017
FNUS55 KTFX 181000
FWFTFX

Fire Weather Planning Forecast for North-Central Montana
National Weather Service Great Falls MT
400 AM MDT Fri Sep 18 2026

.DISCUSSION...

Upper level low pressure tracks from Oregon and southern Idaho
today to Wyoming on Saturday, circulating substantial moisture
into the region as far north as central Montana. The chance for
showers and thunderstorms increases late this afternoon and
evening, mainly for areas from Helena to Lewistown and south.
Locally intense rainfall rates are possible with showers and
thunderstorms this evening, bringing a risk for flash flooding and
debris flows to areas with higher or more recent burn severity.
Drier conditions develop late this weekend through early next week
as temperatures trend back above average. Hoenisch

MTZ112-182215-
Eastern Glacier/Toole/Central/Eastern Pondera/Liberty-
400 AM MDT Fri Sep 18 2026

.TODAY...
* Sky/Weather...........Mostly sunny.
* Chance Lightning.......0 percent.
* Max Temperature.......66-73...60-65 higher elevations.
   24 hr trend......2 degrees down.
* Min Humidity..........43-51 percent.
   24 hr trend......2 percent up...15 percent up higher elevations.
* Wind (20 FT).
     Lower Elevations...North winds 5 to 10 mph.
     Ridges.............North winds 5 to 10 mph.
* Mixing Height.........500-2000 ft agl increasing to 5000 ft agl.
* Transport Winds.......North 10 to 15 mph.
* CWR...................0 percent.

.TONIGHT...
* Sky/Weather...........Mostly cloudy.
* Chance Lightning.......0 percent.
* Min Temperature.......45-50.
   24 hr trend......Unchanged.
* Max Humidity..........82-92 percent.
   24 hr trend......1 percent down.
* Wind (20 FT).
     Lower Elevations...North winds 10 to 15 mph.
     Ridges.............Northeast winds around 5 mph shifting to
the east after midnight.
* Mixing Height.........4000 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.......65-70...59-64 higher elevations.
   24 hr trend......2 degrees down.
* Min Humidity..........45-50 percent.
   24 hr trend......2 percent up.
* Wind (20 FT).
     Lower Elevations...East winds 5 to 10 mph.
     Ridges.............East winds 5 to 10 mph.
* Mixing Height.........500-1500 ft agl increasing to 4500-5000 ft
  agl.
* Transport Winds.......East 15 to 20 mph.
* CWR...................0 percent.


.FORECAST DAYS 3 THROUGH 7......
.SUNDAY...Mostly clear. Patchy fog. Lows in the mid 40s. Highs in
the lower 70s. South winds 15 to 20 mph.
.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.
.THURSDAY...Partly cloudy. Lows in the upper 40s. Highs in the
lower 70s.

$$

MTZ113-182215-
Hill and Blaine Counties-
400 AM MDT Fri Sep 18 2026

.TODAY...
* Sky/Weather...........Mostly sunny.
* Chance Lightning.......0 percent.
* Max Temperature.......72-77...64-69 higher elevations.
   24 hr trend......Unchanged.
* Min Humidity..........41-47 percent...49-56 percent higher
  elevations.
   24 hr trend......4 percent down.
* 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.

.TONIGHT...
* Sky/Weather...........Mostly cloudy.
* Chance Lightning.......0 percent.
* Min Temperature.......47-52.
   24 hr trend......Unchanged.
* Max Humidity..........86-96 percent.
   24 hr trend......8 percent down...5 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 500-1000 ft agl.
* Transport Winds.......Northeast 15 to 20 mph.
* CWR...................0 percent.

.SATURDAY...
* Sky/Weather...........Mostly cloudy. Chance of showers in the
  afternoon.
* Chance Lightning.......0 percent.
* Max Temperature.......65-70...58-63 higher elevations.
   24 hr trend......5 degrees down.
* Min Humidity..........44-54 percent...56-62 percent higher
  elevations.
   24 hr trend......9 percent up.
* 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 4500-6000 ft
  agl.
* Transport Winds.......East 20 to 25 mph.
* CWR...................10 percent.


.FORECAST DAYS 3 THROUGH 7......
.SUNDAY...Mostly cloudy. Chance of showers. Lows in the upper
40s. Highs in the upper 60s. East 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...Mostly clear. Lows in the upper 40s. Highs in the
mid 70s.
.THURSDAY...Partly cloudy. Lows around 50. Highs in the mid 70s.

$$

MTZ114-182215-
Lewis and Clark National Forest Rocky Mountain District-
Rocky Mountain Front-
400 AM MDT Fri Sep 18 2026

.TODAY...
* Sky/Weather...........Partly 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...54-64 percent higher
  elevations.
   24 hr trend......3 percent up...15 percent up higher elevations.
* Wind (20 FT).
     Lower Elevations...Northwest winds around 5 mph shifting to
the northeast in the afternoon.
     Ridges.............West winds 10 to 15 mph shifting to the
northeast in the afternoon.
* Mixing Height.........500-1500 ft agl increasing to 4500 ft agl.
* Transport Winds.......Northwest 10 to 15 mph shifting to the
  north in the afternoon.
* CWR...................10 percent.

.TONIGHT...
* Sky/Weather...........Mostly cloudy. Chance of showers in the
  evening. Chance of rain after midnight.
* Chance Lightning.......0 percent.
* Min Temperature.......48-53...42-48 higher elevations.
   24 hr trend......Unchanged.
* Max Humidity..........81-91 percent.
   24 hr trend......2 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 500-1000 ft agl.
* Transport Winds.......Northeast 15 to 20 mph.
* CWR...................10 percent.

.SATURDAY...
* Sky/Weather...........Partly sunny. Chance of rain in the
  morning. Slight chance of showers in the afternoon.
* Chance Lightning.......0 percent.
* Max Temperature.......63-68...52-60 higher elevations.
   24 hr trend......5 degrees down.
* Min Humidity..........49-58 percent...59-69 percent higher
  elevations.
   24 hr trend......7 percent up...1 percent up higher elevations.
* Wind (20 FT).
     Lower Elevations...Northeast winds 5 to 10 mph.
     Ridges.............Northeast winds around 5 mph shifting to
the east in the afternoon.
* Mixing Height.........500-2000 ft agl increasing to 3000-4500 ft
  agl in the afternoon.
* Transport Winds.......Northeast 15 to 20 mph.
* CWR...................10 percent.


.FORECAST DAYS 3 THROUGH 7......
.SUNDAY...Partly cloudy. Lows in the mid 40s. Highs around 70.
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 in the
lower 70s. Southwest winds 15 to 20 mph.
.WEDNESDAY...Partly cloudy. Lows in the upper 40s. Highs around
70.
.THURSDAY...Partly cloudy. Lows in the upper 40s. Highs in the
lower 70s.

$$

MTZ115-182215-
Chouteau and Fergus Counties-
400 AM MDT Fri Sep 18 2026

.TODAY...
* Sky/Weather...........Mostly sunny.
* Chance Lightning.......0 percent.
* Max Temperature.......72-77...64-72 higher elevations.
   24 hr trend......3 degrees down.
* Min Humidity..........40-49 percent.
   24 hr trend......Unchanged...12 percent up higher elevations.
* Wind (20 FT).
     Lower Elevations...West winds 10 to 15 mph shifting to the
north in the afternoon.
     Ridges.............Northwest winds 10 to 15 mph.
* Mixing Height.........500-1500 ft agl increasing to 4500-5000 ft
  agl.
* Transport Winds.......Northwest 15 to 20 mph.
* CWR...................0 percent.

.TONIGHT...
* Sky/Weather...........Mostly cloudy. Slight chance of showers in
  the evening. Chance of showers after midnight.
* Chance Lightning.......0 percent.
* Min Temperature.......49-54.
   24 hr trend......1 degree up...4 degrees down higher elevations.
* Max Humidity..........84-94 percent.
   24 hr trend......1 percent up...28 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 500-1000 ft agl.
* Transport Winds.......Northeast 15 to 20 mph.
* CWR...................10 percent.

.SATURDAY...
* Sky/Weather...........Mostly cloudy. Chance of rain in the
  morning. Chance of showers and slight chance of thunderstorms in
  the afternoon.
* Chance Lightning.......20 percent.
* Max Temperature.......59-69...50-57 higher elevations.
   24 hr trend......5 degrees down...15 degrees down higher
elevations.
* Min Humidity..........57-67 percent...78-88 percent higher
  elevations.
   24 hr trend......6 percent up...38 percent up higher elevations.
* Wind (20 FT).
     Lower Elevations...Northeast winds 10 to 15 mph.
     Ridges.............Northeast winds 5 to 10 mph.
* Mixing Height.........1000-2500 ft agl increasing to 3500-5000 ft
  agl in the afternoon.
* Transport Winds.......Northeast 20 to 25 mph.
* CWR...................40 percent.


.FORECAST DAYS 3 THROUGH 7......
.SUNDAY...Mostly cloudy. Chance of showers and slight chance of
thunderstorms. Patchy fog. Lows in the upper 40s. Highs in the
upper 60s. East winds 10 to 15 mph.
.MONDAY...Mostly clear. 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.
.THURSDAY...Mostly clear. Lows in the lower 50s. Highs in the
upper 70s.

$$

MTZ116-118-182215-
Lincoln Ranger District of the Helena National Forest-
Helena and Townsend Ranger Districts of the Helena National
Forest-
400 AM MDT Fri Sep 18 2026

.TODAY...
* Sky/Weather...........Mostly sunny. Chance of showers through the
  day. Chance of thunderstorms in the afternoon.
* Chance Lightning.......50 percent.
* Max Temperature.......66-73...58-66 higher elevations.
   24 hr trend......5 degrees down.
* Min Humidity..........49-59 percent.
   24 hr trend......14 percent up...22 percent up higher
elevations.
* Wind (20 FT).
     Lower Elevations...South winds around 5 mph shifting to the
north in the afternoon.
     Ridges.............West winds around 5 mph shifting to the
northeast in the afternoon.
* Mixing Height.........500-1500 ft agl increasing to 3500-5000 ft
  agl.
* Transport Winds.......Southwest 10 to 15 mph shifting to the
  northeast in the afternoon.
* CWR...................10 percent.

.TONIGHT...
* Sky/Weather...........Mostly cloudy. Showers likely in the
  evening. Slight chance of thunderstorms through the night.
  Showers after midnight. Patchy fog after midnight.
* Chance Lightning.......20 percent.
* Min Temperature.......45-51.
   24 hr trend......Unchanged.
* Max Humidity..........90-100 percent.
   24 hr trend......17 percent up.
* 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.......Northeast 15 to 20 mph.
* CWR...................80 percent.

.SATURDAY...
* Sky/Weather...........Mostly cloudy. Patchy fog in the morning.
  Showers in the morning. Slight chance of thunderstorms through
  the day. Showers likely in the afternoon.
* Chance Lightning.......20 percent.
* Max Temperature.......55-64...48-57 higher elevations.
   24 hr trend......13 degrees down.
* Min Humidity..........73-83 percent.
   24 hr trend......36 percent up...27 percent up higher
elevations.
* Wind (20 FT).
     Lower Elevations...North winds 10 to 15 mph.
     Ridges.............North winds 5 to 10 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.


.FORECAST DAYS 3 THROUGH 7......
.SUNDAY...Mostly cloudy. Patchy fog. Showers likely and slight
chance of thunderstorms. Lows in the mid 40s. Highs in the mid
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. 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.
.THURSDAY...Mostly clear. Lows in the upper 40s. Highs in the
lower 70s.

$$

MTZ117-182215-
Central and Eastern Lewis and Clark National Forest Areas-
400 AM MDT Fri Sep 18 2026

.TODAY...
* 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......2 degrees down.
* Min Humidity..........45-55 percent.
   24 hr trend......4 percent up...13 percent up higher elevations.
* 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 4500-5500 ft
  agl.
* Transport Winds.......West 15 to 20 mph shifting to the north in
  the afternoon.
* CWR...................10 percent.

.TONIGHT...
* Sky/Weather...........Mostly cloudy. Showers likely and slight
  chance of thunderstorms in the evening, then rain after midnight.
* Chance Lightning.......20 percent.
* Min Temperature.......45-51.
   24 hr trend......Unchanged.
* Max Humidity..........87-97 percent.
   24 hr trend......20 percent up.
* Wind (20 FT).
     Lower Elevations...North winds 10 to 15 mph.
     Ridges.............Northeast winds 10 to 15 mph.
* Mixing Height.........3500 ft agl decreasing to 1000-1500 ft agl.
* Transport Winds.......Northeast 15 to 20 mph.
* CWR...................60 percent.

.SATURDAY...
* Sky/Weather...........Mostly cloudy. Chance of rain in the
  morning, then chance of showers and slight chance of
  thunderstorms in the afternoon.
* Chance Lightning.......20 percent.
* Max Temperature.......57-67...47-56 higher elevations.
   24 hr trend......5 degrees down...12 degrees down higher
elevations.
* Min Humidity..........60-70 percent...76-86 percent higher
  elevations.
   24 hr trend......5 percent up...31 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 increasing to 3000-4000 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. Patchy fog. Lows in the mid 40s. Highs in the mid
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. 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.
.THURSDAY...Mostly clear. Lows in the upper 40s. Highs in the
lower 70s.

$$

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