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ARS Home » Plains Area » Miles City, Montana » Livestock and Range Research Laboratory » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #153615
Title: CLIMATE DIAGRAM - MILES CITY, MT

Author
item Haferkamp, Marshall

Submitted to: Research Update for Fort Keogh Livestock and Range Research Laboratory
Publication Type: Popular Publication
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/1/2002
Publication Date: 1/15/2003
Citation: HAFERKAMP, M.R. CLIMATE DIAGRAM - MILES CITY, MT. RESEARCH UPDATE FOR FORT KEOGH LIVESTOCK AND RANGE RESEARCH LABORATORY. p. 9. 2003.

Interpretive Summary: Research conducted across the Great Plains has shown precipitation and temperature are the main factors affecting plant growth and development. A climate diagram was constructed with long-term (96-year) climate records from Miles City, Montana. The diagram describes the climate of the area. Maximum precipitation occurs in May and June. Greater than 0.8 inches occurs during April, July, August, September, and October and less than 0.8 inches occurs during January, February, March, November, and December. Monthly average temperatures are warmer than 68 F in July and August. Average minimum temperatures are below freezing in January, February, March, November, and December. Absolute minimum temperatures are below freezing in April, May, September, and October, or in other words freezes often occur during these months. Climate diagrams allow comparisons of potential periods of vegetation production among different geographical areas. However, we also need to know the plant species composition for each area. Remember some plant species such as western wheatgrass (cool season) grow better in cooler temperatures and others such as blue grama (warm season) grow better in warmer temperatures.

Technical Abstract: Research conducted across the Great Plains has shown precipitation and temperature are the main factors affecting plant growth and development. A climate diagram was constructed with long-term (96-year) climate records from Miles City, Montana. The diagram describes the climate of the area. Maximum precipitation occurs in May and June. Greater than 0.8 inches occurs during April, July, August, September, and October and less than 0.8 inches occurs during January, February, March, November, and December. Monthly average temperatures are warmer than 68 F in July and August. Average minimum temperatures are below freezing in January, February, March, November, and December. Absolute minimum temperatures are below freezing in April, May, September, and October, or in other words freezes often occur during these months. Climate diagrams allow comparisons of potential periods of vegetation production among different geographical areas. However, we also need to know the plant species composition for each area. Remember some plant species such as western wheatgrass (cool season) grow better in cooler temperatures and others such as blue grama (warm season) grow better in warmer temperatures.