Weather & Climate in Big Sky, MT

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

Big Sky has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 38°F (3°C). Winters average 19°F in January while summers reach 60°F in July. The area gets 276 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 23.3 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 6,907 feet.

Temperature

19°F Jan (-7°C) 60°F Jul (15°C)

Annual Average	37.7°F
	30% below US avg
January Average	19°F (-7°C)
July Average	60°F (15°C)
Sunny Days	276 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	6,907 ft (2,105 m)
Area	120.0 sq mi (310.8 km²)
Population Density	20/sq mi
Coordinates	45.2564°N, 111.3320°W
Timezone	America/Denver
County	Gallatin County County
Nearest Airport	Bozeman Yellowstone International (BZN) 37 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 23.3"

39% below US avg

Wettest Month (May) 3.03"

Driest Month (Feb) 1.54"

Air Quality

AQI Median	26.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Moderate
Risk Score	81.0 / 100
Social Vulnerability	10.6 / 100
Community Resilience	71.7 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Very Low
Earthquake	Relatively Moderate
Wildfire	Relatively Moderate
Flood	Relatively Low
Hail	Relatively Moderate
Strong Wind	Relatively Low
Heat Wave	Very Low
Winter Weather	Very High
Lightning	Relatively High
Ice Storm	Very Low
Drought	Relatively Low
Cold Wave	Relatively High
Landslide	Relatively Moderate
Volcano	Very Low
Avalanche	Very High

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

Earthquake History

1,130 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	101 km	13 km
Aug 20, 1999	22 km NW of Lima, Montana	M5.1	126 km	16 km
Mar 30, 2014	22 km S of Mammoth, Wyoming	M4.8	74 km	6 km
Apr 9, 2019	9 km NE of Lima, Montana	M4.6	111 km	14 km
Feb 5, 2006	44 km NE of Spencer, Idaho	M4.4	76 km	14 km
May 8, 2007	8 km NNW of Alder, Montana	M4.4	64 km	14 km
Apr 5, 2011	28 km NNE of Spencer, Idaho	M4.4	93 km	12 km
Jun 16, 2017	12 km E of Hebgen Lake Estates, Montana	M4.4	58 km	9 km
Jun 13, 2016	45 km W of Hebgen Lake Estates, Montana	M4.3	68 km	10 km
Aug 21, 2003	53 km N of Kelly, Wyoming	M4.3	144 km	6 km
Oct 28, 1998	18 km S of Whitehall, Montana	M4.3	80 km	5 km
May 11, 2022	36 km S of Silver Gate, Montana	M4.2	123 km	14 km
Nov 24, 2000	24 km S of Mammoth, Wyoming	M4.2	75 km	9 km
Jul 14, 2023	3 km S of Lima, Montana	M4.2	123 km	12 km
Aug 16, 2019	4 km NW of Manhattan, Montana	M4.2	71 km	2 km
Mar 25, 2008	35 km S of Silver Gate, Montana	M4.2	121 km	4 km
Aug 28, 1995	62 km NNE of Kelly, Wyoming	M4.2	148 km	8 km
Oct 7, 2024	11 km E of Dillon, Montana	M4.1	91 km	17 km
Aug 30, 1997	25 km WNW of Hebgen Lake Estates, Montana	M4.1	48 km	4 km
Jun 18, 2006	6 km S of Pony, Montana	M4.1	59 km	12 km

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

Tornado History

8 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF1.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Jun 15, 1960	EF1	53 km	1.3 mi	0
Aug 9, 2011	EF0	99 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 29, 1999	EF0	25 km	0.2 mi	0
Jul 2, 1997	EF0	69 km	0.1 mi	0
Jul 2, 1997	EF0	69 km	0.1 mi	0
May 17, 1994	EF0	79 km	0.1 mi	0
Jul 6, 1993	EF0	75 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 29, 1992	EF0	42 km	0.1 mi	0

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

Nearby Volcanoes

1 volcano within 200 km. Closest: Yellowstone (106 km).

Name	Type	Elevation	Last Eruption	Distance
Yellowstone	Caldera(s)	2,805 m (9,203 ft)	-1350	106 km

Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: NORTH FORK (563,527 acres, 1988).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
1988	NORTH FORK	563,527	81 km
2016	MAPLE	103,193	65 km
1988	HELLROARING	77,598	81 km
2001	FRIDLEY	27,575	47 km
2006	JUNGLE	23,846	84 km
2007	WH COMPLEX (WICKED CREEK)	22,195	66 km
1988	FAN	20,422	40 km
2012	BEAR TRAP 2	14,875	45 km
2016	BUFFALO	13,706	87 km
2006	BIG CREEK	13,424	39 km
2013	MINER PARADISE COMPLEX	12,210	42 km
2003	WINSLOW	11,794	90 km
2012	MILLIE	10,497	28 km
2000	BEAVER CREEK	9,568	35 km
2015	EUSTIS	8,469	88 km
1988	SWEETWATER	8,405	84 km
2020	BRIDGER FOOTHILLS	8,291	63 km
2015	COTTONWOOD GULCH	8,100	76 km
2002	BROAD	7,922	96 km
2021	GOOSE	7,817	63 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	19°F (-7°C)	2.0 in
February	20°F (-7°C)	1.5 in	Driest
March	24°F (-4°C)	2.1 in
April	32°F (-0°C)	1.9 in
May	41°F (5°C)	3.0 in	Wettest
June	49°F (10°C)	3.0 in
July	60°F (15°C)	1.7 in	Warmest
August	56°F (13°C)	1.8 in
September	48°F (9°C)	2.0 in
October	38°F (3°C)	1.7 in
November	26°F (-3°C)	1.9 in
December	17°F (-8°C)	2.0 in	Coldest

Big Sky has a seasonal temperature swing of 42°F / from 17°F in December to 60°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 24.6 inches, with May being the wettest month (3.0") and February the driest (1.5").

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