Meteorologist Mike Heard - What’s in his Forecast after 38 Years in Local News

For 38 years, Mike Heard was the most trusted voice in southwest Montana weather — chief meteorologist for KBZK and KXLF, the forecast an entire region planned its week around. In June 2026, his position was eliminated in a statewide downsizing. He didn't see it coming: "0% chance," in his words.Mike joins Outlaw Beat to talk about growing up in Butte, getting hired with zero TV experience, and why forecasting Bozeman is so hard (southwest Montana is a radar desert). We cover the super El Niño threatening this ski season, why there's been no snow on Christmas in Bozeman, what a microburst actually is, and Mike’s brutally honest forecast for the future of local television. Plus, he plays along in "Cloudy with a Chance of BS," where he rates your favorite weather folklore — and a science teacher finally stumps him.Watch the full interview: ExploreBigSky.com/episodes/mikeheardFollow Mike's new venture, Heard's First Forecast, for hyper-local southwest Montana weather here:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61590004850751Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/15587640/joinAnd treat your feet to handcrafted, made-in-Texas leather boots at downtown Bozeman’s Lucchese. lucchese.com Follow us on instagram: @outlawbeatpodcastOur barn at EBS: https://www.explorebigsky.com/outlaw-podcastsHelp us corral more listeners like yourself by subscribing and then reviewing us wherever you get your podcasts.Still need more links? Okay here's one more. https://www.hoarymarmot.net/