Back in late November, I shared a number of pictures from around Montana, after a light snowfall but before major storms really worked their way through the state. At the time, our temperatures were still warm and if I remember, the coldest temperatures were still in the low 20s. That is quite warm.
As I’ve said many times, our cold weather usually strikes us in February. That isn’t to say that we didn’t get snow in December and January. We did. In fact, both months registered more snow on the ground than in an average year.
On cue, February turned cold and even snowier. In the last week alone, we’ve had several daily lows that were below zero and we’ve had a couple of days when it barely got above zero for a high temperature. Most of that time, it was snowing, off and on. By the way, don’t buy into the myth that it doesn’t snow when temperatures drop below zero. The coldest temperature I’ve personally ever seen when it has been snowing was -37 F.
I’m now set to show the contrast between late November/December and mid-February after the cold weather and snowstorms have been through (and more are coming through)..
Glacier National Park Headquarters before Christmas
Those who've been looking at the pictures I've shared might remember this one. This is a view from the headquarters at Glacier National Park. The kids in the image are still constructing a "snow family" on a picnic table. They really did a good job, too. There was Mr. Snowman, Mrs. Snowman, and their Snow puppy.
In this image, they are still working on the family. There isn't a great deal of snow, as evidenced by the light dusting on the picnic table to the right. However, this was still before major storms. Do you wonder how the snow family fared after almost two months?
Glacier Headquarters today
Lake McDonald in mid December
Lake McDonald today
Here is the same view of Lake McDonald. The 'snow line' is about 15 feet beyond the shore and the lake is frozen over about 100 feet beyond that. The clouds in the distance are covering most of the mountains, but there is little doubt that they'd be spectacular.
The picture is a little deceiving, though. The heavily forested ridge over on the right looks devoid of snow. There are actually two or three feet of snow on the ground there. The forest is simply so dense that you can't see it.
Many Glacier
I don't have a before and after picture of Many Glacier in Glacier National Park, but this is how it looks today. I'm including it just because it is beautiful and it gives an indication of the huge amount of snow there is there. This location is less than 5,000 feet and when this was taken, the temperature was about -10 F. I love the contrast between the snow covered peaks and the blue sky.
Different angle on the snow family
Middle fork of the Flathead River in late November
The middle fork today
This is exactly the same view today. There isn't much open water, though the river is still flowing under a cap of snow and ice. The river also looks a lot narrower than it really is, because of the snow. I almost wish that I was there with my fishing pole because this would be great conditions for trout and northern pike fishing.
I am pretty sure the snow family was snowed over many more times.
Yes, though that is a sheltered area under trees.