Q
Does the wind ever blow in your part of the world?
A
Well, occasionally. To better understand the phenomenon of wind along the
Front, here is the wind-speed chart which is in common use:
Gentle Breeze | 0 - 20 mph |
Light Breeze | 20 - 40 mph |
Steady Breeze | 40 - 60 mph |
Gentle Spring Breeze | 60 - 80 mph |
Gusts | 80 - 100 mph |
Winds | 100 - 120 mph |
Strong Winds | 120 - ??? mph |
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Q
I have heard that winters in Montana can be murderous. Is this true?
A
Our winters can get out of control, there is no doubt of that. Temperatures of
-30 or -40 are not uncommon. The good news is that nothing lasts forever.
Especially here in the "Chinook Belt" along the Rocky Mountain Front,
the winter cold is punctuated by warm breezy periods which often melt the snow
and ice completely. In fact, the word "chinook" comes from an
Indian word meaning "snow-eater".
Temperature rises associated with a chinook can be dramatic. On January 11,
1980, the temperature at Great Falls changed from -32 to +15 in 7 minutes flat,
a national record. The 15-minute record occurred in Havre, when the mercury
rose from -6 to +37. And, on January 23, 1916, Browning's temperature
plummeted from +44 to -56 over a 24-hour period, also a national record.
As the old saying goes, if you don't like the weather, just stay where you
are.
Speaking of national records, the coldest reading so far recorded in the
lower 48 was -70 at Rogers Pass in January of 1954!
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