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. The area gets 311 sunny days per year, well above the U.S. average of 205 / making it one of the sunnier locations in the country. Annual precipitation totals 13.0 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 26 / among the cleanest air in the country. 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)
Sunny Days	311 days/yr

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

Annual Rainfall 13.0"

66% below US avg

Wettest Month (Jun) 2.36"

Driest Month (Feb) 0.43"

Air Quality

AQI Median	26.0
Rating	Good

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)	0.6 in
February	25°F (-4°C)	0.4 in	Driest
March	31°F (-1°C)	0.8 in
April	38°F (3°C)	1.1 in
May	47°F (8°C)	2.2 in
June	55°F (13°C)	2.4 in	Wettest
July	65°F (18°C)	1.5 in	Warmest
August	61°F (16°C)	1.4 in
September	52°F (11°C)	1.3 in
October	43°F (6°C)	0.9 in
November	30°F (-1°C)	0.8 in
December	22°F (-6°C)	0.6 in	Coldest

Alder has a seasonal temperature swing of 43°F / from 22°F in December to 65°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 14.0 inches, with June being the wettest month (2.4") and February the driest (0.4").

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