Weather & Climate in Chester, MT

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

Chester has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 41°F (5°C). Winters average 16°F in January while summers reach 67°F in July. The area gets 274 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 12.3 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 36.5 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 3,134 feet.

Temperature

16°F Jan (-9°C) 67°F Jul (20°C)

Annual Average	41.4°F
	23% below US avg
January Average	16°F (-9°C)
July Average	67°F (20°C)
Sunny Days	274 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	3,134 ft (955 m)
Area	0.5 sq mi (1.2 km²)
Population Density	1,437/sq mi
Coordinates	48.5113°N, 110.9661°W
Timezone	America/Denver
County	Hill County County
Nearest Airport	Cut Bank International (CTB) 65 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 12.3"

68% below US avg

Snowfall 36.5"

Wettest Month (Jun) 2.24"

Driest Month (Feb) 0.28"

Air Quality

AQI Median	26.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Low
Risk Score	50.5 / 100
Social Vulnerability	67.1 / 100
Community Resilience	38.1 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

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

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

Earthquake History

23 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.9.

Aug 16, 1994	27 km W of Chester, Montana	M3.9	27 km	5 km
Jul 2, 1992	4 km SSE of South Browning, Montana	M3.8	150 km	10 km
May 1, 1997	35 km SSE of Magrath, Canada	M3.8	141 km	5 km
Sep 29, 2009	42 km NW of Santa Rita, Montana	M3.6	135 km	21 km
Jun 5, 1991	18 km SW of Shelby, Montana	M3.6	78 km	5 km
Jan 20, 2003	10 km S of Little Browning, Montana	M3.5	101 km	1 km
Sep 7, 2014	36 km SSE of Magrath, Canada	M3.4	141 km	15 km
Nov 17, 1992	39 km NNW of Santa Rita, Montana	M3.4	132 km	5 km
Jan 1, 1993	20 km WSW of Sweet Grass, Montana	M3.4	100 km	5 km
Aug 15, 1996	33 km WNW of Sweet Grass, Montana	M3.4	123 km	5 km
Jan 22, 1993	33 km SSE of Raymond, Canada	M3.4	131 km	5 km
Nov 6, 2002	3 km SSE of Little Browning, Montana	M3.4	101 km	1 km
Mar 5, 1995	2 km NW of Cut Bank, Montana	M3.3	103 km	10 km
Jan 11, 2003	44 km SSE of Magrath, Canada	M3.2	138 km	10 km
May 29, 2009	11 km S of Little Browning, Montana	M3.2	101 km	0 km
Apr 4, 1990	4 km WNW of Santa Rita, Montana	M3.1	106 km	6 km
Apr 2, 2014	13 km NNW of Conrad, Montana	M3.1	82 km	7 km
Jun 9, 2009	20 km NNW of Santa Rita, Montana	M3.0	115 km	23 km
Apr 10, 2024	17 km NNW of Santa Rita, Montana	M2.7	114 km	10 km
Jan 8, 2012	8 km W of Valier, Montana	M2.6	106 km	8 km

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

Tornado History

31 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 5 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Jul 5, 1988	EF3	95 km	12.0 mi	0
May 7, 1982	EF2	82 km	0.5 mi	0
Jun 16, 1995	EF1	70 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 6, 1994	EF1	90 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 1, 1980	EF1	81 km	0.1 mi	0
May 25, 1980	EF1	5 km	0.1 mi	0
May 25, 1980	EF1	40 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 1, 1977	EF1	92 km	0.1 mi	0
May 24, 1977	EF1	16 km	0.1 mi	0
Jul 10, 1965	EF1	80 km	0.2 mi	0
Jul 1, 1962	EF1	86 km	3.8 mi	0
Jun 23, 2018	EF0	99 km	1.4 mi	0
Jun 5, 2012	EF0	100 km	1.1 mi	0
Jun 2, 1999	EF0	28 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 27, 1996	EF0	5 km	0.2 mi	0
Jun 26, 1994	EF0	67 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 26, 1994	EF0	68 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 6, 1994	EF0	71 km	0.1 mi	0
Aug 16, 1993	EF0	81 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 21, 1993	EF0	65 km	0.1 mi	0

Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).

Wildfire History

16 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: CENTENNIAL (11,775 acres, 1984).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
1984	CENTENNIAL	11,775	94 km
1988	LOSTCANYON	4,532	94 km
2008	CHOUTEAU CO COMPLEX	4,365	73 km
1991	POWER	3,822	98 km
2008	UNIT 3 MARSH HAZ FUEL REDUCTION	3,333	98 km
2022	BENTON LAKE UNIT 3 AND 4B	2,996	97 km
2007	CHOUTEAU CO ASST	2,646	93 km
2022	MTBLR-FY22-RX	2,244	99 km
2005	H RX F COMPLEX BROADCAST BURNS	1,747	96 km
2021	BENTON LAKE UNIT 5	1,716	99 km
2012	BIG STRETCH	1,524	87 km
2023	MTBLR-HFR-FY23-RX	1,507	100 km
2018	MTBLR-18-RX-WUI	1,433	100 km
1999	SHIRLEY	1,290	87 km
2021	EAST BOOTLEGGER RX	1,191	99 km
2023	HWY 236	1,049	94 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	16°F (-9°C)	0.4 in	Coldest
February	22°F (-5°C)	0.3 in	Driest
March	32°F (-0°C)	0.6 in
April	43°F (6°C)	0.8 in
May	53°F (12°C)	1.9 in
June	61°F (16°C)	2.2 in	Wettest
July	67°F (20°C)	1.4 in	Warmest
August	66°F (19°C)	1.3 in
September	56°F (13°C)	0.9 in
October	45°F (7°C)	0.4 in
November	29°F (-2°C)	0.4 in
December	20°F (-7°C)	0.4 in

Chester has a seasonal temperature swing of 51°F / from 16°F in January to 67°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 11.1 inches, with June being the wettest month (2.2") and February the driest (0.3").

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