July of 2022 was a hot month in Southeastern Montana, even when compared to the averages for the area. Rainfall during the month ranged from significantly below average to well above average, depending on the path of storms which dotted the region.

Broadus received a scant 0.62" of moisture in July, compared to a normal of 1.72", for 36% of the monthly average precipitation. Three daily record high temperature records were broken in July, with the mercury topping out at a scalding 106 on July 17th.

The monthly mean high temperature in Broadus was 94.5, over 4 degrees above average. The highest monthly average for July came about it 2021, with an astounding 98.5 degree average high. That month also saw three record high days, with a 110 degree all time record high on July 27th and a daily high temp records of 105 on July 3rd, and 109 degrees on July 28th. By comparison, 2022 had three daily record highs, 106 on the 17th, 105 on the 18th, and 103 on the 22nd. The low for the month in Broadus was 49, on the 28th.

Looking around the area, the Biddle 8 miles SW station received 1.10" of moisture in July, for 60% of their 1.81" average. The thermometer topped out at 104 at that station, and dropped to as low as 50 on the nights of the 19th and 28th.

The dry conditions were not universal in the area, as storms dropped heavy but spotty moisture around portions of the county. That was shown at the Moorhead 9 miles NE station, which received 1.93" of rain in July, for 37% above the average of 1.41" for the month. The high for the month at that station was 103 on the 17th, and dropped to 47 on the 28th.

The Sonnette 7 miles SW station also received ample moisture in July, recording 2.18", or 30% above the long term average of 1.67. Two large storms deposited 0.87" on the 10th and 0.74" on the 24th. That station topped out in temperature at 99 on the 17th and 18th, and dropped to 47 on the 19th.

At the Fort Howes RAWS station, a lovely 2.92" of moisture fell in July, with 1.05" of that total deposited on the 24th.

That station had a high for the month of 103 on the 17th, and a low of 49 on the 28th. The wind gusts at Fort Howes were dramatic, with gusts as high as 68 on the 14th, and six days with winds over 40 mph, and three days with wind over 58 mph.

The Volborg Station, which only records moisture, had 1.96" on the month, with 0.62" recorded on the 4th and 1.18" recorded the 5th.

The Powderville 8 miles NNE station had 1.16" of rain in July, for 67% of the average of 1.72". That station had a high of 105, with five days total over 100 in July. The low for the month was 47, on both July 1 and the 28th.

With August starting out hot and dry, the bountiful plant growth from earlier in the year has turned the grass into a crispy tinderbox, ripe for ignition. As of Monday, Powder River County had not yet entered into fire restrictions; Bighorn, Musselshell, and Treasure Counties entered Stage 1 restrictions on July 29th.