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Weather & Climate in Choteau, MT

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

Choteau has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 44°F (7°C). Winters average 25°F in January while summers reach 65°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 11.9 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 47.5 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 3,814 feet.

Temperature

25°F Jan (-4°C) 65°F Jul (18°C)
Annual Average43.8°F
19% below US avg
January Average25°F (-4°C)
July Average65°F (18°C)
Sunny Days273 days/yr

Geography

Elevation3,814 ft (1,163 m)
Area1.5 sq mi (3.8 km²)
Population Density1,177/sq mi
Coordinates47.8137°N, 112.1794°W
TimezoneAmerica/Denver
CountyTeton County County
Nearest AirportGreat Falls International (GTF)
44 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 11.9"
69% below US avg
Snowfall 47.5"
Wettest Month (Jun) 2.28"
Driest Month (Feb) 0.31"

Air Quality

AQI Median26.0
RatingGood

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskVery Low
Risk Score19.0 / 100
Social Vulnerability21.3 / 100
Community Resilience57.6 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado Very Low
Earthquake Very Low
Wildfire Relatively Low
Flood Very Low
Hail Very Low
Strong Wind Very Low
Heat Wave Very Low
Winter Weather Relatively Moderate
Lightning Very 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

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

Jul 6, 2017 11 km SE of Lincoln, Montana M5.8 108 km 12 km
Jul 6, 2017 15 km S of Lincoln, Montana M5.0 117 km 15 km
Jul 6, 2017 14 km SE of Lincoln, Montana M4.4 110 km 10 km
Jan 30, 2016 19 km E of Lincoln, Montana M4.3 98 km 2 km
Apr 15, 1998 11 km NE of Swan Lake, Montana M4.1 119 km 4 km
Apr 1, 1992 10 km ESE of Swan Lake, Montana M4.0 116 km 5 km
Jul 19, 2002 43 km NE of Seeley Lake, Montana M4.0 78 km 25 km
Jul 17, 2017 12 km ESE of Lincoln, Montana M4.0 106 km 13 km
Jul 6, 2017 14 km SSE of Lincoln, Montana M4.0 113 km 9 km
Jun 2, 1996 37 km N of Ovando, Montana M3.9 83 km 5 km
Oct 19, 2017 12 km SE of Lincoln, Montana M3.9 107 km 4 km
Apr 1, 1993 15 km E of Lincoln, Montana M3.9 98 km 5 km
Aug 16, 1994 27 km W of Chester, Montana M3.9 98 km 5 km
Mar 13, 2017 4 km ESE of Avon, Montana M3.8 141 km 20 km
May 7, 1992 14 km NE of Seeley Lake, Montana M3.8 106 km 5 km
Jun 1, 1996 23 km N of Ovando, Montana M3.8 99 km 10 km
Jul 2, 1992 4 km SSE of South Browning, Montana M3.8 98 km 10 km
Mar 21, 1992 20 km NE of Seeley Lake, Montana M3.8 100 km 5 km
Jul 5, 2024 24 km ENE of Seeley Lake, Montana M3.8 97 km 22 km
Apr 17, 2018 13 km ESE of Lincoln, Montana M3.8 106 km 14 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: EF2.

Date Rating Distance Path Fatalities
Jul 2, 1966 EF2 36 km 0.8 mi 0
Jun 13, 2006 EF1 97 km 10.0 mi 0
Jul 3, 1998 EF1 54 km 0.5 mi 0
Jun 6, 1994 EF1 91 km 0.1 mi 0
Jul 5, 1988 EF1 68 km 0.2 mi 0
Jun 1, 1980 EF1 92 km 0.1 mi 0
Jul 3, 1978 EF1 74 km 1.0 mi 0
Jul 3, 1978 EF1 74 km 1.0 mi 0
Jul 3, 1978 EF1 74 km 1.0 mi 0
Jun 1, 1977 EF1 91 km 0.1 mi 0
Jun 1, 1977 EF1 44 km 0.1 mi 0
Jul 2, 1964 EF1 27 km 27.0 mi 0
Jun 22, 1962 EF1 32 km 0.1 mi 0
Jun 29, 1961 EF1 93 km 0.1 mi 0
Jun 2, 1999 EF0 96 km 0.1 mi 0
Jun 6, 1994 EF0 86 km 0.1 mi 0
Jun 21, 1993 EF0 74 km 0.1 mi 0
Jun 21, 1993 EF0 80 km 0.1 mi 0
Jun 21, 1993 EF0 100 km 0.1 mi 0
Jun 26, 1992 EF0 70 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: RICE RIDGE (171,473 acres, 2017).

Year Name Acres Burned Distance
2017 RICE RIDGE 171,473 99 km
1988 CANYON CREEK 167,875 77 km
2015 BEAR CREEK 60,710 93 km
2007 FOOL CREEK 53,912 59 km
2015 FAMILY PEAK COMPLEX 49,769 75 km
2007 AHORN 45,633 66 km
1988 GATES PARK 42,493 56 km
2007 SKYLAND 41,237 95 km
2003 LINCOLN COMPLEX (SNOWBANK) 36,987 87 km
2003 LITTLE SALMON CREEK 33,044 88 km
2021 HARRIS MTN 31,792 87 km
2017 ALICE CREEK 29,971 77 km
2012 ELBOW PASS COMPLEX 28,989 72 km
2003 BARTLETT MOUNTAIN 27,614 89 km
2007 CONGER CREEK 22,936 90 km
2000 MONTURE-SPREAD RIDGE (MONTURE) 22,493 96 km
2015 TRAIL CREEK 22,338 91 km
2017 SCALP 20,309 66 km
2017 PARK CREEK 17,915 95 km
2017 STRAWBERRY 17,781 66 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 25°F (-4°C) 0.4 in Coldest
February 32°F (-0°C) 0.3 in Driest
March 37°F (3°C) 0.5 in
April 45°F (7°C) 1.0 in
May 54°F (12°C) 2.2 in
June 62°F (17°C) 2.3 in Wettest
July 65°F (18°C) 1.4 in
August 67°F (20°C) 1.5 in Warmest
September 56°F (14°C) 1.1 in
October 47°F (8°C) 0.6 in
November 34°F (1°C) 0.4 in
December 29°F (-2°C) 0.4 in

Choteau has a seasonal temperature swing of 42°F / from 25°F in January to 67°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 11.9 inches, with June being the wettest month (2.3") and February the driest (0.3").

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