The fall season is here, but it’s all too short, and we all know Montana’s winters are no joke. Obviously, it can get pretty cold, but have you ever wondered where Montana ranks among our coldest states?
If you've ever been trapped inside on a cold day and thought, "this must be the coldest place in the country," you weren't that far off.
Alaska is definitely the coldest state in the U.S., but when we're talking about the contiguous 48, you might be surprised at what states make the list.
According to the science and weather site Current Results, Montana is one of the top 10. Using average temperatures from across the state, Montana came in at number six on the list. Montana has the ninth coldest winters and the seventh coldest summers in the U.S.
It's probably not surprising that Montana can get so cold when you look at its location on the map, but residents know there's a big difference between the eastern and western regions of the state when it comes to climate. Because the ranking was based on statewide average temperatures, colder regions of a state do bring down the average temperature for the whole state.
So, depending on where you live, you may or may not feel like you're living in the sixth coldest state. Still, if you read the Old Farmer's Almanac, the 225-year-old publication is predicting a colder winter than last year's for parts of Montana. The NOAA has also predicted a La Nina for the northern United States, which means we can expect plenty of snowfall and favorable ski conditions.
