Unseasonably high temperatures expected across Flathead, Bitterroot and Missoula valleys
Western Montana is set to experience potentially record-breaking heat this weekend, as a powerful ridge of high pressure grips the region. The National Weather Service (NWS) in Missoula has issued a heat advisory effective from noon to 9 p.m. on Saturday, forecasting daytime highs in the upper 80s and 90s Fahrenheit (31–37 °C) across a broad stretch from the Canadian border down through the Flathead, Missoula, and Bitterroot Valleys.
Jennifer Kitzmiller, a meteorologist with the NWS office in Missoula, highlighted the unusual timing of the heat: “Temperatures in the 90s this early in the year are atypical,” she noted. Several towns, including Anaconda, Eureka, Libby, and Phillipsburg, are expected to come close to or surpass their daily high temperature records, many of which have stood since 1986.
According to national meteorological analysis, the heat surge is the result of a persistent high-pressure system parked over the Western United States. While temperatures are expected to decrease slightly on Sunday, conditions will still remain warmer than normal for early June.
Extreme caution urged around water bodies
With the spike in heat, rivers, lakes, and streams across the region are likely to draw more people seeking relief. However, recent drownings have underscored the danger of underestimating the cold, fast-moving waters that remain from snowmelt.
On May 24, two individuals lost their lives—a woman near Maclay Bridge just outside Missoula, and a kayaker near Craig. A 68-year-old Missoula resident is also presumed drowned near the Lochsa River in Idaho after being reported missing last Wednesday.
Despite the heat, water temperatures remain frigid, and the risk of hypothermia is high, particularly when alcohol is involved, which can impair muscle control and increase vulnerability. “The rivers and streams are still running fast and cold,” Kitzmiller emphasized, warning that even experienced swimmers can be caught off-guard.
Weather authorities stress the importance of wearing life jackets, monitoring children closely, and avoiding extended exposure to direct sunlight. Staying hydrated and taking frequent breaks in the shade is also recommended, as temperatures will peak well above seasonal norms.
Stay tuned to the NWS Missoula office for real-time updates and any potential escalation of advisories as western Montana faces this historic early-season heat wave.
