Weather & Climate in Busby, MT

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

Busby 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 3,451 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	3,451 ft (1,052 m)
Area	14.3 sq mi (37.1 km²)
Population Density	34/sq mi
Coordinates	45.5256°N, 106.9775°W
Timezone	America/Denver
County	Big Horn County County
Nearest Airport	Sheridan County (SHR) 52 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 15.7"

59% below US avg

Snowfall 52.3"

Wettest Month (Jun) 2.68"

Driest Month (Feb) 0.59"

Air Quality

AQI Median	26.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Low
Risk Score	57.2 / 100
Social Vulnerability	94.2 / 100
Community Resilience	4.8 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

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

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

Earthquake History

19 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	60 km	14 km
Feb 25, 1993	31 km N of Arvada, Wyoming	M3.9	98 km	5 km
Jul 6, 2021	27 km SSE of Melstone, Montana	M3.6	111 km	10 km
Dec 23, 1991	10 km SW of Colstrip, Montana	M3.6	39 km	5 km
Nov 3, 1999	8 km NNW of Broadus, Montana	M3.5	118 km	10 km
Jul 21, 2023	Eastern Montana	M3.2	146 km	5 km
Feb 13, 1998	12 km NE of Hyattville, Wyoming	M3.0	139 km	5 km
Feb 22, 1992	30 km E of Buffalo, Wyoming	M2.9	143 km	5 km
May 25, 2018	45 km W of Biddle, Montana	M2.9	96 km	16 km
Mar 30, 2018	20 km NNE of Sheridan, Wyoming	M2.8	64 km	5 km
May 21, 2013	32 km NE of Melstone, Montana	M2.8	145 km	7 km
Mar 23, 2023	8 km S of Shell, Wyoming	M2.8	134 km	11 km
Jan 15, 2023	6 km NE of Ashland, Montana	M2.8	61 km	11 km
Aug 7, 2022	38 km N of Arvada, Wyoming	M2.8	94 km	11 km
May 19, 2017	6 km ESE of Birney, Montana	M2.7	49 km	3 km
Jun 2, 2019	14 km WSW of Birney, Montana	M2.6	35 km	5 km
Apr 22, 2018	8 km ENE of Ashland, Montana	M2.6	64 km	5 km
Jan 6, 2016	27 km ENE of Lovell, Wyoming	M2.6	107 km	12 km
Mar 31, 2009	36 km NNE of Arvada, Wyoming	M2.6	100 km	17 km

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

Tornado History

36 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF1. Total: 3 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Jun 7, 2018	EF1	17 km	0.8 mi	0
Jun 21, 2010	EF1	70 km	1.0 mi	0
Jun 22, 1996	EF1	54 km	4.0 mi	0
Jul 9, 1991	EF1	54 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 21, 1991	EF1	58 km	0.2 mi	0
Jun 21, 1984	EF1	30 km	1.0 mi	0
Jun 21, 1984	EF1	60 km	2.0 mi	0
Jun 15, 1984	EF1	78 km	1.0 mi	0
Jun 13, 1984	EF1	94 km	1.0 mi	0
Jun 14, 1980	EF1	86 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 11, 1968	EF1	86 km	0.3 mi	0
Jun 7, 1968	EF1	93 km	0.3 mi	0
Jul 6, 1955	EF1	82 km	2.0 mi	0
Jun 10, 2004	EF0	73 km	3.6 mi	0
Jul 26, 2003	EF0	93 km	2.5 mi	0
Jul 5, 2000	EF0	82 km	0.5 mi	0
Aug 15, 1999	EF0	83 km	0.1 mi	0
Aug 23, 1998	EF0	77 km	7.0 mi	0
Aug 23, 1998	EF0	67 km	7.0 mi	0
May 13, 1996	EF0	25 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: ASH CREEK (253,413 acres, 2012).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2012	ASH CREEK	253,413	67 km
2024	REMINGTON	192,577	68 km
2021	RICHARD SPRING	168,765	41 km
2012	CHALKY	132,680	29 km
2006	PINE RIDGE COMPLEX	103,074	77 km
2017	SARTIN DRAW	91,570	82 km
2017	DEER CREEK	90,147	74 km
2012	SARPY HILLS COMPLEX	83,942	26 km
2021	P F	66,375	49 km
2012	TAYLOR CREEK	64,383	80 km
2000	STAG	62,381	59 km
1994	BABY DEAN	61,955	15 km
2020	SARPY	51,619	15 km
2006	BUFFALO CREEK	37,630	91 km
2011	DIAMOND COMPLEX	33,546	86 km
2020	SNIDER	33,246	73 km
2017	WITTEN	27,938	35 km
2003	LITTLEHAWK	27,926	13 km
2020	WADDLE CREEK	25,809	78 km
1996	ROSEBUD CREEK	25,174	82 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	21°F (-6°C)	0.7 in	Coldest
February	25°F (-4°C)	0.6 in	Driest
March	34°F (1°C)	0.8 in
April	44°F (6°C)	1.4 in
May	53°F (12°C)	2.6 in
June	62°F (17°C)	2.7 in	Wettest
July	71°F (21°C)	1.1 in	Warmest
August	69°F (20°C)	1.1 in
September	59°F (15°C)	1.5 in
October	47°F (8°C)	1.2 in
November	33°F (0°C)	0.8 in
December	23°F (-5°C)	0.8 in

Busby has a seasonal temperature swing of 49°F / from 21°F in January to 71°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 15.3 inches, with June being the wettest month (2.7") and February the driest (0.6").

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