A cold front pushing south through Montana will bring increasing clouds and scattered showers and thunderstorms to the Helena area Friday afternoon and evening. Forecasters say storm development will begin along the Hi-Line and Canadian border mid-to-late morning before tracking south through Great Falls and reaching the Helena Valley during the afternoon hours.

Residents planning to attend the Gulch Cup watch party on the Walking Mall Friday evening should keep an eye on conditions as the afternoon progresses. The timing of storm activity is typical of cold front passages through the region, where convection tends to peak in the late afternoon before tapering after dark.

A cooler, more settled pattern is expected to follow the front through the weekend, though mountain areas may see additional precipitation. Gardeners who have been waiting to water can likely hold off — the ground should get a drink on its own.