The Bozeman courier. (Bozeman, Mont.) 1919-1954, 1927-02-18
THE WEATHER
OUTLOOK FOR '27

w YHAT'S the weather going to
Nv be in Montana this year? 1t
w is the thought of p. Patton, of
the Montana Experiment Station, who
has made studies of meteorological
conditions in the state for the past
several years, that one guess is about
as good as another. The alarmists
who predict a summerless summer
or the hOpefuls at the other extreme,
probably have the smallest chance of
guessing right, for, according to Mr..
Patton, the weather records covering
the past forty years, show extremes
to be rare. At the same time, he ad-
vises that year-to-year forecasts have
not proved reliable enough to war
rant a great deal of confidence.
1t is entirely probable that there may be
spots that will be extremely hot, cold, wet
or dry. Such variations between localities
are the rule rather than the exception.
Where or when they will occur remains a
guess. The present general outlook for
Montana is not materially different from
the outlook Of last year or any other year.
The wisest and best procedure for the
farmer and stOckman is to be prepared for
the worst. UnfavOrable conditions have
come in the past and will come again in
the future. The losses attending unfavOr-
able weather are in direct proportion to
the unpreparedness Of producers to meet
such conditions. Reserves Of feed, mOis-
ture-in the way of summer fallow-and
capital are the only safeguards.
Certain agencies are predicting rather
gloomy weather prospects for 1927. The
prophets of doom are advising that this
will be the most severe winter in many
years and that there will be no summer
The same kind of prophecy was issGed fOI
1926. advising that 'For the country as 3
whole the winter Of 1926 is to be the most
severe in many years. Adding that there
will be no summer in 1926 and killing
frOStS will be experienced in each of the
summer months, the cold waves extending
as far south as the Gulf States. 1t was
stated that the main crops of the country
= might not reach maturity.
The year 1925 is now history. Weather
records show that the winter Of 1926 wa,
not materially different from other win
ters. Temperatures, for the most part
were normal. Precipitation was below tn,
aveage. Other than a few severe storms OF
Z the Atlantic cOast-sOmething that may b
! expected in some part Of the country ever,
1 winter-the storms Of the winter of 1872
5 were no more severe than in other years
; Last summer brought only the usual wealth
: er variations. Generally speaking, tn
u temperature was remarkably uniform
throughout June, July and August, an,
for the most part, slightly above norma.
Crops of wheat, cotton, and corn wer
large.
In Montana, after an abnormally war;
u winter, the summer was generally war;
and dry, ranging from drOuth in the south
east to very moist in the northwest areas
q The north central part Of the state, con
lmOnly thought Of as one Of the drier area
of the state, had a good supply Of mOistul
{ last year.
Thus, says Mr.. Patton, the weather my.
terry still remains a mystery. The wis
u farmer and stOckman will do well to fgul
on a year not very much different fro.
! other years. He will realize that pot
u crop seasons may come at any time an
~ that it is only the commonest kind of con
u mon sense to be so prepared that they wi
III do him the least possible damage WHIT
~ they do come.
On Whether it's cold or whether its hot.
81 We're bound to have weather, whether
or not.