Scorching heat hits the region

Heat socked into the region Monday and today, with Havre beating a century-old record high temperature.

The National Weather Service recording station at the Havre City-County Airport reported a high of 102 degrees at 3:33 p.m. Monday, beating a previous record of 100 degrees set in 1918.

The normal value for the high on June 14 is 75 degrees.

And Weather Service reports a heat burst in the Fort Bellknap Indian Reservation area that pushed the temperature from 70 degrees to 96 degres at 3:18 a.m.

And a post on the Weather Service Facebook page warns the high temperatures will continue today.

“Highs near 100 degrees will be common,” the warning says. “Remember to practice heat safety! Never leave children, disabled adults or pets unattended in parked vehicles. Take frequent breaks and drink plenty of water.”

A warning on the Weather Service website adds, “Take extra precautions when outside. Wear lightweight and loose fitting clothing. Try to limit strenuous activities to early morning or evening. Take action when you see symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke.”

The heat advisory is in effect until 8 p.m. this evening.

And the region is in a critical fire weather condition — a red flag warning — that includes Blaine, Chouteau and Hill counties. The warning says with temperatures near or at 100 degrees and relative humidity at 10 percent, along with gusty winds, any spark, man-made or nature-caused, could start new fires.

But the forecast calls for temperatures to return to near-normal conditions starting Wednesday, with a high for Havre predicted at 80 degrees. Highs Thursday and Friday are predicted to be in the upper 70s, with a high for Havre Saturday predicted at 86 but highs back into the 70s Sunday and Monday.

No rain is in the forecast until the weekend, with a chance of showers after midnight predicted for Havre Saturday night and a chance of showers and thunderstorms Sunday.