That sounds positively infernal, Jay, but I’m glad persons, beasts and buildings have thus far been spared!
And I certainly agree with you about the climatic insanity of The Hi-Line.
With Havre’s record temps ranging from 117 above down to 52 below zero, I think we’ve got a spread that’s unmatchable, at 169 degrees!
Nowhere else in the U.S. compares in terms of severity, extremity, and wide range of possibility at any given moment!
Hang in thar,
– Tom Kipp
—–Original Message—–
From: Jay Schuschke
To: Kipp, Thomas J
You former central and north central Montanans may be amused by the latest weather stories from this region.
First, please note that last year at this time most all of this area was buried under six inches of ice (not snow) that had been there since the previous late October. You could not have started a range fire with a flame thrower and bomber load of napalm.
Last evening the region was hit with 70 mph winds that created dust storms that cause multiple car pile-ups on Highway 87 between Havre and Great Falls.
Then power poles snapped and fell starting electrical fires in grasslands around Great Falls. The fires turned into fire storms as the high winds fanned the flames burning the huge amount of dry grasses from last year’s record snows and rains. About 7:00 pm, a fire started along the Milk River about 3 miles west of Havre, and it burned a wide swath for about 11 miles – almost to Chinook. They are estimating 10 to 12 thousands acres are cooked.
Heroic efforts prevented any injuries to people or livestock, or to any major buildings.
Is it at all surprising news from Montana? Is there a more erratic climate in the America (or the world) than this place? A year ago roads were closed due to ice floes and floods, this year they are closed because of red flag fire storms.
I gotta get outta this place.
p.s. google Great Falls Tribune (or even the Havre Daily) for pics and details if you like.
