If Montana Snowstorms Were Ranked Like Hurricanes

Fall in Montana is like living on borrowed time.

Everyone wishes the season would last a little longer, knowing that another cold, dark, miserable winter is right around the corner. We've been blessed with a gorgeous October this year, but locals know it's just a matter of time till the snow flies.

In the Billings area, we seem to get our first round of white stuff right around Halloween or early November. Then it gets nice again for a couple of weeks (second Fall, yay!), and then real winter settles in.

What if Montana Winter storms were ranked Category 1 through 5?

Montana winters are no joke, and if they were rated like hurricanes, we'd have a scale all our own. Here’s a breakdown of the five levels of Montana snowstorms, from "ahh, how pretty" to "grab the sled dogs and pray."

The 5 Levels of Winter in Montana

Level 1: “Frosty Flirt"

This is your classic Hallmark movie snow - just enough to make everything look like a winter wonderland, but no real damage done. You’ll hear someone say, “Isn’t it gorgeous?” as they confidently head out in a hoodie and sneakers. Rookie mistake.

Level 2: “The Snow Globe Shake”

A little more serious, but still manageable. Schools might be delayed by an hour, and your neighbor's snowblower gets its first warm-up. You break out the boots but are still holding off on the heavy-duty gear. Coffee shops thrive at this stage.

Level 3: “Polar Punch”

Alright, things are heating up - well, figuratively. Roads are a mess, and half the town’s power might flicker. Snow is piling up, and so are your Amazon packages because there’s no way anyone’s delivering today.

Level 4: “Frostzilla”

At this point, you can kiss your driveway goodbye. Your car has become a permanent snow sculpture. Shoveling is futile, and the state of Montana might as well declare an emergency snack situation. Stock up on hot cocoa, peppermint schnapps, and pizza rolls.

Level 5: “Snowmageddon”

This is the granddaddy of them all. The wind howls like a banshee, snowdrifts swallow entire vehicles, and you’re thinking of calling a friend with a plow for a rescue mission. Forget going outside—it’s time to hibernate.