The Bitterroot Valley is usually referred to as the ‘banana belt’ of Montana. A few times every winter, high pressure decides to camp out over us and we turn into the freezer of Montana. Inversions fill the valleys with fog and wood stoves make the problem worse. The only way to see the sun is to go high into the mountains.

These weather patterns usually persist for a few days to a week, then move on. But occasionally, it sticks around and makes life in the trees a little spooky. And cold. Bitterly cold—for western Montana.

 

Even worse, it’s not snowing. Which means no fresh powder to ski. I’ll be happy when the low-pressure storms roll in. On the other hand, I do have lots of time to write. Maybe it will kill off a few of those pesky pine beetles too.

Hope your weather is treating you well!