Wetter-, colder-than-normal October in Havre area

From AgGroWeather Media

According to preliminary data compiled by AgGroWeather Media, it was wetter than normal in Havre and surrounding areas during October. 

That has led to a rebound in the precipitation for the year, following months — and years — of drought conditions in the region, with National Weather Service reporting Havre at more than half-an-inch above normal for October, leaving it less than a quarter-inch below normal for the calendar year. Havre was listed at almost an inch below normal for the year early in October.  

AgGroWeather Media, a member of Montana Farmers Union, Montana Farm Bureau and National Association of Farm Broadcasters, reports that rain and melted snow tallied 1.30 inches, or 73 percent more than the long-term normal precipitation of 0.75 inch. Measurable moisture of at least .01 inch was recorded on nine days, which is well above the normal of just five days. Snowfall totaled 5.7 inches compared to the normal of 2.0 inches. Nearly all areas of north-central Montana received more rain and snow than normal.   

In Havre, the average temperature of 42.8 degrees was 1.3 degrees below the normal of 44.1 degrees. Daytime highs averaged 54.5 degrees.  The warmest was 83 degrees on Oct. 19, which was a record high for the date. Low temperatures averaged 31.1 degrees with the coldest being 1 degree on Oct. 27 and 28.   

It was windy at times, with, in Havre, a peak wind gust of 58 mph from the northwest was recorded at the Havre City-County Airport, where the Weather Service recording station is located, the afternoon of Oct. 17. The overall windiest day was the Oct. 17 with an average wind speed of 17 mph.  The average wind speed for the month was 8.7 mph.  

AgroWeather Media reports that the outlook for November is calling for temperatures to average near- to above-normal with near-normal precipitation.  During November, temperatures in Havre normally fall 10 degrees with normal highs in the upper 40s at the start and upper 30s around the end of the month. Lows are normally in the mid-20s in early November and upper teens after Thanksgiving. Precipitation varies widely from year to year, with the normal being around ½ inch. Measurable precipitation of at least .01 inch occurs on an average of four days. Snowfall averages a little over 6 inches during November.  

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Havre Daily News staff contributed to this report.