Snow in the Mountains Could Melt with Rain
The snow levels in the Bitterroot Mountains, at last report, had a snow-water content about 130 percent of normal, according to the Natural Resources Conservation Service. With similar conditions throughout the higher elevations in Montana and warmer temperatures as Spring officially starts, officials are concerned about possible flooding.
Ice jams are the usual cause of flooding in winter, but significant rainfall can bring water levels up quickly in area streams and rivers. The National Weather Service office in Great Falls has a Flood Watch in place through March 22 in the Big Hole and in the southern parts of Beaverhead, Gallatin and Madison Counties. A Pacific storm is expected to drop snow and rain as it passes through the southwest part of Montana. A Flood Watch means there is a potential for flooding based on forecasts, not that one will actually happen. Caution is advised.
Hamilton has been seeing high temperatures in the upper 60s last week and back into the 50s this week. But, look up into the mountains and winter is still hanging on.