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Weather & Climate in Big Timber, MT

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

Big Timber experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 47°F (8°C). Winters average 29°F in January while summers reach 70°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 16.9 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 54.6 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 4,094 feet.

Temperature

29°F Jan (-2°C) 70°F Jul (21°C)
Annual Average47.0°F
13% below US avg
January Average29°F (-2°C)
July Average70°F (21°C)
Sunny Days311 days/yr

Geography

Elevation4,094 ft (1,248 m)
Area1.0 sq mi (2.5 km²)
Population Density1,561/sq mi
Coordinates45.8348°N, 109.9483°W
TimezoneAmerica/Denver
CountySweet Grass County County
Nearest AirportBozeman Yellowstone International (BZN)
58 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 16.9"
55% below US avg
Snowfall 54.6"
Wettest Month (May) 2.80"
Driest Month (Feb) 0.47"

Air Quality

AQI Median26.0
RatingGood

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskVery Low
Risk Score8.1 / 100
Social Vulnerability10.6 / 100
Community Resilience54.4 / 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
Volcano No Rating
Avalanche Very Low
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

506 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.8.

Mar 30, 2014 22 km S of Mammoth, Wyoming M4.8 131 km 6 km
Jun 16, 2017 12 km E of Hebgen Lake Estates, Montana M4.4 145 km 9 km
May 11, 2022 36 km S of Silver Gate, Montana M4.2 128 km 14 km
Nov 24, 2000 24 km S of Mammoth, Wyoming M4.2 134 km 9 km
Aug 16, 2019 4 km NW of Manhattan, Montana M4.2 110 km 2 km
Mar 25, 2008 35 km S of Silver Gate, Montana M4.2 127 km 4 km
Apr 8, 2000 8 km ENE of Townsend, Montana M4.1 126 km 5 km
Aug 6, 2019 3 km NW of Manhattan, Montana M4.1 109 km 5 km
Nov 6, 1997 4 km WSW of Springhill, Montana M4.0 88 km 5 km
Nov 10, 2000 14 km NE of Townsend, Montana M4.0 126 km 2 km
Jul 14, 2019 11 km NNE of Manhattan, Montana M4.0 103 km 6 km
Mar 26, 1994 19 km NE of West Yellowstone, Montana M3.9 140 km 9 km
Sep 18, 2022 22 km SSW of Mammoth, Wyoming M3.9 134 km 11 km
Feb 6, 1999 24 km E of Townsend, Montana M3.9 113 km 1 km
Jan 30, 2023 9 km NNW of Livingston, Montana M3.8 51 km 20 km
Jan 29, 2025 24 km SSW of Mammoth, Wyoming M3.7 135 km 8 km
Jan 9, 2008 18 km NE of West Yellowstone, Montana M3.7 140 km 10 km
Mar 29, 2023 56 km SSE of Mammoth, Wyoming M3.7 149 km 4 km
Aug 19, 2025 22 km SSW of Mammoth, Wyoming M3.7 135 km 12 km
Sep 24, 1994 39 km SSE of Mammoth, Wyoming M3.7 137 km 5 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Tornado History

24 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2. Total: 1 injury.

Date Rating Distance Path Fatalities
Jul 2, 2010 EF2 54 km 2.1 mi 0
Jul 20, 1964 EF2 64 km 2.0 mi 0
Jun 3, 1971 EF1 91 km 2.3 mi 0
Aug 22, 1965 EF1 6 km 1.5 mi 0
Jun 15, 1960 EF1 88 km 1.3 mi 0
Aug 12, 1958 EF1 90 km 0.5 mi 0
Jun 27, 2019 EF0 94 km 0.4 mi 0
Aug 9, 2011 EF0 63 km 0.1 mi 0
Jun 6, 2011 EF0 88 km 0.0 mi 0
Sep 9, 2010 EF0 48 km 0.3 mi 0
Aug 11, 2005 EF0 70 km 9.0 mi 0
Aug 14, 1999 EF0 87 km 5.0 mi 0
Jul 20, 1997 EF0 96 km 0.1 mi 0
Jun 5, 1997 EF0 80 km 0.1 mi 0
Jun 19, 1991 EF0 96 km 0.2 mi 0
Jun 15, 1989 EF0 95 km 0.2 mi 0
Jul 6, 1979 EF0 99 km 0.1 mi 0
Jul 6, 1979 EF0 99 km 0.1 mi 0
Aug 22, 1978 EF0 66 km 0.1 mi 0
Aug 22, 1978 EF0 74 km 0.1 mi 0
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950-2024, US only).

Nearby Volcanoes

1 volcano within 200 km. Closest: Yellowstone (166 km).

Name Type Elevation Last Eruption Distance
Yellowstone Caldera(s) 2,805 m (9,203 ft) -1350 166 km
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: DERBY (200,993 acres, 2006).

Year Name Acres Burned Distance
2006 DERBY 200,993 29 km
1988 STORM CREEK 116,027 77 km
1988 HELLROARING 77,598 88 km
2003 HOBBLE 38,365 22 km
2001 FRIDLEY 27,575 79 km
2006 JUNGLE 23,846 47 km
2007 WH COMPLEX (WICKED CREEK) 22,195 76 km
2021 AMERICAN FORK 20,726 48 km
1996 SHEPARD MTN 17,379 73 km
2016 BUFFALO 13,706 99 km
2006 BIG CREEK 13,424 88 km
2013 MINER PARADISE COMPLEX 12,210 89 km
2012 MILLIE 10,497 98 km
1994 BLACK BUTTE 10,231 15 km
2008 CASCADE 10,017 84 km
2010 STUMP GULCH 8,873 51 km
2020 BRIDGER FOOTHILLS 8,291 76 km
2021 TROUT CREEK 7,804 42 km
2012 PINE CREEK 7,707 57 km
2017 CHINN MA 7,029 92 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 29°F (-2°C) 0.7 in
February 31°F (-1°C) 0.5 in Driest
March 36°F (2°C) 0.9 in
April 44°F (7°C) 1.5 in
May 53°F (12°C) 2.8 in Wettest
June 62°F (17°C) 2.6 in
July 70°F (21°C) 1.5 in Warmest
August 68°F (20°C) 1.3 in
September 57°F (14°C) 1.4 in
October 47°F (8°C) 1.2 in
November 34°F (1°C) 0.7 in
December 27°F (-3°C) 0.6 in Coldest

Big Timber has a seasonal temperature swing of 42°F / from 27°F in December to 70°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 15.8 inches, with May being the wettest month (2.8") and February the driest (0.5").

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