*** Weather in Hamilton, MT *** (Missoula: homes, live, price)

[alily]

Hi,
I would appreciate if someone could share with me how the weather is throughout the year in Hamilton, MT. I am considering moving to the area for an opportunity. I've read somewhere that Hamilton tends to be on the mild side as compared to most other cities. I've lived in Seattle, and the overcast clouds 6-9 months out of the year wasn't very pleasant. I don't mind the cold... just not so cloudy. Thank you again for sharing your experience.

[rickers]

Hamilton has weather pretty much like Missoula. Any of the lower elevation valley areas in western Montana can be considered by many as "the banana belt" Don't let the name fool you nobody is growing bananas here ! The bitterroot valley where Hamilton is has become very crowded with large homes and it's becoming real pricey real fast. Not as sunny as eastern Mt. but way brighter days than any in Seattle.

[fbcobrn]

For the last 3 years, visiting Hamilton, we have experienced various weather patterns.....March, November, July, January....cold to hot. This had to be the worst heat I had experienced there. I'm hoping these heat records stand untouched for years to come! Cold I can do, heat does me in. But.....no where near as bad as the heat where I am at now....triple digits (105-112) for weeks on end with 80s at night. I think weather patterns are changing everywhere......norms are no longer normal.

[NevadaGal]

I am thinking about visiting at the end of Oct or first week in Nov. What can I expect for weather? Late fall or already winter?

[rickers]

A little of both. You won't need a heavy winter jacket but a sweater or a light jacket may be in order. Kids sometimes get haloween rained or snowed out. You never know because sometimes we get what is called "Indian summer"

[AndersonRM]

I remember Halloween 1973. Hamilton got 34" of wet snow. You have to be prepared for snow anytime after Oct 1st.

[snugglebump]

Yep, i'm from Seattle and the clouds are awful. A lot of people get depressed and we are supposed to be the #1 suicide capital in all usa. I can't wait to move to Montana!

[LIborn]

are you serious fbcobrn ? I've been monitoring the weather reports for western MT. even during heat waves, temperatures dip down into the low 60's at night. having never been to MT, would like to know if overnight lows in the 80's are a reality.

[rickers]

Depends on what you call night ! The low temps in the 50 to 60 degree range don't happen untill just before sunrise. I crash out by 9 or 10 and it's still hotter than 7-11 coffee !

[NYMTman]

Overnight lows in the 80's would never happen anywhere in the state. 70's are only possible in a few areas east of the divide. In most areas of the state you're more likely to bottom out at 32 in July than you are 70.