snow

What can we expect this summer in Montana?

Planning to spend a lot of time outdoors this winter in Montana? Check out these top choices for winter boots.

Ask five Montanans about what time is appropriate to start snow blowing, and you'll get five different opinions. Snow blowing etiquette exists, but snow blowing TOLERANCE is more important.

Brutally cold temperatures and snow are expected across Montana next week.

After temperatures in the mid 50s this week, the southern mountains of Montana could get a welcomed blast of fresh snow by Friday night. The only downer is that significant winds will probably accompany this new storm front, so back country adventurists need to use caution.

With winter just around the corner, what can we expect as far as winter weather this year in Montana and just how far away is the first significant snowfall?

Time to get ready for Snoflinga in Butte starting January 20th! Earlier this month, Tommy O. and Jasmine of Townsquare Media provided information on our websites about the many events planned for three solid days of winter fun! Now that it's crunch time let's revisit the itinerary! To get things off to a great start, Snoflinga's Open Ceremony will get underway this Friday from 5 pm to 9 pm at the Butte High Altitude Skating Center (34 Olympic Way). From there, it's a winter wonderland of top-notch events this Saturday and Sunday (January 21st and 22nd). (See Below)

While many prepare for holiday travel, like clockwork, Montana weather conditions remain uncooperative. If you're from Montana, it's just expected. You know the drill; old man winter is in a mood and wants us all to suffer with extreme snowfall and wind chill factors ten times colder than any kitchen freezer. Yes, I'm playing the world's smallest violin right now, and for good reason. Even though we all know what to expect when winter rolls around in Montana, it's still the main topic when chiming in with locals. Griping about the weather is part of the fun and, furthermore, all part of the challenge. Montanans love a good challenge, and with that, we again embrace putting old man winter in his place. That's right ol' man...we got this!

The start of last Saturday's Montana Griz Football game against Calpoly mirrored the definition, "THE CALM BEFORE THE STORM," in TWO WAYS. First, although cooler temperatures and a sense of winter were already in the air the night of November 5th's game, the wind was oddly calm. Then, just like that, in true Montana style, giant snowflakes dominated the field by the 2nd quarter at Washington Grizzly Stadium, leaving fans confident that Calpoly was about to take a beating. Undoubtedly, the showdown Calpoly endured had everything to do with "Griz Nation" skill. Seemingly though, the winter wonderland that prevailed during the game added nicely to their throwdown. By the time all was said and done, the Griz walked away with a 57 to 0 victory over Calpoly.

There's no doubt; Autumn conditions this year have been very mild in Montana. Global warming or not, we had it pretty easy weather-wise the past two months, and there's no question that most of us were all about it. Sure, we had some storms come through, but nothing that stuck around for long. Then this weekend's weather shed new light on the subject as I witnessed several cars, COVERED IN SNOW, heading from Georgetown Lake outside of Anaconda. This observation meant one thing for certain; the snow is headed our way and possibly here to stay! After all, it is November, and whether we like it or not, it is climatically time for a change of seasons in Big Sky Country.