This Montana Halloween is Set To Break Bleak New Record

BUTTE, MT - As Montanans stock up on candy and prepare their costumes for a night of spooky festivities, an unexpected and potentially record-breaking twist looms ahead.

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Though we know what to expect when it comes to Montana weather (that is, we expect the unexpected), this fascinating but alarming meteorological event may set a record for Montana not seen in years.

Trick-or-Treaters, Beware!

According to data from the National Weather Service in Billings, Montana Halloweens aren’t typically this dry.

The last two decades have seen Octobers with at least a little precipitation, keeping the air chilly and the sidewalks slightly damp. However, 2024 is breaking from tradition, with Montana experiencing an unsettlingly dry fall.

While this could mean mud-free trick-or-treating for the kids, there’s an eerie downside too: fire hazards are on the rise, and the dry air could lead to static, even shocking encounters, whether its from holding hands or bolts from the heavens.

This year’s dry Halloween marks a vast contrast to years past, especially for us here in Montana. Historically, Billings averages around 0.09 inches of precipitation on Halloween. But this October, there’s hardly a drop to be seen. And if the dry spell continues through Halloween night, 2024 could snag the title for driest Halloween on record.

How Does This Compare to Past Halloweens?

Montana’s Halloweens usually bring a mix of chill and precipitation, with some Octobers even featuring early snowfall. Historical records show that Billings saw a particularly wet Halloween in 1974 with 0.47 inches of rainfall, a complete contrast to this year’s forecast. Even more recently, in 2013, there was enough snowfall to get people talking, and the Halloween of 2021 saw scattered showers across the state.

But this year, the tables have turned, and meteorologists are closely watching as the month draws to a close. If Montana ends October with no measurable precipitation, it would solidify the dry Halloween season that breaks from nearly a century and a half of tradition.

Concerns for the Future

Whether you’re a little monster (put your paws up) looking forward to a rain-free trick-or-treat or a farmer anxiously watching the sky, this year’s dry Halloween is no small matter.

It could mean record-breaking history in the making and serve as a reminder of just how drastically Montana’s climate can shift. So, keep your eyes on the skies, Montanans: this Halloween, the scariest thing may just be the undeniable change in climate...