Curtis Grevenitz

Scattered thunderstorms followed by wind and drier conditions will hit Montana this weekend, new fires could start and existing fires could grow.

Over the weekend, widespread thunderstorms and lightning strikes were followed by strong wind leading to several new wildfires and several existing fires growing in size. BUT, given the wind, it could have been worse.

The August 22-23, 1992 Montana snowstorm was a rare, extreme weather event that caused major agriculture damage, and is a reminder of the lore of Montana weather.

There are wildfires burning and a little smoke in our Big Sky, but overall the weather here in the final week of August is pretty pleasant.

Tropical Storm Iselle will contribute moisture into a storm system that will create unsettled weather for the final weekend of August. This will continue an active stretch of weather for Montana with thunderstorms and rain increasing. Cooler temperatures will also move in for the weekend, giving it a little taste of fall. Thursday will be partly to mostly cloudy with a few more thunderstorms moving east through the afternoon and evening. Highs will be in the 80s to low 90s. Friday, some moisture from Tropical Storm Iselle will create overcast skies and a few showers and isolated thunderstorms. The clouds will keep temperatures a little cooler in the 70s and 80s. Some showers are possible Friday night into Saturday. This weekend will have a new storm system move into Montana. Saturday will be partly cloudy with scattered thunderstorms through the afternoon. Highs will be in the 70s and 80s. There will be a wind up to 20mph on Saturday afternoon. Areas of rain are possible Saturday night into Sunday. Sunday will start out on the cloudier side with scattered showers, but sunshine should increase for most of the state through the day. There will be a few lingering showers up on the Hi-Line through the afternoon. Highs will be cooler in the 60s and 70s. A strong west wind will gust over 30mph at times. It certainly will feel a touch like fall. Cooler temperatures and increasing moisture will help firefighters continue to get an advantage on many of the state's wildfires. Summer is coming to and end, and wildfire season will start slowing down.

Strong to severe thunderstorms have developed on Thursday across Big Sky Country, and the unsettled pattern will continue through the weekend with more wet weather, cooler temperatures and increasing wind.

It's the final weekend of August and the weather will feel a little more like Fall, as there will be showers, thunderstorms, wind, cooler temperatures and some high mountain snow.

Monday is the final day of August and the end to Meteorological Summer. It felt more like autumn at times this weekend and on Monday morning with much of the state seeing chilly temperatures.

August 31st marks the final day of meteorological summer, consisting of the months June, July and August. Was it wildly hot and dry? Meteorologist Curtis Grevenitz has more in this week's Weather Wise.

Strong to severe thunderstorms will strike parts of Montana on Wednesday with powerful wind and large hail possible.