The Coldest March on Record in Montana

March is here in Montana, and that usually means we’re starting to think about spring. The seasons begin to change, the days get longer, and we start seeing hints of warmer weather.

But if you’ve lived here long enough, you know March can still deliver plenty of winter.

March Weather in Montana Can Still Feel Like Winter

This past winter has already felt unusual, with shifting weather patterns across the state. Even though we’re moving closer to spring, March isn’t always the warmest month in Montana.

A Personal Reminder of Montana’s Unpredictable Weather

I know this firsthand. I’m part of a bagpipe band, and we’ve marched around St. Patrick’s Day in everything from 15-degree temperatures with snow falling to sunny skies in the 60s. That’s just how Montana works.

The historical records back that up.

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The Coldest March Ever Recorded in Montana

According to NOAA's National Centers for Environmental Information, which has tracked Montana weather data since 1895, some March months have been historically cold. In fact, the coldest March on record in Montana was 1897 with an average of 16.8°F. The coldest March temperature recorded in Montana, according to KTVH was in Elk Park in 2019 at -46°F.

Even though we have a tendency to think winter is over in March, there can be some incredible storms and frigid temperatures in parts of the state. But March does usually give us glimpses of what we can expect in the upcoming spring.

Keep scrolling for to see the top 10 coldest March months in Montana since 1895.