Short Heat Wave Expected Early Next Week

Montana faces a split in temperatures with cool conditions in the east and warmth in the west. Winds pose a risk of fire, particularly at Fort Peck Lake. A brief heat wave is predicted early next week, followed by cooler weather and possible rain later in the week.

Temperatures across Montana showed a notable divide today, with areas in the 60s behind a cold front in central and eastern regions, while western parts basked in warmer conditions, hitting the 70s and 80s. This marks a decrease in temperatures by 7 to 21 degrees as compared to the previous day, and the contrast is quite significant. Partly cloudy skies prevailed throughout the state, and some light sprinkles were reported, particularly from east central to north central Montana.

For the weekend, Fort Peck Lake is under a wind advisory, and northeast Montana has a fire weather warning in effect until 9 PM. Winds today were brisk, gusting up to 40 mph, intensifying the risk of fire in certain areas. Overall wind speeds ranged from 5 to 25 mph, with those higher gusts occurring mainly in the eastern regions.

The cold front has certainly cooled things down in the central and eastern parts of Montana, but it’s a different story out west where the warmth continues. There’s a slight chance of more showers east of the divide, although a high pressure system is set to settle over the state starting early next week. This will trigger a brief heat wave on Monday and Tuesday before temperatures dip once again later in the week along with a possible chance of rain.

Looking ahead, tonight’s lows are expected to drop to the 40s and lower 50s, while tomorrow’s highs will reach the 70s for the central and eastern regions, ramping up to the 80s out west. Early next week, temperatures should spike further, possibly reaching the 80s and even 90s, so residents should prepare for a quick temperature shift.

In summary, Montana is currently experiencing varied temperatures due to a cold front, with cooler air impacting the central and eastern regions while western areas remain warm. Winds are a concern this weekend, particularly around Fort Peck Lake, where advisories are in place due to heightened fire risks. A short heat wave is on the horizon for early next week, before temperatures are anticipated to cool down again with the possibility of rain later on.

Original Source: www.kulr8.com