Billings, Mont. – Montana will hold onto summer warmth through midweek, but residents should prepare for a noticeable change as rain and thunderstorms build by Friday night. Highs in the mid- to upper-80s will dominate until Thursday before a shift toward cooler, seasonable weather this weekend.
According to the National Weather Service in Billings, widespread showers and storms are likely Friday into Saturday, with a 50 to 75 percent chance of picking up at least half an inch of rainfall in parts of the state. The strongest activity is expected along the mountains and foothills, with southeastern Montana also at risk for isolated strong storms.
Wildfire smoke remains a concern through Thursday, especially in valleys and low-lying areas. Travel could be impacted late in the week as downpours reduce visibility and cause slick roadways on I-90 and U.S. 212. Residents are advised to avoid unnecessary travel during storms and keep phones and flashlights charged in case of outages.
The unsettled pattern may linger into the weekend, with more showers possible into early next week. Additional advisories could be issued if rainfall totals trend higher.
