Special Report: This Winter Could Be Montana’s Coldest In Years
Summer is flying by in Montana, and before long, the entire state will be covered in snow. Cold weather and harsh winters are common in Montana, but experts are predicting that this upcoming winter could be the coldest in the state in years.
Winter is still a few months away, and if you're wondering how bad this winter is going to be in Montana, the Old Farmers' Almanac just released and early winter outlook for 2024-2025. In a new long-range prediction, forecasters are calling for below-normal temperatures across most of the country, including Montana.
How Cold Will Montana Be This Winter?
Each year, the Old Farmers' Almanac releases its winter weather predictions. While the official forecast won't be released until around Labor Day, here's what you need to know about the early predictions. Last winter was relatively mild in Montana, but what does the upcoming winter have in store?
The Old Farmers' Almanac released the following details about why this winter could be exceptionally brutal in Montana and surrounding states. El Niño and La Niña are climate patterns that occur in the Pacific Ocean, and can have a major impact on weather in the western United States.
El Niño is the warm phase, while La Niña tends to be cooler. We’re expecting a neutral El Niño Southern Oscillation or possibly even a La Niña this winter, following a strong El Niño last year. At the same time, we’re anticipating a warm Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation and a cool Pacific Decadal Oscillation. We’re also watching equatorial stratospheric winds known as the Quasi-Biennial Oscillation. Combinations of these factors can also cause the polar vortex to drop added flashes of cold into North America.
We'll have to wait and see if the predictions are accurate. For more information about the Old Farmers' Almanac, click here.
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