This New Weather Map Color In Montana Means ‘Stay Inside’
Montana’s Summer Heat Just Got A New Warning Color
How about those temperatures reaching almost triple digits to end the month of May here in Montana?
Getting this hot this early means we could see quite a few days this summer getting into the danger zone when it comes to being outside in the heat, which is why there is now a new color on weather maps.
READ MORE:
Why Extreme Heat In Montana Now Comes With A New Risk Color
When it comes to summer weather in Montana, hot and dry is pretty much the standard forecast.
Unfortunately, the hot part has been getting hotter in recent years, and because of that, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and CDC together came up with their "HeatRisk Map."
One would assume red would be the "danger" color when it came to extreme heat, but they needed to go beyond that with a whole new color.
What This New Color On The Weather Map Means For Montana
The new color was needed due to the fact that in recent years we haven't had just one or two days of extreme heat, but prolonged periods that could pose serious health risks to people.
The new color indicating extreme heat is magenta, and here's when and why this color will be used:
This level of rare and/or long-duration extreme heat with little to no overnight relief affects anyone without effective cooling and/or adequate hydration. Impacts likely in most health systems, heat-sensitive industries and infrastructure.
With the Old Famers' Almanac predicting a scorching hot summer this year, it's likely we see this color used a few times this summer in Montana.
KEEP READING: Get answers to the most frequently asked weather questions...
LOOK: The most expensive weather and climate disasters in recent decades
Gallery Credit: KATELYN LEBOFF
LOOK: Weather Watch 2025: How We're Looking So Far In Montana
Gallery Credit: National Weather Service