The National Weather Service office in Great Falls issued a Heat Advisory for portions of southwest, central, and north central Montana beginning noon Saturday and running through 9 p.m. Monday, July 13. The advisory covers the Helena area and comes as forecasters are tracking the hottest stretch of weather the region has seen this year.
Daytime highs are expected to reach 95 to 105 degrees under the advisory, with overnight lows offering only partial relief — temperatures are forecast to stay between 60 and 70 degrees through the weekend, limiting the body's ability to recover from daytime heat exposure. The NWS flagged heat illness as the primary risk during the advisory period.
Residents are advised to drink plenty of fluids, avoid extended time in direct sun, and seek out air-conditioned spaces during peak afternoon hours. Neighbors are also urged to check on elderly residents, young children, and anyone without reliable air conditioning — a particular concern in older Helena neighborhoods where window units are common and central air is not. The Lewis and Clark County Health Department has not announced a formal cooling center activation as of Friday morning, but residents can contact the department for resource information.