What is the average annual precipitation in Montana?
18 inches
- Climate of Montana - Wikipedia
What is the coldest temperature ever recorded in Montana?
-70°F
- Current Results - U.S. Extreme Record Temperatures
Which city in Montana records the highest average annual snowfall?
Browning
- Current Results - U.S. Average Annual Snowfall
What is the most common type of severe weather experienced in Montana during the summer months?
Thunderstorms
- Montana Climate Office
How many climate zones are identified within Montana?
Five
- Climate of Montana - NOAA
Which region of Montana generally experiences the mildest climate due to its lower elevation and proximity to the Pacific Ocean?
Northwestern Montana
- Western Regional Climate Center
What natural phenomenon is responsible for creating the Chinook winds in Montana?
Foehn effect
- Montana Weatherization Handbook
Which season in Montana typically brings the strongest winds across the state?
Spring
- Montana Climate Office
In which month does Montana usually experience the peak of wildfire season due to dry conditions and lightning strikes?
August
- Montana Department of Environmental Quality
What percentage of the state of Montana is classified as arid or semi-arid climate regions?
Approximately 60%
- Climate of Montana - NOAA
Which mountain range in Montana creates a rain shadow effect, leading to drier conditions on the eastern side?
Rocky Mountains
- Montana Climate Assessment
What is the average number of days with thunderstorms in Montana during the summer months?
20-30 days
- National Weather Service - Billings
What climatic phenomenon influences Montana's diverse weather patterns, such as blizzards, droughts, and heatwaves?
Polar jet stream
- Montana State University Climate Office
Which month marks the transition from winter to spring in Montana, known for unpredictable weather changes and rapid snowmelt?
March
- National Weather Service - Great Falls
Which body of water plays a significant role in moderating temperatures in western Montana, affecting the climate in cities like Missoula and Kalispell?
Flathead Lake
- Montana Climate Assessment
What is the primary cause of the significant temperature variations between day and night in Montana?
Lack of humidity
- MT.gov - Climate and Weather
Which crop is one of the largest contributors to Montana's economy but is vulnerable to climate variations, including drought conditions?
Wheat
- Montana Department of Agriculture
Which weather pattern often results in prolonged cold periods and heavy snowfall in Montana during the winter months?
Arctic air masses
- National Weather Service - Glasgow
What phenomenon occurs when warm, moist air interacts with Montana's mountain ranges, leading to intense rainfall on the windward side and dry conditions on the leeward side?
Orographic lifting
- Montana Natural Heritage Program
Which meteorological event can pose a threat to Montana's agriculture by causing damage to crops through hail and strong winds?