Record Heat Wave Expected for First Week of School in Missoula

Summer is long from being over in Missoula, despite the fact that the school year is underway both for elementary and high schools as well as the University of Montana.

We spoke with Meteorologist Joe Messina with the National Weather Service Office in Missoula on Monday about the heat wave to start the school year.

“Summer is really hanging on, and it's got a pretty firm grip actually through this week,” began Messina. “We are looking at potentials for actually record daytime high temperatures starting tomorrow (Tuesday) through the end of the week. Summer just does not want to let go, so it is hanging on strong.”

Messina provided some specific expected high temperatures for western Montana with the present high-pressure system parked over the Missoula area.

“We are looking at some upper 90’s in the forecast for much of the week,” he said. “So for example Tuesday we're looking at a forecast for about 96, then 99 on Wednesday and 97 on Thursday, so we're looking at upper 90’s for the forecast through the week.”

Messina said those temperatures will definitely put Missoula into record-breaking territory.

“For example, today's (Monday’s) record is only 94, and then as we move ahead tomorrow (Tuesday) it's 96, and Wednesday it is expected to reach 94 max,” he said. “Our records are up in the mid 90s, but for this week, but our forecast is getting into the upper 90s.”

Messina was also happy to provide a forecast for the first Grizzly football game of the season on Saturday afternoon.

“Saturday we are looking at a high of about 93 degrees, so it will be a little bit cooler relatively speaking for this week,” he said. “It will be a nice and sunny warm day with pretty clear skies and hot temperatures, so if you like the heat it'll be a pretty nice day to hang out at the stadium and hopefully watch a Griz win.”

Saturday’s Grizzly football game against Northwestern State in Louisiana officially kicks off the 2022 football season at 1:00 p.m.