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Weather & Climate in Birch Creek Colony, MT
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Birch Creek Colony has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 44°F (7°C). Winters average 24°F in January while summers reach 67°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 12.6 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 3,979 feet.
Temperature
24°F Jan (-4°C)
67°F Jul (19°C)
| Annual Average | 44.1°F |
| 18% below US avg | |
| January Average | 24°F (-4°C) |
| July Average | 67°F (19°C) |
| Sunny Days | 274 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 3,979 ft (1,213 m) |
| Area | 0.5 sq mi (1.2 km²) |
| Population Density | 231/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 48.2465°N, 112.4696°W |
| Timezone | America/Denver |
| County | Pondera County County |
| Nearest Airport | Cut Bank International (CTB) 25 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 26.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 24.6 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 95.3 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 49.3 / 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 Moderate |
| Lightning | Very Low |
| Ice Storm | Very Low |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | Very Low |
| Avalanche | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
189 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.3.
| Jan 30, 2016 | 19 km E of Lincoln, Montana | M4.3 | 145 km | 2 km |
| May 2, 1995 | 2 km NW of Kila, Montana | M4.1 | 149 km | 9 km |
| Jun 29, 1995 | 2 km NNW of Kila, Montana | M4.1 | 149 km | 5 km |
| Apr 15, 1998 | 11 km NE of Swan Lake, Montana | M4.1 | 99 km | 4 km |
| Jul 19, 2002 | 43 km NE of Seeley Lake, Montana | M4.0 | 101 km | 25 km |
| Apr 1, 1992 | 10 km ESE of Swan Lake, Montana | M4.0 | 102 km | 5 km |
| Aug 16, 1994 | 27 km W of Chester, Montana | M3.9 | 88 km | 5 km |
| Jun 2, 1996 | 37 km N of Ovando, Montana | M3.9 | 109 km | 5 km |
| Apr 1, 1993 | 15 km E of Lincoln, Montana | M3.9 | 144 km | 5 km |
| Jul 5, 2024 | 24 km ENE of Seeley Lake, Montana | M3.8 | 120 km | 22 km |
| Jul 2, 1992 | 4 km SSE of South Browning, Montana | M3.8 | 49 km | 10 km |
| Mar 21, 1992 | 20 km NE of Seeley Lake, Montana | M3.8 | 122 km | 5 km |
| May 7, 1992 | 14 km NE of Seeley Lake, Montana | M3.8 | 127 km | 5 km |
| Jun 1, 1996 | 23 km N of Ovando, Montana | M3.8 | 125 km | 10 km |
| May 1, 1997 | 35 km SSE of Magrath, Canada | M3.8 | 99 km | 5 km |
| Jan 13, 2010 | 36 km NE of Seeley Lake, Montana | M3.7 | 105 km | 21 km |
| Oct 2, 1995 | 18 km E of Finley Point, Montana | M3.7 | 116 km | 5 km |
| Jul 6, 2017 | 12 km ESE of Lincoln, Montana | M3.7 | 149 km | 16 km |
| Jul 23, 2017 | 9 km SE of Lincoln, Montana | M3.6 | 149 km | 8 km |
| Sep 15, 1998 | 9 km ENE of Ovando, Montana | M3.6 | 138 km | 6 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
16 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| May 7, 1982 | EF2 | 83 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 2, 1966 | EF2 | 84 km | 0.8 mi | 0 |
| Jun 13, 2006 | EF1 | 45 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 6, 1994 | EF1 | 48 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 1, 1977 | EF1 | 96 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 1, 1977 | EF1 | 47 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 2, 1964 | EF1 | 80 km | 27.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 22, 1962 | EF1 | 84 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 6, 1994 | EF0 | 54 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 21, 1993 | EF0 | 54 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 29, 1986 | EF0 | 20 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| May 7, 1982 | EF0 | 83 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 2, 1981 | EF0 | 54 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 2, 1981 | EF0 | 54 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 3, 1963 | EF0 | 94 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 5, 1963 | EF0 | 61 km | 1.5 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: BEAR CREEK (60,710 acres, 2015).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2015 | BEAR CREEK | 60,710 | 86 km |
| 2007 | FOOL CREEK | 53,912 | 46 km |
| 2015 | FAMILY PEAK COMPLEX | 49,769 | 37 km |
| 2007 | AHORN | 45,633 | 86 km |
| 1988 | GATES PARK | 42,493 | 59 km |
| 2007 | SKYLAND | 41,237 | 55 km |
| 2003 | LITTLE SALMON CREEK | 33,044 | 96 km |
| 2006 | RED EAGLE | 32,563 | 86 km |
| 2003 | RAMPAGE COMPLEX (DOUBLE MOUNTAIN 2) | 23,680 | 84 km |
| 2015 | TRAIL CREEK | 22,338 | 75 km |
| 2017 | SCALP | 20,309 | 53 km |
| 2015 | THOMPSON | 18,049 | 86 km |
| 2017 | STRAWBERRY | 17,781 | 38 km |
| 2021 | GREENHOUSE | 14,501 | 50 km |
| 2007 | CORPORAL | 14,054 | 76 km |
| 2013 | RED SHALE | 13,712 | 60 km |
| 2015 | MOOSE RIDGE | 11,395 | 65 km |
| 2003 | LITTLE SALMON CREEK WILDLAND FIRE COMPLEX (MID) | 10,052 | 80 km |
| 2017 | CRUCIFIXION CREEK | 9,971 | 48 km |
| 1993 | FREEZEOUT LAKE | 9,793 | 68 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 24°F (-4°C) | 0.5 in | Coldest |
| February | 27°F (-3°C) | 0.4 in | Driest |
| March | 34°F (1°C) | 0.6 in | |
| April | 44°F (6°C) | 1.0 in | |
| May | 53°F (12°C) | 2.2 in | |
| June | 61°F (16°C) | 2.5 in | Wettest |
| July | 67°F (19°C) | 1.4 in | Warmest |
| August | 65°F (19°C) | 1.6 in | |
| September | 55°F (13°C) | 1.1 in | |
| October | 46°F (8°C) | 0.6 in | |
| November | 33°F (0°C) | 0.5 in | |
| December | 25°F (-4°C) | 0.4 in |
Birch Creek Colony has a seasonal temperature swing of 43°F / from 24°F in January to 67°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 12.8 inches, with June being the wettest month (2.5") and February the driest (0.4").