Mission Valley residents took an early polar plunge this week as an Arctic weather system barreled south, delivering what threatened to be historically cold temperatures across Montana.

According to the National Weather Service, the first day of winter, Wednesday, Dec. 21, was expected to bring a high of minus 1 and a low of minus 17 in Polson. The chance of snow on Wednesday was just 20 percent, but wind gusts of up to 32 mph were predicted, portending wind chill values as low as minus 30.

Thursday’s forecast called for a daytime high of minus 8, and a nighttime low of minus 13. By Friday, it warms up to 22, and Christmas day could be in the high 20s.

In Ronan, forecasters predicted nighttime lows of minus 28 on Wednesday and minus 22 on Thursday.

“Thank God there are hardy people out there”

For Lake County Extension agent Jack Stivers, a big concern is for livestock, which need up to 20% more feed when temperatures drop into the subzero zone. Windbreaks, bedding and fresh water will also help critters weather the deep freeze.

Forking out additional feed, especially during a winter that arrived early, could pose problems later in the season, however. “You’ve got to hope everyone has enough feed supplies to take them through to green grass, but when the weather drops like this, you can’t hold back,” he says. Fortunately, few ranchers calve this early.

“Equipment doesn’t start, things are brittle because of the cold weather. It all adds up,” he says. “Thanks God there are hardy people out there making a living at farming and ranching.”

Stivers says the snow provides “welcome insulation on the soil,” protecting everything from winter wheat to alfalfa stands to perennials. Trees, on the other hand, could take a hit on branch tips and limbs and more vulnerable species might not survive.

“When leaves stay on the trees like they did this winter, it’s not good for them,” he says. As leaves change color and drop naturally during a long fall, they send energy into the root system. “There’s a process they have to go through, and when that’s not done, they’re a little more susceptible.”

Stivers says he’s often asked if cold weather will wither the insect population. While the big chill might decrease bug populations and their food sources some, it’s not a panacea.

“It’s got to be a lot colder than predicted for a lot longer period of time to really damage populations of insects such as the pine bark beetle.” Many pests “have built in weather regulators or a form of antifreeze that keeps them dormant during these cold weather strikes that we’re having,” he adds. “Still, you’ve got to hope it’s going to knock out some of their population.”

Subzero temperatures “are just really hard on livestock, hard on humans, hard on tires, hard on highways,” he says. Pipes, powerlines and fuel sources also get hammered. “It’s not cheap either – it’s hard on the pocketbook.”

On a positive note, he adds, “A lot of times I think of it as just one less day until spring.”

Leave early, slow down and be prepared

Mark Clary, director of emergency services for Lake County, says the dispatch center always fields more calls when weather conditions worsen and roads get slick.

“I advise drivers to slow down, leave earlier, and prepare for an accident by having cold weather gear and supplies in an emergency kit in their cars,” he says, noting that it’s also important to allow for more braking distance between vehicles. “Plow-truck drivers are working hard to clear roads, but they have many miles to do and only so many workers.”

“First responders are always prepared and ready to answer the call but remember, there are only so many of them as well,” he adds.

He urges senior citizens to keep in touch with family and friends (or vice versa). “If people don’t have to go out in the cold, it’s best to stay home and stay warm. “

Schools debate travel plans

Schools across the Mission Valley are preparing for the winter break this week and making decisions about how the weather might impact bus travel.

St. Ignatius superintendent Jason Sargent says schools there get out at 2:15 p.m. Wednesday. “We’re asking parents to bundle up the kids on that day,” he says.

The high school has basketball games in Plains on Thursday and Eureka on Friday, “but we’ve notified schools that if we feel it is not safe we will be cancelling and have dates to reschedule planned.”

School buses, especially those fueled with diesel, can balk at running in these temperatures, but Sargent says the district’s transportation contractor is confident the buses can handle the cold. His other concern is frozen pipes. “But they have seen these temperatures before, so I'm optimistic that the pipes will be fine.”

Ronan and Polson students get out Thursday for winter break. In Ronan, the only weather-related adjustment was bumping Tuesday’s doubleheader against Browning to an earlier start time of 1 p.m. so those teams could head home earlier.

Polson superintendent Mike Cutler said the district was keeping a close eye on the forecast and expected to decide by Wednesday whether to postpone Thursday’s basketball games in Columbia Falls.

Charlo superintendent Steve Love was philosophical about the impending storm. “When it comes to weather, we cross one bridge at a time,” he said. “What’s the old saying? If you don't like the weather in Montana, wait five minutes!”

With three road trips planned this week – basketball in Philipsburg on Tuesday, wrestling in Bigfork Thursday, and basketball in Hot Springs Friday – student athletes were encouraged to bring extra winter clothes including mittens, hats, scarves, blankets and sleeping bags. “That way if there are issues on the road they can stay warm.”

He said parents always send extra food and water in totes and coolers, and coaches and bus drivers weigh their options, keeping a close eye on forecasts and road reports. “We might leave earlier. We might move starting times. If necessary, we have to sometimes make decisions to cancel,” Love said. “There is no text book or manual to follow. Just get as much information as possible then make the decision.”

As to keeping the buses running, he said they’re plugged in when not in use, and all are equipped with on-demand chains.

“We are Montanans, so we just do our best to be prepared for old man winter when he's cranky.”