Montana’s winter is breaking temperature records, with five of its seven largest cities experiencing unusually high temperatures. Analysis by Montana Free Press using National Weather Service data shows daily highs in Billings, Bozeman, Great Falls, Helena, and Missoula were over 8 degrees above the norm from November to January. Specific day records continue to be set through early February.
For the first time since mid-20th century records began, these cities recorded average daily highs that were the warmest on record. Butte and Kalispell, with over a century of weather data, also nearly broke past records. Meteorologist Trent Smith stated that western Montana is experiencing one of its warmest winters, while the state’s northeast has seen top-five warmest conditions.
In Glasgow, northern Montana, temperatures stayed closer to historical norms due to more exposure to arctic air, given the region’s latitude and landscape. The warm winter impacted Montana considerably, melting snowpack in northwestern areas, leading to flooding in towns like Libby. Ski resorts statewide reported below-average snowpacks, with many runs closed.
The breadth of the warmth was significant, with records in Billings from 1948 showing an average daily high of 47 degrees, 1.4 degrees higher than the previous record set in 1999. Bozeman’s November-January average of 45 degrees was the warmest since 1941. Great Falls and Helena recorded temperatures over 10 degrees above historic norms, while Missoula’s averages were 8 degrees higher than normal.
Butte and Kalispell, with records starting in the late 1800s, were challenging to surpass. Butte’s average high was 42.7 degrees, 9 degrees above average, second only to 1917. Kalispell’s average high of 38 degrees was 5 degrees above normal, ranking among the warmest winters since the late 1800s. In contrast, Glasgow’s 32-degree average was near historical norms, middle of its post-1948 range.
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