97 degrees: Hottest June day in history

A sizzling high of 97 degrees made Saturday the hottest day in June since the National Weather Service started keeping records more than a century ago.

The hottest June day previously was in 1955 when the mercury hit 96 degrees on June 22.

Saturday’s high smashed the daily record for June 27 (90 degrees in 1987).

Saturday was the fifth 90-degree day this month and the fourth time a daily record was broken or tied.

As toasty as it was in the Flathead Valley, the heat was more intense elsewhere across Northwest Montana.

Libby hit 105 degrees, St. Regis 105, Trout Creek 105, Eureka 103 and Hot Springs 102.

For the Flathead, Saturday also marked the 24th straight day without rain. The last measurable precipitation was June 3 at the official National Weather Service gauge at Glacier Park International Airport.

The previous longest stretch without rain in June was 15 days in 1955.

Total precipitation for June in the Flathead Valley is .6 inches — 1.67 inches below normal. For the year, precipitation is 2.52 inches below normal.

Today is expected to be another scorcher, with a high of 101 degrees predicted by the Weather Service.

The mercury is expected to top out at 97 degrees Monday, when there is a 40 percent chance of thunderstorms after noon.

Highs are forecast to remain above 90 every day through July 4.