-2 kft agl after 2100.
* Transport Winds.....Northeast 15 mph until 2400, then east 10
mph.
* Chance Lightning....Near 0 percent.
* CWR (> 0.10 Inch)...0 percent.
.FRIDAY...
* Sky/Weather.........Mostly sunny.
* Max Temperature.....85-90 valleys and 70-75 ridges.
* Min Humidity........21-31 percent.
* 20-Foot Winds.......
* Lower Elevation......Calm to becoming upslope/upvalley 4-8 mph in
the afternoon.
* Ridge Top............Southeast 5-15 mph becoming northwest up to
5 mph in the afternoon.
* Mixing Height.......3 kft agl until 1100. 8 kft agl after 1500.
* Transport Winds.....East 10 mph until 1200, then north 10 mph.
* Chance Lightning....Near 0 percent in the Darby, Sula, and West
Fork Districts...and 0 percent in areas north of Hamilton.
* CWR (> 0.10 Inch)...0 percent.
.SATURDAY...Partly cloudy with a slight chance of afternoon showers and
thunderstorms. Chance of precipitation 20 percent. Lows 50-60. Highs
75-85. Min humidities 15-25 percent. East winds 5-10 mph.
.SUNDAY...Mostly cloudy with chance of rain showers and slight chance
of thunderstorms. Chance of precipitation 40 percent. Lows 55-65. Highs
70-80. Min humidities 25-35 percent. Southwest winds 5-10 mph.
.MONDAY...Partly cloudy with chance of rain showers and slight chance
of thunderstorms. Chance of precipitation 30 percent. Lows 50-60. Highs
70-80. Southwest winds 5-10 mph.
.TUESDAY...Mostly cloudy with chance of rain showers and slight chance
of thunderstorms. Chance of precipitation 50 percent. Lows 50-60. Highs
65-75.
.WEDNESDAY...Mostly cloudy with rain showers likely and slight chance
of thunderstorms. Chance of precipitation 60 percent. Lows 45-55. Highs
60-70.
$$
MTZ110-111-041900-
Deerlodge/West Beaverhead-East Beaverhead-
1251 PM MDT Wed Sep 3 2025
.TONIGHT...
* Sky/Weather.........Mostly clear. Haze.
* Min Temperature.....38-48 valleys and 50-55 ridges.
* Max Humidity........52-62 percent valleys and 38-48 percent
ridges.
* 20-Foot Winds.......
* Lower Elevation......Northwest 5-15 mph becoming southwest 10-15
mph after midnight.
* Ridge Top............Northwest 5-15 mph.
* Mixing Height.......11 kft agl until 1900. Below 500 ft to 1 kft
agl after 2000.
* Transport Winds.....Northwest 15 mph.
* Chance Lightning....0 percent.
* CWR (> 0.10 Inch)...0 percent.
.THURSDAY...
* Sky/Weather.........Partly cloudy. Haze and areas of smoke.
* Max Temperature.....70-80 valleys and 60-70 ridges.
* Min Humidity........24-34 percent.
* 20-Foot Winds.......
* Lower Elevation......South 10-20 mph increasing to north 20-30
mph in the afternoon.
* Ridge Top............West 5-15 mph increasing to northeast 15-25
mph in the afternoon.
* Mixing Height.......1-2 kft agl until 1000. 9 kft agl after 1400.
* Transport Winds.....Northwest 10 mph until 1000, then north 20
mph.
* Chance Lightning....Near 0 percent.
* CWR (> 0.10 Inch)...0 percent.
.THURSDAY NIGHT...
* Sky/Weather.........Partly cloudy.
* Min Temperature.....40-45.
* Max Humidity........87-97 percent valleys and 70-80 percent
ridges.
* 20-Foot Winds.......
* Lower Elevation......Northeast 20-30 mph decreasing to 5-10 mph
after midnight.
* Ridge Top............Northeast 10-20 mph.
* Mixing Height.......6 kft agl until 1900. Below 500 ft to 1 kft
agl after 2000.
* Transport Winds.....Northeast 20 mph until 2400, then 10 mph.
* Chance Lightning....Near 0 percent.
* CWR (> 0.10 Inch)...0 percent.
.FRIDAY...
* Sky/Weather.........Mostly sunny.
* Max Temperature.....75-80 valleys and 63-73 ridges.
* Min Humidity........19-29 percent.
* 20-Foot Winds.......
* Lower Elevation......Calm to variable less than 7 mph.
* Ridge Top............East 5-15 mph becoming north 5-10 mph in the
afternoon.
* Mixing Height.......3 kft agl until 1100. 8 kft agl after 1500.
* Transport Winds.....Northeast 10 mph until 1400, then north 10
mph.
* Chance Lightning....Near 0 percent.
* CWR (> 0.10 Inch)...0 percent.
.SATURDAY...Partly cloudy with a slight chance of afternoon showers and
thunderstorms. Chance of precipitation 20 percent. Lows 45-55. Highs 75-85.
Min humidities 15-25 percent. East winds 5-10 mph.
.SUNDAY...Partly cloudy with chance of rain showers and slight chance
of thunderstorms. Chance of precipitation 30 percent. Lows 50-60. Highs
70-80. Min humidities 20-30 percent. Southwest winds 5-10 mph.
.MONDAY...Partly cloudy with chance of rain showers and slight chance
of thunderstorms. Chance of precipitation 30 percent. Lows 45-55. Highs
70-80. Southwest winds 5-10 mph.
.TUESDAY...Mostly cloudy with chance of rain showers and slight chance
of thunderstorms. Chance of precipitation 30 percent. Lows 45-55. Highs
65-75.
.WEDNESDAY...Mostly cloudy with chance of rain showers and slight
chance of thunderstorms. Chance of precipitation 30 percent. Lows
45-55. Highs 60-70.
$$