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Weather & Climate in Cascade, MT

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

Cascade experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 47°F (8°C). Winters average 29°F in January while summers reach 69°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 16.9 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 66.8 inches of snow annually, making winter weather a significant factor for residents. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 46. 60% of days have good air quality. The city sits at an elevation of 3,423 feet.

Temperature

29°F Jan (-2°C) 69°F Jul (20°C)
Annual Average47.0°F
13% below US avg
January Average29°F (-2°C)
July Average69°F (20°C)
Sunny Days273 days/yr

Geography

Elevation3,423 ft (1,043 m)
Area0.5 sq mi (1.3 km²)
Population Density991/sq mi
Coordinates47.2771°N, 111.7030°W
TimezoneAmerica/Denver
CountyCascade County County
Nearest AirportGreat Falls International (GTF)
21 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 16.9"
56% below US avg
Snowfall 66.8"
Wettest Month (May) 2.64"
Driest Month (Feb) 0.43"

Air Quality

AQI Median46.0
RatingGood
Good Days %59.8%
Unhealthy Days0

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskRelatively Moderate
Risk Score83.1 / 100
Social Vulnerability27.1 / 100
Community Resilience76.3 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

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

Earthquake History

326 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 79 km 12 km
Jul 6, 2017 15 km S of Lincoln, Montana M5.0 89 km 15 km
Jul 6, 2017 14 km SE of Lincoln, Montana M4.4 79 km 10 km
Jan 30, 2016 19 km E of Lincoln, Montana M4.3 66 km 2 km
Apr 8, 2000 8 km ENE of Townsend, Montana M4.1 106 km 5 km
Jul 6, 2017 14 km SSE of Lincoln, Montana M4.0 83 km 9 km
Nov 10, 2000 14 km NE of Townsend, Montana M4.0 101 km 2 km
Jul 19, 2002 43 km NE of Seeley Lake, Montana M4.0 103 km 25 km
Jul 17, 2017 12 km ESE of Lincoln, Montana M4.0 77 km 13 km
Jun 2, 1996 37 km N of Ovando, Montana M3.9 102 km 5 km
Feb 6, 1999 24 km E of Townsend, Montana M3.9 109 km 1 km
Oct 19, 2017 12 km SE of Lincoln, Montana M3.9 78 km 4 km
Aug 16, 1994 27 km W of Chester, Montana M3.9 138 km 5 km
Apr 1, 1993 15 km E of Lincoln, Montana M3.9 68 km 5 km
Mar 13, 2017 4 km ESE of Avon, Montana M3.8 101 km 20 km
Mar 21, 1992 20 km NE of Seeley Lake, Montana M3.8 118 km 5 km
Apr 17, 2018 13 km ESE of Lincoln, Montana M3.8 76 km 14 km
May 7, 1992 14 km NE of Seeley Lake, Montana M3.8 123 km 5 km
Jul 5, 2024 24 km ENE of Seeley Lake, Montana M3.8 114 km 22 km
Jun 1, 1996 23 km N of Ovando, Montana M3.8 111 km 10 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Tornado History

35 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2. Total: 5 injuries.

Date Rating Distance Path Fatalities
Jun 30, 1975 EF2 40 km 0.1 mi 0
Jul 2, 1966 EF2 51 km 0.8 mi 0
Jun 16, 2007 EF1 92 km 5.3 mi 0
Jul 3, 1998 EF1 35 km 0.5 mi 0
Jun 19, 1998 EF1 91 km 1.0 mi 0
Jul 5, 1988 EF1 19 km 0.2 mi 0
Jun 1, 1980 EF1 80 km 0.1 mi 0
Jul 3, 1978 EF1 16 km 1.0 mi 0
Jul 3, 1978 EF1 16 km 1.0 mi 0
Jul 3, 1978 EF1 16 km 1.0 mi 0
Jun 1, 1977 EF1 26 km 0.1 mi 0
Jul 10, 1965 EF1 89 km 0.2 mi 0
Jul 2, 1964 EF1 42 km 27.0 mi 0
Jun 22, 1962 EF1 39 km 0.1 mi 0
Jun 29, 1961 EF1 47 km 0.1 mi 0
Jun 29, 1960 EF1 72 km 0.3 mi 0
Jun 23, 2018 EF0 78 km 1.4 mi 0
Aug 5, 2002 EF0 91 km 5.0 mi 0
Jul 5, 2000 EF0 59 km 1.0 mi 0
Jun 27, 1997 EF0 81 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: CANYON CREEK (167,875 acres, 1988).

Year Name Acres Burned Distance
1988 CANYON CREEK 167,875 79 km
2021 WOODS CREEK 55,836 89 km
2007 AHORN 45,633 99 km
2003 LINCOLN COMPLEX (SNOWBANK) 36,987 72 km
1988 CANYON CREEK 35,865 93 km
2021 HARRIS MTN 31,792 18 km
2017 ALICE CREEK 29,971 58 km
2012 ELBOW PASS COMPLEX 28,989 90 km
1984 NORTH HILL 27,162 55 km
2000 CANYON FERRY COMPLEX (CAVE GULCH) 26,997 64 km
2007 CONGER CREEK 22,936 97 km
2007 MERIWETHER 18,865 45 km
2017 PARK CREEK 17,915 82 km
2000 CANYON FERRY COMPLEX (BUCKSNORT) 14,843 78 km
1990 BEARTOOTH COMPLEX 13,462 35 km
1993 FREEZEOUT LAKE 9,793 56 km
2021 BALSINGER 8,317 69 km
2009 INDIAN TRAIL 4,592 37 km
2020 YOGO 4,429 99 km
2022 URSUS 4,291 97 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 29°F (-2°C) 0.6 in
February 29°F (-2°C) 0.4 in Driest
March 36°F (2°C) 0.9 in
April 44°F (7°C) 1.5 in
May 53°F (12°C) 2.6 in Wettest
June 61°F (16°C) 2.2 in
July 69°F (20°C) 1.5 in Warmest
August 67°F (20°C) 1.5 in
September 57°F (14°C) 1.4 in
October 47°F (9°C) 0.9 in
November 35°F (2°C) 0.6 in
December 27°F (-3°C) 0.6 in Coldest

Cascade has a seasonal temperature swing of 42°F / from 27°F in December to 69°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 14.7 inches, with May being the wettest month (2.6") and February the driest (0.4").

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