AIR QUALITY ALERT in effect for Deer Lodge, Granite, Mineral, Missoula and Ravalli Counties due to elevated particulate matter levels from wildfire smoke. As of 3 a.m. Monday, the air quality is rated “unhealthy” for Seeley Lake, Missoula, Hamilton, Butte and Helena. People with respiratory or heart conditions, the elderly and children should avoid prolonged exertion; everyone else should limit prolonged exertion.

Smoke from surrounding fires will continue to impact air quality today and Tuesday, with daytime highs expected to be in the 80s.

Our next weather maker comes Wednesday with increasing cloudiness and scattered showers and isolated thunderstorms. Maximum temperatures during the day will be close to normal on Wednesday.

Rain will continue on Thursday and Friday. During this time, mountain ranges could receive over an inch of rain. Valleys could see 0.25 to 0.50 inches of rain, with isolated amounts approaching an inch. Daytime highs will be 10 to 15 degrees below normal in the 60s.