Helena residents are in for another stretch of summer heat punctuated by afternoon and evening thunderstorms, with forecasters calling for daily chances of showers and storms from Thursday through at least Saturday. Morning conditions are expected to be sunny and dry, with clouds building and storm chances increasing as the day heats up — a pattern that Helenans know well and that has been repeating itself much of this summer.
Thursday morning is starting with patches of fog in some areas, though dense fog is concentrated farther northeast and is expected to burn off quickly once the sun is up. Closer to home, the morning should be clear before the afternoon convective cycle kicks in. The combination of heat and moisture that has been fueling afternoon storms will continue to be in place through the weekend.
For anyone planning outdoor activities, the window is the morning. By mid-afternoon, the standard July advice applies: get off exposed ridgelines and out of open water before the lightning starts. The full forecast is available through the National Weather Service office in Great Falls.