Weekend Severe Risk in Montana Ahead of Pattern Change

While much of the western U.S. will feel record-breaking heat over the weekend, a big change to the weather pattern is expected as we head into next week. As this transition occurs, Montana will see rounds of thunderstorms, with some severe potential.

With temperatures pushing 90°F across Big Sky Country, sufficient instability will be available for thunderstorms to develop and strengthen. These storms could organize underneath strong upper-level winds. The upper-level dynamics are ahead of a significant trough that will ultimately impact the rest of the country in the days ahead.

While the northern Rockies will be looking at thunderstorms this weekend, the main core of the upper-low will move onshore by Monday morning, beginning the transition to a cooler and wetter pattern.

By the middle of next week, expect a significant cooldown along with widespread precipitation accumulation across the western half of the country. In fact, many of our mountains across the West could see significant snow!

We'll continue to update this developing story as more details come into focus here on WeatherNation!