Forecasters describe “very dangerous” conditions on slopes above 5,000 feet in the Whitefish, Swan and Flathead Ranges along with the Lake McDonald and Marias Pass areas of Glacier National Park.
Since St. Patrick’s Day, the Middle Fork of the Flathead River has doubled in volume, according to U.S. Geological Survey data, reaching a flow of 3,590 cubic feet per second (cfs) today compared to 1,420 cfs two days ago. Last year, the streamflow was only 724 cfs on March 19.
The National Weather Service anticipates “accelerated snowmelt” through Friday, with occasional rain and warm temperatures, prompting rising creeks and streams. With temperatures forecast to reach 65 degrees in Kalispell tomorrow, low elevations in Idaho are expected to soar into the 80s in some areas. For example, in the “banana belt” region of Riggins, Idaho located at the confluence of the Main Salmon and Little Salmon rivers, temperatures are forecast to reach 82 degrees on Friday.
I’m Maggie Dresser, here with a steamy Daily Roundup.
Despite the tropical weather out there, there’s still snow clinging to the mountains, including at Whitefish Mountain Resort where the settled base is 95 inches. The base area just needs to hang in there for 17 more days for closing weekend and the annual pond skim on April 4.
Meanwhile at Blacktail Mountain Ski Area, the summit depth is 41 inches with only the top half of the mountain open and mandatory loading at the midway station on Thunderhead.
Next weekend, Blacktail Mountain and Rocky Mountain Outfitter will host Telefestivus(for the rest of us) where free telemark ski demos will be provided by 22 Designs and Scarpa followed by a raffle fundraiser benefiting Friends of the Flathead Avalanche Center. On March 28, the telemark skiing film, “Worthless Milk,” will screen at Tamarack Brewing Company in Lakeside at 6 p.m.
Stay tuned for in-depth Telefestivus coverage publishing on our website in the coming days and remember – free the heal, free the mind.
Group of Corporations, Industry Organizations Sue to Stop Anti-Dark Money Ballot Initiative
The group, which includes the Kalispell Chamber of Commerce, argues the potential ballot initiative is unconstitutional, while those who are working to pass it say the lawsuit is an attempt to quiet Montanans’ voices
Graceful Days Nonprofit Offers Support and Guidance During Life’s Final Stages
Providing services including respite care and paperwork support, founder Niki Glynos-Wolford is searching for a hospice house facility to provide comfort for those at the end of their lives, regardless of their financial or caregiving situation
Montana Supreme Court Upholds Slate of 2023 Housing Laws
The court sided with the state and local group Shelter WF, among other defendant-intervenors, in the legal dispute over four 2023 bills aimed at helping to address Montana’s affordable housing crisis.
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