Weather records fall for third straight day
Bradley Tutsch stretches after a chilly bike ride Monday morning to Whitefish Lake, where steam rises off the water on the third straight day of record low temperatures. Monday’s low of 6 degrees shattered the previous low of 20 for Oct. 12.
The record-setting cold streak in Northwest Montana could carry on for at least another day before a warming trend starts to move into the region with an increased chance of rain and snow.
The National Weather Service has recorded record low temperatures for the last three days at Glacier Park International Airport.
A low of 2 degrees at 1:40 a.m. Monday broke the previous record low of 14 degrees that had been set on Oct. 12, 2002.
Sunday's low of 6 degrees, recorded at 7:30 a.m., smashed the previous record 20 degrees set on Oct. 11, 1987.
Saturday's low of 5 degrees easily bested the previous mark of 16 degrees set on Oct. 10, 1987.
The weekend cold snap
Jessica Nolte, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Missoula, said the forecast overnight low of 16 degrees this morning could match the 2002 record low of 16 degrees.
"We could tie that record or set a new record," she said.
A warming trend was expected to start today.
"We do have a Pacific system that will come onshore and bring moisture and warmer temperatures," Nolte said.
Tonight's low is forecast in the mid-to-upper 20s, well above the 17-degree record. Highs will reach the 40s by Wednesday and the 50s by Thursday.
But the there will be an increased chance of mixed rain and snow across Northwest Montana over the next few days.