Dry Weather, Wide Ranging Temps Affect Region
The National Weather Service Glasgow Reported Feb. 28 that the period from December 2020 through February 2021 has brought the least amount of snow for a Meteorological Winter in the Glasgow area with only 1.5 inches. The normal amount of precipitation for the period is 20.4 inches.
NWSG meteorologist Ted Jamba told the Northern Plains Independent that despite the grim reading, regional precipitation is close to normal, as the water year officially runs Oct. 1 through Sept. 30. Season snowfall overall is at 18.3 inches thanks to 8.6 inches in October and 8.2 inches in November.
Area fire officials have expressed concern about a potentially challenging fire season in 2021 if we don’t see an increase in precipitation. As of Feb. 25, the United States Drought Monitor reported that parts of eastern Roosevelt County are experiencing severe drought. The majority of the region is listed as at abnormally dry or moderate drought stage.
Jamba said the outlook for the next week may be promising on the water front. He said rain and snow are possible by next Tuesday.
Wide ranging temperatures also affected the region in February. An NWSG social media post from March 1 reported wild swings: “February was a rather wild month when it came to temperatures in regards to daily normals. Jordan had the widest swing riding far up on this roller coaster to 33 degrees above normal and then dropping off to 42 below. Most other locations in northeast Montana mimicked its wild ride. This was mostly due to snow, or rather the lack thereof.”
For more information about NWSG and regional weather conditions, visit weather.gov/ggw.
