Rains may cause some flooding
On the heels of the area's recent wet weather, the National Weather Service has issued a flood watch for Flathead County and Northwest Montana.
The flood watch extends from this evening through Thursday morning.
“A strong storm system will be moving through the Northern Rockies, causing excessive rainfall over Northwest Montana over the next few days,” the Weather Service said.
“The heavy rain could lead to flooding.”
Small streams along the Continental Divide into Glacier National Park could reach flood levels by Wednesday.
The rainfall is expected to send area river levels higher, although none are predicted to reach flood stage.
Rivers already rose sharply over the weekend.
The main Flathead River at Columbia Falls rose almost 3 feet from Friday through Monday and is expected to rise to a foot below flood stage by midweek.
The Swan River at Bigfork is expected to come within half a foot of flood stage this week.
For the Flathead Valley, the Weather Service predicts an 80 percent chance of showers today, 90 percent chance of heavy rain tonight and a 90 percent chance of rain on Wednesday.
Unsettled weather in the past week has created some challenges for crews plowing Going-to-the-Sun Road in Glacier National Park.
New snow (up to 16 inches), heavy rain, wind and fog hampered plowing efforts, according to a news release from the park.
Plowing was slowed and in some cases stopped by inclement weather including blowing snow and low visibility. Crews worked Saturday but rain and fog limited their work.
Two avalanches slid across the road at the end of a work day last week, requiring crews to plow their way back out to return to park headquarters.
The east-side crew is working toward the Big Drift, encountering 25 to 30 feet snow. The crew will continue to plow through the drift this week, eventually meeting the west-side crew plowing the Big Drift from the west.
The west-side crew reached the Logan Pass parking lot late last week, finding 6- to 8-foot drifts and building eaves covered in snow.
Mid-June remains the projected date for vehicle access to Logan Pass, but with recent weather delays (and more adverse weather expected this week), the pass opening may be later, according to the park’s press release.
Currently, 29 miles of Sun Road are open to vehicle travel. Visitors can drive 15.5 miles from the West Entrance to Avalanche on the west side and 13.5 miles from the St. Mary Entrance to Jackson Glacier Overlook on the east side.
Hiker/biker access on Going-to-the-Sun Road may change daily depending on snow removal and road rehabilitation work.
Visitors are encouraged to check the park website at http://home.nps.gov/applications/glac/roadstatus/roadstatus.cfm.
For photos and plowing status, as well as information on all park road conditions, visit the park’s webpage at http://www.nps.gov/glac/index.htm. Visitors may also visit the park’s Facebook page or call park headquarters at 406-888-7800 for current road and weather conditions.