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Weather & Climate in Birney, MT
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Birney has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 45°F (7°C). Winters average 21°F in January while summers reach 71°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 15.7 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 52.3 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 3,222 feet.
Temperature
21°F Jan (-6°C)
71°F Jul (21°C)
| Annual Average | 45.0°F |
| 17% below US avg | |
| January Average | 21°F (-6°C) |
| July Average | 71°F (21°C) |
| Sunny Days | 311 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 3,222 ft (982 m) |
| Area | 15.1 sq mi (39.1 km²) |
| Population Density | 5/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 45.4155°N, 106.4934°W |
| Timezone | America/Denver |
| County | Powder River County County |
| Nearest Airport | Sheridan County (SHR) 51 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 26.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 4.0 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 16.3 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 2.7 / 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 |
| Avalanche | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
18 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.0.
| Aug 22, 2009 | 20 km SSE of Birney, Montana | M4.0 | 31 km | 14 km |
| Feb 25, 1993 | 31 km N of Arvada, Wyoming | M3.9 | 64 km | 5 km |
| Jul 6, 2021 | 27 km SSE of Melstone, Montana | M3.6 | 144 km | 10 km |
| Dec 23, 1991 | 10 km SW of Colstrip, Montana | M3.6 | 48 km | 5 km |
| Nov 3, 1999 | 8 km NNW of Broadus, Montana | M3.5 | 81 km | 10 km |
| Feb 13, 1998 | 12 km NE of Hyattville, Wyoming | M3.0 | 145 km | 5 km |
| Sep 27, 2016 | 43 km WSW of Gillette, Wyoming | M3.0 | 145 km | 14 km |
| Feb 22, 1992 | 30 km E of Buffalo, Wyoming | M2.9 | 122 km | 5 km |
| May 25, 2018 | 45 km W of Biddle, Montana | M2.9 | 58 km | 16 km |
| Jan 15, 2023 | 6 km NE of Ashland, Montana | M2.8 | 33 km | 11 km |
| Aug 7, 2022 | 38 km N of Arvada, Wyoming | M2.8 | 59 km | 11 km |
| Mar 30, 2018 | 20 km NNE of Sheridan, Wyoming | M2.8 | 57 km | 5 km |
| Mar 23, 2023 | 8 km S of Shell, Wyoming | M2.8 | 146 km | 11 km |
| May 19, 2017 | 6 km ESE of Birney, Montana | M2.7 | 15 km | 3 km |
| Jan 6, 2016 | 27 km ENE of Lovell, Wyoming | M2.6 | 135 km | 12 km |
| Apr 22, 2018 | 8 km ENE of Ashland, Montana | M2.6 | 34 km | 5 km |
| Jun 2, 2019 | 14 km WSW of Birney, Montana | M2.6 | 21 km | 5 km |
| Mar 31, 2009 | 36 km NNE of Arvada, Wyoming | M2.6 | 65 km | 17 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
50 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2. Total: 4 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jun 21, 2010 | EF2 | 74 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 25, 1966 | EF2 | 85 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 25, 1964 | EF2 | 85 km | 6.0 mi | 0 |
| May 27, 1954 | EF2 | 87 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 7, 2018 | EF1 | 26 km | 0.8 mi | 0 |
| Jun 21, 2010 | EF1 | 32 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 7, 2005 | EF1 | 99 km | 4.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 28, 1996 | EF1 | 89 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 22, 1996 | EF1 | 94 km | 4.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 9, 1991 | EF1 | 93 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 21, 1991 | EF1 | 97 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Jun 21, 1984 | EF1 | 59 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 21, 1984 | EF1 | 52 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 15, 1984 | EF1 | 92 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 13, 1984 | EF1 | 59 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 14, 1980 | EF1 | 96 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 30, 1975 | EF1 | 95 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 3, 1971 | EF1 | 98 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 11, 1968 | EF1 | 82 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Jun 7, 1968 | EF1 | 83 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: ASH CREEK (253,413 acres, 2012).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2012 | ASH CREEK | 253,413 | 38 km |
| 2024 | REMINGTON | 192,577 | 33 km |
| 2021 | RICHARD SPRING | 168,765 | 34 km |
| 2012 | CHALKY | 132,680 | 44 km |
| 2017 | SARTIN DRAW | 91,570 | 61 km |
| 2017 | DEER CREEK | 90,147 | 51 km |
| 2012 | SARPY HILLS COMPLEX | 83,942 | 65 km |
| 2021 | P F | 66,375 | 86 km |
| 2012 | TAYLOR CREEK | 64,383 | 40 km |
| 2000 | STAG | 62,381 | 20 km |
| 1994 | BABY DEAN | 61,955 | 26 km |
| 2020 | SARPY | 51,619 | 48 km |
| 2006 | BUFFALO CREEK | 37,630 | 64 km |
| 2024 | SHORT DRAW | 33,733 | 78 km |
| 2011 | DIAMOND COMPLEX | 33,546 | 48 km |
| 2020 | SNIDER | 33,246 | 54 km |
| 2017 | WITTEN | 27,938 | 12 km |
| 2003 | LITTLEHAWK | 27,926 | 43 km |
| 2020 | WADDLE CREEK | 25,809 | 56 km |
| 1996 | ROSEBUD CREEK | 25,174 | 72 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 21°F (-6°C) | 0.6 in | Coldest |
| February | 27°F (-3°C) | 0.6 in | Driest |
| March | 35°F (2°C) | 0.9 in | |
| April | 45°F (7°C) | 1.6 in | |
| May | 55°F (13°C) | 2.5 in | |
| June | 64°F (18°C) | 2.8 in | Wettest |
| July | 71°F (21°C) | 1.2 in | Warmest |
| August | 70°F (21°C) | 1.0 in | |
| September | 59°F (15°C) | 1.4 in | |
| October | 47°F (8°C) | 1.1 in | |
| November | 33°F (0°C) | 0.8 in | |
| December | 23°F (-5°C) | 0.7 in |
Birney has a seasonal temperature swing of 49°F / from 21°F in January to 71°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 15.1 inches, with June being the wettest month (2.8") and February the driest (0.6").