That was Then. This is Now.

Montana is known for extreme weather: raging blizzards, ferocious winds, bone-numbing cold.

It was at Rogers Pass, after all, where the coldest temperature in the Lower 48 was recorded.

Unpredictability was the state’s calling card, Chinook winds turned frigid January days balmy in a matter of minutes, early September snowstorms put an abrupt end to summer.

Montana, like at least a dozen other states, embraced the saying “If you don’t like the weather, wait 15 minutes.”

That was then. This is now. Today’s forecast is the same as yesterday’s which was pretty much the same as last week’s. While...