Bodies of Water. This is the most extreme temperature range experienced in any of the 50 United States. As the Flathead Watershed community grows, so does the demand for water, putting additional pressure on the natural system and on the management and distribution of the water it generates. Get the full experience and book a tour. The warm winds melt and drive the snow sometimes transforming a deep snowfield into an exposed field of forageable grasses. The Whitefish Range also creates rain shadow conditions where the western side receives most of the rainfall, supporting rich and diverse forest growth while the dry, sheltered eastern slopes support only grasses, sagebrush, and pine trees. Home to hiking trails that provide an excellent view of bald eagles and wild horses, this state park is only accessible by boat. Justin Franz | Flathead Beacon. You can jump to a separate table for each region of the state: Northwestern, Southwestern, South - Central and Eastern Montana. High Temperature average high temperature in °F Flathead Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 20° 40° 60° 80° 100° BestPlaces.Net August is the hottest month for Flathead County with an average high temperature of 79.7°, which ranks it as one of the coolest places in Montana. Cal Colbert goes scuba diving on McGregor Lake on June 17. Air. Flathead Lake's water temperature 45° Today's forecast Overcast H:33° L:23° Wind:10-31 mph Flathead Lake . The area of the basin drained through Flathead Lake, chiefly by Flathead River and its three forks, is 18,000 sq. Water temperatures on the lake soon followed, reaching the 60s. This precipitation, along with cold temperatures and low evaporation in the mountains maintains a positive water balance. Precipitation also increases with elevation. H: 10 L: 31. Surface water temperatures peak in the low 70s by mid-August. In the wake of this system, cooler air will gradually overtake the Plains, while above normal temperatures linger over the East Coast. This tied the all-time high temperature for Montana previously established at Glendive on July 20, 1893. North-facing slopes are exposed to far less sunshine than south-facing slopes, leading to cooler temperatures and a shorter growing season. These winds make critical nutrient-filled food available to grazing species during the colder winter months. Wind. ) is a large natural lake in northwest Montana, and is the largest natural freshwater lake by surface area that is west of the source of the Missouri River in the contiguous United States.. Spend summer vacation at one of the top lakes in the U.S. As one of the largest freshwater lakes on the West Coast and clearest lakes in the U.S., Flathead Lake is an ideal spot for sailing, speed boating, and fishing. Bodies of Water. Water Temp. Climatic changes often follow elevation changes in the watershed, though not always exactly as expected. Average June temperatures; High °F Low °F Place High °C Low °C; 71: 45: Cut Bank: 21: 7: 67: 41: East Glacier Park: 19: 5: 73: 48: Flathead Lake, Polson: 23: 9: 67: 42: Gibson Reservoir Dam: 20: 5: 72: 45: Kalispell: 22: 7: 79: 45: Libby: 26: 7: 75: 47: Missoula: 24: 8: 70: 38: Polebridge: 21: 4: 71: 46: Rogers Pass: 21: 8: 73: 41: Seeley Lake: 23: 5: 72: 44: West Glacier: 22: 7: 70: 45: Whitefish: 21: 7 Mountain regions in the Flathead Watershed and throughout the world provide a critical function as “water towers,” storing, controlling, and releasing water for domestic, agricultural, and industrial uses downstream. Try jigging for the macks with Glo Grubs or Rattle D Zastors tipped with cut bait. As glaciers melt, the amount and flow of water changes and will have a variety of impacts on the people, wildlife, and landscapes downstream that depend on this water. The amount of water flowing annually through the lake varies from 80 to 120,000,000 cu. Weather Summary. Spring and early summer are partly cloudy and offer rain interspersed with occasional dry, warm days. June is typically the wettest month. Temperature is influenced by Flathead Lake and the hundreds of other bodies of water throughout the watershed. Flathead Lake, Polson: Address, Flathead Lake Reviews: 5/5. Based on our historical data over a period of ten years, the warmest water in this day in Lake Tahoe was recorded in 2014 and was 11.2°C/52.2°F, and the coldest was recorded in 2011 at 9.6°C/49.3°F. The Chinook winds are yet another climatic characteristic found just beyond the Flathead Watershed on the east side of the Continental Divide. Human development and alterations in mountain regions can damage these critical water tower regions. Nutrient Cycling - the Biogeochemcial Cycles. "Hey Brother" - Avicii "Closer" (Feat Halsey) - The Chainsmokers At night the average minimum temperature drops down to around -1°C, that's 30°F. Flathead Lake has depths of up to 380 feet and has a rocky gravel bottom. Intense Chinook winds typically blow up to 60 miles (100 km) per hour. Where are you located and what will we be fishing for? Flathead Lake features the ideal water temperatures of 40-52 degrees F. and has ample food supply which allows the average catch length of 22"-24". Get the monthly weather forecast for Garden City, UT, including daily high/low, historical averages, to help you plan ahead. The surface water of smaller lakes, rivers, streams, and sloughs limit temperature extremes until they freeze in winter. For instance, the Camas Prairie in the Flathead Indian Reservation is in the “rain shadow” of the Cabinet Mountains and is one of the driest parts of the watershed and Montana with approximately 12 inches (30.5 cm) of precipitation annually. Combined with the -70°F (-77°C) at Roger’s Pass in 1954 (#6), this makes the all-time temperature range recorded in Montana 187°F (124°C). The quantity of snow and its annual runoff are vital for providing agricultural irrigation, feeding hydropower equipment, establishing forest fire patterns, and determining what plants and animals inhabit an area, as well as when and where fish will spawn. Average temperatures for July at cities, towns, parks and lakes throughout Montana are listed below in degrees Fahrenheit and Celsius. We see only slight affects from Chinooks in the watershed. Trolling has been fair with larger spinners or spoons. If you’re near the west shore, be sure to explore Wildhorse Island. There is much folklore and native legend surrounding the word “Chinook, ” but it is known to be the name of an early people who lived near the ocean along the Columbia River. Taking a look at Flathead Lake over the coming two weeks and the average daytime maximum temperature will be around 3°C, with a high for the two weeks of 5°C expected on the afternoon of Saturday 28th. Waterton National Park has a high frequency of Chinooks contributing to its warmth in winter. ... Three sisters throw their arms in the air as they jump off the end of a dock for a swim in the cool water of Flathead Lake, Montana. 791 miles. An average of about 70% of the watershed’s precipitation falls in winter as snow, while summers tend to experience dry conditions. National Weather Service http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/tfx/tx.php?wfo=tfx&type=html&loc 70.4. Glacier National Park from Missoula VIP Jeep Day Tour ... June 2019. Chinooks blow where prevailing winds meet mountain ranges perpendicular to their path. From the June/July 2012 issue of National Geographic Traveler. In this northern tip of the watershed, Chinook winds can gain hurricane force of 75 miles (120 km) per hour. About: - Flathead Lake is located in Northwest Montana. The valleys below receive less precipitation, are warmer and have higher evaporation, creating a negative water balance. Average temperatures vary greatly with topography throughout the Flathead Watershed, however winter temperatures range from -20°F (-28°C) up to 32°F (0°C). The most common measures of climate are temperature and precipitation. Visitors on the southern part of the lake need to buy a tribal recreation permit, however, as this half of the water lies on Flathead Reservation boundary. The Flathead Lake surface water temperature reading is measured at the end of Yellow Bay Point. Answer 1 of 2: I will staying in a cabin on Flathead lake (near Polson) in June. Average water temps in June are in the 60s, 70s in July and August, and then back down again in September. km. =topweather. Questions or concerns about USGS streamflow data in Montana and Wyoming can be directed to Kirk Miller (kmiller@usgs.gov; 307-775-9168).Updated September 18, 2020 - USGS water-resources monitoring activities were restored effective August 17, 2020 at the following site:. The lake is a remnant of the ancient, massive glacial dammed lake, Lake Missoula of the era of the last interglacial. Temperature is influenced by Flathead Lake and the hundreds of other bodies of water throughout the watershed. At the bay and around the state, it feels more like July than June. Summer air temperatures average in the mid-70s to mid-80s. The cool temperatures slow the melting of snow, allowing absorption by soil and supporting a greater variety and density of vegetation. Summer temperatures range from the 70°Fs (21°C’s) to the high 90F’s (30°Cs) with generally clear skies punctuated by afternoon thunderstorms. I know that the weather can be rainy in June and there is often still snow at any type of elevation. 06088500 Muddy Creek near Vaughn, Montana (POR: 82 years); Updated June 11, 2020 - USGS water-resources … Fish from shore with sausage or casting spoons. These essential sources of water are particularly important in drier regions where seasonal water deficiency is common. Lake Surface Temperature 42.5 °F at 12:25 AM on 11/30/2020 The Flathead Lake surface water temperature reading is measured at the end of Yellow Bay Point. Occasional periods of even hotter temperatures occur in summer. Flathead Lake. Raft-Up Sunday August 5th at 1:34 pm We will meet to test the water and to collaborate on the problems of the world. The tables give the normals for maximum and minimum temperatures based on weather data collected from 1981 to 2010 by the US … The mountainous areas such as Glacier and Waterton Lakes National Parks, the Whitefish, Swan, and Mission Ranges experience the pile up of very deep snow throughout the winters. The average minimum temperature will be -5°C, dipping to its lowest on the morning of Saturday 5th at -5°C. The North Fork of the Flathead in British Columbia receives less than 20 inches (51 cm), and West Glacier receives as much as 30 inches (76 cm). Dry and gusty conditions will result in fire weather concerns over parts of southern California. Mike Ferda, Cal Colbert and Kyren Zimmerman go scuba diving in McGregor Lake near Marion on June … Throughout the month of October daytime temperatures will generally reach highs of around 14°C that's about 57°F. July 5, 1937: The temperature topped out at 117°F (47°C) at Medicine Lake in northeastern Montana. While higher elevations are typically colder and valleys are typically warmer, it is not unusual to have a wintertime inversion that traps cold air in the valleys while the high altitude mountaintops enjoy the warmth of sunshine. Flathead Lake weather report, historic temperatures and climate info,… Searchable lists of Flathead Lake tourism offices and other helpful government agencies. Average water temps in June are in the 60s, 70s in July and August, and then back down again in September. This 100 degree (56 Celsius) change stands as the most dramatic temperature change ever recorded in 24 hours in the United States. =text&fx Increased soil erosion, changes in surface runoff, and excessive sedimentation of rivers and streams all affect the quantity and quality of water available for humans, animals, fisheries, and plants downstream. 363 Reviews #1 of 11 things to do in Polson. Summer air temperatures average in the mid-70s to mid-80s. Thirteen public access points make it easy for you to get on the water from any direction. Temperature. … Throughout the year, the changes are even more remarkable - … In particular, Somers and Polson enjoy milder weather because Flathead Lake is so large that it rarely freezes over. Recreationalists should exercise caution in the spring when surface water temperatures remain cold at below 50 degrees Fahrenheit. As one of the measurements in the Flathead Lake environmental data suite, temperature is reported every 15 minutes. Current Whitefish Lake weather information can be found at the Whitefish Lake Institute’s website: www.whitefishlake.org Explore destinations near Flathead Lake. The Chinook is a robust wind that warms and dries as it descends the lee (away from the wind) side of a mountain. a cousin of the zebra, and has now made its way West, too. The highest annual precipitation ever recorded in the park was 150” (381 cm). The surface water of smaller lakes, rivers, streams, and sloughs limit temperature extremes until they freeze in winter. … Montana Weather Factoids In the western United States, humans depend on mountain resources for 85% of their water. H: 33 L: 23. They learned that between June 2010 and September 2011, the roaming grizzly had travelled approximately 1,200 miles in total, which included her astonishing 15-mile swim of Flathead Lake. We was fishing close to a warm water power plant discharge area the dumped into the lake ,,, The main lake water temps was around 40 degrees and the spot we was fishing in was around 60 degrees and had alot of bait in the area so it was like a buffet for the flatheads and channels . Winds up to 40 mph caused wide spread damage to docks and boats and shoreline on Flathead Lake, Saturday October 3, 2009. For those staying in the Flathead Valley area, our peak summer season is June through September, where we fish Flathead Lake … Unless you like your water COLD, the effective swimming season is June through September. Flathead Lake, Lake, Montana, United States of America - Monthly weather averages including average high and low Temperature, Precipitation, Pressure, Wind Charts to assist you in planning your travel, holiday or an outdoor activity at Flathead Lake, Lake, United States of America Water Towers  Water temperature in Lake Tahoe today is 10.1°C/50.2°F. January 23, 1916: An Arctic cold front slammed into Browning, dropping the temperature from 44°F (6.7°C) to -56°F (-49°C) in 24 hours. This 47 degree (26.6 Celsius) rise in seven minutes stands as the record for the most rapid temperature change registered in the United States. United States ... Flathead Lake. Open water seasons are typically March through November, and our ICE FISHING season from December through March. Twelve to 30 inches (30.5 to 76 cm) of precipitation falls annually in the lower valleys, 80 inches (203 cm) falls in the Whitefish Range, and as much as 122 inches (301 cm) falls in Glacier National Park. Mountains obstruct incoming air masses, forcing the air to rise and cool, producing precipitation. Flathead Lake Subscribe to Receive Fishing Report Updates Rating - Poor Fishing will be tough with the weather conditions. This year, donors have helped to fund urgent monitoring of beach closures during the COVID-19 pandemic, expand our support for volunteer water quality monitoring, and create groundbreaking data sharing resources for scientists. April, 1935 THE LIFE OF FLATHEAD LAKE, MONTANA 97 ous little headlands, and small islands, especially near the southern end of the lake. Flathead Lake: Flathead Lake - See 362 traveller reviews, 171 candid photos, and great deals for Polson, MT, at Tripadvisor. The rivers, streams, and aquifers that flow under the influence of gravity from the mountains to the valleys work to adjust this imbalance. 363 Reviews #1 of 11 things to do in Polson. The amount of sunlight that reaches the land also varies throughout the watershed. (-77°C) at Roger’s Pass, about 25 miles (40 km) northwest of Helena. Unless you like your water COLD, the effective swimming season is June through September. The climate profile is taken from closest available data source to Flathead Lake. away. It is important to remember that snow can fall in the watershed any month of the year! In the later part of summer, it is not uncommon to see a 45°F (7°C) transition from a 75°F (24°C) day to a 30°F (-1°C) night. January 11, 1980:  The temperature at the Great Falls International Airport rose from -32°F (-36°C) to 15°F (-9.4°C) in seven minutes as warm Chinook winds eroded an Arctic airmass. Precipitation varies significantly with the topography of the Flathead Watershed region. 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