GILLETTE, Wyo. — Haze from Canadian and area wildfires along with high temperatures have prompted the National Weather Service in Rapid City, South Dakota, to issue multiple alerts for Gillette.
An air quality alert remains in effect today as wildfire smoke continues to sit in the atmosphere, causing poor air quality for those sensitive to environmental changes.
That comes with a high of 97 degrees today. Without the haze, skies would be mostly sunny. There’ll be a southwest breeze at 5–7 mph that will shift to the east this afternoon. Tonight will be partly cloudy and hazy with south winds at 8–17 mph. The low will be near 67.
Thursday is expected to be the hottest day of the week, prompting two more notices from the NWS in Rapid City. The forecast high is 102 with increasing clouds as winds come from the south at 15–22 mph. Gusts could reach 31 mph.
There is a fire weather watch that will be in effect on Thursday from noon to 11 p.m. Gusty winds, dry air and low humidity will keep fuels primed for any fire activity that could spark up. A heat advisory will also take effect Thursday at 10 a.m. and last through midnight as the day’s heat could cause heat illnesses and dehydration.
Thursday night will see a low near 67 with mostly cloudy skies.
The upper ridge responsible for climbing heat will break down Friday, allowing a weak cool front to slide into the region. As a result, Friday’s high will be near 90 degrees. There’s a 20% chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Skies will be partly sunny and winds will come from the west at 13–15 mph. Friday night will see the 20% chance for storms continue until around midnight. The low will be near 60.
A cooler weekend is also in the forecast. Saturday should be mostly sunny with a high near 89 while Sunday will be sunny with a high of 87. Lows will be near 58 degrees, according to the forecast.
Monday and Tuesday will see a warming trend again. Monday’s forecast high is 92 while Tuesday’s is 94.
More on the weather is available from the NWS in Rapid City.
