University researchers and students, state and federal researchers, nonprofit organizations, tribal colleges and citizens helped create the assessment.
The assessment states Montana has warmed 2.0-3.0° since 1950, and it’s projected that temperatures will warm an additional 4.5-6.0° by mid-century. The state-level changes are expected to be greater than national and global temperature changes.
In the future, precipitation is expected to increase in winter, spring, and fall.
Summer precipitation is expected to drop, mainly over central and southern areas of the state.
Increasing temperatures will reduce the snowpack and shift historical streamflow patterns.
Wildfires are an annual concern for Montanans, and climate change is ultimately expected to increase the fire risk.
Farmers and ranchers will feel the effects, too.