WWUS20 KWNS 231958
SEL7  
SPC WW 231958
MTZ000-240100-

URGENT - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
Severe Thunderstorm Watch Number 617
NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
155 PM MDT Sun Aug 23 2026

The NWS Storm Prediction Center has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Watch for portions of 
  Central and Southwest Montana

* Effective this Sunday afternoon and evening from 155 PM until
  700 PM MDT.

* Primary threats include...
  Scattered damaging winds and isolated significant gusts to 80
    mph possible
  Isolated large hail events to 1.5 inches in diameter possible

SUMMARY...Scattered thunderstorms are forecast to develop and
intensify and spread from west to east across the Watch area this
afternoon into the early evening.  The threat for isolated large
hail will accompany a few cells along with a risk for severe gusts. 
As additional storms develop and outflow congeals into one or more
small clusters, an increase in the threat for scattered severe gusts
(60 to 80 mph) will probably occur.

The severe thunderstorm watch area is approximately along and 75
statute miles east and west of a line from 35 miles north northwest
of Havre MT to 50 miles south southwest of Livingston MT. For a
complete depiction of the watch see the associated watch outline
update (WOUS64 KWNS WOU7).

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

REMEMBER...A Severe Thunderstorm Watch means conditions are
favorable for severe thunderstorms in and close to the watch area.
Persons in these areas should be on the lookout for threatening
weather conditions and listen for later statements and possible
warnings. Severe thunderstorms can and occasionally do produce
tornadoes.

&&

AVIATION...A few severe thunderstorms with hail surface and aloft to
1.5 inches. Extreme turbulence and surface wind gusts to 70 knots. A
few cumulonimbi with maximum tops to 400. Mean storm motion vector
25030.

...Smith