Montana Chamber

Montana has a varied climate highly dependent on the mountain ranges that crisscross its surface. The eastern half of the state, which is relatively free of mountains and features plains and hills, has a semi-arid continental climate. Pack jeans, shorts and T-shirts with a few light jackets for when the wind picks up in the summer, but beware of the cold winters. Always remember a hat to block out the sun, considering the lack of shade.In the west (where the majority of the mountain ranges are located), the climate depends on the Continental Divide, which blocks the warmer air from the Pacific from moving east and also keeps cooler air from moving west. Thus, the region to the west of the Divide is considered a “modified northern Pacific coast climate.” This climate is characterized by milder winters and cooler summers, meaning that your attire for this region will be fairly similar no matter what the season. (more…)