November Weather Was Warm And Dry

The weather in Broadus during the month of November was warm and dry, making for pleasant conditions for ranchers but tough hunting for those looking to fill their tags on the ever dwindling mule deer population of Southeast Montana.

Broadus received a paltry 0.01” of precipitation in November, which compares to the normal monthly total of 0.47”. Lest one think that this month was out of the ordinary, on four separate years in the weather records at Broadus dating back to 1920 (save August 1925 to December 1936, the records of which were lost due to flooding), not but a trace of moisture was recorded in November. Those years with a trace occurred in 1952, 2002, 2009, and 2020. The record high moisture total in November occurred in 1978, with 2.01”.

Precipitation for the year at Broadus totaled 13.20” through November, an amount which stands in stark contrast to many stations around the area, which are mostly in the 7-8” range for the year.

The highest temperature in November at Broadus fell on November 4th, with a high of 71, while the low came on November 18th, with a low of 12. The average monthly temperature of 40.4 degrees was 5.3 degrees above the normal of 35.1 degrees.

Taking a look around the county, the Biddle 8 miles SW weather station had a high for the month of 71, on November 15th, and a low of 10 on the 18th. The station received 0.10” of moisture in the month, all of which fell on November 30th. This compares to a normal monthly precip of 0.46” at that station. The Biddle SW station had an average temperature of 41.2 degrees, or 5.9 degrees above normal for the month. The station also received a trace amount of snow, which fell on November 25th, but not enough to leave any measurable moisture. This compares to a normal of 3.6” of snow in November.

Continuing our look around the county, the Moorhead 9 miles NE station had a high of 70 on November 4th, and a low of 13 on the 18th. The station received a paltry 0.09” of moisture in November, compared to a normal of 0.37”. The average temperature of 40.4 was 6.8 degrees above normal for the month, and the trace of snow which fell on November 16th compares to a normal of 3.3”.

Continuing our clockwise journey around the county, the high country at the Sonnette 7 miles SW station had a high of 71 on November 15th, and a low of 8, on the 18th. The average temperature for November at this station was 40.6, an astounding 8.1 degrees above normal. The station received 0.12” of moisture in November, 0.10” of that total falling the final two days of the month. This compares to 0.56” in a normal November. The station received 0” of snow in November, compared to a normal 3.1”.

The RAWS station at Fort Howes had a high of 72 on the 15th, and a low of 10 on the 18th. Fort Howes had a maximum wind gust of 42 mph, on November 13th, with 11 days seeing 30 mph or higher gusts. The station received 0.12” of moisture during the month.

The weather station at Volborg received 0.07” of moisture in November. That station records only moisture.

The Powderville 8 miles NNW station located at Browns’ had a high for the month of 70, on November 4th, and a low for the month of 10, on the 18th. The average temperature at that station was 40.1, or 6.6 degrees above normal. The station received 0.02” of precip in November, compared to a normal of 0.47”. A trace of snow was recorded on November 24th, compared to a normal of 3.3”.

As we carry on into December, record highs were recorded on each of the first three days of the month, with the mercury topping out at 74 on December 1st – the first time a 70+ degree temperature reading has been recorded in Broadus in the month of December.

As of Monday, December 13th, portions of the Powder River upstream of Broadus were still open, though the waters beneath the bridge at Broadus had finally iced up over the weekend.