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Weather & Climate in Anaconda-Deer Lodge County, MT
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Anaconda-Deer Lodge County has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 42°F (6°C). Winters average 25°F in January while summers reach 62°F in July. The area gets 273 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 16.5 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 8,865 feet.
Temperature
25°F Jan (-4°C)
62°F Jul (17°C)
| Annual Average | 42.0°F |
| 22% below US avg | |
| January Average | 25°F (-4°C) |
| July Average | 62°F (17°C) |
| Sunny Days | 273 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 8,865 ft (2,702 m) |
| Area | 741.2 sq mi (1,919.7 km²) |
| Population Density | 13/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 46.0947°N, 113.1416°W |
| Timezone | America/Denver |
| County | Deer Lodge County County |
| Nearest Airport | Helena Regional (HLN) 66 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 26.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 17.6 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 53.4 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 34.9 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Very Low |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | Very Low |
| Drought | Very Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Relatively Low |
| Avalanche | Relatively High |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
527 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M5.8.
| Jul 6, 2017 | 11 km SE of Lincoln, Montana | M5.8 | 98 km | 12 km |
| Jul 26, 2005 | 16 km N of Dillon, Montana | M5.6 | 91 km | 13 km |
| Aug 20, 1999 | 22 km NW of Lima, Montana | M5.1 | 148 km | 16 km |
| Jul 6, 2017 | 15 km S of Lincoln, Montana | M5.0 | 88 km | 15 km |
| May 8, 2007 | 8 km NNW of Alder, Montana | M4.4 | 111 km | 14 km |
| Jul 6, 2017 | 14 km SE of Lincoln, Montana | M4.4 | 96 km | 10 km |
| Jan 30, 2016 | 19 km E of Lincoln, Montana | M4.3 | 110 km | 2 km |
| Oct 28, 1998 | 18 km S of Whitehall, Montana | M4.3 | 90 km | 5 km |
| Aug 16, 2019 | 4 km NW of Manhattan, Montana | M4.2 | 139 km | 2 km |
| Jun 18, 2006 | 6 km S of Pony, Montana | M4.1 | 111 km | 12 km |
| Apr 8, 2000 | 8 km ENE of Townsend, Montana | M4.1 | 136 km | 5 km |
| Aug 6, 2019 | 3 km NW of Manhattan, Montana | M4.1 | 140 km | 5 km |
| Oct 7, 2024 | 11 km E of Dillon, Montana | M4.1 | 109 km | 17 km |
| Sep 3, 2016 | 16 km S of Whitehall, Montana | M4.0 | 89 km | 8 km |
| Jul 19, 2002 | 43 km NE of Seeley Lake, Montana | M4.0 | 149 km | 25 km |
| Jul 6, 2017 | 14 km SSE of Lincoln, Montana | M4.0 | 93 km | 9 km |
| Aug 26, 1999 | 21 km NW of Lima, Montana | M4.0 | 149 km | 12 km |
| Jul 14, 2019 | 11 km NNE of Manhattan, Montana | M4.0 | 145 km | 6 km |
| Jul 17, 2017 | 12 km ESE of Lincoln, Montana | M4.0 | 100 km | 13 km |
| Jan 18, 2006 | 18 km NNE of Dillon, Montana | M4.0 | 95 km | 9 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
19 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2. Total: 1 injury.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jun 23, 1975 | EF2 | 94 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 14, 1962 | EF2 | 80 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| May 19, 1962 | EF2 | 95 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 3, 1988 | EF1 | 83 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Jun 28, 1982 | EF1 | 50 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 6, 1976 | EF1 | 83 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| May 29, 1965 | EF1 | 58 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 20, 2018 | EF0 | 58 km | 0.8 mi | 0 |
| Sep 15, 1997 | EF0 | 24 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 19, 1997 | EF0 | 100 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 9, 1992 | EF0 | 100 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| May 16, 1991 | EF0 | 39 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Aug 15, 1990 | EF0 | 81 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Oct 16, 1988 | EF0 | 80 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Aug 11, 1988 | EF0 | 37 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| May 4, 1971 | EF0 | 63 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 14, 1962 | EF0 | 80 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| May 17, 1962 | EF0 | 40 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 2, 1959 | EF0 | 82 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950-2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: VALLEY COMPLEX (BEAR) (118,045 acres, 2000).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2000 | VALLEY COMPLEX (BEAR) | 118,045 | 73 km |
| 2017 | MEYERS | 68,711 | 34 km |
| 2007 | SAWMILL COMPLEX (WYMAN 2) | 68,236 | 60 km |
| 2000 | MUSSIGBROD COMPLEX (MUSSIGBROD) | 64,810 | 42 km |
| 2000 | SULA COMPLEX (MAYNARD) | 62,967 | 72 km |
| 2021 | TRAIL CREEK | 62,432 | 71 km |
| 2021 | ALDER CREEK | 38,189 | 33 km |
| 2017 | LITTLE HOGBACK | 34,646 | 51 km |
| 2007 | ROMBO MOUNTAIN | 28,215 | 85 km |
| 2021 | HAYSTACK | 26,118 | 71 km |
| 2007 | RAT CREEK | 25,929 | 63 km |
| 2003 | COONEY RIDGE | 25,741 | 83 km |
| 2000 | TAYLOR SPRINGS FIRES | 22,598 | 90 km |
| 2000 | VALLEY COMPLEX (COYOTE) | 20,601 | 54 km |
| 2022 | TRAIL RIDGE | 19,532 | 64 km |
| 2000 | RYAN GULCH | 16,440 | 75 km |
| 2007 | PATTENGAIL CREEK | 13,471 | 44 km |
| 2011 | FORTY ONE COMPLEX | 12,679 | 57 km |
| 2005 | SIGNAL ROCK | 12,653 | 48 km |
| 2000 | MIDDLE FORK COMPLEX (COUGAR CREEK) | 11,655 | 45 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 25°F (-4°C) | 0.9 in | |
| February | 22°F (-6°C) | 0.7 in | Driest |
| March | 25°F (-4°C) | 1.0 in | |
| April | 31°F (-0°C) | 1.2 in | |
| May | 39°F (4°C) | 2.3 in | |
| June | 48°F (9°C) | 2.4 in | Wettest |
| July | 62°F (17°C) | 1.4 in | Warmest |
| August | 55°F (13°C) | 1.6 in | |
| September | 46°F (8°C) | 1.5 in | |
| October | 37°F (3°C) | 1.0 in | |
| November | 25°F (-4°C) | 0.9 in | |
| December | 18°F (-8°C) | 1.0 in | Coldest |
Anaconda-Deer Lodge County has a seasonal temperature swing of 44°F / from 18°F in December to 62°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 15.9 inches, with June being the wettest month (2.4") and February the driest (0.7").