Routine Fire Wx Fcst (With/Without 6-10 Day Outlook)
Issued by NWS Great Falls, MT
Issued by NWS Great Falls, MT
573
FNUS55 KTFX 181825
FWFTFX
Fire Weather Planning Forecast for North-Central Montana
National Weather Service Great Falls MT
1225 PM MDT Fri Sep 18 2026
.DISCUSSION...
Showers and isolated thunderstorms will affect the southern
districts along and south of a line from Helena to Lewistown this
afternoon through tomorrow. Isolated thunderstorms will produce
small to large hail this afternoon/evening. All thunderstorms
will produce heavy rainfall, frequent lightning, and gusty,
erratic winds. Isolated thunderstorms this afternoon through tomorrow
have the potential to produce flash flooding. Sunday through
early next week it will warm up and dry out.
MTZ112-191030-
Eastern Glacier/Toole/Central/Eastern Pondera/Liberty-
1225 PM MDT Fri Sep 18 2026
.TONIGHT...
* Sky/Weather...........Mostly cloudy.
* Chance Lightning.......0 percent.
* Min Temperature.......45-50.
24 hr trend......1 degree up.
* Max Humidity..........86-93 percent.
24 hr trend......11 percent down...7 percent up higher
elevations.
* Wind (20 FT).
Lower Elevations...North winds 10 to 15 mph.
Ridges.............Northeast winds 10 to 15 mph shifting to
the east after midnight.
* Mixing Height.........4500 ft agl decreasing to 500-1000 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..........41-46 percent...45-55 percent higher
elevations.
24 hr trend......Unchanged.
* Wind (20 FT).
Lower Elevations...Northeast winds 10 to 15 mph shifting to
the southeast in the afternoon.
Ridges.............Southeast winds 10 to 15 mph.
* Mixing Height.........500-1500 ft agl increasing to 4500-5500 ft
agl.
* Transport Winds.......East 15 to 20 mph.
* CWR...................0 percent.
.SATURDAY NIGHT...
* Sky/Weather...........Mostly cloudy then becoming partly cloudy.
* Chance Lightning.......0 percent.
* Min Temperature.......44-49.
24 hr trend......3 degrees down.
* Max Humidity..........88-96 percent.
24 hr trend......4 percent up...5 percent down higher
elevations.
* Wind (20 FT).
Lower Elevations...South winds 15 to 20 mph.
Ridges.............South winds 15 to 20 mph.
* Mixing Height.........4500 ft agl decreasing to 500-1500 ft agl.
* Transport Winds.......Southeast 15 to 20 mph.
* CWR...................0 percent.
.SUNDAY...
* Sky/Weather...........Sunny.
* Chance Lightning.......0 percent.
* Max Temperature.......70-75...63-69 higher elevations.
24 hr trend......4 degrees up.
* Min Humidity..........36-46 percent.
24 hr trend......6 percent down...13 percent down higher
elevations.
* Wind (20 FT).
Lower Elevations...South winds 15 to 20 mph.
Ridges.............South winds 10 to 15 mph.
* Mixing Height.........500-1500 ft agl increasing to 4500-5500 ft
agl.
* Transport Winds.......South 15 to 20 mph.
* CWR...................0 percent.
.FORECAST DAYS 3 THROUGH 7......
.MONDAY...Mostly clear. Lows in the upper 40s. Highs in the mid
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
lower 70s. Southwest winds 10 to 15 mph.
.THURSDAY...Partly cloudy. Lows in the upper 40s. Highs in the
lower 70s.
.FRIDAY...Partly cloudy. Lows in the upper 40s. Highs in the
lower 70s.
$$
MTZ113-191030-
Hill and Blaine Counties-
1225 PM MDT Fri Sep 18 2026
.TONIGHT...
* Sky/Weather...........Mostly cloudy.
* Chance Lightning.......0 percent.
* Min Temperature.......48-53.
24 hr trend......5 degrees up...2 degrees down higher
elevations.
* Max Humidity..........90-97 percent.
24 hr trend......9 percent down...13 percent up higher
elevations.
* Wind (20 FT).
Lower Elevations...Northeast winds 10 to 15 mph.
Ridges.............Northeast winds 10 to 15 mph.
* Mixing Height.........4500 ft agl decreasing to 500-1500 ft agl.
* Transport Winds.......Northeast 15 to 20 mph.
* CWR...................0 percent.
.SATURDAY...
* Sky/Weather...........Mostly cloudy.
* Chance Lightning.......0 percent.
* Max Temperature.......64-70...56-61 higher elevations.
24 hr trend......4 degrees down.
* Min Humidity..........39-48 percent...50-55 percent higher
elevations.
24 hr trend......5 percent up.
* Wind (20 FT).
Lower Elevations...East winds 10 to 15 mph.
Ridges.............East winds 10 to 15 mph.
* Mixing Height.........500-1500 ft agl increasing to 4500-5000 ft
agl.
* Transport Winds.......East 20 to 25 mph.
* CWR...................0 percent.
.SATURDAY NIGHT...
* Sky/Weather...........Mostly cloudy. Chance of rain after
midnight.
* Chance Lightning.......0 percent.
* Min Temperature.......47-52.
24 hr trend......2 degrees down.
* Max Humidity..........95-100 percent.
24 hr trend......9 percent up...3 percent up higher elevations.
* Wind (20 FT).
Lower Elevations...East winds 10 to 15 mph.
Ridges.............East winds 5 to 10 mph.
* Mixing Height.........4500 ft agl decreasing to 500-2000 ft agl.
* Transport Winds.......Southeast 15 to 20 mph.
* CWR...................10 percent.
.SUNDAY...
* Sky/Weather...........Mostly sunny.
* Chance Lightning.......0 percent.
* Max Temperature.......65-73...59-64 higher elevations.
24 hr trend......2 degrees up.
* Min Humidity..........49-59 percent.
24 hr trend......2 percent down...9 percent up higher
elevations.
* Wind (20 FT).
Lower Elevations...Southeast winds 10 to 15 mph.
Ridges.............Southeast winds 5 to 10 mph.
* Mixing Height.........1000-2500 ft agl increasing to 3500-4500 ft
agl in the afternoon.
* Transport Winds.......Southeast 15 to 20 mph.
* CWR...................0 percent.
.FORECAST DAYS 3 THROUGH 7......
.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...Mostly clear. Lows in the upper 40s. Highs in the
mid 70s. South winds around 5 mph.
.THURSDAY...Partly cloudy. Lows around 50. Highs in the mid 70s.
.FRIDAY...Partly cloudy. Lows in the lower 50s. Highs in the mid
70s.
$$
MTZ114-191030-
Lewis and Clark National Forest Rocky Mountain District-
Rocky Mountain Front-
1225 PM MDT Fri Sep 18 2026
.TONIGHT...
* 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.......44-52.
24 hr trend......2 degrees up.
* Max Humidity..........87-97 percent.
24 hr trend......Unchanged...9 percent up higher elevations.
* Wind (20 FT).
Lower Elevations...North winds 10 to 15 mph.
Ridges.............North winds 10 to 15 mph.
* Mixing Height.........4500 ft agl decreasing to 500-1500 ft agl.
* Transport Winds.......Northeast 15 to 20 mph.
* CWR...................10 percent.
.SATURDAY...
* Sky/Weather...........Partly sunny. Slight chance of rain.
* Chance Lightning.......0 percent.
* Max Temperature.......61-67...52-59 higher elevations.
24 hr trend......5 degrees down.
* Min Humidity..........46-54 percent...57-67 percent higher
elevations.
24 hr trend......4 percent up.
* Wind (20 FT).
Lower Elevations...Northeast winds 5 to 10 mph.
Ridges.............Northeast winds 10 to 15 mph shifting to
the east in the afternoon.
* Mixing Height.........500-1500 ft agl increasing to 4500-5000 ft
agl.
* Transport Winds.......Northeast 15 to 20 mph.
* CWR...................10 percent.
.SATURDAY NIGHT...
* Sky/Weather...........Mostly cloudy then becoming partly cloudy.
* Chance Lightning.......0 percent.
* Min Temperature.......41-48.
24 hr trend......3 degrees down.
* Max Humidity..........88-96 percent.
24 hr trend......7 percent up...5 percent down higher
elevations.
* Wind (20 FT).
Lower Elevations...Southeast winds around 5 mph shifting to
the southwest after midnight.
Ridges.............Southeast winds 10 to 15 mph shifting to
the southwest after midnight.
* Mixing Height.........3500 ft agl decreasing to 500-1500 ft agl.
* Transport Winds.......Southeast 15 to 20 mph shifting to the
southwest after midnight.
* CWR...................0 percent.
.SUNDAY...
* Sky/Weather...........Mostly sunny.
* Chance Lightning.......0 percent.
* Max Temperature.......70-75...58-67 higher elevations.
24 hr trend......7 degrees up.
* Min Humidity..........34-39 percent...39-49 percent higher
elevations.
24 hr trend......11 percent down...18 percent down higher
elevations.
* Wind (20 FT).
Lower Elevations...Southwest winds 10 to 15 mph shifting to
the south in the afternoon.
Ridges.............West winds 5 to 10 mph.
* Mixing Height.........500-1500 ft agl increasing to 5000-6000 ft
agl.
* Transport Winds.......South 15 to 20 mph.
* CWR...................0 percent.
.FORECAST DAYS 3 THROUGH 7......
.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 in the
lower 70s. Southwest winds 15 to 20 mph.
.WEDNESDAY...Partly cloudy. Lows in the upper 40s. Highs around
70. Southwest winds 10 to 15 mph.
.THURSDAY...Partly cloudy. Lows in the upper 40s. Highs in the
lower 70s.
.FRIDAY...Partly cloudy. Lows in the upper 40s. Highs in the
lower 70s.
$$
MTZ115-191030-
Chouteau and Fergus Counties-
1225 PM MDT Fri Sep 18 2026
.TONIGHT...
* Sky/Weather...........Mostly cloudy. Chance of showers and slight
chance of thunderstorms after midnight.
* Chance Lightning.......20 percent.
* Min Temperature.......50-55.
24 hr trend......5 degrees up...3 degrees down higher
elevations.
* Max Humidity..........88-98 percent.
24 hr trend......10 percent down...26 percent up higher
elevations.
* Wind (20 FT).
Lower Elevations...Northeast winds 10 to 15 mph.
Ridges.............Northeast winds 10 to 15 mph.
* Mixing Height.........4500 ft agl decreasing to 500-1000 ft agl.
* Transport Winds.......Northeast 15 to 20 mph.
* CWR...................10 percent.
.SATURDAY...
* Sky/Weather...........Mostly cloudy. Chance of rain in the
morning. Showers likely and slight chance of thunderstorms in the
afternoon.
* Chance Lightning.......20 percent.
* Max Temperature.......59-69...52-57 higher elevations.
24 hr trend......4 degrees down...15 degrees down higher
elevations.
* Min Humidity..........53-63 percent...74-84 percent higher
elevations.
24 hr trend......2 percent up...31 percent up higher elevations.
* Wind (20 FT).
Lower Elevations...Northeast winds 15 to 20 mph.
Ridges.............Northeast winds 10 to 15 mph.
* Mixing Height.........1000-2500 ft agl increasing to 3500-4500 ft
agl in the afternoon.
* Transport Winds.......Northeast 20 to 25 mph.
* CWR...................30 percent.
.SATURDAY NIGHT...
* Sky/Weather...........Mostly cloudy. Chance of rain.
* Chance Lightning.......0 percent.
* Min Temperature.......48-53.
24 hr trend......3 degrees down.
* Max Humidity..........94-100 percent.
24 hr trend......10 percent up...unchanged higher elevations.
* Wind (20 FT).
Lower Elevations...East winds 10 to 15 mph.
Ridges.............East winds 5 to 10 mph.
* Mixing Height.........3500 ft agl decreasing to 1000-1500 ft agl.
* Transport Winds.......East 15 to 20 mph.
* CWR...................30 percent.
.SUNDAY...
* Sky/Weather...........Partly sunny. Chance of rain.
* Chance Lightning.......0 percent.
* Max Temperature.......63-73...54-62 higher elevations.
24 hr trend......3 degrees up.
* Min Humidity..........50-60 percent...68-78 percent higher
elevations.
24 hr trend......6 percent up...11 percent down higher
elevations.
* Wind (20 FT).
Lower Elevations...East winds 5 to 10 mph.
Ridges.............East winds 5 to 10 mph.
* Mixing Height.........1000-2500 ft agl increasing to 3500-4500 ft
agl in the afternoon.
* Transport Winds.......East 15 to 20 mph.
* CWR...................0 percent.
.FORECAST DAYS 3 THROUGH 7......
.MONDAY...Partly cloudy. Lows in the upper 40s. Highs in the mid
70s. Southeast winds 15 to 20 mph.
.TUESDAY...Mostly clear. Lows in the lower 50s. Highs in the mid
70s. Southwest winds 15 to 20 mph.
.WEDNESDAY...Mostly clear. Lows in the lower 50s. Highs in the
mid 70s. Southwest winds around 5 mph.
.THURSDAY...Mostly clear. Lows in the lower 50s. Highs in the
upper 70s.
.FRIDAY...Partly cloudy. Lows in the lower 50s. Highs in the
upper 70s.
$$
MTZ116-118-191030-
Lincoln Ranger District of the Helena National Forest-
Helena and Townsend Ranger Districts of the Helena National
Forest-
1225 PM MDT Fri Sep 18 2026
.TONIGHT...
* Sky/Weather...........Cloudy. Chance of thunderstorms in the
evening. Showers through the night. Slight chance of
thunderstorms after midnight.
* Chance Lightning.......50 percent.
* Min Temperature.......46-52.
24 hr trend......1 degree up.
* Max Humidity..........94-100 percent.
24 hr trend......14 percent up.
* Wind (20 FT).
Lower Elevations...North winds 10 to 15 mph.
Ridges.............North winds 10 to 15 mph.
* Mixing Height.........2000-3000 ft agl decreasing to 1000 ft agl
early in the evening.
* Transport Winds.......Northeast 15 to 20 mph.
* CWR...................80 percent.
.SATURDAY...
* Sky/Weather...........Mostly cloudy. Showers and slight chance of
thunderstorms.
* Chance Lightning.......20 percent.
* Max Temperature.......55-60...49-57 higher elevations.
24 hr trend......11 degrees down.
* Min Humidity..........72-82 percent.
24 hr trend......42 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.........1000-2500 ft agl increasing to 3000 ft agl
late in the afternoon.
* Transport Winds.......Northeast 15 to 20 mph.
* CWR...................70 percent.
.SATURDAY NIGHT...
* Sky/Weather...........Mostly cloudy. Chance of rain in the
evening. Slight chance of rain after midnight. Patchy fog after
midnight.
* Chance Lightning.......0 percent.
* Min Temperature.......42-48.
24 hr trend......4 degrees down.
* Max Humidity..........92-100 percent.
24 hr trend......Unchanged.
* Wind (20 FT).
Lower Elevations...Northwest winds around 5 mph shifting to
the southwest after midnight.
Ridges.............North winds around 5 mph shifting to the
west after midnight.
* Mixing Height.........1000-2500 ft agl decreasing to BELOW 1000
ft agl after midnight.
* Transport Winds.......Northeast 15 to 20 mph shifting to the
southwest after midnight.
* CWR...................20 percent.
.SUNDAY...
* Sky/Weather...........Mostly sunny. Patchy fog in the morning.
* Chance Lightning.......0 percent.
* Max Temperature.......63-72...56-66 higher elevations.
24 hr trend......7 degrees up.
* Min Humidity..........45-55 percent.
24 hr trend......34 percent down...27 percent down higher
elevations.
* Wind (20 FT).
Lower Elevations...Southwest winds around 5 mph.
Ridges.............Southwest winds around 5 mph.
* Mixing Height.........500-1500 ft agl increasing to 4500-5500 ft
agl.
* Transport Winds.......Southwest 10 to 15 mph.
* CWR...................0 percent.
.FORECAST DAYS 3 THROUGH 7......
.MONDAY...Mostly clear. Lows in the mid 40s. Highs around 70.
South winds 10 to 15 mph.
.TUESDAY...Mostly clear. Lows in the upper 40s. Highs around 70.
Southwest winds 10 to 15 mph.
.WEDNESDAY...Mostly clear. Lows in the upper 40s. Highs around
70. Southwest winds around 5 mph.
.THURSDAY...Mostly clear. Lows in the upper 40s. Highs in the
lower 70s.
.FRIDAY...Mostly clear. Lows in the upper 40s. Highs in the lower
70s.
$$
MTZ117-191030-
Central and Eastern Lewis and Clark National Forest Areas-
1225 PM MDT Fri Sep 18 2026
.TONIGHT...
* Sky/Weather...........Mostly cloudy. Chance of showers and
thunderstorms in the evening, then showers and slight chance of
thunderstorms after midnight.
* Chance Lightning.......50 percent.
* Min Temperature.......46-52.
24 hr trend......Unchanged.
* Max Humidity..........92-100 percent.
24 hr trend......10 percent up...20 percent up higher
elevations.
* Wind (20 FT).
Lower Elevations...North winds 10 to 15 mph.
Ridges.............Northeast winds 10 to 15 mph.
* Mixing Height.........4000 ft agl decreasing to 500-1500 ft agl.
* Transport Winds.......Northeast 15 to 20 mph.
* CWR...................60 percent.
.SATURDAY...
* Sky/Weather...........Mostly cloudy. Showers and slight chance of
thunderstorms.
* Chance Lightning.......20 percent.
* Max Temperature.......55-65...48-55 higher elevations.
24 hr trend......6 degrees down...12 degrees down higher
elevations.
* Min Humidity..........59-69 percent...73-83 percent higher
elevations.
24 hr trend......Unchanged...33 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 3000-4000 ft
agl in the afternoon.
* Transport Winds.......Northeast 20 to 25 mph.
* CWR...................60 percent.
.SATURDAY NIGHT...
* Sky/Weather...........Mostly cloudy. Chance of rain.
* Chance Lightning.......0 percent.
* Min Temperature.......43-48.
24 hr trend......3 degrees down.
* Max Humidity..........95-100 percent.
24 hr trend......Unchanged.
* Wind (20 FT).
Lower Elevations...East winds 10 to 15 mph shifting to the
southwest after midnight.
Ridges.............North winds 10 to 15 mph.
* Mixing Height.........3000 ft agl decreasing to 500-1500 ft agl.
* Transport Winds.......East 15 to 20 mph shifting to the south
after midnight.
* CWR...................30 percent.
.SUNDAY...
* Sky/Weather...........Mostly sunny. Slight chance of rain.
* Chance Lightning.......0 percent.
* Max Temperature.......64-74...54-64 higher elevations.
24 hr trend......14 degrees up.
* Min Humidity..........40-50 percent...55-65 percent higher
elevations.
24 hr trend......10 percent down...30 percent down higher
elevations.
* Wind (20 FT).
Lower Elevations...South winds around 5 mph.
Ridges.............West winds around 5 mph shifting to the
northwest in the afternoon.
* Mixing Height.........500-1500 ft agl increasing to 4500-5000 ft
agl.
* Transport Winds.......South 15 to 20 mph shifting to the
northeast in the afternoon.
* CWR...................0 percent.
.FORECAST DAYS 3 THROUGH 7......
.MONDAY...Mostly clear. Lows in the mid 40s. Highs in the lower
70s. South winds 10 to 15 mph.
.TUESDAY...Mostly clear. 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
lower 70s. Southwest winds 10 to 15 mph.
.THURSDAY...Mostly clear. Lows in the upper 40s. Highs in the
lower 70s.
.FRIDAY...Mostly clear. Lows in the upper 40s. Highs in the lower
70s.
$$
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