Weather conditions in November were exceptionally dry across Powder River County, with above normal average temperatures for the month.

Broadus received a trace of precipitation on the month, falling on November 3rd. A “trace” is defined by the National Weather Service as an amount less than 0.01”.

November is normally the second driest month of the year, averaging 0.47” of precipitation. January is the driest, averaging 0.43”.

Though temps weren’t exceptionally hot or cold in November, temperatures in Broadus averaged 38.6 degrees across the entirety of the month, or 3.5 degrees above normal.

The high temp for the month was 62, on November 4th and 5th, and the low was 10, on the 25th.

That pattern of dry and warm temperatures was echoed around the county, as conditions were fairly consistent across the area.

The Biddle 8 miles SW station had 0.04” of moisture in November, compared to an average of 0.46”. The high for the month was 60, on November 4, 12, and 22, and the low was 9 on the 25th. The average temp for the month was 39.2, or 3.9 degrees above average. Zero snow was recorded.

The Moorhead 9 miles NE station had measurable precip on the 5th, with 0.17”, and 0.20” in total for the month, compared to an average of 0.20”. Zero snow was recorded on the month. That station had a high of 61 on the 4th, 12th, and 22nd, and a low of 10 on the 25th and 30th. The 37.6 degree average was 4.0 degrees above normal.

The Sonnette 7 miles SW station had 0.09” of rain in November and zero snow. That compares to an average of 0.56” of precipitation. Their high was 63, on the 15th, and the low was 6, on November 25th. The 35.9 degree average for the month was 3.4 degrees above normal.

At the Fort Howes RAWS station, they received 0.15” of moisture in November. The high for the month was 62, on the 12th, and the low was 8, on the 25th. That station had an average daily max wind gust of 19.8 mph, with a sustained 5.6 mph average throughout the month. Three days had gusts over 30 mph (topping out at 35) and the calmest day maxed out with an 11 mph gust. The average temp for the month at that station was 36.4 degrees (long term averages were not readily available).

The Volborg station, which measure only precipitation, had 0.22”, all recorded on November 3rd.

The Powderville 8 miles NNE station had 0.12” on the month, all recorded the 3rd, with zero snowfall. Their high of 62 was recorded November 6th, and the low of 10 was recorded the 25th. The 37.7 degree average temp for the month was 4.2 degrees above normal.

Even with the dry month, Broadus is ahead of the curve when it comes to yearly precipitation, with 15.81” of accumulation from January 1st to December 1st. The average for the first 11 months of the year is 14.45”.

The dry, warm conditions in November made the backcountry accessible to hunters, but also made it tougher to find rutting deer, with no snow for tracking and the deer spending more time in the shaded regions to avoid the heat.

December started out warm and dry, with temps in the 60s expected later in the week, making nice conditions for tonight’s Christmas Stroll.