Weather & Climate in Billings, MT

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

Billings experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 49°F (9°C). Winters average 29°F in January while summers reach 73°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 17.5 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 33.2 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 3,222 feet.

Temperature

29°F Jan (-2°C) 73°F Jul (23°C)

Annual Average	49.0°F
	9% below US avg
January Average	29°F (-2°C)
July Average	73°F (23°C)
Sunny Days	311 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	3,222 ft (982 m)
Area	46.1 sq mi (119.3 km²)
Population Density	2,569/sq mi
Coordinates	45.7885°N, 108.5525°W
Timezone	America/Denver
County	Yellowstone County County
Nearest Airport	Billings Logan International (BIL) 1 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 17.5"

54% below US avg

Snowfall 33.2"

Wettest Month (May) 2.60"

Driest Month (Feb) 0.55"

Air Quality

AQI Median	26.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Moderate
Risk Score	83.6 / 100
Social Vulnerability	20.3 / 100
Community Resilience	82.3 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

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

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

Earthquake History

9 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.7.

Jan 9, 2003	23 km E of Wilsall, Montana	M3.7	142 km	11 km
Jul 6, 2021	27 km SSE of Melstone, Montana	M3.6	89 km	10 km
Dec 23, 1991	10 km SW of Colstrip, Montana	M3.6	143 km	5 km
Jul 21, 2023	Eastern Montana	M3.2	40 km	5 km
May 21, 2013	32 km NE of Melstone, Montana	M2.8	135 km	7 km
Nov 4, 2017	32 km NE of Wilsall, Montana	M2.7	142 km	4 km
Aug 1, 2011	14 km ESE of Livingston, Montana	M2.6	143 km	7 km
Jan 6, 2016	27 km ENE of Lovell, Wyoming	M2.6	99 km	12 km
Jan 8, 2003	24 km E of Wilsall, Montana	M2.5	141 km	14 km

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

Tornado History

37 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 3 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Jun 16, 1965	EF3	4 km	20.6 mi	0
Jun 20, 2010	EF2	6 km	0.7 mi	0
Jun 16, 2010	EF2	69 km	1.0 mi	0
May 4, 1986	EF2	72 km	0.1 mi	0
Jul 2, 1958	EF2	6 km	0.5 mi	0
May 21, 2016	EF1	63 km	2.0 mi	0
Jun 22, 1996	EF1	74 km	4.0 mi	0
Jul 9, 1991	EF1	74 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 21, 1991	EF1	74 km	0.2 mi	0
Jun 21, 1991	EF1	3 km	0.2 mi	0
May 24, 1990	EF1	78 km	0.2 mi	0
May 24, 1990	EF1	22 km	0.2 mi	0
Aug 12, 1958	EF1	22 km	0.5 mi	0
Jul 6, 1955	EF1	22 km	2.0 mi	0
May 24, 2014	EF0	97 km	0.8 mi	0
Jun 6, 2011	EF0	21 km	0.0 mi	0
Jun 6, 2011	EF0	19 km	0.3 mi	0
Aug 11, 2005	EF0	40 km	9.0 mi	0
Aug 26, 2004	EF0	55 km	—	0
Jul 26, 2003	EF0	38 km	2.5 mi	0

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

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: HAWK CREEK (157,778 acres, 1984).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
1984	HAWK CREEK	157,778	57 km
2008	DUNN MTN. ASSIST	105,494	56 km
2006	PINE RIDGE COMPLEX	103,074	73 km
2006	BUNDY RAILROAD	91,575	61 km
2021	P F	66,375	86 km
2012	DELPHIA	40,396	76 km
2003	HOBBLE	38,365	86 km
2021	ROBERTSON DRAW	31,132	94 km
2020	BOBCAT	31,020	60 km
1999	FISHEL CREEK	28,611	89 km
2021	MUSSELSHELL TRAIL RD	22,723	83 km
2012	DAHL	21,448	54 km
2008	CASCADE	10,017	100 km
1991	UNNAMED	9,027	95 km
2010	STUMP GULCH	8,873	60 km
1996	COLFAX	8,429	62 km
2021	TROUT CREEK	7,804	91 km
2006	BIRTHDAY2	6,553	68 km
1998	BURNT SHED	6,395	88 km
2017	MICROWAVE	5,958	64 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	29°F (-2°C)	0.7 in
February	29°F (-2°C)	0.6 in	Driest
March	37°F (3°C)	1.0 in
April	46°F (8°C)	1.7 in
May	56°F (13°C)	2.6 in	Wettest
June	64°F (18°C)	1.9 in
July	73°F (23°C)	1.2 in	Warmest
August	70°F (21°C)	0.9 in
September	59°F (15°C)	1.4 in
October	48°F (9°C)	1.3 in
November	34°F (1°C)	0.7 in
December	26°F (-4°C)	0.6 in	Coldest

Billings has a seasonal temperature swing of 48°F / from 26°F in December to 73°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 14.6 inches, with May being the wettest month (2.6") and February the driest (0.6").

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