Wet Weather Helps Montana’s Snowpack & Runoff

There are still some challenging areas where the warmer, and often drier winter of 2025-26 is going to present some issues with runoff and even drought this summer.

But at least in the mountains and basins of Western Montana and along the Divide, the latest outlook shows conditions have gradually come back to "near normal" in recent weeks.

LeeAnn Allegretto, National Weather Service Hydrologist in Missoula, says the new May report is showing that the second run of wetter weather in recent weeks, along with enough cold to rebuild high country snow pack, is looking much better than it did in later winter. Although she says some of the mid-level elevations are already melted out, especially in Northwest Montana.

"Any elevation that's basically below 6500 feet has had very little snow," Allegretto explained. "And we know this. If we look up at our mountains, we can tell right away. And then on the flip side, anything above 6500 feet, especially in the 78000 range, is where we have really good snowpack, above normal snowpack. And that has yet to start melting. In fact, we have just begun to start melting those elevations out."

"We're still wet here in Western Montana and north central Idaho. We did have a lot of beneficial rainfall and snowfall." LeeAnn Allegretto, NWS Hydrologist

She explains April is a key month for building snowpack, and even with the very warm temperatures all winter, the wet conditions in recent weeks helped.

"Every single month has been abnormally warm. But we did get slightly cooler here in April, and that led to some snowfall accumulating in the terrain, and at least holding onto the snow that we do have." 💧

Dramatic fatality case reviewed by Flathead jury

A jury is hearing the case against a Flathead County man who's accused of running over another man at a popular attraction last fall.

The Flathead Beacon reports Jeffrey Scott Serio is facing a felony count of deliberate homicide. The charges stem from a chaotic August 2025 incident at the Fritz Corn Maze, where Serio is alleged to have driven over 67-year-old Raymond Maurice Grigg.

In opening arguments this week, defense attorneys began laying the groundwork for a self-defense argument, claiming the situation was more complex than a simple accident. However, prosecutors are prepared to present evidence of a deliberate act. They say Serio ran over Grigg, dragging him 40 feet under his car, through a power box, and into a field.

     The trial is scheduled to run into next week in Flathead County District Court.

Relief in some school districts, concern in others after levy losses

Missoula school leaders are breathing a little easier, now that final vote counts have shown a turnaround in that request for two important school funding packages.

On Tuesday, it looked like the vote would be split. But it turns out voters approved two general fund levies for Missoula County Public Schools, supporting both the elementary and high school districts.

The elementary levy passed with over 11,000 votes in favor, while the high school measure saw a tighter margin, passing by roughly 800 votes. Combined, more than 30,000 ballots were cast in the election.

District officials say these local tax dollars are critical for day-to-day operations—covering the costs of staff and securing programs that impact students from preschool through graduation.

In a statement on Wednesday, the district expressed gratitude for the community's trust, noting that the investment in these 9,000 students helps build the city’s future leaders and workforce.

While the results are currently unofficial, the MCPS board of trustees is expected to formally canvass and confirm the totals in the coming days.

Elsewhere, it was a rough week for school funding measures. Bozeman was the only other major school district to see voters completely back financial proposals.

In Kalispell, Superintendent Matt Jensen sees a significant budget deficit for the K-8 elementary level after levy failures, telling the Flathead Beacon that, over the coming weeks, the board will have to determine which staffing positions and programs will be cut to balance the budget for the next school year.