The last three months of summer were the driest on record in Kalispell, according to preliminary data from the National Weather Service.

Between June and August, Kalispell received 1.09 inches of rain, breaking the previous three-month record low of 1.40 inches in 1929.

The National Weather Service has collected data since 1899. The agency’s local monitoring station is at Glacier Park International Airport. The 30-year average is 5.00 inches for June 1 through Aug. 31.

This summer was also the fifth warmest on record. The average temperature in town was 65.1 degrees Fahrenheit. The warmest on record is 67.4 degrees, set in 1961. The 30-year average is 62.2 degrees.

Missoula experienced its 18th driest summer on record, gathering 2.23 inches of precipitation, according to the NWS. It was also the eighth warmest summer on record.

The dry, warm conditions have fueled extreme wildfires and drought conditions that are plaguing Northwest Montana. Over 318,000 acres, or 496 square miles, have burned in Montana this year. The two primary tributaries of the Flathead River have the lowest streamflows on record for the end of August.

Driest Summers on Record

Total Precipitation, June-August

2015 – 1.09 inches

1929 – 1.40 inches

1910 – 1.50 inches

2003 – 1.66 inches

2007 – 1.82 inches

1962 – 1.93 inches

1922 – 2.11 inches

1973 – 2.13 inches

1931 – 2.17 inches

2000 – 2.29 inches

Hottest Summers on Record

Average Temperature, June-August

1961 – 67.4 degrees

1936 – 66.3 degrees

1940 – 66.0 degrees

2003 – 65.5 degrees

2015 – 65.1 degrees

1979 – 65.1 degrees

1931 – 65.1 degrees

1958 – 65.0 degrees

2007 – 65.9 degrees

1941 – 64.9 degrees

Source: National Weather Service