Blaine County Experiences Record Breaking Cold
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The view out Bettie Barbers window from her home in the Bear Paw's changed drastically overnight recently. On October 13 the nice fall day with the colorful leaves was a sight to see. 24 hours later, a blanket of snow had covered the landscape.
As far as the first snow of the fall season Blaine County has been hit hard in recent years. We all remember 'Snowmageddon" the last weekend of September 2017. Record snowfall on trees full of leaves. Power outages that left some residents in the dark for 10 days or more. 2018 was a bit of a reprieve with the first snow of the fall falling on October 17 with just a skiff covering the Bear Paws. In 2019 heavy snow again fell the first week of October with 8-10" of the white stuff being reported throughout the county and road conditions forcing the cancellation of sporting events.
This years first snow fell in the Bear Paws on Wednesday, October 14 and then the rest of the county in the coming week. While snow accumulations weren't out of the ordinary, 6-12" in most locations, the cold associated with the storm was extraordinary.
According to the National Weather Service office in Great Falls, which covers Blaine County, record cold temperatures were reported throughout the region. The Havre regional office reported on October 22 that the daily 'High' temperature of 24 broke the previous mark of 28 set way back in 1893. The daily 'Low' temperature of 3 broke the previous record of 8 set way back in 1861. Records first were kept beginning in 1860.
The cold didn't force any cancellations or closures, but it has persisted with the low temperature in Montana Sunday being -23 at Newlan Creek. Temperatures are supposed to be on the rise throughout the week. Monday mornings temperature was at -8 in Chinook, by Friday afternoon the temperature is projected to be 54.
The view out Bettie Barbers window from her home in the Bear Paw's changed drastically overnight recently. On October 13 the nice fall day with the colorful leaves was a sight to see. 24 hours later, a blanket of snow had covered the landscape.
After severe storms in Blaine County in recent years, local communities are far better prepared to handle situations. Roads remained open and travel was slow but fluid. With our first taste of inclement weather and severe cold, we are again reminded to stay prepared. Keep appropriate cold weather gear in vehicles when traveling, shelves stocked with essential items and dress warm when venturing outside.
What kind of a winter are we in store for this year? The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) three month outlook for the region does not look good. Forecasters suggest a cooler and wetter than normal season. Their reasoning is the cool ocean temperatures in the eastern Pacific Ocean (La Nina) that affect seasonal weather worldwide.
The western United States currently has 45% drought affected land and the conditions of the La Nina could help lower that number. While the wetter than normal prediction would mean the likelihood of heavy snowfall it is noted that actual snow predictions are generally only made a week in advance.
The only sure thing is that the people of Blaine County and North Central Montana will handle it. Whatever winter sends our way, we will, as always get through it. One can always hope for that perfect forecast, maybe we'll get a few days we can really enjoy.
