The Continental Divide results in different climatic conditions to the west of the Divide than to the east. West of the Divide maritime air masses from the Pacific dominate, creating lots of precipitation as air is forced to rise over the mountains. This area is the wettest part of Montana (Carrara, 1989). Winter is the wettest time of year resulting in high snow fall (Carrara, 1989).

East of the Divide drier conditions prevail. Air that was moist on the western side of the Divide, sinks on the eastern side creating warm, dry conditions and Chinook winds. Precipitation comes primarily from maritime tropical air originating in the Gulf of Mexico, thus the wet season occurs in late spring to early summer. This maritime tropical air occasionally results in heavy precipitation and severe flooding when it rains on late-lying snowpack (Carrara, 1989).

Created March 12, 1999 by Karen A. Lemke (klemke@uwsp.edu). Last updated March 12, 1999 by KAL.
The URL for this page is http:/www.uwsp.edu/geo/faculty/lemke/gnp_vft/general_information/climate.html