When the Treasure State temperatures start falling, Montanans notice instantly. The long summer days seem like a distant memory when the beautiful fall colors begin to wither, leaving (pun intended) bare trees in their place. But when do we notice that it's too cold in Montana? This is what locals say when asked...

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You Finally Justify Leaving The Heat On All Day

Credit: Benny Edwin
Credit: Benny Edwin
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We all have our breaking points when it comes to dealing with cold, and it varies from person to person. Even if you hold out as long as you can (well into November) because you know what the energy bills look like during a Montana winter, we all want to come home to a warm home. Eventually the time comes when you cave and justify leaving the heat on all day, because doing that is less expensive than turning it off and on (which just wastes energy.)

RELATED: Montanans Fight The Energy Vampires This Year

When The Diesel Gels Up

Credit: Kristina Facundus via Facebook / Canva
Credit: Kristina Facundus via Facebook / Canva
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First off, kudos to Kristina for being a Montana winter trooper! Second, it can get to these temperatures (-30°) in winter in Montana. Diesel fuel is more viscous than gasoline, and when it gets down to around -15° it can become crystallized, clogging fuel lines in buses and big rigs.

You Break Out The Ice Fishing Gear

Credit: Hert Niks via Unsplash / Lisa Ann Cloo via Facebook
Credit: Hert Niks via Unsplash / Lisa Ann Cloo via Facebook / Canva
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Flathead Lake can get iced over along the east and west shores, and there's still fish in there. You'll want to double check with Montana Fish Wildlife & Parks for current regulations and to make sure you have the appropriate license before going ice fishing.

When You Start Noticing Visible Exhaust

Credit: Benny Edwin
Credit: Benny Edwin
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It's the same principle as when we see fog in the Bitterroot Valley: hot air mixing with cold air. Your tailpipe can be as hot as 400°, and when the hot exhaust meets outside temps around 35° you get that visible haze. The colder the air outside, the thicker the exhaust. Is this your "it's too cold" barometer?

Arrrgh...Socks

Credit: Benny Edwin / Sierra Keating via Facebook
Credit: Benny Edwin / Sierra Keating via Facebook
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Yep, we hear you Sierra. It's likely that your tan line will last longer than mine will under socks and long pants. Speaking of pants...ugh pants.

We Can Hack It In Montana

Credit: Alan Rodriguez via Unsplash / Gracene Long via Facebook / Canva
Credit: Alan Rodriguez via Unsplash / Gracene Long via Facebook / Canva
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Depending on who you ask, chopping your own firewood can sure beat dropping serious cash on wood pellets. Oh that cut on my finger? Yes, its from an axe. I swear it was a mistake.

How do you know its too cold in Montana? Let us know in the comments.

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