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Flathead Valley Weather

Regarding the Flathead Valley, forget about all those terrible things you've heard about Montana weather, particularly her Winters. You know, the 30 degree below zero Winters and the searing hot dust-blown Summers. While such weather can occur in eastern Montana, unprotected by extended mountain ranges and fully exposed to Great Plains weather systems, valleys in western Montana do not experience such extremes. Indeed, weather in valleys west of the Montana Rockies is marked by moderation, both in Winter and Summer.

This moderate weather is particularly true for the Flathead Valley, protected from Midwest climates by the Rocky Mountains, with temperatures further moderated by the water surfaces of its many rivers and lakes. Except for a rare and brief "Arctic express" from Canada during the Winter, the Flathead Valley is influenced by Northwest coastal climates, which are far more mild than anything coming out of the Great Plains!

The result is moderate temperatures throughout the year, most notably Winters with an average daytime temperature of 33 degrees and Summers with an average daytime temperature of 81 degrees. Spring and Fall average daytime temperatures fall in-between at 68 degrees (70's are common in June) and 63 degrees, respectively. The mild Spring and Fall daytime temperatures are ideal for vigorous activities such as hiking, biking, and horseback riding.

Across the seasons
moderation is the rule for Flathead Valley weather
providing perfect fits for different types of persons and their interests

An example of the Flathead Valley's moderate weather comes from its amazing moderate temperature, snow heavy Winters. People who love Winter know that it is snow that makes Winter special. Without snow, or too little of it, you just don't have Winter, regardless of what the calendar says. And the Flathead Valley is happy to oblige you with lots of the fluffy white stuff. What is amazing, though, is that while Flathead Valley temperatures get cold enough to allow and hold snow, temperatures usually do not get much colder. So the Flathead Valley provides the perfect combination for people who love Winter, lots of snow to play in, on, through, and across along with daytime temperatures that let you enjoy all that playing. Lots of snow without the frigid temperatures is a Flathead Valley trademark, and a Winter person's dream come true.

For the Flathead Valley, the following are average daily high and daily low temperatures for each month of the year, and some other weather-related information...

Average relative humidity of 51%

Elevations around 3000 feet

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