Weather & Climate in Carter, MT

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

Carter has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 45°F (7°C). Winters average 22°F in January while summers reach 70°F in July. The area gets 273 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 13.2 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 38.2 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 3,036 feet.

Temperature

22°F Jan (-5°C) 70°F Jul (21°C)

Annual Average	45.4°F
	16% below US avg
January Average	22°F (-5°C)
July Average	70°F (21°C)
Sunny Days	273 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	3,036 ft (925 m)
Area	2.9 sq mi (7.5 km²)
Population Density	41/sq mi
Coordinates	47.7778°N, 110.9328°W
Timezone	America/Denver
County	Chouteau County County
Nearest Airport	Great Falls International (GTF) 29 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 13.2"

65% below US avg

Snowfall 38.2"

Wettest Month (May) 2.76"

Driest Month (Feb) 0.51"

Air Quality

AQI Median	26.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Very Low
Risk Score	39.5 / 100
Social Vulnerability	65.4 / 100
Community Resilience	24.9 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

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

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

Earthquake History

46 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
Aug 16, 1994	27 km W of Chester, Montana	M3.9	85 km	5 km
Apr 1, 1993	15 km E of Lincoln, Montana	M3.9	148 km	5 km
Jan 16, 2011	10 km ENE of Marysville, Montana	M3.7	145 km	15 km
Jun 5, 1991	18 km SW of Shelby, Montana	M3.6	104 km	5 km
Jan 20, 2003	10 km S of Little Browning, Montana	M3.5	134 km	1 km
Nov 6, 2002	3 km SSE of Little Browning, Montana	M3.4	138 km	1 km
Aug 11, 1992	27 km W of Augusta, Montana	M3.4	141 km	5 km
Mar 7, 2017	9 km ENE of Marysville, Montana	M3.4	145 km	11 km
Mar 5, 1995	2 km NW of Cut Bank, Montana	M3.3	143 km	10 km
May 29, 2009	11 km S of Little Browning, Montana	M3.2	133 km	0 km
Jun 16, 1999	16 km SSE of Craig, Montana	M3.2	120 km	4 km
Apr 2, 2014	13 km NNW of Conrad, Montana	M3.1	98 km	7 km
Feb 3, 1993	14 km NNW of Marysville, Montana	M3.1	149 km	23 km
Apr 4, 1990	4 km WNW of Santa Rita, Montana	M3.1	149 km	6 km
Mar 25, 2021	13 km NNW of Marysville, Montana	M3.1	149 km	5 km
Jan 6, 2014	28 km W of Augusta, Montana	M3.0	142 km	27 km
Jan 20, 2025	26 km WSW of Augusta, Montana	M3.0	141 km	30 km
Jun 18, 2015	9 km ENE of Marysville, Montana	M3.0	144 km	11 km
Jul 25, 2017	13 km E of Lincoln, Montana	M2.9	150 km	7 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: EF3. Total: 7 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Jul 5, 1988	EF3	76 km	10.0 mi	0
Jul 5, 1988	EF3	74 km	12.0 mi	0
Jul 5, 1988	EF3	83 km	3.0 mi	0
Jun 25, 1996	EF2	95 km	2.0 mi	0
Apr 24, 1994	EF2	88 km	1.5 mi	0
Apr 24, 1994	EF2	88 km	1.0 mi	0
Jun 8, 1976	EF2	80 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 30, 1975	EF2	86 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 16, 2007	EF1	95 km	5.3 mi	0
Apr 22, 2003	EF1	88 km	2.0 mi	0
Jul 3, 1998	EF1	52 km	0.5 mi	0
Jun 19, 1998	EF1	31 km	1.0 mi	0
Jul 5, 1988	EF1	61 km	0.2 mi	0
Jun 1, 1980	EF1	1 km	0.1 mi	0
May 25, 1980	EF1	86 km	0.1 mi	0
May 25, 1980	EF1	92 km	0.1 mi	0
Jul 3, 1978	EF1	66 km	1.0 mi	0
Jul 3, 1978	EF1	66 km	1.0 mi	0
Jul 3, 1978	EF1	66 km	1.0 mi	0
Jun 1, 1977	EF1	73 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: HARRIS MTN (31,792 acres, 2021).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2021	HARRIS MTN	31,792	93 km
2009	MEISSNER	12,318	62 km
1993	FREEZEOUT LAKE	9,793	93 km
2021	BALSINGER	8,317	87 km
1988	LOSTCANYON	4,532	97 km
2008	CHOUTEAU CO COMPLEX	4,365	42 km
2019	STUCKEY RD MA	4,073	38 km
1991	POWER	3,822	51 km
2012	MISSION ROAD	3,372	98 km
2008	UNIT 3 MARSH HAZ FUEL REDUCTION	3,333	33 km
2020	EAGLE ROCK ROAD	3,129	59 km
2022	BENTON LAKE UNIT 3 AND 4B	2,996	32 km
2007	CHOUTEAU CO ASST	2,646	35 km
2022	MTBLR-FY22-RX	2,244	34 km
2007	2007 HAZ FUEL REDUCTION	2,159	37 km
2021	FOUR SISTERS	1,999	58 km
2001	LOST FORK-MONARCH COMPLEX (MONARCH)	1,818	80 km
2021	EAGLE BUTTE	1,817	69 km
2005	H RX F COMPLEX BROADCAST BURNS	1,747	33 km
2021	BENTON LAKE UNIT 5	1,716	31 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	22°F (-5°C)	0.8 in	Coldest
February	27°F (-3°C)	0.5 in	Driest
March	35°F (2°C)	1.0 in
April	45°F (7°C)	1.4 in
May	54°F (12°C)	2.8 in	Wettest
June	63°F (17°C)	2.6 in
July	70°F (21°C)	1.4 in	Warmest
August	68°F (20°C)	1.5 in
September	58°F (14°C)	1.4 in
October	47°F (8°C)	0.9 in
November	34°F (1°C)	0.6 in
December	26°F (-3°C)	0.7 in

Carter has a seasonal temperature swing of 48°F / from 22°F in January to 70°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 15.6 inches, with May being the wettest month (2.8") and February the driest (0.5").

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