Temps Anticipated To Stay Below Average

Area residents can expect colder than normal temperatures during the short term, and maybe the long term, according to the National Weather Service’s Eastern Montana Drought Briefing and Climate Outlook.

Although the area experienced above normal temperatures from Dec. 1-15, an Arctic front then created colder weather conditions.

Regarding the short-term forecast through Dec. 23, Patrick Gilchrist of the National Weather Service said, “Looks like the cold will be here to stay with possible periods of light snow.”

The extended forecast for Dec. 23-29 calls for temperatures to be below normal and precipitation “leaning below average.”

The three-month drought outlook starting in January 2022 predicts that the drought remains but conditions improve for northeastern Montana.

For the 2021 year, Glasgow has 48 percent of its normal precipitation while Billings has 70 percent.

Other locations regarding percent of normal precipitation include Wolf Point at 62 percent, Culbertson at 50, Plentywood at 69, Sidney at 58, Circle at 61, Jordan at 65, Havre at 63, Miles City at 74 and Great Falls at 73.

Most of the western United States is listed in severe or extreme drought except for western Washington.