Montana

Dry January Sinks Northwest Montana’s Snowpack Below Normal – Flathead Beacon

Published

12 months ago

February 14, 2025

Dry January Sinks Northwest Montana’s Snowpack Below Normal – Flathead Beacon

Following a snowy December that boosted northwest Montana’s snowpack to above-average, last month’s dry weather dropped the region’s river basins to low levels as winter continues.

Northwest Montana’s snow water equivalent levels (SWE) dipped to about 85% in the Flathead, Kootenai, and the Lower Clark Fork river basins as of Feb. 13 while the St. Mary and Sun-Teton-Marias basins on the east side of the Continental Divide hovered around 70%. The Noisy Basin SNOTEL site in the Swan Mountains, however, is above average at 110% of normal.

“Fortunately, it was a good start to the season, so northwest Montana was doing pretty good at first with 90 to 110% of normal,” said Eric Larson, a hydrologist with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).

Last month, winter storms continued to favor central Montana, resulting in the Smith-Judith-Musselshell reporting 130% of normal snowpack, while Bear Paw reported more than 200% of normal, according to the Feb. 1 Water Supply Outlook Report.

But Larson says that while the Bear Paw River Basin is currently twice the average snowpack, the area on the Hi-Line is unique because the region is typically dry and there is only one weather station, unlike other basins that have multiple data collecting sites at various elevations.

“One big month can double the snowpack and percentages can fluctuate,” Larson said.

Snowy mountains ringing the eastern edge of Glacier National Park on March 26, 2024. Hunter D’Antuono | Flathead Beacon

On the Rocky Mountain Front, SWE levels were well below normal by February, with only 56% at the Sun-Teton-Marias basin and 3 to 7 inches below the average SWE levels. Hydrologists say that significant accumulation is needed in this region over the next few months for the snowpack to recover.

But Larson says there is still time for recovery since the snowpack usually doesn’t peak until late April or early May ahead of spring runoff.

While SWE levels in northwest Montana remain below-average, Larson says the snowpack is still doing better than last winter when areas like Many Glacier saw the lowest level in the last 49 years by February of 2024.

“Last year was such a low year across most of Montana,” Larson said. “Last year at this time, lots of stations had some of their lowest snowpack in [decades].”

In mid-February of 2024, SWE levels in the Flathead River Basin hovered around 70% while the southern Mission Mountains were at about 60%.

If dry conditions persist following last winter’s dismal precipitation, Larson says the soil will suck up more moisture than it normally would, leaving less water for runoff during the spring.

“When you have a really low snow year, there could be implications for the next year,” Larson said. “The soil could be stealing that water. Just given the low snow year that we had last year, we’d want to have a slightly above snow year,”

At the end of last year, northwest Montana moved from a “no drought” phase to “abnormally dry” while the central part of the state changed from abnormally dry to no drought conditions, although drought conditions continue to persist from last year.

According to the National Weather Service, a surge of moisture is predicted beginning Friday afternoon, with widespread snow expected to fall through Sunday in northwest Montana. The long range forecast predicts that the Flathead Valley will see below-average temperatures with normal precipitation.

Melting slopes of Stanton Mountain are reflected in the surface of Lake McDonald on an unseasonably warm day in Glacier National Park March 14, 2024. Hunter D’Antuono | Flathead Beacon

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Montana

Brickner leads Idaho against Montana State

Published

5 hours ago

February 4, 2026

Press Room

Brickner leads Idaho against Montana State

Idaho Vandals (13-9, 5-4 Big Sky) at Montana State Bobcats (13-10, 7-3 Big Sky)

Bozeman, Montana; Thursday, 9 p.m. EST

BOTTOM LINE: Idaho plays Montana State after Isaiah Brickner scored 31 points in Idaho’s 79-62 win against the Northern Arizona Lumberjacks.

The Bobcats have gone 8-1 in home games. Montana State ranks second in the Big Sky at limiting opponent scoring, giving up 70.9 points while holding opponents to 44.4% shooting.

The Vandals are 5-4 in Big Sky play. Idaho is seventh in the Big Sky with 13.2 assists per game led by Kolton Mitchell averaging 3.7.

Montana State makes 46.3% of its shots from the field this season, which is 2.6 percentage points higher than Idaho has allowed to its opponents (43.7%). Idaho has shot at a 45.2% clip from the field this season, 0.8 percentage points above the 44.4% shooting opponents of Montana State have averaged.

The Bobcats and Vandals meet Thursday for the first time in Big Sky play this season.

TOP PERFORMERS: Jed Miller is averaging 14.4 points, 5.6 rebounds and 1.8 steals for the Bobcats. Christian King is averaging 2.2 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.

Mitchell is shooting 38.2% from beyond the arc with 2.5 made 3-pointers per game for the Vandals, while averaging 14.1 points and 3.7 assists. Biko Johnson is averaging 14.8 points over the past 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Bobcats: 7-3, averaging 77.1 points, 30.7 rebounds, 10.2 assists, 6.7 steals and 2.9 blocks per game while shooting 45.7% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 73.0 points per game.

Vandals: 5-5, averaging 76.9 points, 30.6 rebounds, 10.1 assists, 6.5 steals and 2.3 blocks per game while shooting 44.5% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 75.4 points.

___

The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

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Montana

Montana DEQ adopts new rules for alternative burns after incinerator malfunction

Published

17 hours ago

February 3, 2026

Press Room

Montana DEQ adopts new rules for alternative burns after incinerator malfunction

BILLINGS — The Montana Department of Environmental Quality has implemented new regulations for all incinerator permit holders in Yellowstone County following a September incinerator malfunction at the Yellowstone Valley Animal Shelter facility.

Billings Animal Control was burning methamphetamine, and YVAS workers reported meth-laced smoke filled their building during the incident.

Under the new regulations, all incinerator permit holders must now request approval for alternative burns directly from the DEQ. Previously, RiverStone Health was responsible for approving alternative burns.

The DEQ said an agreement renewal reflecting this change will be sent to all permit holders in the next few months.

The City of Billings faces additional scrutiny as the DEQ has referred the September methamphetamine burn to their enforcement program. The program is reviewing alleged violations of the Montana Clean Air Act for formal enforcement consideration.

Drug incineration mishap sickens Yellowstone Valley Animal Shelter employees
City planning restoration of Yellowstone Valley Animal Shelter building
Yellowstone Valley Animal Shelter searching for homes for strays following meth malfunction

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Montana

Is This The Best Breakfast Spot In Montana?

Published

1 day ago

February 3, 2026

Press Room

Is This The Best Breakfast Spot In Montana?

One of my favorite food activities is to go out for breakfast.

Here in Montana we have all kinds of wonderful spots to grab breakfast, in fact a few are very well known. There’s Paul’s Pancake Parlor in Missoula, Shellie’s Country Cafe in Helena, Stella’s Kitchen and Bakery in Billings, and of course the legendary Western Cafe here in Bozeman.

We all have our favorite breakfast foods.

Me, well I’m a biscuits and gravy type of guy. It’s one of my favorite meals and my go to when it comes to trying out a new place. I figure if you’re biscuits and gravy pass the test, than everything else is probably good to go.

However, there is a one breakfast spot here in Montana that’s receiving lots of attention and many claim it might be the best breakfast in the state. So, where is this place that’s getting rave reviews?

The restaurant is actually located in a hotel in Billings.

Bernie’s Diner is located in the Northern Hotel and has a fun, nostalgic feel to it. One look at the menu and you know that that Bernie’s means business. They have all of your favorite breakfast favorites like biscuits and gravy, corned beef hash, eggs with your choice of breakfast meat, but they also have some one-of-a-kind dishes as well.

Things like Captain Crunch French toast, chicken and waffles, elk sausage, and the “Vacation Breakfast” are all on the menu. Oh, and in case you were curious as to what the Vacation Breakfast is, you get a big piece of chocolate cake along with a chocolate shake.

What is the average price for breakfast?

The other impressive part are the prices. They start at around 10 dollars and nothing on the menu cost more than 18 bucks. So, the next time you’re in Billings, you might want to give them a shot and see if you agree that it’s one of the best breakfast spots in Montana.

Where is your favorite spot to grab breakfast? Let us know by sending us a message on our app.

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Every Montana Restaurant That Has Been Featured on Food Network

It’s always awesome to see something from your hometown or state on TV. When Food Network comes to town, Montanans are ready. These restaurants have been featured.

Gallery Credit: Jesse James

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