MISSOULA — Sunny skies and warm temperatures Friday as highs top out in the middle 80's to low 90's. Expect breezy winds this afternoon with gusts around 25 mph for west-central and northwest Montana.
A cold front will move through the northern Rockies Saturday. This will cool temperatures to the upper 70's and low 80's. Scattered thunderstorms will be possible Saturday afternoon along with breezy winds with gusts around 25-30 mph.
A low pressure system will bring widespread rain showers, thunderstorms and cool temperatures to the forecast Sunday and Monday. These showers and thunderstorms will be most widespread Sunday afternoon and continue into Monday. Heavy rain looks likely with this system as many valley locations could see 1" or more of rain Sunday and Monday. Mountains could see 2"-to- 3" of rain during the same time period. High temperatures Sunday will be in the low to upper 60's and upper 50's to low 60's Monday.
Rising rivers and streams along with localized flooding will be possible as this system moves through. Many of the river gauges across western Montana look to approach minor flood stage by the middle of next week. Keep this in mind if you have plans to be on the water next week.
The low pressure system will be very slow moving, so scattered rain showers and thunderstorms look to remain in the forecast through Wednesday of next week. High temperatures will slowly be warming with highs returning to the low and middle 70's by next Thursday.
