Routine Fire Wx Fcst (With/Without 6-10 Day Outlook)
Issued by NWS Great Falls, MT
Issued by NWS Great Falls, MT
581
FNUS55 KTFX 171959
FWFTFX
Fire Weather Planning Forecast for North-Central Montana
National Weather Service Great Falls MT
159 PM MDT Thu Sep 17 2026
.DISCUSSION...
Showers and thunderstorms will lift north and east across most
Fire Weather Zones, with the exception of 112, through Saturday.
Precipitation amounts across the aforementioned zones will vary
widely, with zones 113, 114, and northerly portions of 115 likely
to see less than 0.25" while the remaining zones generally see
between 0.5" to 1.5" of rainfall. Flash Flooding concerns will be
greatest over recent burn scars, along with the Horse Gulch area.
Drier conditions with above normal temperatures are then expected
from Sunday and through the first half of the upcoming work week.
- Moldan
MTZ112-181030-
Eastern Glacier/Toole/Central/Eastern Pondera/Liberty-
159 PM MDT Thu Sep 17 2026
.TONIGHT...
* Sky/Weather...........Partly cloudy then becoming mostly cloudy.
* Chance Lightning.......0 percent.
* Min Temperature.......46-51.
24 hr trend......7 degrees up.
* Max Humidity..........83-93 percent.
24 hr trend......9 percent down...19 percent down higher
elevations.
* Wind (20 FT).
Lower Elevations...East winds around 5 mph shifting to the
northwest after midnight.
Ridges.............Southeast winds around 5 mph shifting to
the northwest after midnight.
* Mixing Height.........3000 ft agl decreasing to 500-1000 ft agl.
* Transport Winds.......East 10 to 15 mph shifting to the northwest
after midnight.
* CWR...................0 percent.
.FRIDAY...
* Sky/Weather...........Mostly sunny.
* Chance Lightning.......0 percent.
* Max Temperature.......66-73...60-65 higher elevations.
24 hr trend......Unchanged.
* Min Humidity..........45-54 percent.
24 hr trend......2 percent up...13 percent up higher elevations.
* Wind (20 FT).
Lower Elevations...Northwest winds around 5 mph shifting to
the northeast in the afternoon.
Ridges.............North winds around 5 mph.
* Mixing Height.........500-2000 ft agl increasing to 4500-5000 ft
agl.
* Transport Winds.......North 10 to 15 mph.
* CWR...................0 percent.
.FRIDAY NIGHT...
* Sky/Weather...........Mostly cloudy.
* Chance Lightning.......0 percent.
* Min Temperature.......45-50.
24 hr trend......Unchanged.
* Max Humidity..........86-96 percent.
24 hr trend......1 percent down...8 percent up higher
elevations.
* Wind (20 FT).
Lower Elevations...North winds 5 to 10 mph.
Ridges.............Northeast winds 5 to 10 mph.
* Mixing Height.........4000 ft agl decreasing to 500-1500 ft agl.
* Transport Winds.......Northeast 15 to 20 mph.
* CWR...................0 percent.
.SATURDAY...
* Sky/Weather...........Partly sunny.
* Chance Lightning.......0 percent.
* Max Temperature.......64-69.
24 hr trend......2 degrees down.
* Min Humidity..........49-54 percent.
24 hr trend......5 percent up...unchanged higher elevations.
* Wind (20 FT).
Lower Elevations...North winds around 5 mph shifting to the
east in the afternoon.
Ridges.............East winds 5 to 10 mph.
* Mixing Height.........500-2000 ft agl increasing to 3000-4500 ft
agl in the afternoon.
* Transport Winds.......East 15 to 20 mph.
* CWR...................0 percent.
.FORECAST DAYS 3 THROUGH 7......
.SUNDAY...Partly cloudy. Lows in the upper 40s. Highs in the
lower 70s. South winds 15 to 20 mph.
.MONDAY...Mostly clear. Lows in the upper 40s. Highs in the lower
70s. South winds 15 to 20 mph.
.TUESDAY...Mostly clear. Lows in the upper 40s. Highs in the
lower 70s. Southwest winds 15 to 20 mph.
.WEDNESDAY...Partly cloudy. Lows in the upper 40s. Highs in the
upper 60s.
.THURSDAY...Partly cloudy. Lows in the mid 40s. Highs in the
upper 60s.
$$
MTZ113-181030-
Hill and Blaine Counties-
159 PM MDT Thu Sep 17 2026
.TONIGHT...
* Sky/Weather...........Partly cloudy then becoming mostly cloudy.
* Chance Lightning.......0 percent.
* Min Temperature.......48-53.
24 hr trend......4 degrees up.
* Max Humidity..........86-96 percent.
24 hr trend......Unchanged...12 percent down higher elevations.
* Wind (20 FT).
Lower Elevations...East winds 10 to 15 mph shifting to the
northeast after midnight.
Ridges.............Southeast winds 10 to 15 mph shifting to
the southwest after midnight.
* Mixing Height.........1000-2500 ft agl decreasing to BELOW 1000
ft agl early in the evening.
* Transport Winds.......East 15 to 20 mph shifting to the northeast
after midnight.
* CWR...................0 percent.
.FRIDAY...
* Sky/Weather...........Mostly sunny.
* Chance Lightning.......0 percent.
* Max Temperature.......72-77...64-69 higher elevations.
24 hr trend......1 degree down.
* Min Humidity..........42-48 percent...50-58 percent higher
elevations.
24 hr trend......1 percent up.
* Wind (20 FT).
Lower Elevations...North winds 10 to 15 mph.
Ridges.............North winds 10 to 15 mph.
* Mixing Height.........500-2000 ft agl increasing to 5000 ft agl.
* Transport Winds.......North 10 to 15 mph.
* CWR...................0 percent.
.FRIDAY NIGHT...
* Sky/Weather...........Mostly cloudy.
* Chance Lightning.......0 percent.
* Min Temperature.......48-53.
24 hr trend......Unchanged.
* Max Humidity..........89-99 percent.
24 hr trend......Unchanged...12 percent up higher elevations.
* Wind (20 FT).
Lower Elevations...Northeast winds 10 to 15 mph.
Ridges.............Northeast winds 10 to 15 mph.
* Mixing Height.........4000 ft agl decreasing to 500-2000 ft agl.
* Transport Winds.......Northeast 15 to 20 mph.
* CWR...................0 percent.
.SATURDAY...
* Sky/Weather...........Partly sunny. Slight chance of rain in the
morning. Chance of showers and slight chance of thunderstorms in
the afternoon.
* Chance Lightning.......20 percent.
* Max Temperature.......63-69...56-61 higher elevations.
24 hr trend......6 degrees down.
* Min Humidity..........50-60 percent...64-70 percent higher
elevations.
24 hr trend......5 percent up...15 percent up higher elevations.
* Wind (20 FT).
Lower Elevations...Northeast winds 10 to 15 mph.
Ridges.............Northeast winds 10 to 15 mph.
* Mixing Height.........500-2000 ft agl increasing to 2500-4000 ft
agl late in the morning.
* Transport Winds.......East 20 to 25 mph.
* CWR...................10 percent.
.FORECAST DAYS 3 THROUGH 7......
.SUNDAY...Mostly cloudy. Chance of rain. Lows in the upper 40s.
Highs around 70. Southeast winds 10 to 15 mph.
.MONDAY...Partly cloudy. Lows in the upper 40s. Highs in the
lower 70s. Southeast winds 15 to 20 mph.
.TUESDAY...Mostly clear. Lows around 50. Highs in the mid 70s.
South winds 15 to 20 mph.
.WEDNESDAY...Partly cloudy. Lows in the upper 40s. Highs in the
lower 70s.
.THURSDAY...Partly cloudy. Lows in the upper 40s. Highs in the
lower 70s.
$$
MTZ114-181030-
Lewis and Clark National Forest Rocky Mountain District-
Rocky Mountain Front-
159 PM MDT Thu Sep 17 2026
.TONIGHT...
* Sky/Weather...........Mostly cloudy then becoming partly cloudy.
Slight chance of rain in the evening.
* Chance Lightning.......0 percent.
* Min Temperature.......44-51.
24 hr trend......5 degrees up.
* Max Humidity..........84-94 percent.
24 hr trend......10 percent down...1 percent down higher
elevations.
* Wind (20 FT).
Lower Elevations...Northeast winds around 5 mph shifting to
the west after midnight.
Ridges.............Southeast winds around 5 mph shifting to
the west after midnight.
* Mixing Height.........3000 ft agl decreasing to 500-1000 ft agl.
* Transport Winds.......East 10 to 15 mph shifting to the west
after midnight.
* CWR...................0 percent.
.FRIDAY...
* Sky/Weather...........Mostly sunny. Chance of showers and slight
chance of thunderstorms in the afternoon.
* Chance Lightning.......20 percent.
* Max Temperature.......68-73...56-65 higher elevations.
24 hr trend......1 degree down.
* Min Humidity..........45-53 percent...55-65 percent higher
elevations.
24 hr trend......6 percent up...20 percent up higher elevations.
* Wind (20 FT).
Lower Elevations...Northwest winds around 5 mph shifting to
the northeast in the afternoon.
Ridges.............West winds around 5 mph shifting to the
northeast in the afternoon.
* Mixing Height.........500-1500 ft agl increasing to 4000-4500 ft
agl.
* Transport Winds.......Northwest 10 to 15 mph shifting to the
north in the afternoon.
* CWR...................0 percent.
.FRIDAY NIGHT...
* Sky/Weather...........Mostly cloudy. Chance of showers and slight
chance of thunderstorms in the evening. Chance of rain after
midnight.
* Chance Lightning.......20 percent.
* Min Temperature.......43-52.
24 hr trend......1 degree up.
* Max Humidity..........85-95 percent.
24 hr trend......3 percent up.
* Wind (20 FT).
Lower Elevations...North winds 5 to 10 mph.
Ridges.............North winds 5 to 10 mph.
* Mixing Height.........3500 ft agl decreasing to 500-1500 ft agl.
* Transport Winds.......Northeast 15 to 20 mph.
* CWR...................10 percent.
.SATURDAY...
* Sky/Weather...........Partly sunny. Chance of rain.
* Chance Lightning.......0 percent.
* Max Temperature.......62-67...51-60 higher elevations.
24 hr trend......6 degrees down.
* Min Humidity..........54-64 percent...63-73 percent higher
elevations.
24 hr trend......12 percent up.
* Wind (20 FT).
Lower Elevations...Northeast winds 5 to 10 mph.
Ridges.............North winds 10 to 15 mph shifting to the
east in the afternoon.
* Mixing Height.........500-2000 ft agl increasing to 2500-4000 ft
agl in the afternoon.
* Transport Winds.......Northeast 15 to 20 mph.
* CWR...................20 percent.
.FORECAST DAYS 3 THROUGH 7......
.SUNDAY...Partly cloudy. Lows in the mid 40s. Highs in the upper
60s. Southwest winds 10 to 15 mph.
.MONDAY...Mostly clear. Lows in the mid 40s. Highs in the lower
70s. Southwest winds 10 to 15 mph.
.TUESDAY...Mostly clear. Lows in the upper 40s. Highs around 70.
Southwest winds 15 to 20 mph.
.WEDNESDAY...Partly cloudy. Lows in the upper 40s. Highs in the
upper 60s.
.THURSDAY...Partly cloudy. Lows in the mid 40s. Highs in the
upper 60s.
$$
MTZ115-181030-
Chouteau and Fergus Counties-
159 PM MDT Thu Sep 17 2026
.TONIGHT...
* Sky/Weather...........Mostly cloudy.
* Chance Lightning.......0 percent.
* Min Temperature.......49-54.
24 hr trend......8 degrees up.
* Max Humidity..........80-90 percent...69-79 percent higher
elevations.
24 hr trend......17 percent down.
* Wind (20 FT).
Lower Elevations...East winds 10 to 15 mph shifting to the
west after midnight.
Ridges.............South winds 10 to 15 mph shifting to the
southwest after midnight.
* Mixing Height.........3000 ft agl decreasing to 500-1000 ft agl.
* Transport Winds.......Southeast 15 to 20 mph shifting to the west
after midnight.
* CWR...................0 percent.
.FRIDAY...
* Sky/Weather...........Mostly sunny.
* Chance Lightning.......0 percent.
* Max Temperature.......72-77...64-72 higher elevations.
24 hr trend......4 degrees down.
* Min Humidity..........41-49 percent.
24 hr trend......10 percent up.
* Wind (20 FT).
Lower Elevations...West winds 10 to 15 mph shifting to the
north in the afternoon.
Ridges.............West winds 10 to 15 mph shifting to the
north in the afternoon.
* Mixing Height.........500-1500 ft agl increasing to 4500-5000 ft
agl.
* Transport Winds.......Northwest 15 to 20 mph shifting to the
north in the afternoon.
* CWR...................0 percent.
.FRIDAY NIGHT...
* Sky/Weather...........Mostly cloudy. Slight chance of showers in
the evening. Slight chance of thunderstorms through the night.
Chance of showers after midnight.
* Chance Lightning.......20 percent.
* Min Temperature.......50-55.
24 hr trend......Unchanged.
* Max Humidity..........86-96 percent.
24 hr trend......5 percent up...27 percent up higher elevations.
* Wind (20 FT).
Lower Elevations...Northeast winds 10 to 15 mph.
Ridges.............Northeast winds 10 to 15 mph.
* Mixing Height.........3500 ft agl decreasing to 500-1500 ft agl.
* Transport Winds.......Northeast 15 to 20 mph.
* CWR...................20 percent.
.SATURDAY...
* Sky/Weather...........Mostly cloudy. Chance of rain in the
morning, then showers and slight chance of thunderstorms in the
afternoon.
* Chance Lightning.......20 percent.
* Max Temperature.......59-68...50-56 higher elevations.
24 hr trend......5 degrees down...16 degrees down higher
elevations.
* Min Humidity..........62-72 percent...83-93 percent higher
elevations.
24 hr trend......10 percent up...40 percent up higher
elevations.
* 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 3000-4000 ft
agl in the afternoon.
* Transport Winds.......Northeast 15 to 20 mph.
* CWR...................50 percent.
.FORECAST DAYS 3 THROUGH 7......
.SUNDAY...Mostly cloudy. Showers and slight chance of
thunderstorms. Lows around 50. Highs in the lower 70s. East winds
10 to 15 mph.
.MONDAY...Mostly clear. Lows in the upper 40s. Highs in the mid
70s. Southeast winds 10 to 15 mph.
.TUESDAY...Mostly clear. Lows in the lower 50s. Highs in the mid
70s. South winds 15 to 20 mph.
.WEDNESDAY...Partly cloudy. Lows around 50. Highs in the mid 70s.
.THURSDAY...Partly cloudy. Lows around 50. Highs in the mid 70s.
$$
MTZ116-118-181030-
Lincoln Ranger District of the Helena National Forest-
Helena and Townsend Ranger Districts of the Helena National
Forest-
159 PM MDT Thu Sep 17 2026
.TONIGHT...
* Sky/Weather...........Mostly cloudy then becoming partly cloudy.
Chance of showers and slight chance of thunderstorms in the
evening.
* Chance Lightning.......20 percent.
* Min Temperature.......46-52.
24 hr trend......6 degrees up.
* Max Humidity..........85-95 percent.
24 hr trend......14 percent up.
* Wind (20 FT).
Lower Elevations...South winds 5 to 10 mph.
Ridges.............South winds 5 to 10 mph shifting to the
southwest after midnight.
* Mixing Height.........3500 ft agl decreasing to 500-1000 ft agl.
* Transport Winds.......South 10 to 15 mph.
* CWR...................10 percent.
.FRIDAY...
* Sky/Weather...........Partly sunny. Slight chance of rain in the
morning. Chance of showers and slight chance of thunderstorms in
the afternoon.
* Chance Lightning.......20 percent.
* Max Temperature.......66-74...58-66 higher elevations.
24 hr trend......7 degrees down.
* Min Humidity..........51-61 percent.
24 hr trend......13 percent up.
* Wind (20 FT).
Lower Elevations...Southwest winds around 5 mph shifting to
the north in the afternoon.
Ridges.............West winds around 5 mph shifting to the
north in the afternoon.
* Mixing Height.........500-1500 ft agl increasing to 3500-4500 ft
agl.
* Transport Winds.......Southwest 10 to 15 mph shifting to the
north in the afternoon.
* CWR...................10 percent.
.FRIDAY NIGHT...
* Sky/Weather...........Cloudy. Showers likely and chance of
thunderstorms in the evening, then showers and slight chance of
thunderstorms after midnight.
* Chance Lightning.......50 percent.
* Min Temperature.......45-52.
24 hr trend......Unchanged.
* Max Humidity..........90-100 percent.
24 hr trend......Unchanged...15 percent up higher elevations.
* Wind (20 FT).
Lower Elevations...North winds 10 to 15 mph.
Ridges.............North winds 10 to 15 mph.
* Mixing Height.........1000-2000 ft agl.
* Transport Winds.......Northeast 15 to 20 mph.
* CWR...................70 percent.
.SATURDAY...
* Sky/Weather...........Mostly cloudy. Rain in the morning, then
showers and slight chance of thunderstorms in the afternoon.
* Chance Lightning.......20 percent.
* Max Temperature.......55-63...48-56 higher elevations.
24 hr trend......11 degrees down.
* Min Humidity..........77-87 percent.
24 hr trend......33 percent up...28 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.
* Transport Winds.......North 15 to 20 mph.
* CWR...................70 percent.
.FORECAST DAYS 3 THROUGH 7......
.SUNDAY...Warmer. Mostly cloudy. Showers likely and slight chance
of thunderstorms. Lows in the mid 40s. Highs in the upper 60s.
West winds around 5 mph.
.MONDAY...Mostly clear. Lows in the mid 40s. Highs around 70.
South winds 10 to 15 mph.
.TUESDAY...Mostly clear. Slight chance of rain. Lows in the upper
40s. Highs in the upper 60s. Southwest winds 10 to 15 mph.
.WEDNESDAY...Mostly clear. Lows in the mid 40s. Highs in the
upper 60s.
.THURSDAY...Mostly clear. Lows in the mid 40s. Highs in the upper
60s.
$$
MTZ117-181030-
Central and Eastern Lewis and Clark National Forest Areas-
159 PM MDT Thu Sep 17 2026
.TONIGHT...
* Sky/Weather...........Mostly cloudy then becoming partly cloudy.
* Chance Lightning.......0 percent.
* Min Temperature.......47-52.
24 hr trend......6 degrees up.
* Max Humidity..........78-88 percent.
24 hr trend......16 percent down...4 percent up higher
elevations.
* Wind (20 FT).
Lower Elevations...Southeast winds 10 to 15 mph shifting to
the southwest after midnight.
Ridges.............Southwest winds 10 to 15 mph.
* Mixing Height.........3000 ft agl decreasing to 500-1000 ft agl.
* Transport Winds.......South 15 to 20 mph shifting to the
southwest after midnight.
* CWR...................0 percent.
.FRIDAY...
* Sky/Weather...........Mostly sunny. Chance of showers and slight
chance of thunderstorms in the afternoon.
* Chance Lightning.......20 percent.
* Max Temperature.......68-74...60-69 higher elevations.
24 hr trend......3 degrees down.
* Min Humidity..........46-56 percent.
24 hr trend......9 percent up.
* Wind (20 FT).
Lower Elevations...West winds 10 to 15 mph shifting to the
north in the afternoon.
Ridges.............West winds 10 to 15 mph shifting to the
northeast in the afternoon.
* Mixing Height.........500-2000 ft agl increasing to 4000-5000 ft
agl.
* Transport Winds.......West 15 to 20 mph shifting to the northeast
in the afternoon.
* CWR...................10 percent.
.FRIDAY NIGHT...
* Sky/Weather...........Mostly cloudy. Chance of showers in the
evening. Slight chance of thunderstorms through the night.
Showers after midnight.
* Chance Lightning.......20 percent.
* Min Temperature.......45-52.
24 hr trend......Unchanged.
* Max Humidity..........89-99 percent.
24 hr trend......16 percent up...25 percent up higher
elevations.
* Wind (20 FT).
Lower Elevations...North winds 10 to 15 mph.
Ridges.............North winds 10 to 15 mph.
* Mixing Height.........1500-3000 ft agl decreasing to 500-1000 ft
agl early in the evening.
* Transport Winds.......Northeast 15 to 20 mph.
* CWR...................50 percent.
.SATURDAY...
* Sky/Weather...........Mostly cloudy. Rain in the morning, then
showers and slight chance of thunderstorms in the afternoon.
* Chance Lightning.......20 percent.
* Max Temperature.......56-66...47-55 higher elevations.
24 hr trend......13 degrees down.
* Min Humidity..........63-73 percent...80-90 percent higher
elevations.
24 hr trend......31 percent up.
* Wind (20 FT).
Lower Elevations...North winds 10 to 15 mph.
Ridges.............North winds 10 to 15 mph.
* Mixing Height.........500-2000 ft agl increasing to 2500-3500 ft
agl in the afternoon.
* Transport Winds.......Northeast 15 to 20 mph.
* CWR...................60 percent.
.FORECAST DAYS 3 THROUGH 7......
.SUNDAY...Mostly cloudy. Showers likely and slight chance of
thunderstorms. Lows in the mid 40s. Highs in the upper 60s. West
winds 10 to 15 mph.
.MONDAY...Mostly clear. Lows in the mid 40s. Highs in the lower
70s. South winds 10 to 15 mph.
.TUESDAY...Mostly clear. Slight chance of rain. Lows in the upper
40s. Highs in the lower 70s. Southwest winds 15 to 20 mph.
.WEDNESDAY...Mostly clear. Lows in the upper 40s. Highs in the
upper 60s.
.THURSDAY...Mostly clear. Lows in the upper 40s. Highs around 70.
$$
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