20 years ago yesterday(Aug 23), Montana was hit by a freak August snowstorm (Great Falls: home)

[NYMTman]

On Aug 23, 1992 much of the state experienced a freak summer snowstorm. Helena recorded 6 inches; Great Falls recorded 8. Butte had 2.5 inches. I was in Anaconda at the time and we got about 3 or 4 inches.

Anyone else remember this? Ability to remember this snowstorm is my way of determining whether or not you are a 'real' Montanan or a California transplant. Just kidding!

[NDak15]

I remember that vividly. My brother and I went sledding our last week of summer vacation.

[jasper12]

Hmmm, I don't remember it. I was living in Great Falls then. I guess I just thought it was normal, for Montana.

[DOUBLE H]

Google in "The Montana Hurricane Connection"

It was the end result, at least for the western states, from one of the most massive hurricanes ever in our country-Hurricane Andrew. If I recall correctly when it hit the Gulf of Mexico it was a category 5 hurricane.

I remember that storm well as I was going back home (Grand Junction, Colo.) and ran into maybe 6 inches of snow in Georgetown and double that amount when I went through the Eisenhower Tunnel. I was in Denver for a few days for a high school reunion and visit friends and family. Now it's not that unusual for it to snow in Colorado in late August --not at all. I went through two days after the storm. Now Denver's high that day was in the low 50's with steady rain, but certainly not a heavy downpour. However when I got home my neighbors told me the winds blew a steady 45 to 50 m.p.h. for a day and a half.

I'd have to do some more digging but I believe monetary damage from the hurricane was in the billions of dollars, I'm thinking 20 billion. (!)

[NDak15]

Originally Posted by jasper12

Hmmm, I don't remember it. I was living in Great Falls then. I guess I just thought it was normal, for Montana.

People always say Montana can get snow in the summer, but it really isn't normal to get snow that time of year unless you're in the higher elevations. In 16 years of living in Montana that was the only time I remember having snow that time of year.

[Reziac]

Hmmph. Every year when I was in MT, we got snow the first or more often the 2nd week of June, both in Great Falls and Bozeman areas. Somewhere I have photos from the June 1965 snow, 6 inches deep and it looked like December.

[historyfan]

We had 2 feet of heavy wet snow at ranch in Ennis.

[ElkHunter]

We even had snow down here. I remember, I got out of the Navy that year and came home and started my own business. We got hit with snow and my thoughts were, "I don't remember snow this early, but maybe things have changed. It's going to be a real challenge to put up with snow."