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Weather & Climate in Cardwell, MT

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

Cardwell has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 45°F (7°C). Winters average 24°F in January while summers reach 69°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 13.0 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 4,283 feet.

Temperature

24°F Jan (-4°C) 69°F Jul (21°C)
Annual Average45.4°F
16% below US avg
January Average24°F (-4°C)
July Average69°F (21°C)
Sunny Days311 days/yr

Geography

Elevation4,283 ft (1,305 m)
Area2.2 sq mi (5.6 km²)
Population Density20/sq mi
Coordinates45.8651°N, 111.9642°W
TimezoneAmerica/Denver
CountyMadison County County
Nearest AirportBozeman Yellowstone International (BZN)
40 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 13.0"
66% below US avg
Wettest Month (Jun) 2.05"
Driest Month (Feb) 0.31"

Air Quality

AQI Median26.0
RatingGood

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskVery Low
Risk Score41.0 / 100
Social Vulnerability18.5 / 100
Community Resilience40.9 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

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

Earthquake History

848 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M5.8.

Jul 6, 2017 11 km SE of Lincoln, Montana M5.8 122 km 12 km
Jul 26, 2005 16 km N of Dillon, Montana M5.6 75 km 13 km
Aug 20, 1999 22 km NW of Lima, Montana M5.1 136 km 16 km
Jul 6, 2017 15 km S of Lincoln, Montana M5.0 118 km 15 km
Apr 9, 2019 9 km NE of Lima, Montana M4.6 137 km 14 km
Apr 5, 2011 28 km NNE of Spencer, Idaho M4.4 140 km 12 km
Jul 6, 2017 14 km SE of Lincoln, Montana M4.4 119 km 10 km
Feb 5, 2006 44 km NE of Spencer, Idaho M4.4 131 km 14 km
May 8, 2007 8 km NNW of Alder, Montana M4.4 54 km 14 km
Jun 16, 2017 12 km E of Hebgen Lake Estates, Montana M4.4 141 km 9 km
Jun 13, 2016 45 km W of Hebgen Lake Estates, Montana M4.3 127 km 10 km
Jan 30, 2016 19 km E of Lincoln, Montana M4.3 125 km 2 km
Oct 28, 1998 18 km S of Whitehall, Montana M4.3 22 km 5 km
Jul 14, 2023 3 km S of Lima, Montana M4.2 148 km 12 km
Aug 16, 2019 4 km NW of Manhattan, Montana M4.2 46 km 2 km
Aug 30, 1997 25 km WNW of Hebgen Lake Estates, Montana M4.1 120 km 4 km
Oct 7, 2024 11 km E of Dillon, Montana M4.1 82 km 17 km
Apr 8, 2000 8 km ENE of Townsend, Montana M4.1 68 km 5 km
Jun 18, 2006 6 km S of Pony, Montana M4.1 30 km 12 km
Aug 6, 2019 3 km NW of Manhattan, Montana M4.1 47 km 5 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Tornado History

20 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2.

Date Rating Distance Path Fatalities
May 19, 1962 EF2 85 km 2.0 mi 0
Jun 28, 1982 EF1 81 km 0.5 mi 0
May 29, 1965 EF1 78 km 0.1 mi 0
Jun 15, 1960 EF1 72 km 1.3 mi 0
Jul 10, 2016 EF0 89 km 0.0 mi 0
Aug 9, 2011 EF0 99 km 0.1 mi 0
Jun 29, 1999 EF0 73 km 0.2 mi 0
Sep 15, 1997 EF0 72 km 0.1 mi 0
Jul 19, 1997 EF0 100 km 0.1 mi 0
Jul 2, 1997 EF0 49 km 0.1 mi 0
Jul 2, 1997 EF0 49 km 0.1 mi 0
Jun 27, 1997 EF0 80 km 0.1 mi 0
Jun 15, 1996 EF0 88 km 2.0 mi 0
May 17, 1994 EF0 36 km 0.1 mi 0
Jun 11, 1993 EF0 82 km 0.1 mi 0
Jun 29, 1992 EF0 48 km 0.1 mi 0
Jun 12, 1992 EF0 59 km 0.1 mi 0
May 17, 1962 EF0 96 km 0.1 mi 0
Jul 22, 1960 EF0 82 km 1.0 mi 0
Aug 2, 1959 EF0 96 km 0.1 mi 0
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).

Nearby Volcanoes

1 volcano within 200 km. Closest: Yellowstone (189 km).

Name Type Elevation Last Eruption Distance
Yellowstone Caldera(s) 2,805 m (9,203 ft) -1350 189 km
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: TOSTON-MAUDLOW (80,383 acres, 2000).

Year Name Acres Burned Distance
2000 TOSTON-MAUDLOW 80,383 67 km
2021 WOODS CREEK 55,836 92 km
2021 ALDER CREEK 38,189 92 km
1988 CANYON CREEK 35,865 65 km
2001 FRIDLEY 27,575 98 km
2000 CANYON FERRY COMPLEX (CAVE GULCH) 26,997 97 km
2021 HAYSTACK 26,118 39 km
2012 BEAR TRAP 2 14,875 40 km
2000 CANYON FERRY COMPLEX (BUCKSNORT) 14,843 82 km
2007 PATTENGAIL CREEK 13,471 98 km
2012 MILLIE 10,497 86 km
2000 BOULDER COMPLEX (HIGH ORE ROAD) 9,625 51 km
2015 EUSTIS 8,469 43 km
1988 SWEETWATER 8,405 95 km
2020 BRIDGER FOOTHILLS 8,291 82 km
2015 COTTONWOOD GULCH 8,100 48 km
2018 MONUMENT 6,973 95 km
2001 PURDY CREEK 4,868 73 km
2020 STATE CREEK 4,549 31 km
2012 PONY 4,453 19 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 24°F (-4°C) 0.4 in Coldest
February 29°F (-2°C) 0.3 in Driest
March 34°F (1°C) 0.6 in
April 42°F (6°C) 0.8 in
May 51°F (11°C) 1.9 in
June 60°F (15°C) 2.1 in Wettest
July 69°F (21°C) 1.2 in Warmest
August 65°F (18°C) 1.1 in
September 55°F (13°C) 1.1 in
October 45°F (7°C) 0.6 in
November 32°F (0°C) 0.4 in
December 25°F (-4°C) 0.4 in

Cardwell has a seasonal temperature swing of 45°F / from 24°F in January to 69°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 10.8 inches, with June being the wettest month (2.1") and February the driest (0.3").

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