HELENA, Mont. – NOAA’s Winter 2025–2026 outlook, released Thursday, Oct. 16, calls for a long, cold, and snow-heavy season across Montana, with Arctic outbreaks and frequent snowstorms expected well into March. The Climate Prediction Center’s data shows above-normal precipitation and strongly below-normal temperatures across the northern Rockies — a hallmark of a strengthening La Niña pattern.
According to the National Weather Service in Great Falls, “Montana is positioned for an intense winter. We’re expecting repeated Arctic fronts, widespread snow, and bitter wind chills.” Northwest and central areas — including Kalispell, Great Falls, and Helena — could see snowpack building early and staying deep through February. Eastern Montana, including Billings and Miles City, may endure long cold snaps, frequent light snow, and ground blizzards driven by high winds.
Forecasters highlight mid-January through late February as the coldest, most active stretch, when temperatures may plunge below -20°F and wind chills could near -40°F. I-90, I-15, and U.S. 2 are expected to see periodic closures during heavy snow and low visibility events. MDT officials urge drivers to carry emergency kits and prepare for limited road services during Arctic outbreaks.
NOAA also cautions that March could stay colder than average, delaying spring thaw and maintaining flood risk once melting begins. Livestock owners should prepare for ongoing snow cover and extreme cold across open rangeland.
For Montana, Winter 2026 looks every bit as fierce as the maps suggest — a deep-freeze season demanding full readiness from the plains to the peaks.
