Weather & Climate in Alder, MT
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Alder has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 43°F (6°C). Winters average 25°F in January while summers reach 65°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 13.0 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 64.7 inches of snow annually, making winter weather a significant factor for residents. The city sits at an elevation of 5,127 feet.
Temperature
25°F Jan (-4°C)
65°F Jul (18°C)
| Annual Average | 43.0°F |
| 20% below US avg | |
| January Average | 25°F (-4°C) |
| July Average | 65°F (18°C) |
Geography
| Elevation | 5,127 ft (1,563 m) |
| Area | 2.0 sq mi (5.2 km²) |
| Population Density | 54/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 45.3216°N, 112.1092°W |
| Timezone | America/Denver |
| County | Beaverhead County County |
| Nearest Airport | Bozeman Yellowstone International (BZN) 56 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 42.9 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 77.2 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 24.0 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Very Low |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively High |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | Very Low |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | Relatively Moderate |
| Volcano | Very Low |
| Avalanche | Relatively High |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
949 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M5.6.
| Jul 26, 2005 | 16 km N of Dillon, Montana | M5.6 | 40 km | 13 km |
| Aug 20, 1999 | 22 km NW of Lima, Montana | M5.1 | 80 km | 16 km |
| Mar 30, 2014 | 22 km S of Mammoth, Wyoming | M4.8 | 128 km | 6 km |
| Apr 9, 2019 | 9 km NE of Lima, Montana | M4.6 | 76 km | 14 km |
| Feb 5, 2006 | 44 km NE of Spencer, Idaho | M4.4 | 73 km | 14 km |
| Apr 5, 2011 | 28 km NNE of Spencer, Idaho | M4.4 | 79 km | 12 km |
| May 8, 2007 | 8 km NNW of Alder, Montana | M4.4 | 8 km | 14 km |
| Jun 16, 2017 | 12 km E of Hebgen Lake Estates, Montana | M4.4 | 104 km | 9 km |
| Jun 13, 2016 | 45 km W of Hebgen Lake Estates, Montana | M4.3 | 71 km | 10 km |
| Oct 28, 1998 | 18 km S of Whitehall, Montana | M4.3 | 42 km | 5 km |
| Nov 24, 2000 | 24 km S of Mammoth, Wyoming | M4.2 | 128 km | 9 km |
| Aug 16, 2019 | 4 km NW of Manhattan, Montana | M4.2 | 86 km | 2 km |
| Jul 14, 2023 | 3 km S of Lima, Montana | M4.2 | 88 km | 12 km |
| Oct 7, 2024 | 11 km E of Dillon, Montana | M4.1 | 31 km | 17 km |
| Aug 6, 2019 | 3 km NW of Manhattan, Montana | M4.1 | 85 km | 5 km |
| Apr 8, 2000 | 8 km ENE of Townsend, Montana | M4.1 | 126 km | 5 km |
| Aug 30, 1997 | 25 km WNW of Hebgen Lake Estates, Montana | M4.1 | 72 km | 4 km |
| Jun 18, 2006 | 6 km S of Pony, Montana | M4.1 | 35 km | 12 km |
| Sep 3, 2016 | 16 km S of Whitehall, Montana | M4.0 | 45 km | 8 km |
| Jan 18, 2006 | 18 km NNE of Dillon, Montana | M4.0 | 32 km | 9 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
15 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| May 19, 1962 | EF2 | 46 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 6, 1976 | EF1 | 100 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| May 29, 1965 | EF1 | 69 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 15, 1960 | EF1 | 91 km | 1.3 mi | 0 |
| Aug 6, 2023 | EF0 | 76 km | 1.6 mi | 0 |
| Jul 10, 2016 | EF0 | 44 km | 0.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 29, 1999 | EF0 | 37 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Jul 19, 1997 | EF0 | 59 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 2, 1997 | EF0 | 87 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 2, 1997 | EF0 | 87 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Sep 5, 1995 | EF0 | 79 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| May 17, 1994 | EF0 | 84 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 6, 1993 | EF0 | 76 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 29, 1992 | EF0 | 28 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 2, 1959 | EF0 | 68 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950-2024, US only).
Nearby Volcanoes
1 volcano within 200 km. Closest: Yellowstone (151 km).
| Name | Type | Elevation | Last Eruption | Distance |
| Yellowstone | Caldera(s) | 2,805 m (9,203 ft) | -1350 | 151 km |
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: ALDER CREEK (38,189 acres, 2021).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2021 | ALDER CREEK | 38,189 | 97 km |
| 2021 | HAYSTACK | 26,118 | 94 km |
| 1988 | FAN | 20,422 | 96 km |
| 2012 | BEAR TRAP 2 | 14,875 | 53 km |
| 2006 | CLARKS CANYON | 14,848 | 57 km |
| 2007 | PATTENGAIL CREEK | 13,471 | 95 km |
| 2006 | BIG CREEK | 13,424 | 97 km |
| 2003 | WINSLOW | 11,794 | 86 km |
| 2012 | MILLIE | 10,497 | 83 km |
| 2000 | BEAVER CREEK | 9,568 | 77 km |
| 2015 | EUSTIS | 8,469 | 94 km |
| 1988 | SWEETWATER | 8,405 | 35 km |
| 2015 | COTTONWOOD GULCH | 8,100 | 91 km |
| 2021 | GOOSE | 7,817 | 77 km |
| 2018 | MONUMENT | 6,973 | 41 km |
| 2018 | BACON RIND | 6,380 | 88 km |
| 2013 | EUREKA | 6,213 | 56 km |
| 2020 | SOURDOUGH | 5,755 | 99 km |
| 2001 | PURDY CREEK | 4,868 | 75 km |
| 2015 | BEAR LAKE | 4,695 | 90 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 25°F (-4°C) | 0.4 in | Driest |
| February | 26°F (-3°C) | 0.5 in | |
| March | 35°F (2°C) | 0.7 in | |
| April | 41°F (5°C) | 1.1 in | |
| May | 50°F (10°C) | 1.8 in | |
| June | 57°F (14°C) | 2.3 in | Wettest |
| July | 65°F (18°C) | 1.4 in | Warmest |
| August | 64°F (18°C) | 1.2 in | |
| September | 55°F (13°C) | 1.2 in | |
| October | 44°F (6°C) | 1.0 in | |
| November | 32°F (-0°C) | 0.7 in | |
| December | 23°F (-5°C) | 0.7 in | Coldest |
Alder has a seasonal temperature swing of 42°F / from 23°F in December to 65°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 13.0 inches, with June being the wettest month (2.3") and January the driest (0.4").