Montana
El Nino’s return could spell dry, warm winter for Western Montana

Above normal temperatures and below average precipitation is projected for Western Montana this winter as a strengthening El Nino climate pattern takes hold for the first time in four years.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration issued its winter forecast Oct. 19 for the northern tier of the U.S., calling for a strong El Nino influence.
Northwest Montana will feel the brunt of the impacts, according to Bob Nester, a senior forecaster with the National Weather Service in Missoula.
Northwest Montana snowpack during a strong El Nino historically ranges from 75-90% of average. Kalispell averages about 76% of normal snowfall, while West Glacier averages about 81% of normal.
“That’s mainly due to not has many strong westerly [jet streams] bringing a lot of Pacific moisture to the region,” Nester said, adding that the jet stream typically stays to the south during El Nino.
Much of Northwest Montana is already experiencing severe to extreme drought conditions.
Meanwhile, average temperatures in Northwest Montana during an El Nino winter are typically 2 to 4 degrees above normal.
“We just don’t get that many arctic air masses with this type of pattern,” Nester said.
Conditions will be ripe for fog and inversions in valley locations, with more frequent high pressure ridges, Nester said.
February is most likely to exhibit the strongest El Nino characteristics, based on historical data.
“February seems to be the month where there is the greatest correlation to above normal temperatures, and the precent of normal snowfall is much lower,” he said.
Still, he cautions that not all El Nino winters are the same. There are some outliers, such as the winter of 1994-95 and 2015-16, where Western Montana precipitation finished the season above average.
“It doesn’t mean we’re not going to have snow,” Nester said. “We’re still going to have those snow events and colder events, but not quite as frequent.”
While Montana is poised to miss out on a big winter, forecasters say El Nino brings wetter-than-average conditions for northern Alaska, parts of California, south-central Rockies, the southern Plains, Gulf Coast, Southeast and lower mid-Atlantic.

Montana
Montana Lottery Powerball, Lucky For Life results for May 17, 2025
The Montana Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at May 17, 2025, results for each game:
Winning Powerball numbers from May 17 drawing
07-34-40-42-52, Powerball: 15, Power Play: 2
Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Lucky For Life numbers from May 17 drawing
01-04-27-38-46, Lucky Ball: 13
Check Lucky For Life payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Lotto America numbers from May 17 drawing
16-18-24-25-34, Star Ball: 02, ASB: 04
Check Lotto America payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Big Sky Bonus numbers from May 17 drawing
02-10-18-29, Bonus: 07
Check Big Sky Bonus payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Powerball Double Play numbers from May 17 drawing
14-18-31-34-37, Powerball: 17
Check Powerball Double Play payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Montana Cash numbers from May 17 drawing
04-11-19-41-43
Check Montana Cash payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
When are the Montana Lottery drawings held?
- Powerball: 8:59 p.m. MT on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
- Mega Millions: 9 p.m. MT on Tuesday and Friday.
- Lucky For Life: 8:38 p.m. MT daily.
- Lotto America: 9 p.m. MT on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
- Big Sky Bonus: 7:30 p.m. MT daily.
- Powerball Double Play: 8:59 p.m. MT on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
- Montana Cash: 8 p.m. MT on Wednesday and Saturday.
Missed a draw? Peek at the past week’s winning numbers.
Winning lottery numbers are sponsored by Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network.
Where can you buy lottery tickets?
Tickets can be purchased in person at gas stations, convenience stores and grocery stores. Some airport terminals may also sell lottery tickets.
You can also order tickets online through Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network, in these U.S. states and territories: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Washington D.C., and West Virginia. The Jackpocket app allows you to pick your lottery game and numbers, place your order, see your ticket and collect your winnings all using your phone or home computer.
Jackpocket is the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network. Gannett may earn revenue for audience referrals to Jackpocket services. GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER, Call 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY). 18+ (19+ in NE, 21+ in AZ). Physically present where Jackpocket operates. Jackpocket is not affiliated with any State Lottery. Eligibility Restrictions apply. Void where prohibited. Terms: jackpocket.com/tos.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Great Falls Tribune editor. You can send feedback using this form.
Montana
1 killed in early Saturday morning fatal crash near Big Arm

BIG ARM — One person died in a two-vehicle crash early Saturday on U.S. Highway 93 North in the Big Arm Area.
The Montana Highway Patrol was dispatched to the area of mile marker 75 shortly after 2:30 a.m.
The Polson Rural Fire District reports the head-on crash involved two vehicles, including a semi truck hauling jet fuel.
Both vehicles were on fire when crews arrived on the scene.
The driver of one of the vehicles died in the crash, while the other driver was not hurt.
A social media post states both lanes of Highway 93 were closed for several hours due to the fire and the resulting cleanup.
The Chief Cliff Volunteer Fire Department and Polson Ambulance also responded to the scene.
No further information has been released at this time.
We will have additional information when it becomes available.
Montana
Forest products to films: Story House Montana takes over former Roseburg Missoula plant

MISSOULA — Almost a year after the closure of Roseburg Forest Products’ Missoula plant, a new venture will now occupy the space.
Utilizing 47 acres, Story House Montana will be a film and television production campus.
“The opportunity is to make anything and everything,” Story House president and CCO James Brown III said.
Studio at Story House, a major movie-making campus, opened Friday.
“We wouldn’t have to tear down these amazing buildings. We could renovate them and convert them into film sound stages,” Brown III shared. “You could shoot anything from a Marvel film to a small independent film, right? We have enough space, we have the crew, we have the talent.”
While 150 workers lost their jobs in Roseburg’s closure, Story House wants to retain and retrain them.
“Film production crew is blue-collar work. It’s electricians, it’s carpenters, it’s builders, it’s painters. I think it just gives an opportunity to learn new skills while also just elevating and fostering skills that they already have,” Brown III said.
The company, which has made another storytelling hub in Sheridan, WY, hopes to create new opportunities in the Garden City.
“When it’s all said and done and we’re up and fully operational, we can make up to 430 jobs,” Brown III said.
Story House says they want to be intentional and work with the community; that includes looking at Missoulian’s needs.
“We are also a real estate-backed company, so we are looking at the housing opportunities and the housing needs. Creating more jobs also creates the need for more housing and we’re well aware of that and really excited to take that on,” Brown III said.
The grand opening offered a first look into a space that will become anything and everything and we’ll keep you updated on the progress.
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