Sweltering temps, minimal flooding expected this week

Joshua Murdock

Temperatures as high as the low 90s are set to bake western Montana by the upcoming weekend — but only minimal flooding is forecast as the warm weather continues to melt the winter’s snow. 

In Missoula, temperatures this week were forecast on Monday morning to range from the upper 70s to mid-80s, according to the National Weather Service. The agency predicted on Monday that Missoula would reach 93 degrees on Saturday and 87 degrees Sunday, with overnight lows in the 50s all week and weekend. Thunderstorms and some rain are likely during the week before a forecasted sunny weekend. 

On Monday morning, the Clark Fork River near East Missoula was running at 7.21 feet — slightly above the “action stage” of 7 feet but below minor flood stage at 7.5 feet. The National Weather Service predicted the river would swell to 8.82 feet, squarely within minor flood stage, by midday Thursday and would remain in flood stage through the weekend. 

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The National Weather Service’s long-term projections on Monday anticipated that the Clark Fork in Missoula is almost certain to remain in flood stage —

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