Weather & Climate in Churchill, MT

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

Churchill has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 43°F (6°C). Winters average 21°F in January while summers reach 67°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 13.4 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 4,582 feet.

Temperature

21°F Jan (-6°C) 67°F Jul (20°C)

Annual Average	43.0°F
	20% below US avg
January Average	21°F (-6°C)
July Average	67°F (20°C)
Sunny Days	311 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	4,582 ft (1,397 m)
Area	3.6 sq mi (9.2 km²)
Population Density	315/sq mi
Coordinates	45.7500°N, 111.3103°W
Timezone	America/Denver
County	Gallatin County County
Nearest Airport	Bozeman Yellowstone International (BZN) 8 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 13.4"

65% below US avg

Wettest Month (May) 2.76"

Driest Month (Feb) 0.47"

Air Quality

AQI Median	26.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Moderate
Risk Score	81.0 / 100
Social Vulnerability	10.6 / 100
Community Resilience	71.7 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

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

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

Earthquake History

906 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M5.6.

Jul 26, 2005	16 km N of Dillon, Montana	M5.6	110 km	13 km
Mar 30, 2014	22 km S of Mammoth, Wyoming	M4.8	119 km	6 km
Apr 9, 2019	9 km NE of Lima, Montana	M4.6	150 km	14 km
May 8, 2007	8 km NNW of Alder, Montana	M4.4	75 km	14 km
Apr 5, 2011	28 km NNE of Spencer, Idaho	M4.4	141 km	12 km
Feb 5, 2006	44 km NE of Spencer, Idaho	M4.4	126 km	14 km
Jun 16, 2017	12 km E of Hebgen Lake Estates, Montana	M4.4	110 km	9 km
Jun 13, 2016	45 km W of Hebgen Lake Estates, Montana	M4.3	119 km	10 km
Oct 28, 1998	18 km S of Whitehall, Montana	M4.3	64 km	5 km
Nov 24, 2000	24 km S of Mammoth, Wyoming	M4.2	121 km	9 km
Aug 16, 2019	4 km NW of Manhattan, Montana	M4.2	16 km	2 km
Aug 6, 2019	3 km NW of Manhattan, Montana	M4.1	15 km	5 km
Oct 7, 2024	11 km E of Dillon, Montana	M4.1	109 km	17 km
Jun 18, 2006	6 km S of Pony, Montana	M4.1	49 km	12 km
Apr 8, 2000	8 km ENE of Townsend, Montana	M4.1	66 km	5 km
Aug 30, 1997	25 km WNW of Hebgen Lake Estates, Montana	M4.1	102 km	4 km
Sep 3, 2016	16 km S of Whitehall, Montana	M4.0	63 km	8 km
Mar 6, 2009	18 km S of Whitehall, Montana	M4.0	64 km	12 km
Feb 17, 1992	24 km NE of Lima, Montana	M4.0	136 km	10 km
Jul 27, 2005	18 km N of Dillon, Montana	M4.0	109 km	5 km

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

Tornado History

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

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Jul 2, 2010	EF2	82 km	2.1 mi	0
Jun 5, 2012	EF1	94 km	2.8 mi	0
Jun 15, 1960	EF1	20 km	1.3 mi	0
Aug 9, 2011	EF0	56 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 29, 1999	EF0	62 km	0.2 mi	0
Jul 2, 1997	EF0	15 km	0.1 mi	0
Jul 2, 1997	EF0	15 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 15, 1996	EF0	74 km	2.0 mi	0
May 17, 1994	EF0	28 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 29, 1992	EF0	51 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 12, 1992	EF0	67 km	0.1 mi	0

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

Nearby Volcanoes

1 volcano within 200 km. Closest: Yellowstone (155 km).

Name	Type	Elevation	Last Eruption	Distance
Yellowstone	Caldera(s)	2,805 m (9,203 ft)	-1350	155 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	51 km
2021	WOODS CREEK	55,836	88 km
1988	CANYON CREEK	35,865	85 km
2001	FRIDLEY	27,575	48 km
2021	HAYSTACK	26,118	85 km
2006	JUNGLE	23,846	82 km
2007	WH COMPLEX (WICKED CREEK)	22,195	84 km
2021	AMERICAN FORK	20,726	90 km
1988	FAN	20,422	88 km
2012	BEAR TRAP 2	14,875	26 km
2000	CANYON FERRY COMPLEX (BUCKSNORT)	14,843	97 km
2006	BIG CREEK	13,424	55 km
2013	MINER PARADISE COMPLEX	12,210	64 km
2012	MILLIE	10,497	41 km
2000	BOULDER COMPLEX (HIGH ORE ROAD)	9,625	89 km
2000	BEAVER CREEK	9,568	90 km
2015	EUSTIS	8,469	34 km
2020	BRIDGER FOOTHILLS	8,291	30 km
2015	COTTONWOOD GULCH	8,100	22 km
2012	PINE CREEK	7,707	68 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	21°F (-6°C)	0.6 in	Coldest
February	28°F (-2°C)	0.5 in	Driest
March	35°F (2°C)	1.1 in
April	44°F (7°C)	1.5 in
May	53°F (12°C)	2.8 in	Wettest
June	61°F (16°C)	2.5 in
July	67°F (20°C)	1.3 in	Warmest
August	66°F (19°C)	1.3 in
September	56°F (13°C)	1.7 in
October	46°F (8°C)	1.3 in
November	32°F (-0°C)	0.8 in
December	23°F (-5°C)	0.6 in

Churchill has a seasonal temperature swing of 46°F / from 21°F in January to 67°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 15.8 inches, with May being the wettest month (2.8") and February the driest (0.5").

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