Musselshell, MT

Full City Profile · Montana · Musselshell County County

3.8 /5.0
B+ Good
34 Population 13/sq mi density
47°F Avg Temperature
B+
Overall
3.8 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Education
3.8 / 5.0
35.3% bachelor's degree or higher
Musselshell experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 47°F (8°C). Winters average 25°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 15.5 inches. The area receives 42.9 inches of snow annually.

Temperature

25°F Jan (-4°C) 73°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average47.2°F
13% below US avg
January Average25°F (-4°C)
July Average73°F (23°C)

Geography

Elevation3,056 ft (931 m)
Area2.6 sq mi (6.6 km²)
Population Density13/sq mi
Coordinates46.4942°N, 108.0963°W
TimezoneAmerica/Denver
CountyMusselshell County County
Nearest AirportBillings Logan International (BIL)
52 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 15.5"
59% below US avg
Snowfall 42.9"
Wettest Month (May) 2.92"
Driest Month (Feb) 0.44"

Air Quality

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskVery Low
Risk Score17.1 / 100
Social Vulnerability74.3 / 100
Community Resilience25.1 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado Very Low
Earthquake Very Low
Wildfire Relatively Moderate
Flood Very Low
Hail Relatively Low
Strong Wind Very Low
Heat Wave Very Low
Winter Weather Relatively Moderate
Lightning Relatively Moderate
Ice Storm Very Low
Drought Very Low
Cold Wave Relatively Moderate
Landslide Relatively Low
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

5 earthquakes (M2.5+) within 150 km since 1990. Strongest: M3.6. Most recent: M3.2 on Jul 21, 2023.

Jul 6, 2021 27 km SSE of Melstone, Montana M3.6 30 km
Dec 23, 1991 10 km SW of Colstrip, Montana M3.6 130 km
Jul 21, 2023 Eastern Montana M3.2 125 km
May 21, 2013 32 km NE of Melstone, Montana M2.8 54 km
Oct 16, 2011 Eastern Montana M2.7 104 km
Source: USGS (M2.5+, 1990-2025)

Tornado History

41 tornadoes (EF0+) within 100 km since 1950. Strongest: EF3. Total: 2 injuries.

Date Rating Distance Fatalities
Jun 16, 1965 EF3 83 km 0
Jun 20, 2010 EF2 82 km 0
May 4, 1986 EF2 16 km 0
Aug 7, 1962 EF2 93 km 0
Jul 2, 1958 EF2 83 km 0
May 21, 2016 EF1 30 km 0
Jun 22, 1996 EF1 91 km 0
Jul 9, 1991 EF1 93 km 0
Jun 21, 1991 EF1 86 km 0
Jun 21, 1991 EF1 84 km 0
May 24, 1990 EF1 65 km 0
Jul 6, 1955 EF1 70 km 0
Jul 6, 1955 EF1 70 km 0
Jul 7, 2020 EF0 83 km 0
Jul 7, 2020 EF0 58 km 0
Jul 8, 2013 EF0 22 km 0
Jun 6, 2011 EF0 67 km 0
Jun 6, 2011 EF0 92 km 0
Jun 28, 2005 EF0 62 km 0
Jun 25, 2005 EF0 79 km 0
Source: NOAA SPC (EF0+, 1950-2024)

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) within 100 km. Largest: BRIDGE COULEE (222,571 ac, 2017).

Year Name Acres Distance
2017 BRIDGE COULEE 222,571 80 km
1984 HAWK CREEK 157,778 30 km
2008 DUNN MTN. ASSIST 105,494 32 km
2006 PINE RIDGE COMPLEX 103,074 62 km
2006 BUNDY RAILROAD 91,575 41 km
2021 P F 66,375 91 km
2012 DELPHIA 40,396 10 km
2020 BOBCAT 31,020 30 km
1999 FISHEL CREEK 28,611 3 km
2021 MUSSELSHELL TRAIL RD 22,723 39 km
2012 DAHL 21,448 43 km
2006 LODGEPOLE (BLACK PULASKI COMPLEX) 15,248 95 km
2022 BUSMAN ROAD 12,584 55 km
2020 GASS FLATS 10,723 91 km
1996 COLFAX 8,429 100 km
1994 GRIERSON 7,985 34 km
2003 JONNY 7,689 73 km
2017 CRYING 7,497 91 km
1998 BURNT SHED 6,395 15 km
2015 3 HL TIN CAN UNIT F PRESCRIBED FIRE 5,911 79 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN (100+ acres)

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 25°F (-4°C) 0.5 in Coldest
February 27°F (-3°C) 0.4 in Driest
March 37°F (3°C) 0.8 in
April 46°F (8°C) 1.8 in
May 55°F (13°C) 2.9 in Wettest
June 64°F (18°C) 2.8 in
July 73°F (23°C) 1.5 in Warmest
August 71°F (22°C) 1.1 in
September 61°F (16°C) 1.2 in
October 47°F (9°C) 1.3 in
November 35°F (2°C) 0.6 in
December 26°F (-3°C) 0.5 in

Musselshell has a seasonal temperature swing of 48°F / from 25°F in January to 73°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 15.5 inches, with May being the wettest month (2.9") and February the driest (0.4").

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