Minor flooding possible next week with rainy days ahead
A double rainbow over the Flathead River in in Columbia Falls last July. A new grant will fund insect and other studies in the watershed and Crown of the Continent.
A dramatic rise in river levels is possible next week with an extended period of heavy rain in the forecast for Northwest Montana.
The National Weather Service in Missoula on Friday warned that, given the potential for excessive rainfall, “there is growing concern for small stream and main-stem river flooding Monday onward.”
The wet and cool weather is expected to move into the region Saturday morning and last through the middle of the week. Valley locations could see an inch or two of rainfall, while the mountains will see much more.
“There is potential that mountains along the Continental Divide along the Bob Marshall and Glacier Park … could see locally up to 4 to 5 inches of rain when all is said and done,” said Trent Smith with the Weather Service in Missoula.
The Flathead River at Columbia Falls is projected to crest Tuesday afternoon at 12.47 feet — minor flood stage is 13 feet. The river was at about 10.39 feet on Friday.
The Swan River near Bigfork was expected to hit 6.26 feet on Tuesday afternoon — minor flood stage is 6.5 feet. The river was at about 5 feet on Friday.
Smith noted that temperatures will run nearly 20 degrees below average next week.
High temperatures Sunday through Wednesday in the valley will be in the 60s, with lows in the 40s. Meanwhile, mountain locations will struggle to get out of the 40s for high temperatures.
“If you’re planning on being in the high country early in the week, be prepared for heavy rain and cold temperatures,” the Weather Service warned in its forecast discussion Friday.
Smith said the cool and wet weather is expected to stick around through at least the Fourth of July holiday.
So far this June the weather station at Glacier Park International Airport has recorded about 3.5 inches of precipitation, well above the 2.19-inch average.