Untitled

A MT daily temperature range of 76°F on the 28th (Max temp of 61°F at Horse Thief and min temp of -15°F at Dell) was the state’s largest daily range since March 22, 2022 (84°F) and the largest in November since 2022.

The state average snow depth of 0.2-inches for the month was the lowest average for November in Montana since 2021.

The state average snowfall of 0.6-in is the third lowest of record and lowest average since 1939.

November recorded the lowest monthly wind average since 2016. It was also the lowest calendar-year-to-date wind average since 2010, and lowest fall seasonal wind average since 1940.

Great Falls had their highest November PM2.5 concentration since 2008. Their average value of 9.1 µg/m3 was the highest since 8.6 in 2012.

The Modified AWSSI (https://mrcc.purdue.edu/research/awssi/indexAwssi.jsp) includes wind, dense fog and freezing rain elements.

State averages are those from 21 airport or nearby locations distributed across Montana.

Locations with most days of warmest or coldest temperature in Montana during the month (3 or more)

Deep Creek RAWS (Glacier) recorded the highest daily gust on 15 days in November, with Tunnel Ridge (Flathead) having the peak gust on 10 days.

The state average temperature of 42.6°F was the coolest since 2020. The statewide average monthly temperatures had been above average since May. The first 23 days of October averaged 4.7° above normal, with a few days with maximum temperatures over 80°F. The last 8 days averaged 18.3°F below normal. This caused the month to average below normal.

Up to two feet of snow feel at the Red Lodge Ski Area on the 11th and 12th. Amounts of snow ranged from two to 24-inches over the higher elevations of southwest Montana. Later in the month, snow fell over much of the state with many areas from Helena to Glasgow receiving a foot or more. This is the 10th snowiest start to the water year and snowiest since 2021.

Average October wind speed for Montana of 7.6-mph was the lowest since 1983. The state’s calendar year through October wind average of 8.1-mph is the lowest since 2010.

Jordan’s peak gust of 70-mph on the 17th was their highest October gust of record. This exceeded the previous high of 66-mph set in 2020. Wolf Point’s peak gust of 64-mph on the 17th was their second highest October gust of record. The record highest is 67-mph set in 2022.

The Modified AWSSI (https://mrcc.purdue.edu/research/awssi/indexAwssi.jsp) includes wind, dense fog and freezing rain elements.

State averages are those from 21 airport or nearby locations from across Montana.

This data is from several sources, including Alberta Environment, BNSF, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation, CoCoRaHS, FAA, Forest Service, Montana DEQ, Montana Department of Transportation, Montana Mesonet, National Park Service, National Resources Conservation Service, NDAWN, NOAA/NWS, University of Utah Mesowest, Weather Underground and Ambient Weather, in addition to weather spotters and private weather stations. The National Centers for Environmental Information is the repository for US weather data.

Locations with most days of warmest or coldest temperature in Montana during the month (3 or more)

The statewide average temperature of 61.7°F was the warmest since 2009. At several locations, the September average temperature ranked among their top ten warmest. At Glasgow, it was the warmest of record. The state average temperature of 67.2°F for August and September was the warmest of record, exceeding the previously warmest of 66.1°F set in 1998.

Kalispell had their largest diurnal spread in average maximum and minimum temperatures for September. With an average high of 75.8°F and minimum of 39.4°F, the diurnal spread of 36.4°F was their largest of record for September. The previous largest record for September was 36.0°F.

In 1994. Livingston had their second largest diurnal spread for September. An average high of 80.0°F and low of 44.1°F had a spread of 35.9°F. Their largest for September was 36°F in 1994.

The last 100°F high temperature in Montana was observed on the 3rd. This is at the average. For the season, there were 21-days with a temperature of 100°F or more somewhere in Montana. This matched the average for the season.

Glendive had their 10th lowest relative humidity value of record on Sept 18. With a temperature of 85°F and dew point temperature of 23°F at 2 pm MDT, the relative humidity was 10.2%. This was their lowest since September 5, 2022. Their records began in 1984.

Snow on the 21-23 brought snow mainly to higher elevations of western and southwest Montana. Up to a foot and one-half was reported by stations in the Absarokees and Beartooth Mtns. Four inches fell on Beartooth Pass.

Livingston’s peak gust of 69-mph during a thunderstorm on the 18th ties their highest gust of record for September. The was previously recorded in 1994.

Smoke from wildfires in Canada continued to plague portions of Montana in September. Sidney had a record high PM2.5 concentration for the month, exceeding the previous high in 2012. Billings and Malta also had record high concentrations for September. Bozeman had their lowest September value of record.

Locations with most days of warmest or coldest temperature in Montana during the month (3 or more)

Tunnel Ridge (Flathead) recorded the highest daily gust in September on eight days, with Deep Creek RAWS (Glacier) having the peak gust on four days.

The state’s lowest temperature of 29°F was the warmest extreme minimum in August since 30°F in 1923.

Helena’s average temperature in August (72.3°F) was their 5th warmest of record. This has been the coolest water-year to date since 2019.

There have been 19 days with temperatures over 100°F in Montana this year. The average through August is 20 days. This is the lowest number of days in a season since 2019 and the 40th highest of record (records began in 1892).

Baker received 4.15-in of rain in August. This was their 2nd highest August amount of record. In 2014, 4.78-in of rain fell at Baker. This was Baker’s 5th wettest summer period (Jun-Aug) with 9.77-in, and wettest since 2005. Kalispell had 2.95” of rain in August, their 7th highest of record and wettest August since 1989. Miles City got 3.06” in August, their 5th highest of record and highest in August since 1968. Billings received 8.2” during the summer period, their 4th wettest of record and wettest since 2010. Bozeman had their 7th wettest summer (7.00”) and wettest since 2014. Butte had their 8th wettest summer season (7.77”) and wettest since 1997.

West Yellowstone, with 30.48”, has their 3rd wettest water-year of record. This is their wettest since 1997.

For a Montana state average, this was the wettest August since 2014, likewise for the summer season (Jun-Aug).

The tornado on August 6 near Boulder was the first recorded tornado in Jefferson County since these records began in 1950.

Kalispell had their second highest August gust of record on the 22nd, with a gust of 67-mph. Their highest August gust is 74-mph in 1990.

Tunnel Ridge (Flathead) recorded the state’s highest daily wind gust on four days during August.

Lighter wind averages throughout the summer produced a summer average with the 2nd lightest average of record. The lightest average for this period was 7.2-mph in 2013.

Smoke from wildfires in Canada continued to plague Montana in August. There were also some fires in northwestern Montana.

Locations with most days of warmest or coldest daily extreme temperature in Montana during the month (3 days or more)

Trout Creek has recorded the state’s highest temperature on 34 days so far in 2023, the greatest at any one location, and Libby second with 28 days. Georgetown Lake has had the state’s lowest temperature on 37 days so far this year, second place goes to West Yellowstone with 33 days.

Deep Creek RAWS (Glacier) has recorded the highest daily gust on 52 days.

The first 100°F temperature of the season in Montana was not recorded until July 21 at Plains and Trout Creek. This was the latest in the year for this since 2019 and the 9th latest overall (since 1892).

This was Missoula’s 9th warmest July of record.

Lewistown had their 4th driest July of record, and the driest since 2017. At Dillon WMU, it was their 3rd driest of record (0.05”) and driest since 2018. West Yellowstone was 9th driest (0.47”) and driest since 1961. The state average of 0.47” was the 3rd driest of record and driest since 2017.

Severe weather occurred somewhere in MT on 12 days during July. This was two days below average and there have been 27 such days this year, which is 7 days below average.

A thunderstorm wind gust to 91 mph on July 30 at Wolf Point set a July and all-time record there. Their old July record was 71 mph set just last year on 7/8/2022. Wolf Point’s previous all-time high gust of 81 mph was set in March 1986. This was the highest wind gust in July in MT since 2019 and the 11th highest of record for July.

Billings recorded their 9th calmest July of record (avg 8.4-mph), Butte had their 7th calmest (5.7-mph), and Lewistown had their 7th calmest (6.6-mph). For the state for the water-year, this was the 6th calmest (8.6-mph) and lightest winds for the water-year since 2019. Calendar year wind averages are also lightest since 2019.

The average soil moisture is an average of the 4-in, 8-in and 20-in depths from 54 locations across the state.

Smoke from wildfires in Canada in early July, then from Montana produced the 4th worst PM2.5 July averages of record for Montana. This month had the highest July average since 2021, which was the highest. Broadus and Sidney had their highest July averages of record (20 & 14.4 micrograms per cubic meter), Great Falls, Lewistown and Malta had their second highest averages of record for July (16.8, 11.0 & 16.1).

The state’s July average diurnal temperature range of 33.4°F was the 21st highest.

The Great Falls average freezing level of 12,800 feet is the lowest since 2020.

This data is from several sources, including Alberta Environment, BNSF, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation, CoCoRaHS, FAA, Forest Service, Montana DEQ, Montana Department of Transportation, Montana Mesonet, National Park Service, National Resources Conservation Service, NDAWN, NOAA/NWS, University of Utah Mesowest, Weather Underground and Ambient Weather.

in addition to weather spotters and private weather stations. The National Centers for Environmental Information is the repository for US weather data.

Locations with most days of warmest or coldest daily extreme temperatures in Montana during the month (3 days or more)

The 16°F low southeast of Cameron on the 22nd was the 9th latest of record for a low of less than 20°F for the state.  It was nearly a month later than normal for the last 20°F or colder temperature of the season in Montana. This was the latest in the season since 2011. This was also the second coldest so late in the year. The coldest was 15°F north of Wisdom on July 18, 1913. Even so, this was the coldest so late in the season since 16°F was recorded at Wisdom on June 14, 1923. The state’s high temperature of 95°F on the 7th and 30th is the lowest for June since 2019.

Great Falls had their coldest temperature so late in the season on the 21st with a low temperature of 33°F. This was their coldest June temperature since 2009.

Following is a table for the freezing temperatures recorded near the summer solstice...

Heavy rain and flooding in south Billings on the 2nd when as much as 5” fell over the city. Billings had their 3rd wettest June with 6.26-in. This was their wettest June since 1944 and wettest month since May 2011 (9.54-in).

Bozeman had their 4th wettest June with 4.75-in. This was their wettest June since 1969 and wettest month since May 1980 (5.30-in).

Butte had their 5th wettest June with 4.89-in. This was their wettest June since 1969 and wettest month since June 1969 (5.80-in).

Livingston had their 5th wettest June with 4.56-in. This was their wettest June since 2011 and wettest month since May 2011 (5.72-in).

Kalispell had their 20th driest June with only 0.65-in.

Tornadoes in June in MT...

1st -- The NWS in Glasgow classified the rotation near Lustre on the 1st as a landspout, so is not included in the tornado count for the month.

9th – An EF0 tornado was spotted near Hinsdale.

This is the first tornado in June in MT since 2019.

The seasonal statewide snowfall average of 73.3” was the highest since 2017-18.

Wind average of 6.8-mph was the calmest of record for the state for June. The previous record was 7.5-mph in June 2009. This was the lowest of any monthly average since August 2013 (6.7-mph).

Several locations had their calmest June of record. These include Baker, Billings, Butte, Dillon, Glendive, Livingston, Mullan Pass, Sidney and Wolf Point.

The average soil moisture is an average of the 4-in, 8-in and 20-in depths from 54 locations across the state.

Smoke from wildfires in Canada produced some of the worst PM2.5 averages for June of record for the state. Great Falls and Lewistown both had

Their highest June averages of record, with the state averaging it’s second worst values since state average records began in 2008.

Great Falls average visibility of 9.5-miles ties with 1997 for the lowest for June.

Great Falls average relative humidity of 68.5% was their highest in June since 2005.

Locations with most days of warmest or coldest temperature in Montana during the month (3 or more)

The monthly low temperature of 18°F at West Yellowstone was the warmest in May since 1987, and 11th warmest overall. The monthly temperature range of 75°F was the smallest in May since 2011, the 9th smallest of record. Many locations ranked among their top 5 warmest Mays of record. Missoula and Mullan Pass had their warmest May of record.

May 2023 averaged the wettest May in Montana since 2013.

Last day of snow on the ground at West Yellowstone was May 9. This was 6 days later than average.

The winds were quite light for May. This was the calmest May of record at Billings, Butte, Glendive, Great Falls, Helena and Sidney. It was the second calmest at Cut Bank and Lewistown. The 65-mph gust at Wolf Point on the 17th was their highest of record for May. The previous high was 62-mph set in 2020.

More on the AWSSI can be found at this link… https://mrcc.purdue.edu/research/awssi/indexAwssi.jsp

Bozeman’s seasonal AWSSI value of 3366 was their highest since 2001-02.

Some sites recorded their highest hourly PM2.5 concentrations of record for May. 

This month had the second highest average freezing level for May at Great Falls. The record was 11,100 feet set in 1958.

Locations with most days of warmest or coldest temperature in Montana during the month (3 or more). Occurrences may have been at multiple locations on the same day.

The monthly temperature range of 109°F was the largest in April since 1936. The month’s highest temperature of 91°F was the warmest in April since 2012.

Through the end of April, there were 145 days this past winter season with overnight lows of 0°F or colder recorded anywhere in Montana. This exceeded the previous record of 133 days set in 1936-37 and 1996-97.

From a water-year perspective, this has been the coolest since 1979, while for the calendar year through April it’s the coolest since 2019.

While some stations in central and western Montana had precipitation amounts that caused this April to rank among their top 10 wettest, some sites in eastern Montana received less than 25% of their normal April precipitation.

There were 25” of snow on the ground at West Yellowstone at the end of April. This is the highest since 2008. Their average depth for April 30 is 4.5-inches. The melt-out date (no snow on ground) for West Yellowstone is May 1.

The state’s average number of days with an inch or more of snow on the ground for April was 7.8-days. This is 3-days higher than average. The average for this season was 123-days, or 45-days greater than normal. This was the second highest for a season since 1935. The highest, 126-days, was in 1978-79.

The Accumulated Winter Season Severity Index (AWSSI) was developed by the Midwest Climate Center. The modified index shown above accounts for periods with above normal temperature (subtracts from the index) and wind above or below normal. Daily wind averages below normal also subtract from the index. Days with dense fog or freezing precipitation are included, which adds to the index value.

Data for Great Falls is derived from the daily summary information published by NCEI. The PM2.5 is the fine particulate matter in the air measuring less than 2.5 µm and is provided by the Montana Department of Environmental Quality.

State averages are those from 21 airport or nearby locations distributed across Montana.

Locations with most days of warmest or coldest temperature in Montana during the month (3 or more)

This was a persistently cold month for Montana. All but one day (14th) had temperatures that, compositely, averaged below normal.

This March had its lowest maximum temperature for March since 1975, and it was the coldest March since 2002. It was also the coldest Water year and calendar year-to-date since 2019. Several cities across the state averaged among their 10 coldest March’s of record. 

There have been 137 days with low temperatures of 0°F or colder this season in Montana. This is the highest of record for any season since records began in 1892. This exceeded the old record of 133 days set in 1936-37 and 1996-97.

This period through March had the highest water-year precipitation since 2018. West Yellowstone area March precipitation of 5.37″ (Hebgen Lake RAWS) is the highest of record for March. Old record was 4.89″ in 1995. 

This March had the highest state average snowfall in March since 1989. Bozeman MSU had a record Seasonal To-Date snowfall of 128.7”. This exceeded the old record of 128” set in 1996-97. This is not a total season record, however. West Yellowstone’s estimated March snowfall of 64.7” is their highest of record. The old record was 51.9” set in 1985. The 58” snow depth at West Yellowstone on the 31st is their highest on that date since 1971.

The state’s average seasonal snowfall is the highest seasonal snowfall since 2018 and the average seasonal snow depth is the highest average since 2010-11.

For the season, the state average for one inch or more of snow on the ground is 115 days. This is the second highest since reliable records began in 1935. The highest through March is 121 days set in 1978-79.

March had the lowest average wind speed for Montana since 2019. The first half of the month was quite windy in eastern Montana. Some locations were on target to set a record windy month, but then winds trailed off for the rest of the month. 

More on the AWSSI can be found at this link… https://mrcc.purdue.edu/research/awssi/indexAwssi.jsp

State averages are those from 21 airport or nearby locations distributed across Montana.

Locations with most days of warmest or coldest temperature in Montana during the month (3 or more)

Temperatures averaged a from five degrees below normal in the southwest to nearly four degrees above normal in central Montana during February. The coldest period of the month was during the last week, when temperatures dropped into the -30°F range. Temperature averages during this period were as much as 40°F below normal.

This season (Jul-Feb) has the highest average snow depth since 3.4-in in 2010-11.

This season, through February, has had a statewide average of 92-days with at least one-inch or more of snow on the ground. This is the highest average through February since 2000-01 and the 5th highest of record. These records start in 1935.

Several locations across eastern Montana had among their top 10 windiest Februarys of record. Livingston and Havre had their 4th windiest. 

February 2023 averaged the lowest average pressure for the state in February since 2017.

More on the AWSSI can be found at this link… https://mrcc.purdue.edu/research/awssi/indexAwssi.jsp

State averages are those from 21 airport or nearby locations distributed across Montana.

Locations with most days of warmest or coldest temperature in Montana during the month (2 or more)

The water-year’s average temperature is the coolest since 2010.

This water-year’s average precipitation is the highest since 2017.

The 0.49" of rain at Great Falls over a 24-hr period the 5th and 6th was their largest January rainfall of record. This was their highest since 0.30" fell during a thunderstorm on Jan 9, 1953. During both, temperatures were warm so that it did not freeze on all surfaces. Although air temperatures were above freezing, ground temperatures were very cold this year, so the rain made icy conditions falling on frozen ground, roads and sidewalks. It ponded as well.

This year’s seasonal snowfall average is the highest since 2017-18.

West Yellowstone’s average January snow depth of 39.1-in is their largest for January since 1995 and largest for any month since March 2019.

This month’s average wind speed was the lowest since 2010. At several locations across central and western Montana this was one of the 10 calmest January’s of record.

More on the AWSSI can be found at this link… https://mrcc.purdue.edu/research/awssi/indexAwssi.jsp

State averages are those from 21 airport or nearby locations distributed across Montana.

Great Falls’ average December relative humidity was the highest since 2014.

Locations with most days of warmest or coldest temperature in Montana during the month (3 or more)

The lowest annual temperature of -50°F was the state’s coldest since February 2019, when -51°F was recorded at Scobey.

The state average temperature of 42.8°F was the lowest since 2019.

State average precipitation of 15.01-in is the highest since 2019. Average snowfall of 64.2-in was above the average and highest since 2019.

The state wind average of 9.4-mph is the highest average since 9.8-mph in 1999.

Several locations set new highs for the number of days with daily record wind gusts. This is summarized below…

The highest pressure of 1057.5 mb was the highest in the state since 2015, while the lowest of 979.9 mb was the lowest since 2008. The state average pressure of 1017.1-mb is the highest since 2018.

State averages are those from 21 airport or nearby locations distributed across Montana.

Locations with most days of warmest or coldest temperature in Montana during the year (15 or more)

Montana state temps averaged 42 deg below normal on December 22, the greatest below normal day since February 2, 1996, when temps also averaged 42 deg below normal. Some spots were 50°F below normal on the 22nd. The record for the state is 48.5°F below normal on December 24, 1983.

Very cold temps from the 21st through 24th. The first -40°F of the season occurred north of Havre on the 21st. This was 16 days earlier than the average in the years in which this occurs, which is about 95% of the years. Many record low high temps were set. Bozeman had their lowest high temperature of record on the 22nd, reaching only -24°F. Their old coldest high temperature was -22°F on February 2, 1989. Butte had their second lowest high temperature of record, also reaching -24°F. Their coldest is -25°F on January 21, 1962.  Elk Park and Newlan Creek both recorded -50°F low temperatures on the 22nd. The last time a temperature of -50°F or colder was reported in Montana in December was in 1998. The last -50°F or colder in the state was February 2019, near Scobey. Very cold wind chill values accompanied the cold. A wind chill of -75.3°F (temperature of -49°F and wind speed of 9 mph) at Elk Park on the morning of the 22nd was likely Montana’s coldest of record. The previous coldest was -69°F at Havre on December 24, 1983. Bozeman reported a coldest wind chill of -67.7°F on the 22nd. This is their second coldest of record. Their coldest of -68.5°F was recorded the morning of December 24, 1983. Dillon reported their coldest of record on the 22nd. A -56.5°F value (temp -36 and wind 5 mph) exceeded their previous coldest of -55.3°F set December 20, 1990.

On the 21st, the temperature dropped 26°F (27F to 1F) in 3-minutes at Dillon. This was their largest of record for a 3-minute period. A 30°F drop (28F to -2F) over one-hour was their largest of record for such period. Their old record was 26°F on December 15, 1979. The Montana records for a 3-minute period and one hours are 32°F at Cut Bank on January 7, 2022 and 50°F at Havre on December 22, 1962, respectively.  A sharp cool-down with the passage of this arctic cold front caused the largest daily high temperature change of record at Butte. They went from a high of 30°F on the 21st to a high of -24°F on the 22nd, a change of 54°F. This exceeded their previous record of 53.2°F set from January 31 to February 1, 1989. The warmup that started on December 23rd caused Great Falls to rise from a morning low of -26°F to a late day high of 33°F. This 59°F range was their 15th largest of record and largest since a 61°F rise on December 16, 2000.

The average daily temperature from 21 airport locations across MT was -21.3°F on the 22nd.  This was the 19th coldest of record and the coldest day since Dec 21, 1990 (-22.8F). The coldest of record is -28.2F on Dec 24, 1983.

Sustained heavy snowfall over much of the state caused several locations to rank among their top 5 snowiest December’s of record. Havre had their snowiest, Livingston and Plevna their 2nd snowiest, Bozeman MSU their third snowiest, Glasgow, their 4th snowiest and Cut Bank and West Yellowstone their 5th snowiest. For a state average, the month was the 5th snowiest, with the season-to-date the 4th snowiest. This snow also produced the 3rd highest average December snow depth of record.

As a statewide average, this was the snowiest December since 2016 and the snowiest season-to-date since 2010.

This was the highest average December snow depth since 1996.

Sidney and West Yellowstone had their 4th wettest Decembers of record. West Yellowstone’s 5.70-in was their wettest December since 1996. Their calendar year 2022 was their 4th wettest of record.

Bozeman had their third highest December gust of record on the 27th. A line of thunderstorms passing through the area produced gusts to 67 mph at the airport. This was their highest December gust since 71 mph on Dec 10, 1956.

The cold snap in late December produced the highest sea-level pressure value in the state (1057.5 mb near Ulm) since January 2016.

December's sea level pressure range of 73.6 millibars (1057.5 mb near Ulm on the 22nd and 983.9 mb at Cut Bank on the 27th) is the second largest monthly range of record for Montana. December's record was 68 mb in 1955. Largest monthly range is 74.5 mb in January 1962.

The Modified AWSSI (https://mrcc.purdue.edu/research/awssi/indexAwssi.jsp) includes wind, dense fog and freezing rain elements.

State averages are those from 21 airport or nearby locations distributed across Montana.

Great Falls’ average December relative humidity was the highest since 2014.

Locations with most days of warmest or coldest temperature in Montana during the month (2 or more)

The state average temperature of 21.7°F was the coldest since 2000. This is the first month since May to average below normal for the whole month. Several locations had their 2nd and 3rd coldest Novembers of record. Many others ranked 5th coldest of record.

Montana state temperatures averaged 27 degrees below normal on Nov 10...the most extreme below normal day since late Feb 2022, when temps averaged 33 degrees below normal. Some spots were 35 degrees below normal this November, while some were near 40 degrees below normal in February

The first colder than -10°F temp of the season occurred in Montana late in the day on Nov 7. A low of -17°F was reported near Choteau. This was close to the average date of the first such temperature of November 11. 

The first colder than -20°F temp of the season occurred in Montana late on Nov ember 8. A low of -22°F was reported near Benton Lake (Cascade). This was 15 days earlier than average.

The first high temperature of 0°F or colder of the season occurred in the state on November 11. Bredette (Roosevelt) reached only -1°F for the day’s maximum. This ranked 9th earliest and nearly a month earlier than the average (Dec 7).

There was a sustained 17-day stretch with temperatures averaging below normal starting on the 6th. This was the longest stretch for the state since April. Twenty-two days of November averaged below normal.

The state’s temperature range of 103°F (Hi 74/Lo -29) was the greatest since 2010.

A foot or more of snow fell over the southwest and portions of central and northeast Montana from the 6th-11th.

State snowfall average of 13.3-inches is the highest November average since 2010.

This November had the highest state average snow depth in November since 2000 (3.3-in).

Eastern Montana was especially windy. A couple of spots had their 1st or 2nd windiest November’s of record.

The storm that brought the strong winds to Montana on November 5 had the lowest pressure in November in MT (979.9 mb-28.95 in- at Plentywood) since 1942. This is the state's lowest pressure since Jan 2008 when 979.3 mb occurred at Dillon, and only the 10th time since 1932 with value in the state of less than 980 mb. The 1048.3 mb reading at Great Falls on the 17th was the state’s highest in November since 1991 and highest in the state since 2017.

The Modified AWSSI (https://mrcc.purdue.edu/research/awssi/indexAwssi.jsp) includes wind, dense fog and freezing rain elements.

State averages are those from 21 airport or nearby locations distributed across Montana.

The state average temperature of 47.6°F was the warmest since 2015. The statewide average monthly temperatures have been above average since June. The Jun-Oct period ranked 3rd warmest of record and warmest since 2021. Glasgow had their 9th warmest October of record, while it was 4th warmest at Missoula.

The periods from Jul-Oct and Aug-Oct were the warmest of record for Montana. The Jul-Oct average of 63.2°F edged out 1963’s average of 62.6°F, while the Aug-Oct average of 60.6°F exceeded the previously warmest such period also set in 1963 (60.6°F).

The first 10°F or colder temperature of the season occurred near Babb (Glacier) on the 23rd. This was 21-days later than average and the latest in the state since 2015. The first high temperature of freezing or colder occurred on the 22nd at Yellow Mule (Gallatin). This was more than a month later than average and the latest since 2010.

Precipitation amounts were variable across the state. The western third and extreme southeast had below normal precipitation, while a wide swath of north central and northeast Montana received above normal precipitation. Heavy snow fell over the southwest late in the month. Big Sky and Bozeman received over a foot of snow.

Most areas received their first snow very late...by October 23rd. This was up to three weeks later than average. At most spots, this was the latest first snow since 2015 (early Nov). In northcentral MT, it's the latest since 2003 (Oct 29). Through the end of the month, snow had yet to be reported at Kalispell.

Winds were generally light for most of the month. A windy period in the east produced record winds on the 12th. Wolf Point’s gust of 67-mph was their highest of record for October, while Sidney’s gust of 58-mph was their 3rd highest of record for October and highest October gust since 1997. Winds increased along the eastern slopes of the Rockies during the last week of the month. Gusts reached 87-mph at Deep Creek RAWS (Glacier), which is the state’s 5th highest gust of record an October.

The state’s average wind speed of 7.7-mph is the 4th lowest of record for October and lowest since 2010.

Smoke from fires in the Pacific Northwest caused air quality degradations over western Montana. Kalispell had their highest PM2.5 concentrations of record for October (MT DEQ).

The Modified AWSSI (https://mrcc.purdue.edu/research/awssi/indexAwssi.jsp) includes wind, dense fog and freezing rain elements.

State averages are those from 21 airport or nearby locations from across Montana.

Locations with most days of warmest or coldest temperature in Montana during the month (3 or more)

The statewide average temperature of 61.7°F was the warmest since 2009. At several locations, the September average temperature ranked among their top ten warmest. At Glasgow, it was the warmest of record. The state average temperature of 67.2°F for August and September was the warmest of record, exceeding the previously warmest of 66.1°F set in 1998.

Kalispell had their largest diurnal spread in average maximum and minimum temperatures for September. With an average high of 75.8°F and minimum of 39.4°F, the diurnal spread of 36.4°F was their largest of record for September. The previous largest record for September was 36.0°F in 1994. Livingston had their second largest diurnal spread for September. An average high of 80.0°F and low of 44.1°F had a spread of 35.9°F. Their largest for September was 36°F in 1994.

The last 100°F high temperature in Montana was observed on the 7th. This is 5 days later than the average. For the season, there were 36-days with a temperature of 100°F or more somewhere in Montana. This was the 6th highest season of record. In 2021 49-days of 100°F or more were recorded.

The average date for the first maximum temperature of 32°F or colder in Montana is September 20. With no such temperature recorded in the state in September, this is the latest in 11 years.

Precipitation was variable across the state. The driest areas were in the northeast and east, with areas of the central and west experiencing above normal precipitation.

From one to five inches of snow fell over the higher elevations of the state in the west and southwest during September.

Very smoky conditions in the first half of the month caused many days of poor air quality. This resulted in some of the higher daily values of record of PM2.5 concentrations at several locations. The average visibility for September at Great Falls was among the lowest of of record and lowest since 2017.

Many locations ranked among their 10 warmest Augusts of record. Bozeman, Helena and Mullan Pass were warmest of record. Glasgow and Missoula were 2nd warmest, Havre was 3rd warmest and Great Falls 4th warmest. The statewide average of 72.7°F was 2nd warmest of record and warmest since 1971.

West Yellowstone’s 3.72-inches was their 4th highest of record for August and highest since 2017. Their summer rainfall of 7.93-in is 6th highest of record and highest for the season since 1984. Isolated thunderstorms dropped 3.78-in near Centerville (Cascade) on the morning of the 24th, one of the heavier daily amounts in August for Montana. 

There were a couple of wetter areas in the state, with above normal monthly rainfall. One was centered over western Chouteau County, another over the Crazys and another over the Big Horns of southern Montana.

The air was less hazy across the state than usual for August. The average monthly PM2.5 values at Great Falls were lowest since 2008, Billings since 2010, and at Missoula since records began in 1999.

Locations with most days of warmest or coldest temperature in Montana during the month (3 or more)