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Montana news about the environment, natural resources, wildlife, climate change and more.

Widespread thunderstorms are likely in Montana this week, forecasters say

National Weather Service forecasts show strong to severe thunderstorms in Montana for Thursday July 7.
National Weather Service
National Weather Service forecasts show strong to severe thunderstorms in Montana for Thursday July 7.

Montana weather forecasters say widespread potentially powerful thunderstorms are likely this week.

All the necessary building blocks – moisture, heat and atmospheric instability – are aligning for a series of potentially severe thunderstorms from Wednesday through Friday.

“A few of those should become strong with those wind gusts that could exceed 60 miles per hour and one inch hail,” said Missoula National Weather Service Meteorologist Jeff Kitsmiller.

National Weather Service forecasts show thunderstorms coming into Montana this week.
National Weather Service
National Weather Service forecasts show thunderstorms coming into Montana this week.

A Tuesday morning tweet from the National Weather Service in Missoula reads in part “Thursday is looking spicy!” That’s when forecasters think some of the strongest storms are possible.

“It’d be a great day to keep the car in the garage in the evening and then not park under trees as tree limbs and things like that could come down in the wind,” said Kitsmiller.

This week’s storm potential isn’t limited to portions of west central and southwest Montana. Severe storms are also possible for portions of central, north central and southern Montana.

Edward O’Brien first landed at Montana Public Radio three decades ago as a news intern while attending the UM School of Journalism. He covers a wide range of stories from around the state.
edward.obrien@umt.edu.  
(406) 243-4065
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