Here’s 8 States That Have Longer And Harsher Winters Than Montana

Winter can be brutal here in Montana with lots of wind, snow, and temperatures well below zero. In fact, that alone should be a word of warning for those thinking of moving here from warmer climates.

A lot goes into being prepared to live in a state with rough winters and if you've never done it before, you certainly need to make sure that you are prepared. You need to make sure you have the right tires, vehicle, and winter clothing. Plus, I would highly suggest you learn how to drive in winter conditions before moving to a state that celebrates winter 6 months out of the year.

And while winters can be very rough here in Montana, we don't even crack the Top 5 for States With The Most Brutal Winters.

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Simplemost.com has a list of the Top 10 States With The Most Brutal Winters and Montana comes in 9th.  So, which 8 states rank higher than Montana when it comes to brutal winters? Let's take a look.

Idaho

Montana's neighbor ranks one sport higher when it comes to brutality during the winter months. The reason? Apparently, the cold. Although folks from Idaho will remind you that even those their winters are worse, they do a much better job of cleaning the roads than we do here in Montana.

Wisconsin

Everyone knows it gets really cold in the Cheese State.  Throw in the snow and the high humidity and that is some of that "bone-chilling" cold that you hear folks talking about. So what do you do in that type of weather? You drink.  Wisconsin always makes the list of the drunkest states as well.

South Dakota

The Badlands can certainly be dangerous during the winter months.  If you've ever traveled through South Dakota, then you know that wind is usually a factor.  So, just imagine driving across South Dakota with the wind AND blowing snow.

Maine

This northeastern coastal state is known for its delicious lobsters and beautiful lighthouses. It's also known for having brutal winters. Mix the location with the north Atlantic winds coming in from the ocean and you going to have heavy snowfall and freezing temperatures.

North Dakota

Much like South Dakota, it always seems to be windy in North Dakota, which results in some incredibly cold temperatures.  Take the city of Grand Forks for instance, which is considered the coldest city in the lower 48.  With large amounts of snow and windchills that reach 80 below on a regular basis, North Dakota is certainly not for the weak.

Alaska

We all knew that Alaska would make the list, but you might be surprised to find out that it only ranks 3rd.  Alaska, which is the biggest state in the nation has millions and millions of acres that are unoccupied.  Winter is long in Alaska and lacks sunlight, which can result in depression.

Michigan

Michigan comes in 2nd, and according to the report, it's not because of the snow or temperature, it's because, during the winter months, the sun only shines 51 percent of the time.  Gloomy weather can certainly make winter seem longer and more brutal.

Minnesota

Coming in 1st on the list is Minnesota.  There is no doubt that winters are rough in the Land of 10 Thousand Lakes. With sub-zero temperatures and feet of snow each winter, Minnesota is certainly an acquired taste during the winter months.