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Weather & Climate in Bigfork, MT

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

Bigfork has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 44°F (7°C). Winters average 25°F in January while summers reach 66°F in July. The area gets 274 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 19.3 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 50.6 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 3,067 feet.

Temperature

25°F Jan (-4°C) 66°F Jul (19°C)
Annual Average44.4°F
18% below US avg
January Average25°F (-4°C)
July Average66°F (19°C)
Sunny Days274 days/yr

Geography

Elevation3,067 ft (935 m)
Area37.3 sq mi (96.6 km²)
Population Density168/sq mi
Coordinates48.0841°N, 114.0546°W
TimezoneAmerica/Denver
CountyFlathead County County
Nearest AirportGlacier Park International (FCA)
18 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 19.3"
49% below US avg
Snowfall 50.6"
Wettest Month (Jun) 2.60"
Driest Month (Oct) 1.38"

Air Quality

AQI Median26.0
RatingGood

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskRelatively Moderate
Risk Score86.5 / 100
Social Vulnerability15.9 / 100
Community Resilience46.3 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado Very Low
Earthquake Relatively Moderate
Wildfire Relatively Moderate
Flood Relatively Moderate
Hail Very Low
Strong Wind Very Low
Heat Wave Relatively Low
Winter Weather Relatively High
Lightning Relatively Moderate
Ice Storm Relatively Moderate
Drought Very Low
Cold Wave Relatively High
Landslide Relatively Moderate
Avalanche Very High
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

215 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.7.

Dec 22, 1998 Idaho-Montana border region M4.7 86 km 12 km
Mar 4, 2000 35 km S of Pincher Creek, Canada M4.6 121 km 1 km
Mar 22, 2006 8 km SSW of Rexford, Montana M4.3 118 km 8 km
May 2, 1995 2 km NW of Kila, Montana M4.1 32 km 9 km
Jun 29, 1995 2 km NNW of Kila, Montana M4.1 31 km 5 km
Apr 15, 1998 11 km NE of Swan Lake, Montana M4.1 24 km 4 km
Aug 17, 1994 1 km E of Mullan, Idaho M4.1 146 km 2 km
Jan 20, 1998 15 km SSE of Happys Inn, Montana M4.0 76 km 7 km
Apr 1, 1992 10 km ESE of Swan Lake, Montana M4.0 33 km 5 km
Jul 19, 2002 43 km NE of Seeley Lake, Montana M4.0 105 km 25 km
Jun 2, 1996 37 km N of Ovando, Montana M3.9 111 km 5 km
Jun 1, 1996 23 km N of Ovando, Montana M3.8 116 km 10 km
Mar 21, 1992 20 km NE of Seeley Lake, Montana M3.8 106 km 5 km
May 7, 1992 14 km NE of Seeley Lake, Montana M3.8 106 km 5 km
Jul 5, 2024 24 km ENE of Seeley Lake, Montana M3.8 109 km 22 km
May 2, 1995 3 km WNW of Kila, Montana M3.8 33 km 9 km
Jul 2, 1992 4 km SSE of South Browning, Montana M3.8 91 km 10 km
Sep 26, 2004 14 km WSW of Pablo, Montana M3.8 60 km 17 km
Jan 13, 2010 36 km NE of Seeley Lake, Montana M3.7 98 km 21 km
Oct 2, 1995 18 km E of Finley Point, Montana M3.7 44 km 5 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: EF0.

Date Rating Distance Path Fatalities
May 9, 2023 EF0 80 km 0.5 mi 0
Nov 4, 2013 EF0 13 km 0.8 mi 0
Sep 1, 2011 EF0 34 km 0.7 mi 0
Apr 9, 2008 EF0 26 km 0.0 mi 0
Jul 18, 2007 EF0 51 km 1.0 mi 0
Jul 18, 2007 EF0 15 km 8.0 mi 0
Sep 10, 2000 EF0 43 km 2.0 mi 0
Aug 7, 1995 EF0 73 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: CHIPPY CREEK (95,656 acres, 2007).

Year Name Acres Burned Distance
2007 CHIPPY CREEK 95,656 66 km
2001 MOOSE 73,210 63 km
2015 BEAR CREEK 60,710 56 km
2003 ROBERT 54,500 53 km
2007 FOOL CREEK 53,912 84 km
2003 WEDGE CANYON 51,987 94 km
2015 FAMILY PEAK COMPLEX 49,769 83 km
1988 GATES PARK 42,493 89 km
2007 SKYLAND 41,237 69 km
1988 RED BENCH 33,845 80 km
2003 LITTLE SALMON CREEK 33,044 77 km
2006 RED EAGLE 32,563 81 km
2007 BRUSH CREEK 30,166 66 km
2016 COPPER KING 28,338 93 km
2003 BARTLETT MOUNTAIN 27,614 93 km
2003 RAMPAGE COMPLEX (DOUBLE MOUNTAIN 2) 23,680 49 km
2015 TRAIL CREEK 22,338 52 km
2022 ELMO 22,148 36 km
2023 NIARADA 20,686 46 km
2017 SCALP 20,309 77 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 25°F (-4°C) 2.0 in Coldest
February 29°F (-2°C) 1.4 in
March 35°F (2°C) 1.4 in
April 43°F (6°C) 1.5 in
May 51°F (11°C) 2.4 in
June 58°F (14°C) 2.6 in Wettest
July 66°F (19°C) 1.5 in Warmest
August 64°F (18°C) 1.7 in
September 55°F (13°C) 1.7 in
October 45°F (7°C) 1.4 in Driest
November 34°F (1°C) 1.9 in
December 28°F (-2°C) 2.2 in

Bigfork has a seasonal temperature swing of 41°F / from 25°F in January to 66°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 21.5 inches, with June being the wettest month (2.6") and October the driest (1.4").

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