More than twice the normal amount of rain has fallen in the Flathead Valley this month, according to the National Weather Service in Missoula.
Through March 27, 2.31 inches of rain had fallen in the Kalispell area, compared to an average of .91 inches during the same time period in previous years, according to meteorologist Stefanie Henry.
Consistent rain last week and localized snowmelt resulted in minor flooding and standing water on roadways. But Henry said major flooding is not yet a concern in Northwest Montana.
“With each snowmelt pattern, we may see smaller streams rise,” she said. “And we may see some puddles from rain storms, but I don’t think we’ll see widespread flooding yet.”
Henry said the Flathead Valley is at the cusp of traditional spring weather, mostly marked by rainy days intermixed with drying periods. While most of the snow in the valleys is gone, the snowpack is still holding on in the mountains. According to the National Weather Service, the mountains of Glacier National Park had 110 percent of its normal snowpack; the Kootenai region had 102 percent; and the Lower Clark Fork had 105 percent.
Large river flooding will be a concern later this spring if consistent rain meets mountain snowmelt, but Henry said for now that won’t be a concern until later in April and May.