10 Helpful Montana Weather Terms You Need to Know

One thing that you need to know about Montana is that the weather can change in an instant. Montana is known for its harsh winters and crazy weather. If you're not prepared for the rapidly changing weather, you're going to have a bad time.

In the past few years, a lot of people have moved to Montana. Many of the new residents moved to the state from places where weather conditions are milder and are caught off-guard by Montana's weather.

Montana holds the record for the lowest temperature ever recorded in the lower 48. In 1954, a temperature of -70 was recorded at Rogers Pass, northwest of Helena. In 2010, a tornado ripped through Billings and tore off most of the roof at the former Rimrock Auto Arena, now known as the First Interstate Arena at MetraPark. In 2019, a hailstorm with hail ranging from golf ball sized to baseball-sized downed trees and damaged vehicles and homes in Billings.

Bozeman also has a history with hail storms. In 2010, golfball and baseball-sized hail wreaked havoc on homes and vehicles in the area.

Montana's weather is very unique. It can literally snow at any time during the year. Western Montana is mountainous and receives a lot of annual snow. Eastern Montana is drier and desert-like.

If you're new to Montana or you just need to brush up on your Montana weather terms, here's a list of 10 Montana weather terms that you need to know.