Extreme Heat Watch Issued For Much Of Montana This Weekend

Although there's a lingering threat of some showers and thunderstorms in the forecast for some areas into Friday, forecasters are turning their attention to what they expect will be another stretch of extreme heat as we end the week.

And while temperatures aren't expected to hit the levels we experienced earlier this month, triple digits will be widespread. And the situation is made even more dangerous by strong gusty winds and low humidity, raising the risk of fires.

The National Weather Service has posted an extreme heat watch that goes into effect Friday afternoon, through Sunday morning, and covers a majority of the areas of Eastern, Central and North Central Montana.

The National Weather Service warns communities along the HiLine, Central Montana, east to Glendive, Glasgow and surrounding communities in the Northeast will see the heat index above 101; Glendive is forecast to reach 106 on Saturday, with 108 in Miles City. Billings could top out at 105 on Saturday, with Great Falls also reaching 106. Missoula is forecast to peak at 101 degrees Saturday.

☀️ Bozeman will likely stay below 100. With the mid-90s in the Flathead.

Report: Short-term rentals mean big money for Montana

A new report from the University of Montana reveals that short-term rentals generated more than $754 million in visitor spending across the state in 2025. According to the study, these rentals supported more than 5,500 jobs, created $277 million in labor income, and added nearly $800 million to Montana’s overall economy.

Top tourist areas saw major impacts, with Flathead County bringing in $207 million and Gallatin County generating more than $152 million. While hosts across the state earned approximately $356 million, the boom continues to fuel a broader conversation surrounding housing availability and local cost of living in the Treasure State.

Marathon Money is HUGE for Missoula

More hard numbers this week about the economic impacts of last month's Missoula Marathon, confirming that it's easily the single biggest event driver of dollars in the Garden City.

According to Destination Missoula, this year’s events generated an estimated five-point-two million dollars in direct economic impact for the community—surpassing last year's numbers. Organizers note that about forty-five percent of participants traveled from outside the local area, pushing Saturday hotel occupancy to nearly 93% and delivering a major mid-summer win for local hospitality, dining, and retail businesses.

🏃🏼‍♂️ The marathon continues to fill hotel rooms too. The report shows occupancy at 92% Friday and Saturday of race weekend, and even reaching 88% on the Thursday before the race.

FWP: Kill (and report) these fish in the Flathead

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks is asking anglers to be on the lookout after confirming the detection of non-native brown trout in Ashley Lake and Church Slough.

FWP strongly urges anglers who catch a brown trout anywhere in the Flathead drainage upstream of the SKQ Dam to kill the fish immediately and report the catch.

Biologists say brown trout compete with and prey upon other sportfish, threatening the broader Flathead fishery if they become established. Anglers are asked to provide the fish, location, and date to the FWP Region 1 office.