Will it Really be This Scorching Hot in Montana?

Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) - Although a change may be coming next week, Western Montana's forecast looks like we could be heading for the hottest weekend so far this summer, with most locations seeing triple-digit temperatures.

Some of those readings will come close to record temperatures but aren't forecast to top records that have stood for 90 years in Missoula although they will come close.

It's all part of the continuing impacts of a strong ridge of high pressure that continues to dominate weather across the West.

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Back to triple digits, and dangerously hot

Wednesday morning, National Weather Service forecasters were forecasting the current heatwave to intensity over the weekend, lasting into early next week.

They said Western Montana valley temperatures will "range from 90 to 106 degrees through Monday." As typical in these conditions, the highest temperatures will be in places like Plains, where it may climb to 104 on Saturday and 106 on Sunday. Similar temperatures are possible in Lower Clark Fork and Kootenai region communities.

Temperatures in the interior valleys of Idaho are expected to see temperatures "ranging from 100 to 110 degrees."

Close to records

Missoula is forecast to reach 100 on Saturday, peaking at 102 on Sunday, "cooling" to 100 on Monday. Kalispell will be in the upper 90s but may avoid triple digits.

If that forecast holds, Missoula will have one of the hottest weekends of the year but could be just short of records. Saturday's record in Missoula is 102, dating from 1960, 103 degrees on Sunday and 105 on Monday, both in 1936.

Kalispell may break or tie the 1979 records for 99 degrees on Saturday, 97 degrees on Sunday, and a 98-degree mark from 2000 on Monday.

RELATED: Montana Air Quality Takes a Turn For The Worse

Relief coming?

Computer models still haven't aligned, but NWS says there continues to be some indication of moderating temperatures if the high breaks down next week. That means we might see our first highs in the 80s since early July. But the change may also increase the threat of higher winds and thunderstorms which will impact our ongoing fires and may lead to new fire starts.