NWS – July Ends as Second Hottest Month in Missoula History

Yes, you were right. July was almost the hottest month in Missoula weather history.

Meteorologist Travis Booth with the National Weather Service Office in Missoula started the conversation by looking forward to some cooler temperatures moving into the area.

“It looks like we're going to be in the mid 90's the next few days all the way through Thursday, and then that relief you were speaking of arrives in the form of some cooler temperatures with highs in the 70's and low 80's, Friday all the way through early next week,” said Booth. “It also looks like we'll have a chance of showers from time to time, especially later Thursday into Friday.”

Booth said the cooler temperatures may also be more conducive to lower fire risk.

“With those cooler temperatures, typically the relative humidity is higher and you know that that helps with the fires not burning as strongly each day,” he said.  “However we have other fires in our region that are to the west and southwest of us that may still bring smoke into the area regardless.”

Booth then revealed just how hot the month of July was in Missoula.

“If you look at the average temperature for the month of this past July, so that’s July 2021, it actually ranks as the second warmest month in Missoula’s recorded weather history which goes back all the way to 1893,” he said. “So what was the warmest? The warmest month was July of 2007.”

Booth said 2007 also holds another distinction when it comes to hot weather.

“2007 also stands out as the year that had the most 100 degree days for Missoula,” he said. “I believe it was 11 that year. And how did we do this year? So far we're at four. We've had four 100 degree days this year.”

Along with the 90 degree temperatures, the air quality is also deteriorating, according to the Missoula City County Health Department.