Kalispell breaks heat record

Several Montana cities broke heat records on Wednesday, including Kalispell, according to the Montana Climate Office at the University of Montana.

The National Oceanic and Atmosphere Administration weather stations measured record-setting high temperatures across Western Montana. Temperatures exceeded the historical average maximum temperature for late September by nine to 15 degrees in some parts of the state.

Temperatures ranged from maximums of 85 to 92 degrees across Helena, Missoula, Kalispell, Butte and in counties near the Canadian border.

Missoula’s weather stations measured a record 92 degrees on Tuesday and Wednesday. The previous record of 90 degrees was set in 2001.

Helena hit 91 degrees on Wednesday, three degrees above its 88-degree record set in 2009.

Kalispell also jumped three degrees above its hottest temperature. On Wednesday, the Northwestern Montana weather station hit 89 degrees. The previous record of 86 degrees was set back in 2001.

Butte matched its 2009 record of 85 degrees on Wednesday.

Since then a cold front has moved in bringing much cooler temperatures to Western Montana, including the Flathead Valley. Weekend high temperatures in Kalispell will be in the low 60s, dropping to a high of 53 degrees by Tuesday.