Missoula, Mont. – A burst of early-summer heat could send temperatures soaring past 100°F across western Montana and central Idaho on Saturday, raising health risks for anyone without access to cooling.
According to the National Weather Service in Missoula, a Heat Advisory is in effect from noon to 9 p.m. MDT Saturday for Montana’s Flathead/Mission Valleys, Missoula/Bitterroot Valleys, and surrounding regions. In Idaho, the advisory spans Eastern Lemhi County as well as the Orofino, Grangeville, and Lower Hells Canyon areas, where the alert continues until midnight PDT Saturday night.
Communities like Missoula, Kalispell, Salmon, and Grangeville could see highs ranging from 90 to 102 degrees. With rivers still running fast and cold from spring runoff, officials warn that jumping in for relief could be dangerous due to murky conditions and hidden hazards.
Residents are urged to stay hydrated, limit outdoor activity, and check on vulnerable neighbors—especially the elderly, young children, and outdoor workers. Health systems and heat-sensitive industries may also experience strain.
The heat is expected to ease overnight, but additional advisories may follow if temperatures remain elevated into Sunday.
