Weather or Climate?

The difference between weather and climate is a measure of time. To understand climate at a given place requires synthesizing the variation in weather over relatively long periods of time. Weather is the day-to-day interaction of factors like temperature, humidity, precipitation, cloudiness, visibility, and wind. Scientists pursue an understanding of climate trends or cycles of variability and place those phenomena into the bigger picture of possible longer term or more permanent climate changes. Understanding climate and climate change can help ensure the viability of Montana's industries in the context of a global phenomena.

The Montana Climate Office contributes to our collective understanding of the effects of climate and climate change on Montana; providing service to the people of Montana with special attention to the State's agriculture and natural resource sectors.

Learn more... Global warming: unexpected impacts on Montana's economy.(Cover story) by Shannon Furniss | Summer, 2007 | Montana Business Quarterly.

The Governor's Report on the Potential for Drought in 2010

May 2010 document (PDF) distributed by Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks.

Climate Division and year-wise variation in season's rainfall & temperature

South Dakota State University application for NOAA generated summaries. Select Climate Divison, Season, Precipitation/Temperature, and Range of Years.

Climate Faces the State

On March 27 (Sunday) 2011, Dr. Simon R. R. Atkins will be on “Face The State” … a 30-minute interview in which he will delve into a lot of details about our planetary “shift”. Simon is CEO of Advanced Forecasting Corporation in Billings, Montana. Simon is an interesting fellow, and he will undoubtedly discuss some of the global relationships that will be driving Montana's weather in the coming months.

Montana Hydrology Workshop 2010 (July 27-29), Helena, Montana

The Great Falls and Missoula National Weather Service Forecast Offices hosted the 2010 Montana Hydrology Workshop. Many agencies and organizationsthat face the challenges of water collection, monitoring and distribution met to share information and new ideads. The Great Falls National Weather Service Forecast Office has posted PDFs of the workshop presentations on-line for those that were not able to attend. Plan on attending the next Montana Hydrology Workshop and share your information and ideas.

A century of climate and ecosystem change in Western Montana: what do temperature trends portend? Journal article by Gregory T. Pederson, Lisa J. Graumlich, Daniel B. Fagre, Todd Kipfer and Clint C. Muhlfeld. (Springer site) (fulltext PDF)

Impacts of Climate Change on Forests of the Northern Rocky Mountains

January 5, 2010: RESEARCHERS RELEASE NEW STUDY ON IMPACTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON MONTANA, WYOMING AND IDAHO FORESTS -- Leading University of Montana forestry researchers held a press conference Tuesday, Jan. 5, in Missoula to release a new study examining the impacts that climate change will have on forests in Montana, Wyoming and Idaho.
(PDF scan of press handout)

New research is investigating minimum and maximum seasonal temperature trends. As a preliminary example, since 1950 there is an observed shift to higher minimum and maximum temperatures during the month of January.
Winter Minimum Temperature Trends (1950-2000)
Winter Maximum Temperature Trends (1950-2000)