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Weather & Climate in Big Arm, MT
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Big Arm has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 45°F (7°C). Winters average 26°F in January while summers reach 67°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 15.7 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 33.6 inches of snow annually, a moderate snowfall amount. 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 3,834 feet.
Temperature
26°F Jan (-3°C)
67°F Jul (20°C)
| Annual Average | 45.2°F |
| 16% below US avg | |
| January Average | 26°F (-3°C) |
| July Average | 67°F (20°C) |
| Sunny Days | 273 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 3,834 ft (1,169 m) |
| Area | 5.4 sq mi (14.0 km²) |
| Population Density | 26/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 47.7936°N, 114.2700°W |
| Timezone | America/Denver |
| County | Lake County County |
| Nearest Airport | Glacier Park International (FCA) 36 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 26.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 67.7 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 58.8 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 51.0 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Moderate |
| Wildfire | Relatively Moderate |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Very Low |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively High |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | Very Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | Relatively Moderate |
| Avalanche | Relatively High |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
227 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.7.
| Dec 22, 1998 | Idaho-Montana border region | M4.7 | 73 km | 12 km |
| Mar 22, 2006 | 8 km SSW of Rexford, Montana | M4.3 | 134 km | 8 km |
| Aug 17, 1994 | 1 km E of Mullan, Idaho | M4.1 | 119 km | 2 km |
| May 2, 1995 | 2 km NW of Kila, Montana | M4.1 | 42 km | 9 km |
| Jun 29, 1995 | 2 km NNW of Kila, Montana | M4.1 | 41 km | 5 km |
| Apr 15, 1998 | 11 km NE of Swan Lake, Montana | M4.1 | 46 km | 4 km |
| Apr 1, 1992 | 10 km ESE of Swan Lake, Montana | M4.0 | 42 km | 5 km |
| Jun 28, 2000 | 21 km SE of Clinton, Montana | M4.0 | 142 km | 10 km |
| Jul 19, 2002 | 43 km NE of Seeley Lake, Montana | M4.0 | 100 km | 25 km |
| Jan 20, 1998 | 15 km SSE of Happys Inn, Montana | M4.0 | 61 km | 7 km |
| Jun 2, 1996 | 37 km N of Ovando, Montana | M3.9 | 104 km | 5 km |
| Mar 21, 1992 | 20 km NE of Seeley Lake, Montana | M3.8 | 94 km | 5 km |
| Jul 2, 1992 | 4 km SSE of South Browning, Montana | M3.8 | 123 km | 10 km |
| Jul 5, 2024 | 24 km ENE of Seeley Lake, Montana | M3.8 | 97 km | 22 km |
| May 7, 1992 | 14 km NE of Seeley Lake, Montana | M3.8 | 92 km | 5 km |
| Jun 1, 1996 | 23 km N of Ovando, Montana | M3.8 | 104 km | 10 km |
| Sep 26, 2004 | 14 km WSW of Pablo, Montana | M3.8 | 25 km | 17 km |
| May 2, 1995 | 3 km WNW of Kila, Montana | M3.8 | 41 km | 9 km |
| Aug 19, 1999 | 12 km ENE of Happys Inn, Montana | M3.7 | 64 km | 14 km |
| Jan 13, 2010 | 36 km NE of Seeley Lake, Montana | M3.7 | 92 km | 21 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
10 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF0.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| May 9, 2023 | EF0 | 51 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Nov 4, 2013 | EF0 | 25 km | 0.8 mi | 0 |
| Sep 1, 2011 | EF0 | 17 km | 0.7 mi | 0 |
| Apr 9, 2008 | EF0 | 48 km | 0.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 18, 2007 | EF0 | 15 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 18, 2007 | EF0 | 21 km | 8.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 10, 2000 | EF0 | 70 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 7, 1995 | EF0 | 59 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Mar 3, 1991 | EF0 | 77 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 9, 1978 | EF0 | 89 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: RICE RIDGE (171,473 acres, 2017).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2017 | RICE RIDGE | 171,473 | 98 km |
| 2007 | CHIPPY CREEK | 95,656 | 42 km |
| 2001 | MOOSE | 73,210 | 96 km |
| 2015 | BEAR CREEK | 60,710 | 63 km |
| 2003 | ROBERT | 54,500 | 87 km |
| 1988 | GATES PARK | 42,493 | 100 km |
| 2007 | SKYLAND | 41,237 | 99 km |
| 2021 | THORNE CREEK | 39,694 | 75 km |
| 2007 | JOCKO LAKES | 35,759 | 80 km |
| 2003 | LITTLE SALMON CREEK | 33,044 | 74 km |
| 2007 | BRUSH CREEK | 30,166 | 77 km |
| 2016 | COPPER KING | 28,338 | 65 km |
| 2017 | LIBERTY | 27,731 | 88 km |
| 2003 | BARTLETT MOUNTAIN | 27,614 | 87 km |
| 2017 | SUNRISE | 26,896 | 91 km |
| 2017 | SHEEP GAP | 24,702 | 68 km |
| 2003 | RAMPAGE COMPLEX (DOUBLE MOUNTAIN 2) | 23,680 | 84 km |
| 2000 | MONTURE-SPREAD RIDGE (MONTURE) | 22,493 | 98 km |
| 2015 | TRAIL CREEK | 22,338 | 69 km |
| 2022 | ELMO | 22,148 | 13 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 26°F (-3°C) | 1.7 in | Coldest |
| February | 30°F (-1°C) | 1.2 in | Driest |
| March | 36°F (2°C) | 1.3 in | |
| April | 44°F (6°C) | 1.4 in | |
| May | 52°F (11°C) | 2.3 in | |
| June | 59°F (15°C) | 2.4 in | Wettest |
| July | 67°F (20°C) | 1.3 in | Warmest |
| August | 66°F (19°C) | 1.5 in | |
| September | 56°F (13°C) | 1.6 in | |
| October | 45°F (7°C) | 1.2 in | |
| November | 34°F (1°C) | 1.5 in | |
| December | 28°F (-3°C) | 1.8 in |
Big Arm has a seasonal temperature swing of 41°F / from 26°F in January to 67°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 19.4 inches, with June being the wettest month (2.4") and February the driest (1.2").