BILLINGS, MT — A blistering heat wave pushed temperatures to record levels across Montana on Sunday, with several communities shattering marks that had stood for decades. Alerts for extreme heat, red flag conditions and high winds remained in effect as the region headed into the night.
Records Fall Across the State
High temperatures reached 114 degrees in Miles City and Glendive, 111 in Billings, 109 in Jordan, and 105 in Bozeman and Livingston, according to the weather alert. Those readings broke previously held records dating back to the 1920s in some places.
Montana’s all-time high remains 117 degrees, set in Glendive in 1893 and matched at Two Medicine Lake in 1937.
Heat And Fire Danger
Extreme heat advisories stayed posted for the Great Falls, Bozeman and Havre areas, while extreme heat warnings covered Livingston, Billings, Miles City, Jordan and Glasgow. Red flag warnings also stretched across southern Montana, including the corridor from Dillon to Billings and areas around Miles City and Jordan.
Forecasters warned that humidity as low as 5% and gusts up to 35 mph could help new wildfires start and allow existing fires to grow.
Wind Alerts Stay Active
A lake wind advisory and high wind warning remained in place for Fort Peck Lake and Glendive, where the strongest gusts were expected overnight Sunday into Monday morning. The combination of heat and wind added to the risk for outdoor activity, travel and fire starts.
Thunderstorms are also likely this week during the afternoons, bringing the chance of rain along with lightning, hail and stronger winds.
Safety Advice And Outlook
Weather officials urged people to stay shaded and hydrated, check the back seat of parked vehicles, and keep an eye on neighbors, family members, livestock and outdoor pets. They also advised drivers to make sure trailer chains do not drag and to avoid parking or starting vehicles on dry grass.
Monday is expected to bring another hot day, with temperatures back into the 90s across most of the region and triple digits possible again in Billings, Miles City and Sheridan. Above-average heat is forecast to continue over the next 8 to 14 days.
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