Kalispell records 2nd hottest July
Vadim Khmelev, of Kalispell, backflips into the Flathead River as he and his brother Micah go for a swim on Thursday, July 15, 2021. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
Last month will go down as one of the hottest and driest Julys on record for Kalispell.
According to data from the National Weather Service in Missoula, last month's average temperature in Kalispell was 71.5 degrees, making it the second warmest July ever for the city. The average temperature was 6.6 degree above normal.
The hottest July on record came during the heat wave of 2007, when the average temperature was 71.9.
Nineteen days reached the 90s last month, and a daily record of 101 degrees was set July 31.
Kalispell's hot July followed the fourth warmest June on record, which was 6.3 degree above normal.
Measurable precipitation was scarce last month, as well.
For the month, just 0.20 inches of rain was recorded at the weather station at Glacier Park International Airport, making it the 11th driest July ever. All of that rain fell between July 1 and July 2.
There were 30 sunny days last month, and just one considered partly cloudy. The dry streak was finally snapped with Sunday's rain.
Kalispell's hot and dry July is consistent with the rest of the Pacific Northwest that is experiencing severe drought conditions. Spokane, Seattle and Portland each recorded only a trace of precipitation in July.
A few more scorching days are on tap for Northwest Montana. Some parts of the area could soar into the triple digits Tuesday and Wednesday as a high pressure rebuilds over the region.
Libby is forecast to reach 101 on Tuesday and 103 on Wednesday. Kalispell thermometers, meanwhile, will top off in the low 90s.
Relief from the heat wave is expected by the end of the week. Showers and thunderstorms will develop Thursday afternoon and will be capable of producing wetting rains across the area, according to the weather service.
Looking further ahead, a cool and wet weather pattern is expected across the Pacific Northwest and Northern Rockies. Below normal temperatures are possible along with opportunities for rain.
Look for highs in the 70s and lows in the 50s for the Flathead Valley beginning Friday.