Weather & Climate in Ashland, MT

Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.

Ashland experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 47°F (8°C). Winters average 23°F in January while summers reach 72°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 15.5 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 40.4 inches of snow annually, making winter weather a significant factor for residents. 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 2,981 feet.

Temperature

23°F Jan (-5°C) 72°F Jul (22°C)

Annual Average	46.6°F
	14% below US avg
January Average	23°F (-5°C)
July Average	72°F (22°C)
Sunny Days	311 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	2,981 ft (909 m)
Area	20.7 sq mi (53.5 km²)
Population Density	46/sq mi
Coordinates	45.5977°N, 106.2975°W
Timezone	America/Denver
County	Powder River County County
Nearest Airport	Sheridan County (SHR) 66 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 15.5"

59% below US avg

Snowfall 40.4"

Wettest Month (Jun) 2.64"

Driest Month (Feb) 0.51"

Air Quality

AQI Median	26.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Very Low
Risk Score	4.0 / 100
Social Vulnerability	16.3 / 100
Community Resilience	2.7 / 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 Low
Lightning	Very Low
Ice Storm	Very Low
Drought	Very Low
Cold Wave	Relatively Low
Landslide	Very Low
Avalanche	Very Low

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

14 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.0.

Aug 22, 2009	20 km SSE of Birney, Montana	M4.0	52 km	14 km
Feb 25, 1993	31 km N of Arvada, Wyoming	M3.9	76 km	5 km
Jul 6, 2021	27 km SSE of Melstone, Montana	M3.6	141 km	10 km
Dec 23, 1991	10 km SW of Colstrip, Montana	M3.6	41 km	5 km
Nov 3, 1999	8 km NNW of Broadus, Montana	M3.5	65 km	10 km
Feb 22, 1992	30 km E of Buffalo, Wyoming	M2.9	142 km	5 km
May 25, 2018	45 km W of Biddle, Montana	M2.9	65 km	16 km
Mar 30, 2018	20 km NNE of Sheridan, Wyoming	M2.8	83 km	5 km
Jan 15, 2023	6 km NE of Ashland, Montana	M2.8	8 km	11 km
Aug 7, 2022	38 km N of Arvada, Wyoming	M2.8	70 km	11 km
May 19, 2017	6 km ESE of Birney, Montana	M2.7	36 km	3 km
Jun 2, 2019	14 km WSW of Birney, Montana	M2.6	46 km	5 km
Apr 22, 2018	8 km ENE of Ashland, Montana	M2.6	10 km	5 km
Mar 31, 2009	36 km NNE of Arvada, Wyoming	M2.6	75 km	17 km

Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Tornado History

46 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2. Total: 4 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Jun 21, 2010	EF2	65 km	0.5 mi	0
Jun 25, 1975	EF2	91 km	0.1 mi	0
Jul 25, 1966	EF2	73 km	2.0 mi	0
Apr 25, 1964	EF2	73 km	6.0 mi	0
May 27, 1954	EF2	74 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 7, 2018	EF1	36 km	0.8 mi	0
Jul 8, 2013	EF1	83 km	0.6 mi	0
Jun 21, 2010	EF1	44 km	1.0 mi	0
Jun 28, 1996	EF1	76 km	0.5 mi	0
May 24, 1990	EF1	89 km	0.2 mi	0
Jun 21, 1984	EF1	77 km	2.0 mi	0
Jun 21, 1984	EF1	79 km	1.0 mi	0
Jun 13, 1984	EF1	40 km	1.0 mi	0
Jun 14, 1980	EF1	80 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 3, 1971	EF1	82 km	5.0 mi	0
Jul 18, 1964	EF1	71 km	0.1 mi	0
May 20, 1961	EF1	97 km	0.1 mi	0
May 29, 1953	EF1	95 km	0.2 mi	0
May 31, 2014	EF0	56 km	0.1 mi	0
Aug 3, 2013	EF0	57 km	1.0 mi	0

Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: ASH CREEK (253,413 acres, 2012).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2012	ASH CREEK	253,413	14 km
2024	REMINGTON	192,577	48 km
2021	RICHARD SPRING	168,765	22 km
2012	CHALKY	132,680	43 km
2017	SARTIN DRAW	91,570	36 km
2017	DEER CREEK	90,147	72 km
2012	SARPY HILLS COMPLEX	83,942	75 km
2021	P F	66,375	92 km
2012	TAYLOR CREEK	64,383	43 km
2000	STAG	62,381	24 km
1994	BABY DEAN	61,955	40 km
1996	POWDERVILLE	55,024	92 km
2020	SARPY	51,619	56 km
2006	BUFFALO CREEK	37,630	83 km
2024	SHORT DRAW	33,733	80 km
2011	DIAMOND COMPLEX	33,546	56 km
2020	SNIDER	33,246	28 km
2017	WITTEN	27,938	38 km
2003	LITTLEHAWK	27,926	50 km
2020	WADDLE CREEK	25,809	78 km

Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	23°F (-5°C)	0.6 in
February	27°F (-3°C)	0.5 in	Driest
March	35°F (2°C)	0.8 in
April	45°F (7°C)	1.7 in
May	55°F (13°C)	2.5 in
June	65°F (18°C)	2.6 in	Wettest
July	72°F (22°C)	1.1 in	Warmest
August	70°F (21°C)	1.0 in
September	59°F (15°C)	1.4 in
October	47°F (8°C)	1.1 in
November	32°F (0°C)	0.8 in
December	22°F (-6°C)	0.7 in	Coldest

Ashland has a seasonal temperature swing of 50°F / from 22°F in December to 72°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 14.8 inches, with June being the wettest month (2.6") and February the driest (0.5").

View full profile of Ashland, MT →