Montana climate expert reports significant warming and declining snowfall over 50 years

The City of Missoula held a significant meeting on April 15, 2025, focusing on the local impacts of climate change as highlighted in the documentary "An Inconvenient Truth." The discussion centered around alarming trends in temperature and snowfall across Montana, with a particular emphasis on Missoula.

A key speaker presented data showing that average temperatures in Montana's major cities have increased by approximately one degree over the past 50 years. However, the most striking finding was a five-degree rise in March temperatures during the same period, indicating a significant shift in seasonal climate patterns.

The speaker also addressed the concerning decline in snowfall, noting that Missoula has experienced the steepest decrease in snowpack among the five cities analyzed. This downward trend in snowfall is consistent across the Western United States, with a reported 40% decline in snow water equivalent in the Pacific Northwest. Projections suggest that by 2080, Missoula may experience no snowfall at all, a scenario that underscores the urgency of addressing climate change.

The implications of these changes extend beyond winter sports and recreation. The speaker highlighted the impact on summertime stream flows, which have been increasingly low, leading to fishing closures in recent years. As snow melts earlier, these low stream flows are expected to become more frequent.

Additionally, the meeting addressed the rising threat of wildfires, with the previous year marking the largest wildfire season in U.S. history. The speaker noted that five of the last ten years have seen wildfire acreage burned at double the 30-year average, driven by increasing moisture deficits in summer.

Overall, the meeting underscored the immediate and profound effects of climate change on Missoula and the surrounding region, emphasizing the need for proactive measures to mitigate these trends. The discussions served as a call to action for community members and local leaders to engage in climate resilience efforts as the region faces a future of shorter winters, earlier snowmelt, and heightened wildfire risks.