Billings, MT – Montana heads into the December 13–26 holiday stretch under a near-normal temperature and precipitation outlook, according to NOAA’s latest long-range guidance. While the pattern doesn’t strongly favor heavier winter storms, it certainly does not rule out the chance of a white Christmas — especially in a state where early-winter cold snaps and fast-moving Rockies storm systems can deliver snow with little warning.
According to NOAA, Montana is positioned within a broad “Near Normal” zone for temperatures and precipitation during the second half of December. This neutral pattern often produces a blend of milder days and brief but sharp cold fronts, any of which can generate accumulating snow across the northern Rockies and adjacent plains.
According to NOAA meteorologists, Montana’s elevation and proximity to the Canadian Prairies make it one of the most snow-capable states even in neutral patterns. Cities such as Billings, Missoula, Great Falls, Helena, and Bozeman frequently see December snowfall driven by Pacific energy crossing the Rockies, especially when paired with an incoming surge of colder Arctic air.
With temperatures expected to hover close to seasonal averages, even small drops behind passing fronts can quickly transition precipitation to snow. Eastern Montana, where Arctic air tends to settle earlier, could see stronger chances should a storm align with one of these colder pushes.
Forecasters highlight the December 18–24 window as historically active across the northern Rockies and northern Plains. Any system moving through during that period could bring travel impacts along I-90 and I-15, particularly if colder air deepens across the region.
Although no specific storms can be identified yet, Montana remains well within the realm of seeing holiday snowfall — and a white Christmas remains possible depending on how the pattern evolves.
