Most of Western Montana will be under a red flag warning this afternoon, August 9. Meteorologist Corby Dickerson with the National Weather Service Explains why:

"We've got a really good moist flow coming up from the desert southwest that's going to be spreading moisture across parts of western Montana over the next several days. Add in the afternoon heating, which creates instability, and we're going to be seeing some thunderstorms."

The red flag warning encompasses everything from the Bitterroot to Dillon and Butte. It is expected to be even more extreme in the mountains and could result in new wildfires.

"We're expecting some gusty outflow winds: wind gusts in the 30 to 40 m.p.h. range. Couple that with the lowering humidity values during the afternoon, and the chance, maybe, for extra lightning strikes. It could present a particularly challenging situation for firefighters and wild land fire managers in all of western Montana."

The red flag warning will run from 2:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. on Friday, August 9.

 

 

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