Record-breaking heat expected today

The sweltering heat the region has been experiencing is expected to continue today, with record-breaking highs predicted and a Red Flag fire advisory and heat warnings in effect, but cooler temperatures are expected starting Thursday.

Today, highs in the upper 90s to 100s are predicted, with Havre in the forecast at 9 a.m. expected to hit 101 degrees, which would break the record of 99 set in 1998.

Big Sandy was forecast to hit 103 degrees, with Hays and Harlem expected to reach 102, Chinook 100 and the Chester area the "cool" spot of the region with 97 degrees.

The high temperatures, along with low humidity and expected gusty wind, led Weather Service to issue a Red Flag Warning essentially for the entire state, with the risk listed as extreme. The warning is in effect through midnight.

Isolated dry thunderstorms are expected, and the warning said any spark may start fire and spread rapidly especially on grasslands.

The lower-elevation temperatures of 95 degrees to 100 degrees also led Weather Service to issue a heat advisory in effect through 8 p.m., with the warning saying To reduce risk during outdoor work, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration recommends scheduling frequent rest breaks in shaded or air-conditioned environments.

Anyone overcome by heat should be moved to a cool and shaded location. Heat stroke is an emergency and people experiencing heat stroke should call 911, the warning says.

Today follows a period of extreme heat and record temperatures, with the Havre station at the Havre City-County Airport recording a high Saturday of 103 degrees, beating the previous record of 99 degrees set in 2009.

But cool weather is expected to follow, with the high predicted for Havre Thursday at 69 degrees, followed by 62, with a chance of showers, Friday.

Weekend temperatures are expected to creep up a bit, with the high for Havre Saturday predicted to hit 72 and highs of 85 expected for Sunday and Monday.