Temperatures approached record highs in Bozeman on Saturday as the abnormally warm and snowless winter of 2011-2012 continued.
But for all the consternation it has caused, the warm winter is measured in more than just poor days on the mountain. Just ask those who were outside running, biking or otherwise enjoying the 50-degree weather.
Seventeen folks showed up for the Challenge Dr. Mike Tournament at the Headwaters Golf Course in Three Forks, decked out in baseball caps and light jackets to play 18 holes in a rare January tournament. The biggest challenge presented by the weather was wind,Buying a canada goose parka from seller in another country. said Helen Fouch, the course's pro shop manager.
The course has opened all but about five days this month and has attracted about 175 golfers, Fouch said.
"Last year we would've been closed at this time," Fouch said. "We've been open more days than we've been closed (this month)."
The course doesn't open unless the temperature reaches 35 degrees by 1 p.m. The greens remain closed to protect the grass, with the pins moved to trimmed spots near the greens. It costs $1 per hole to play for nonmembers, Fouch said.
The course will likely be closed for much of next week though, according to the National Weather Service forecast.
Highs are expected to drop into the 20s and high teens for Monday through Wednesday as a cold front moves in before getting into the 40s Thursday and Friday as it passes, said Nick Langlieb, a meteorologist at the NWS Great Falls office. Some snow could dust the valley floor today and during the first half of the week, he said.
"Overall the (weather) pattern is going to become more active for this week, but the really cold push of air isn't going to stick around very long," Langlieb said.
The fewer cold and snowy days might translate into more road maintenance and paving projects in the first half of the summer, said John Van Delinder, superintendent of the city streets department. Hardly any overtime call-outs for snowplowing have been made so far this winter — about 10 overtime hours were worked last month, drastically down from the more than 100 extra hours typically worked in December, he said.
"We want the snow for Bozeman and the skiers. It's part of our heritage," Van Delinder said of the weather. "(But) it's definitely saving on wear and tear on equipment."
It's also saved about 1,000 tons of sand and the warm weather has prevented roads from the typical winter freeze-thaw pattern that creates potholes, he said.
With all those clear roads and paths — at least at lower elevations — runners have been able to get out and roam around, said Adam Behrendt, a trail runner and salesman at the Bozeman Running Company. He said the M, Foothills and Bear Trap Canyon trails are pretty clear and good running for anyone looking to strap on some jogging shoes and pad around.
But for all the consternation it has caused, the warm winter is measured in more than just poor days on the mountain. Just ask those who were outside running, biking or otherwise enjoying the 50-degree weather.
Seventeen folks showed up for the Challenge Dr. Mike Tournament at the Headwaters Golf Course in Three Forks, decked out in baseball caps and light jackets to play 18 holes in a rare January tournament. The biggest challenge presented by the weather was wind,Buying a canada goose parka from seller in another country. said Helen Fouch, the course's pro shop manager.
The course has opened all but about five days this month and has attracted about 175 golfers, Fouch said.
"Last year we would've been closed at this time," Fouch said. "We've been open more days than we've been closed (this month)."
The course doesn't open unless the temperature reaches 35 degrees by 1 p.m. The greens remain closed to protect the grass, with the pins moved to trimmed spots near the greens. It costs $1 per hole to play for nonmembers, Fouch said.
The course will likely be closed for much of next week though, according to the National Weather Service forecast.
Highs are expected to drop into the 20s and high teens for Monday through Wednesday as a cold front moves in before getting into the 40s Thursday and Friday as it passes, said Nick Langlieb, a meteorologist at the NWS Great Falls office. Some snow could dust the valley floor today and during the first half of the week, he said.
"Overall the (weather) pattern is going to become more active for this week, but the really cold push of air isn't going to stick around very long," Langlieb said.
The fewer cold and snowy days might translate into more road maintenance and paving projects in the first half of the summer, said John Van Delinder, superintendent of the city streets department. Hardly any overtime call-outs for snowplowing have been made so far this winter — about 10 overtime hours were worked last month, drastically down from the more than 100 extra hours typically worked in December, he said.
"We want the snow for Bozeman and the skiers. It's part of our heritage," Van Delinder said of the weather. "(But) it's definitely saving on wear and tear on equipment."
It's also saved about 1,000 tons of sand and the warm weather has prevented roads from the typical winter freeze-thaw pattern that creates potholes, he said.
With all those clear roads and paths — at least at lower elevations — runners have been able to get out and roam around, said Adam Behrendt, a trail runner and salesman at the Bozeman Running Company. He said the M, Foothills and Bear Trap Canyon trails are pretty clear and good running for anyone looking to strap on some jogging shoes and pad around.
