Local heat record broken

The Montana Climate Office at the University of Montana reports that heat records were broken Sept. 24 in several Montana cities, including Kalispell.

Record-setting high temperatures were measured across Western Montana by National Oceanic and Atmosphere Administration weather stations. Temperatures exceeded the historical average for maximum temperature in late September by 9 to 15 degrees in some parts of the state.

In Kalispell, the average temperature was three degrees above its hottest. The Northwestern Montana weather station hit 89 degrees. The previous record of 86 degrees was set back in 2001.

A cold front moved in soon afterwards, bringing much cooler temperatures to Western Montana, including the Flathead Valley. Weekend high temperatures in Kalispell will be in the low 60s, dropping to a high of 53 degrees by Tuesday.