April replete with highs, lows

Last month across the Inland Northwest, there were plenty of wide temperature extremes. The beginning and end of April 2009 had readings well below normal levels.

The average temperature last month was 45.1 degrees, which was 1.2 degrees below normal. The warmest day last month was April 21 with an incredible 77 degrees. On that particular day, the mean temperature was 15 degrees above the average.

Precipitation for April stood at 1.29 inches, which was 0.01 inches above normal. In other words, last month was right on in temperatures and moisture.

Total snowfall was at 3.9 inches, bringing our seasonal total to an all-time record 97.7 inches. The old record was 93.5 inches set back in 1949-’50. Last year, we ended our seasonal snowfall total at 92.6 inches. The combined winters of 2007-’08 and 2008-’09 were the snowiest in recorded history.

Based on current weather patterns, I don’t see any additional measurable snowfalls for the rest of the 2008-’09 season, which ends June 30. The next couple of months, however, should be milder and a bit wetter than average, especially when compared to the same period a year ago when measurable snows fell in our region as late as June 10.

For the rest of May, it may be a different story for areas east of the Continental Divide. Montana, Wyoming, the western Dakotas, eastern Colorado and the southern prairie provinces of Canada have been buried by as much as 10 feet of snow during March and April.

This was the most snow ever measured during the early spring season in at least 120 years. For three days last week, Great Falls picked up a record 26 inches of snow. The severe conditions have resulted in huge losses of young livestock, calves and lambs.

The cool and wet weather pattern in the Inland Northwest should change to a warmer and a bit drier one by the middle to the end of this month, before turning back toward the wetter side by late May and early- to mid-June. Don’t be too surprised to see afternoon highs by then soar into the mid- to upper 80s, and perhaps even the lower 90s. With the warmer temperatures, there’s also a good chance of thunderstorm activity.

By the early- to mid-July full-moon cycle, we may see the hottest weather of the summer season. Temperatures in the Inland Northwest may hit or even pass the 100-degree mark.