Flood watch issued for Northwest Montana counties
Ice fishers wait for bites on Somers Bay in Flathead Lake on Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2025. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
A stretch of unseasonably warm days coupled with copious rainfall on top of a deep valley snowpack has meteorologists concerned about flooding potential this weekend.
A flood watch was issued Thursday for all of Northwest Montana, including Flathead, Lake, Lincoln, Mineral and Sanders counties. The watch begins Saturday afternoon and lasts through Monday afternoon.
An atmospheric river will bring a significant warm up along with widespread rain Saturday into Monday next week, the National Weather Service in Missoula warned. As the system arrives in Western Montana, the snow level is expected to rise above 5,000 feet with some mountain locations predicted to see more than an inch of rain.
In the valleys, excessive runoff may result in flooding of creeks or flood-prone locations. Ice jams are also possible.
Poor drainage could also create urban flooding.
People are advised to clear gutters and downspouts to reduce the risk of ice dams and leaks around homes, and to remove snow from roofs and away from foundations and window wells.
High temperatures in the Flathead Valley will be in the mid to low 40s for the next seven days.