Weather & Climate in Big Stone Colony, MT

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

Big Stone Colony experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 47°F (8°C). Winters average 27°F in January while summers reach 70°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 15.4 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 3,774 feet.

Temperature

27°F Jan (-3°C) 70°F Jul (21°C)

Annual Average	47.0°F
	13% below US avg
January Average	27°F (-3°C)
July Average	70°F (21°C)
Sunny Days	273 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	3,774 ft (1,150 m)
Area	0.9 sq mi (2.4 km²)
Population Density	47/sq mi
Coordinates	47.4001°N, 111.2092°W
Timezone	America/Denver
County	Cascade County County
Nearest Airport	Great Falls International (GTF) 9 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 15.4"

59% below US avg

Wettest Month (May) 2.76"

Driest Month (Feb) 0.55"

Air Quality

AQI Median	26.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Moderate
Risk Score	83.1 / 100
Social Vulnerability	27.1 / 100
Community Resilience	76.3 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

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

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

Earthquake History

287 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	118 km	12 km
Jul 6, 2017	15 km S of Lincoln, Montana	M5.0	128 km	15 km
Jul 6, 2017	14 km SE of Lincoln, Montana	M4.4	118 km	10 km
Jan 30, 2016	19 km E of Lincoln, Montana	M4.3	105 km	2 km
Apr 8, 2000	8 km ENE of Townsend, Montana	M4.1	119 km	5 km
Nov 10, 2000	14 km NE of Townsend, Montana	M4.0	112 km	2 km
Jul 17, 2017	12 km ESE of Lincoln, Montana	M4.0	116 km	13 km
Jul 6, 2017	14 km SSE of Lincoln, Montana	M4.0	122 km	9 km
Jul 19, 2002	43 km NE of Seeley Lake, Montana	M4.0	139 km	25 km
Feb 6, 1999	24 km E of Townsend, Montana	M3.9	116 km	1 km
Jun 2, 1996	37 km N of Ovando, Montana	M3.9	139 km	5 km
Apr 1, 1993	15 km E of Lincoln, Montana	M3.9	108 km	5 km
Aug 16, 1994	27 km W of Chester, Montana	M3.9	121 km	5 km
Oct 19, 2017	12 km SE of Lincoln, Montana	M3.9	117 km	4 km
Mar 13, 2017	4 km ESE of Avon, Montana	M3.8	137 km	20 km
Apr 17, 2018	13 km ESE of Lincoln, Montana	M3.8	115 km	14 km
Jun 1, 1996	23 km N of Ovando, Montana	M3.8	149 km	10 km
May 24, 2000	9 km ENE of Townsend, Montana	M3.7	118 km	3 km
Jul 13, 2017	14 km SE of Lincoln, Montana	M3.7	118 km	10 km
Jan 16, 2011	10 km ENE of Marysville, Montana	M3.7	100 km	15 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: 6 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Apr 24, 1994	EF2	77 km	1.0 mi	0
Apr 24, 1994	EF2	77 km	1.5 mi	0
Jun 8, 1976	EF2	85 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 30, 1975	EF2	40 km	0.1 mi	0
Jul 2, 1966	EF2	83 km	0.8 mi	0
Jul 10, 1965	EF2	91 km	2.0 mi	0
Jun 5, 2012	EF1	100 km	2.8 mi	0
Jun 16, 2007	EF1	68 km	5.3 mi	0
Apr 22, 2003	EF1	79 km	2.0 mi	0
Jul 3, 1998	EF1	32 km	0.5 mi	0
Jun 19, 1998	EF1	52 km	1.0 mi	0
Jul 5, 1988	EF1	23 km	0.2 mi	0
Jun 1, 1980	EF1	47 km	0.1 mi	0
Jul 3, 1978	EF1	23 km	1.0 mi	0
Jul 3, 1978	EF1	23 km	1.0 mi	0
Jul 3, 1978	EF1	23 km	1.0 mi	0
Jun 1, 1977	EF1	47 km	0.1 mi	0
May 10, 1977	EF1	97 km	0.1 mi	0
May 10, 1977	EF1	99 km	0.1 mi	0
Jul 10, 1965	EF1	54 km	0.2 mi	0

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

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: WOODS CREEK (55,836 acres, 2021).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2021	WOODS CREEK	55,836	96 km
2021	HARRIS MTN	31,792	48 km
2017	ALICE CREEK	29,971	97 km
1984	NORTH HILL	27,162	84 km
2000	CANYON FERRY COMPLEX (CAVE GULCH)	26,997	84 km
1990	TURKEY	25,658	86 km
2007	MERIWETHER	18,865	75 km
2000	CANYON FERRY COMPLEX (BUCKSNORT)	14,843	99 km
1990	BEARTOOTH COMPLEX	13,462	66 km
2009	MEISSNER	12,318	71 km
1985	SANDPOINT	10,439	87 km
1993	FREEZEOUT LAKE	9,793	78 km
2021	BALSINGER	8,317	51 km
2009	INDIAN TRAIL	4,592	72 km
2020	YOGO	4,429	76 km
2008	CHOUTEAU CO COMPLEX	4,365	85 km
2019	NORTH HILLS	4,149	90 km
2019	STUCKEY RD MA	4,073	24 km
1991	POWER	3,822	49 km
2002	PISHKUN	3,450	94 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	27°F (-3°C)	0.7 in
February	28°F (-2°C)	0.6 in	Driest
March	35°F (2°C)	1.1 in
April	44°F (7°C)	1.5 in
May	53°F (12°C)	2.8 in	Wettest
June	61°F (16°C)	2.4 in
July	70°F (21°C)	1.5 in	Warmest
August	67°F (20°C)	1.6 in
September	57°F (14°C)	1.4 in
October	47°F (8°C)	1.0 in
November	34°F (1°C)	0.7 in
December	26°F (-4°C)	0.7 in	Coldest

Big Stone Colony has a seasonal temperature swing of 45°F / from 26°F in December to 70°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 15.9 inches, with May being the wettest month (2.8") and February the driest (0.6").

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