Page 25 - Flathead Living Fall 2014

Season’s Change
The departure of summer ushers in the brilliance of autumn, a transformation that’s led by the meticulous nature of weather
The seasonal revoluTion ThaT ensues in summer’s wake is
dramatic along the 48th parallel. The flare of fall spreads like a flame across the wild landscape, igniting green forests into gold and creating autumn days decorated with a gallery of vibrant colors. Rainy, overcast days intensify the change. The temperatures cool, unless the Indian summer holds strong. Nonetheless, the days become darker. Winter is coming. Farmers gather their final crops and prepare to hunker down. Hunters go afield, braving
99oF
Temperature in degrees Fahrenheit on
sept. 1, 1967 in Kalispell, the record high for the month of september
7oF Temperature in degrees Fahrenheit on
sept. 24, 1926, in Kalispell, the record low for the month of september
4.3"
( Inches of snowfall on sept. 23, 1926, the record amount for a single day in the month of september in Kalispell
harsh days before sunrise, in search of their bounty. Bears, thousands of them in this corner of the state, cozy up inside their dens for a few-month retreat. The various flocks of migratory birds traverse the skies in formation, departing to sunny getaways along with the snowbirds. Snow begins blanketing the high country, especially Glacier National Park, which bundles up from late October and stays frozen in winter’s grasp until June or early July.
Autumn is bold, punctuated by the meticulous nature of weather.
AverAge TemperATures & preCIpITATION
BREAKDOWN
by dilloN TAbisH & sTEVE lArsoN
Per SeaSon
KALISpELL
Avg MAx TeMp
31.4
55.2
77.5
54.3
Avg MIN TeMp
pReCIp (INCHeS)
WINTer (DeC-Feb)
sprINg (mAr-mAy)
summer (JuN-Aug)
FAll (sep-NOv)
16.1 4.27
31.1 4.37
45.4 4.96
29.5 3.61
WESt GLACIER
Avg MAx TeMp
30.6
52.9
76.1
52.2
Avg MIN TeMp
pReCIp (INCHeS)
WINTer (DeC-Feb)
sprINg (mAr-mAy)
summer (JuN-Aug)
FAll (sepT-NOv)
17.4 33.2
29.9 6.13
45.7 0.1
31.8 6.4
Degrees iN FahreNheit, baseD oN 30-year average sourCe: NatioNaL Weather serviCe
Tuesday, sepT. 23 FirsT day oF Fall autumnal equinox
FAll 2014 | FlATHEAd liViNG 23
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