Mild weather for Montana is expected to continue.  High temperatures will reach the upper 30’s to low 40’s most of the week. We really haven't had a winter.



So, what’s it going to be like in a month, two months or this summer?

According to NOAA:

Sub-surface ocean temperatures are well below average in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific to a depth of 200 meters, favoring a continuation of La Nina conditions into the spring.  Forecasts from most climate models support this conclusion with SST anomalies predicted to gradually diminish throughout late winter and early spring.

The seasonal temperature outlook for FMA 2012 reflects typical late winter La Nina conditions and favors below average mean temperatures from portions of the Pacific Northwest eastward through Montana….

The seasonal precipitation outlook for FMA 2012 favors above-median amounts of precipitation for much of the Pacific Northwest and Northern Rockies.

Based on the predictions above, it’s still too early to predict river flows with certainty.  If the weather changes as predicted, we could see a wet spring and early summer.  Or, not.  It’s Montana where it’s foolish to bet on the weather.

River drainage systems statewide are below normal.  The Missouri Headwaters is at 80% of normal.  Our storage reservoirs are very close to normal for this time of year.  Without a change in the weather, you should see lower, more manageable, flows this year.  Time will tell.

For now,  there are a few people on the river especially the weekends.  It’s certainly not crowded, but there are more than a few vehicles at the boat ramps.  Anglers seem to be heading downstream  into the canyon.  Reports on streamers are quite good.  Nymphing was slower, but still dredged up a few nice fish.

Spring is only 1-1/2 months away.