Extreme heat wave expected next week

A potentially record-setting heat wave is expected to hit Northwest Montana beginning this weekend and continuing well into next week.

The National Weather Service is predicting an extreme heat wave that could bring temperatures of 95 to 104 degrees in the valleys during the daytime and little relief in the way of cooling temperatures at night.

“This is not your average heat wave,” said Brian Conlan, with the National Service in Missoula, on Thursday. “We’ve had some heat already and we have heat every summer, but this is not the average heat wave you are used to.”

Conlan said the longevity and the timing in late June and early July makes this unusual. Monsoon moisture is also predicted to hit after Wednesday and could result in thunderstorms.

“It’s going to be very hot and dangerous,” he said.

Temperatures are expected to begin to rise on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, but the National Weather Service says the most concerning time period for the hottest temperatures is expected to occur Monday, June 28 to Thursday, July 1.

During the heatwave, folks are reminded that it’s important to hydrate, take breaks from the heat, bring sunscreen and plenty of water if recreating outdoors, never leave children or pets unattended in vehicles and bring pets indoors or provide them with shade and plenty of water.