New storm to add to snowpack

The National Weather Service forecasts heavy precipitation throughout Western Montana today, a development that is expected to add moisture to an already water-loaded snowpack and increase the potential for serious flooding.

The Weather Service predicts up to 2 inches of precipitation to fall in the Mission Mountains area today and nearly 2 inches on mountain ranges farther to the north. It will fall as snow from 8,000 to 10,000 feet and possibly as low as 5,500 feet.

A significant warming period is expected in following days, with valley temperatures reaching the 80s by Sunday. Imminent flooding is not expected in Northwest Montana.

However, hydrologist Ray Nickless noted the water content in mountain snowpack exceeds or nearly reaches record amounts across Northwest Montana.

“That means our potential for a really big flood is on the horizon. Now it’s just a matter of when it hits,” he said. “Instead of melting we’re still accumulating precipitation in the snowpack.”

The Weather Service’s online hydrographs still don’t show significant rises in Northwest Montana rivers until early next week. On Wednesday the Weather Service hazard map, for the first time in weeks, showed no flood advisories, watches or warnings for rivers in Northwest Montana.