Frigid weather hits region after a snowy Christmas

Havre, along with most of the northern tier of Montana, is in for some frigid weather this week, with local temperatures this morning as low as negative 24 degrees and a wind chill warning in effect until Tuesday morning.

The National Weather Service issued the warning which will last until 11 a.m. Tuesday for Hays, Harlem, Marias Pass, Rocky Boy, Brady, Shelby, Browning, Rudyard, Heart Butte, Logan Pass, Whitlash, Havre, Cut Bank, Chester, Chinook, Conrad and Sunburst.

The agency warns that dangerously cold wind chills as low as 50 below zero should be expected.

Winds like this can cause frostbite on exposed skin in as little as 10 minutes.

The warning also cautions people to drive carefully as roads remain slippery.

National Weather Service reports that high temperatures across north-central Montana, and portions of central Montana, are expected to remain below zero with the Hi-Line especially seeing extremely low temperatures.

Indeed, National weather service reports that highs will be in the negative numbers, with Havre’s forecast high minus 12 and highs in the single digits below zero until Thursday, with a high predicted for Havre at 6 degrees that day and lows will be between minus 13 and minus 25 all week.

The high Friday is forecast at minus 5, but then starting to warm up with a high predicted for Havre Saturday at 6 degrees and 23 degrees Sunday.

The weather service is encouraging people to wear layers, hats and gloves and to be careful outside.

Despite the frigid weather, the area may have lucked out when it comes to snowfall, as none is predicted for the next few days, with only a slight chance of snow Thursday. Friday through Saturday hold little promise of snow either.

This month, the area has seen 0.72 inches of precipitation, more than twice the average for December, but overall this year Havre has only seen 7.65 inches of precipitation, well below last year’s 9.34 inches, and once again below the average of 11.74 inches as the area’s drought continues into 2022.

Nights this week will be partially cloudy, according to the forecast.