Extreme Heat Watches issued for parts of Montana, Wyoming, and Utah
The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued multiple Extreme Heat Watches across Montana, northern Wyoming, and Utah through Saturday and Sunday, July 11 and 12, 2026. Temperatures above 38°C (100°F) are forecast across the watch areas. Some areas could see potentially record breaking heat with isolated highs of up to 43°C (110°F) being forecast.
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The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued multiple Extreme Heat Watches for large portions of Montana, northern Wyoming, and Utah as a significant heat wave is forecast to bring dangerous temperatures and limited overnight relief this weekend.
The watches are scheduled to take effect on Saturday, July 11, with hazardous heat expected to persist through late Sunday night or Sunday evening, depending on the region. Forecasters warn that prolonged exposure to the heat could significantly increase the risk of heat-related illnesses.
Northeast Montana
The NWS office in Glasgow has issued an Extreme Heat Watch from Saturday morning through late Sunday night for all of northeast Montana, including Phillips, Valley, Daniels, Sheridan, Roosevelt, Petroleum, Garfield, McCone, Richland, Dawson, Prairie, and Wibaux counties.
Communities under the watch include Glasgow, Sidney, Glendive, Wolf Point, Malta, Plentywood, Scobey, Terry, Circle, Poplar, Culbertson, Medicine Lake, Winnett, and Wibaux, among others.
Forecast highs are expected to reach the mid-30s to upper-30s°C (mid-90s to low-100s°F) on Saturday, increasing to the upper-30s to around 40°C (upper-90s to mid-100s°F) on Sunday.
Isolated locations in the Yellowstone River Valley could approach 43°C (110°F) on Sunday. Overnight temperatures are forecast to remain in the upper teens to mid-20s°C (upper-60s to mid-70s°F), offering little relief from the persistent heat.
Central and southeastern Montana, northern Wyoming
The NWS office in Billings has also issued an Extreme Heat Watch from Saturday morning through late Sunday night for portions of central, south-central, and southeastern Montana, as well as north-central Wyoming.
Affected locations include Billings, Miles City, Livingston, Red Lodge, Hardin, Broadus, Baker, Forsyth, Colstrip, Big Timber, Sheridan Foothills, Paradise Valley, and surrounding areas.
Forecasters warn of dangerously hot conditions, with the potential for all-time record high temperatures. The hottest conditions are expected on Sunday afternoon, while overnight lows may remain in the low-20s°C (70s°F), preventing adequate cooling for people and infrastructure and increasing the overall heat risk.
Utah
The NWS office in Salt Lake City has issued an Extreme Heat Watch from Saturday afternoon through Sunday evening for numerous valleys and mountain valleys across Utah, including the Wasatch Front, Wasatch Back, Cache Valley, Uinta Basin, Castle Country, San Rafael Swell, Sanpete and Sevier valleys, Capitol Reef National Park, Glen Canyon Recreation Area, and parts of southwest and south-central Utah.
Major communities under the watch include Salt Lake City, Ogden, Provo, Logan, Park City, Cedar City, Roosevelt, Duchesne, Richfield, Kanab, Tooele, Delta, Price, and Hanksville.
Temperatures are forecast to climb to around 41°C (105°F) across many northern Utah valleys, including the Wasatch Front and Cache Valley, while mountain valleys could reach around 38°C (100°F).
The Glen Canyon Recreation Area may see highs up to 43°C (110°F). The NWS said there is high confidence that temperatures will challenge daily and monthly records as a strong high-pressure system builds over the region.
Overnight lows in the low to mid-20s°C (lower to mid-70s°F) are expected to provide little overnight relief before another day of extreme heat on Sunday.
Officials urge residents to stay hydrated, remain in air-conditioned buildings whenever possible, avoid prolonged exposure to the sun, and check on vulnerable family members and neighbors. The NWS also warns never to leave children or pets unattended inside vehicles, where interior temperatures can become deadly within minutes.
References:
1 Extreme Heat Watches – NWS – July 8, 2026
I am an Assistant Editor and Severe Weather & Science Journalist at The Watchers, specializing in real-time severe weather coverage, geophysical event reporting, and research-driven scientific analysis. You can reach me at rishav(at)watchers(.)news.
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