What is the weather like in Montana? Should I move there, or does it have frequent bad weather?

Question

We live in Louisiana, but are tired of storms, tornadoes, and hurricanes. Not to mention that my dad is super paranoid about weather. So I'm trying to find out what the weather is like in Montana. Please help if you can.:)

Answer 1

It gets very cold in Montana in the winter, and winters there last many months.

Oregon has mild, not extreme weather. Once every 10 or so years a tornado might touch down somewhere but when they do occur they usually do very little damage. It rains cold rain for months every year though.

Answer 2

I've been living in Helena for the last 7 years.  I'll agree with the guy that says each part is different.  Helena has a bit different weather than the surrounding areas because it's blocked on three sides by mountains that tend to form a barrier around the valley the city is located in.  That being said, weather can also get stuck in the valley as well (I'm specifically thinking of the smoke from the wildfires).  So it's a good and bad thing.

My favorite weather in the state is in the Kalispell area.  It can get a lot of snow in the winter, but it's got to be the finest area of the state for growing a "Northwest" garden.  Fruits and vegetables really seem to thrive there.  Being close to Glacier NP doesn't hurt either; I love that park.  I've been casually looking to move there for a couple years now, but the cost has been keeping me in Helena for the time being.

Answer 3

The weather is different in different parts of Montana.  The western side is mainly mountainous with the climate usually associated with mountains.  The eastern side is generally flat with small rolling hills.

I was stationed in Montana when I was in  the USAF and here is what I experienced.

Great Falls - Arrived in early April.  Temperature ranged from 40 - 50.  Wind was very strong.

Summer - Very nice, temperature 50 - 85.  The air was very dry which meant few storms.  Temperatures dropped very fast when the sun went down and a wool blanket felt good at night.

Glasgow Montana - Nice summers.  Cold temperatures and much snow in the winter.   Temperatures got down to minus 20 to minus 30.  Blizzards were common.  Since the temperature usually stayed below freezing the snow accumulated on the sides of the roads and reached more than 10 feet.