Spring in Montana

It’s springtime in Montana, and much like where I grew up in Michigan, that means the weather will likely change every 5 minutes. This morning, when I left my house for campus, it was sunny with blue skies for as far as the eye could see. It rained while I was in a 2 hour meeting, and was overcast when I walked outside. During my 40 minute lunch on the 2nd floor of the UC, it rained again, hailed, snowed, and rained once more.

Forgetful of Montana spring weather, I left the house ill-prepared. When I was ready to head home from the UC, I stayed an extra 15 minutes waiting for the rain to stop. It didn’t. So I headed back into the Bookstore to buy a baseball hat to make the 45 minute walk home more bearable. No sooner did I pay and adjust the hat to my head, than the sun came out and rendered the hat unnecessary. Oh well, it’s a cute hat. Maybe next time it’ll rain hard enough to warrant purchasing the maroon Under Armor hooded jacket I’ve been coveting.

Mother Nature provided a poignant reminder of springtime necessities. I advise you carry the following gear from now until about July 1 when spring ends:

• Umbrella
• Rain coat and pants for heavy rain
• Wear waterproof shoes. If you succumb to the fashion over function temptation, at least carry some little rubber booties to go over your shoes in case of inclement weather
• Baseball cap in case of light rain that doesn’t warrant an umbrella or the rain gear
• Knit (preferably handknit) hat for those times when the temperature drops 20 degrees in 20 minutes and your ears feel like they might fall off
• Down coat and snowpants in the event of a snowstorm. As a bonus, you’ll be prepared for impromptu sledding or skiing
• Dress in layers, with a tank under your long sleeve shirt, sweatshirt AND sweater so you can take advantage of the brief 70 degree heat and get a kick-start on your summer tan
• Handknit scarf, both light and heavyweight. The former in case it gets chilly, the latter for the inevitable freeze-your-ass-off cold that blows in unexpectedly.
• Sunglasses with interchangeable lenses for overcast skies
• Mittens or gloves

Carrying these items at all times should keep you from being caught off guard by Mother Nature. “Should” being the key word….in Montana, you just never know…