Montana Spring Can Still Feel Like Winter

Spring in Montana has a way of keeping people on their toes. One day feels like summer is finally here, and the next morning you’re scraping frost off the windshield before work. 

And honestly, that’s pretty normal around here. 

A Transition Month: May in Montana

In many parts of Montana, May is still very much a transition month. Higher elevation communities like Butte can still see freezing temperatures late into the season, and in some years the final frost does not arrive until June. That lingering winter chill is just part of life in the Treasure State. 

Daylight Gains: Embracing Longer Evenings

At the same time, May also brings some of the biggest daylight gains of the entire year. As Montana races toward the summer solstice, we add roughly 70 more minutes of daylight throughout the month, depending on location, according to the Old Farmer’s Almanac. Longer evenings, greener landscapes, and warmer afternoons start showing up, even if the mornings can still feel like winter. 

READ MORE: Old Farmer’s Almanac Predicts Later Frost Dates for Parts of Montana

That’s what makes Montana weather so unique this time of year. You might start the day with a jacket and a windshield scraper, then end the afternoon in shorts and a T-shirt. 

While we recently looked back at some of the warmest Mays Montana has experienced, the colder years can be just as memorable. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has tracked Montana temperatures dating back to 1895, giving us a fascinating look at just how cold May can still get across the state. 

READ MORE: These Are the Warmest Mays Ever Recorded in Montana

Some of those chilly Mays brought persistent snow, freezing mornings, and temperatures far below average well into spring. 

Now it’s time to look back at the 10 coldest May temperatures Montana has experienced since record-keeping began in 1895. Keep scrolling for more.