By: Schuyler Swanson
Despite the fact that Punxsutawney Phil, the world’s most famous groundhog, did not see his shadow on Groundhog Day this year, (thereby predicting an early spring), spring still feels light years away here in Missoula, Montana. Missoula just wrapped up one of the coldest and snowiest Februarys in recent memory, thanks to a series of arctic fronts. According to the National Weather Service of Missoula, Missoula broke a new record for most snowfall in a single day on February 25th, accumulating a total of 8.6 inches. This beat the previous long-standing record of 8 inches set back in 1917. Additionally, NWS Missoula has also noted that Missoula received more snow in the month of February than in December and January combined. It hasn’t all been bad though, as the snow has caused a number of school closures, likely to the joy of many kids. Also, the Missoulian recently reported that the snowpack is 103 percent of normal in the mountains located in the Missoula and Bitterroot Basins to the delight of local ski resorts and skiers alike.
