Montana's 10 Coldest Junes Ever Recorded

Montanans know that just because the calendar flips to June doesn't mean summer arrives right away.

Unpredictable Weather: When Spring Lingers

While June marks the beginning of meteorological summer and brings some of the longest days of the year, Montana can still experience stretches of weather that feel more like spring. Snow in the mountains, chilly mornings, and weeks of below-average temperatures aren't unheard of.

Chilly Surprises: June's Weather Fluctuations

Typically, Montana's hottest weather is reserved for July and August, but every once in a while June delivers a reminder that winter doesn't always leave quietly.

While long-range forecasts continue to suggest a hotter and drier summer could develop as we move deeper into July and August, many Montanans are still waiting for summer to fully settle in.

So just how cold can June be in Montana?

According to data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), which has tracked statewide temperatures since 1895, some Junes have been dramatically cooler than normal. In fact, the coldest June on record occurred in 1951, when statewide temperatures averaged well below what Montanans would typically expect heading into summer.

While today's climate trends generally favor warmer temperatures, Montana's weather history shows that summer has occasionally gotten off to a very slow start. Some of these years featured persistent storms, unusually cool daytime highs, and temperatures that felt more like May than June.

Long-range outlooks indicate Montana could see warmer and drier conditions later this summer, meaning the hottest days of the year are likely still ahead.

Using NOAA climate data, we've compiled the 10 coldest Junes ever recorded in Montana.