Caution: Expected rain could cause roof damage

If you have a lot of snow on your roof, you’ll probably want to get it off as soon as possible.

The National Weather Service Monday said the Flathead Valley could see more than an inch of liquid precipitation — mostly rain, by the end of Thursday.

That could cause some street flooding, but will also make snow on top of roofs all the heavier, said meteorologist Peter Felsch.

At risk in particular are flat roofs, where the snow can’t slide off as the rain falls.

The storm should start out as snow Tuesday, then there’s a chance of freezing rain Tuesday night into Wednesday, and Wednesday and Thursday should be all rain.

Some portions of central Idaho could see 2-3 inches of rain.

Snow levels will rise considerably over the period, from 5,000 to 7,000 feet. Colder weather Thursday night and Friday should freeze things back up, Felsch noted.

The round of warm weather caps off a snowy start to the new year. Last week, Dec. 31 to Jan. 2, the valley saw about 24.4 inches of new snow, as measured at Glacier Park International Airport.