Climate models

Record temperatures in Montana could impact drought, predicted by climate models


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MISSOULA – We have reached the first of December and it is quite hot outside.

Maximums in Missoula are in the upper 1950s (forecast Wednesday morning, temperatures will eventually reach the 1960s in Missoula), which is significantly higher than normal temperatures in the 1930s.

So what’s up with this hot weather?

“Kind of like we just wrapped up November and ended up being the hottest November 14th in the Missoula area and the records go back over 120 years. So that’s pretty important in that regard, ”National Weather Service meteorologist Travis Booth told MTN News.

MTN News

But what emerges from this meteorologist are the constant daily records broken. According to Booth, Sunday broke a daily record of 62 °, breaking the old record of 10 °. And Monday broke a daily record with a high of 57 °.

“But we come to today, and today is quite interesting, not so much for the daily record, but the fact that the hottest we ever hit in December in Missoula, MT is 60 °, and we’ve hit it four times in the past, “said Booth,” well, apparently we hit 60 already today. “

Booth was interviewed by MTN News on Wednesday at 10:30 a.m.

climate info

MTN News

To the Montana Climate Office – an independent, state-appointed body that provides climate information such as drought and water data to Montanians – state climatologist Kelsey Jensco responded: “I’m not there. used to it should be cold and snowy. “

But from what Jensco follows as a climatologist, these high temperatures in Montana are not surprising.

“This is not surprising given what we know about future climate change.

We have always often spoken of these changes in terms of increasing temperatures in our winters and summers as a thing and a phenomenon that is going to happen in the far and distant future.

But in reality that time is now and we are starting to experience these [climate] first-hand changes. ”- State climatologist Kelsey Jensco

Temperature changes predicted by mid-century

Montana Climate Office

This graph based on data collected from the Montana Climate Assessment shows expected mid-century temperature changes.

Temperatures are expected to continue to rise over the years, according to data collected as part of the Montana Climate Assessment.

Montana is still currently experiencing extreme drought which is not helped by this lack of moisture. In addition, the snowpack must still accumulate significantly. These conditions can impact next year’s drought conditions, depending on what happens later in the winter season and if more moisture arrives in the area.

More seasonal temperatures are expected by next week.

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