Good Thursday afternoon, today were are going to see what is weird and true about the great state of Montana... 1). The greatest temperature variation in a single location in 24 hours is 57.2°C (103°F), recorded in Loma, Montana, USA, on 14-15 January 1972. Indeed, Loma, Montana holds an impressive record for the greatest temperature variation within a single location during 24 hours. On January 14-15, 1972, the temperature in Loma experienced a remarkable 103-degree swing! Thermometers surged from a bone-chilling -54°F (-47.8°C) at 9 a.m. on January 14 to a relatively balmy 49°F (9.4°C) by 8 a.m. on January 15. The extreme temperature change was due to a combination of factors: Arctic Blast: Initially, an Arctic blast brought freezing conditions to the nearby city of Great Falls on January 11. These high-pressure gusts from the poles tend to bring clear skies, allowing temperatures to drop even further at night. Any snow on the ground traps heat inside the earth, keeping the air frigid for longer. Chinook Wind: The record-setting leap in Loma’s temperature occurred due to a Chinook wind descending from the Rocky Mountains. As warm, wet air tumbled down the mountain, the increasing atmospheric pressure heated the air. These winds are sometimes called “snow eaters” because towns near the foothills can transition from freezing to balmy in just minutes or hours. Frontal Boundaries: Cold air masses can quickly displace warm ones. On January 18, a cold front moved in, forcing the warm air to rise. This temperature tug-of-war can last for several days and cover thousands of square miles. Loma’s weather in January 1972 serves as a fascinating example of sudden temperature spikes and drops, making it a true meteorological anomaly! 2). Name Origin: The name “Montana” comes from the Spanish word “montaña,” which roughly means “mountainous.” Given its stunning mountain landscapes, the name is quite fitting. 3). Treasure State: Montana earned its nickname, the “Treasure State,” due to the gold and silver deposits mined from its mountains in the 1800s. 4). Lewis and Clark Expedition: The famous explorers Meriwether Lewis and William Clark, along with their Native American guide Sacagawea, passed through Montana during their expedition through the American West in 1805. 5). Geographic Diversity: Montana boasts two distinct geographic regions. The western two-fifths of the state is part of the Rocky Mountain region, home to Glacier National Park with its ancient glaciers. The eastern three-fifths make up the Great Plains, characterized by grassy terrain, hills, and river valleys. 6). Cream of the West: Montana has its very own version of oatmeal called “Cream of the West.” It’s a roasted wheat cereal that local families have been enjoying since 1914. 7). Unique Borders: Montana shares borders with Canada to the north, North Dakota and South Dakota to the east, Wyoming and Idaho to the south, and Idaho again to the west. 8). River Systems: Montana is the only state with river systems that empty into three different bodies of water: the Hudson Bay, the Pacific Ocean, and the Gulf of Mexico. 9). Yellowstone National Park: The original entrance to Yellowstone National Park, the world’s first national park, is located in Gardiner, Montana. 10). Size Comparison: Due to its sheer size, you could fit six other U.S. states inside Montana. Imagine fitting the District of Columbia, Delaware, Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania, and Virginia all within its borders! 11). Montana was the first-ever state to elect a woman to Congress. In 1916 Jeannette Rankin won this historical election which would change the landscape of politics throughout the state. 12). It is the 41st state. The United States acquired the area of Montana from France as part of the Louisiana Purchase in 1803 and by a treaty with Great Britain in 1846. Montana Territory was organized from the northeastern part of Idaho Territory on May 26, 1864, with generally the same boundary as the present state. Census data for Montana are available beginning with the 1870 census. The 1860 census population in present-day Montana was included in unorganized Dakota, although legally the area was within Nebraska and Washington territories. The portion of Yellowstone National Park in Montana was probably enumerated as part of Wyoming from 1880 to 1910. Data for the legally established state of Montana are available beginning with the 1890 census. 13). "According to the Guinness Book of World Records page for the “largest snowflake”: “It is reported that on 28 Jan 1887 at Fort Keogh, Montana, USA, ranch owner Matt Coleman measured a snowflake that was 15in 38cm wide and 8in 20cm thick, which he later described as being ‘larger than milk pans’ in Monthly Weather Review Magazine.” 14). The Roe River, situated near the Missouri River and Great Falls is the shortest river in the world, only flowing 200 feet. Made official by The Guinness Book of World Records. 15). The Montana state motto is “Oro y Plata,” which is Spanish for “Gold and Silver.” 16). The Continental Divide in Montana: The Continental Divide is a significant geographical feature that runs through North America. It serves as the boundary between watersheds that drain into the Pacific Ocean and those that flow into the Atlantic Ocean. In Montana, the Continental Divide adds its distinctive touch to the landscape. It stretches from northern Alaska through the Andes in South America. Long before settlers arrived, Native Peoples used prominent routes along the Divide for their prairie hunting grounds in the east. Captain Lewis crossed the Continental Divide in 1806, following a trail along the Blackfoot River. He found his way back to the prairie via what is now called the Lewis and Clark Pass, a historic place now accessible only on foot or horseback. Interestingly, the Continental Divide played a role in Montana’s early history. When the Idaho Territory was established in 1863, it originally included all of present-day Montana. However, the boundary was eventually set along the Bitterroot Divide, sparing Glacier Park, Flathead Lake, Missoula, and the Bitterroot Valley from being part of Idaho. (Source comes from https://www.bing.com/search?q=weird+and+true+facts+about+the+state+of+montana) Have a great Thursday...Take care and GOD bless...
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