Montana is a state in the western United States, and it’s known for its immensely varied climate. The temperature in the state can be brutally cold or blisteringly hot depending on the time of year. Regarding the latter, Montana once reached a scorching high temperature that ranks among the highest ever recorded in the country. Learn about the hottest temperature ever recorded in Montana and see how hot it got along with where it happened.
The Climate and Average Temperatures in Montana
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Montana’s climate is hardly a monolith. In fact, the state is unusual in that it has so many Köppen climate classifications within the state. The eastern portion of the state is considered a BSk climate, also known as a cold semi-arid climate. That means the region has cold winters but lacks a great deal of precipitation. Also, this climate has hot summers with a bit more precipitation.
Meanwhile, the western portion of the state is a mixture of warm-summer Mediterranean continental climates, some subarctic climates, and warm-summer humid continental climates. The vast changes in elevation and natural features in the area greatly impact the climate.
Some local businesses have taken advantage of the extremes present in the state. Places like the Big Sky Resort receive hundreds of inches of snow per year. The ski resorts bring in millions of dollars in revenue by giving skiers access to the snowiest places in Montana.
In Glendive, Montana, the average temperatures greatly fluctuate throughout the year, illustrating the variances of the cold semi-arid climate. Consider the following average high and low temperatures in this part of Montana.
| Month | Average High | Average Low |
|---|---|---|
| January | 29 °F | 9 °F |
| April | 59 °F | 34.2 °F |
| July | 87.7 °F | 60.3 °F |
| November | 59.5 °F | 23 °F |
These temperatures are not that extreme. However, the variances in this part of the state due are very extreme, ranging from days over 110 °F to nights that fall to -50 °F.
In fact, Loma, Montana experienced the greatest temperature change for a single day ever recorded. The town of Loma went from -54 °F to 49 °F, a change of 103 °F. No other atmospheric record illustrates just how bizarre Montana’s climate can be.
What Was the Hottest Temperature Ever Recorded in Montana?
The hottest temperature ever recorded in Montana was 117 °F, and the temperature was recorded at Glendive on July 20, 1893, and most recently at Medicine Lake on July 5, 1937. Medicine Lake is a small town located in Sheridan County, Montana. The area only has a population of 244 residents.
Like much of this part of Montana, the Köppen climate classification in the region is cold semi-arid. The record highs and lows in this area are between -50 °F and 117 °F, demonstrating the vast differences in potential temperatures.
However, that -50 °F temperature was not the lowest ever recorded in the state. The coldest temperature in Montana was a brutal -70 °F. This record was set on January 20, 1954, at Rogers Pass. That was also the lowest temperature ever recorded in the lower 48 states. Alaska set a record for a lower temperature at -80 °F on January 23, 1971, at Prospect Creek Camp.
How Does the Hottest Temperature in Montana Compare to the Hottest Temperature in the U.S.?
Although the hottest temperature ever recorded in Montana was 117 °F, that’s rather far off from the hottest ever recorded in the United States. The hottest temperature recorded in the U.S. was 134 °F at Greenland Ranch in Death Valley on July 10, 1913.
Not only was that the hottest temperature recorded in the United States, but it is also the hottest temperature ever recorded in the world! The area is now called Furnace Creek Ranch, and it is located in California.
A former record for the hottest temperature belonged to Al Azizia, Libya, dating back to September 13, 1922. That record claimed that the area reached a temperature of 136.4 °F. However, the World Meteorological Organization determined that the record was invalid, so the temperature went to the next-highest record.
All in all, the hottest temperature ever recorded in Montana is almost 20 °F cooler than the Death Valley record.
Animals That Survive Near Medicine Lake, Montana
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Many animals live in the area near Medicine Lake, Montana. However, few animals thrive in extremely hot temperatures. Needless to say, a lot of animals would have suffered in that 117 °F weather. Snakes, lizards, and turtles are some of the creatures that would have had a hard time surviving unless they took shelter.
Needless to say, the rattlesnakes that call Montana home would have had to take shelter. Meanwhile, grizzly bears and moose would have suffered due to their bulky bodies. As a result, they would have decreased their activity levels until the ambient temperature was no longer as high.
The ducks, pelicans, and other waterfowl that populate the area near Medicine Lake, Montana would have also sought shade to wait out the hottest portion of the day.
The highest temperature ever recorded in Montana was one of the hottest days in the country. Yet, several other states have higher temperatures on record. The unique climate in Montana makes it just as capable of producing days over 100 °F as it is dipping below -10 °F. The numerous animals in Montana are somewhat adapted to the harsh climate in the state. Yet, very few terrestrial or avian creatures would want to persist in their typical routine during such hot temperatures.