Good Morning! Today is Monday, August 24, 2026. Here is today's forecast:
There were scattered showers and thunderstorms across the region Sunday afternoon and evening, and some of those storms were severe with damaging winds and large hail. Malta recorded a 75 mph wind gust with a severe thunderstorm Sunday evening. Several new wildfires were also sparked, and strong winds contributed to significant growth on some existing fires.
The Sawmill Fire started Sunday afternoon west of Winifred and has burned at least 250 acres so far. The Firework Fire ignited near Fort Belknap, burning at least 9 acres and destroying at least two structures.
The Camp Creek Fire, which was first discovered on Friday, experienced rapid growth on Sunday. The last official acreage update was 77 acres Saturday afternoon, but the fire has likely expanded well beyond that since then. The fire generated a massive smoke plume that was visible across much of north-central Montana Sunday afternoon and evening.
As winds weakened Sunday evening, smoke settled near the surface, creating very smoky conditions across portions of north-central Montana, especially in Teton County, northern Lewis and Clark County, Cascade County, and nearby areas. The smoke became dense enough to infiltrate some buildings. Air quality deteriorated to unhealthy levels in several locations, and residents in Augusta and Choteau even reported ash falling from the sky.
This morning, there are still localized areas of smoke and unhealthy air quality, including in northern Lewis and Clark County, Cascade County, and portions of Teton County, Chouteau County, and Judith Basin County. If you live in these areas, limit outdoor activities this morning if possible. Beginning later this morning and continuing through the evening, the smoke is expected to shift southward, allowing conditions to gradually improve across north-central Montana while becoming hazier/smokier around the Helena area. Smoke concentrations around Helena should ease later tonight.
Tomorrow, there will just be a little haze around in north-central Montana as the bulk of the smoke from the Camp Creek fire will be impacting western Montana.
Outside of the smoke, today will feature abundant sunshine and dry conditions. Temperatures will be cooler than they were over the weekend as highs are going to be in the mid to upper 70s and low to mid 80s. Breezy conditions are also expected across central and eastern portions of north-central Montana as sustained wind speeds are going to be between 10 and 25 mph. Elsewhere, there is just going to be a little breeze around.
Tomorrow will be partly to mostly sunny, with a few showers and thunderstorms possible around the Helena area, mainly during the afternoon and evening. Temperatures will remain pleasant, with highs ranging from the upper 70s to the mid 80s.
On Wednesday, it is going to be partly to mostly sunny and there are going to be some isolated showers and thunderstorms around during the afternoon and evening. It is then going to be partly cloudy on Thursday and there are going to be some scattered showers and thunderstorms around during the afternoon and evening as a stronger disturbance passes through the state.
It will be hot Wednesday and Thursday as highs are going to be in the mid to upper 80s and low to mid 90s. There will also be a little breeze around in some areas on these two days as sustained wind speeds are going to be between 5 and 20 mph.
Friday looks very pleasant, with mostly sunny skies and mainly dry conditions as high pressure will be in control. Highs will be in the 80s and low 90s and it will be a bit breezy (10-20 mph) in some areas.
A cooler air mass arrives for the weekend. Highs will settle into the mid to upper 70s and low to mid 80s on Saturday before dropping into the upper 60s and low to mid 70s on Sunday. Saturday will be mostly sunny with a few isolated showers and thunderstorms, while Sunday will be mostly sunny and mostly dry. There will also be a bit of a breeze around in some areas this weekend as sustained wind speeds are going to be between 10 and 20 mph.
Have a marvelous Monday!
Chief Meteorologist Ryan Dennis
