Powerful rain drenches parts of Flathead Valley

A drenching rain Sunday afternoon caused some localized ponding across the Flathead Valley.

The Columbia Falls area took the brunt of the impressive storm that developed around 5 p.m., with 2.17 inches of rain recorded at a site 1 mile southwest of the city.

Some parts of Kalispell picked up 1.37 inches of precipitation and Bigfork saw 1.26 inches. Most valley locations reported at least 0.50 to 1 inch of rain.

The official weather station at Glacier Park International Airport recorded 0.83 of rain to bring the June precipitation total to 2.54 inches. That's just shy of the 2.84 monthly average.

Overall temperatures in Kalispell for June were slightly above normal, but the thermometer never topped 85. The coldest day was June 1 when it dipped to 34 overnight. There were five nights in the 30s during the month.

The mountain weather station at Noisy Basin in the Swan Range showed the site losing most of its remaining snowpack over the last week of June. About 23 inches of snow was on the ground June 24, but by July 1 only an inch remained. Likewise, the Flattop Mountain weather station in Glacier National Park reported just 6 inches of snow on July 1 after reporting 2 feet a week earlier.

This week starts out cool with more rain, but warms up nicely by Fourth of July on Thursday. Highs for the holiday will climb into the upper 70s in the Flathead Valley. By the weekend residents will be enjoying sunny days with highs in the mid 80s. Some areas of western Montana could flirt with the 90s.

Looking ahead, above normal temperatures are likely next week as well.