Dangerous Heat over the South-Central and Southwest U.S. Through Next Week

Dangerous heat persists across the Desert Southwest through this weekend and across the Southern Plains and Lower Mississippi Valley through at least the middle of next week. Numerous daily record high temperatures are expected through at least Tuesday for much of Texas and Oklahoma as well as portions of Louisiana, New Mexico, and Arizona. Read More >

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Last Map Update: Fri, Aug 21, 2026 at 10:42:29 am MDT

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National Weather Service Great Falls, MT

Heat Advisory

Fire Weather Watch

Air Quality Alert

Heat Returns to Western MT & North Central ID

Thunderstorms Saturday

We are tracking a return to hot weather late this week. 🌡️ Heat will build on Thursday, with temperatures peaking on Friday, August 21st. Expect highs in the 90s for western Montana and the low 100s in the lower valleys of north central Idaho. Please note: Overnight relief will be minimal in the NC Idaho lower valleys, with lows only dropping to near 70 degrees. We're also expecting degraded air quality across the region from smoke. Take it easy out there, stay hydrated, and check in on your neighbors!

Widespread thunderstorm activity on Saturday will result in areas of gusty winds, heavy rain, hail, and frequent lightning. There will be about a 5% chance for storms to become severe. As far as rainfall is concerned, thunderstorms in northwest Montana will be drier, introducing better chances for new fire starts. In north-central Idaho and southwest Montana, more moisture will be available, and there will be about a 5% chance for excessive rainfall causing localized flash flooding.

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Dangerous Heat over the South-Central and Southwest U.S. Through Next Week

NWS Forecast Office Missoula, MT