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Weather & Climate in Circle, MT
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Circle has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 45°F (7°C). Winters average 18°F in January while summers reach 72°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 14.5 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 2,432 feet.
Temperature
18°F Jan (-8°C)
72°F Jul (22°C)
| Annual Average | 45.1°F |
| 16% below US avg | |
| January Average | 18°F (-8°C) |
| July Average | 72°F (22°C) |
| Sunny Days | 273 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 2,432 ft (741 m) |
| Area | 0.8 sq mi (2.0 km²) |
| Population Density | 696/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 47.4177°N, 105.5870°W |
| Timezone | America/Denver |
| County | McCone County County |
| Nearest Airport | Sidney-Richland Regional (SDY) 68 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 26.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 5.3 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 25.4 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 17.0 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Very Low |
| Ice Storm | Very Low |
| Drought | Very Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
3 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.8.
| Feb 25, 2014 | 23 km N of Brockton, Montana | M3.8 | 117 km | 5 km |
| Jul 29, 1998 | 16 km WNW of Froid, Montana | M3.8 | 125 km | 5 km |
| May 6, 2014 | 12 km NNW of Knife River, Montana | M2.6 | 88 km | 8 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
58 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 1 fatality, 2 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jun 29, 1961 | EF4 | 76 km | 15.9 mi | 0 |
| Jul 11, 1995 | EF2 | 40 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 27, 1975 | EF2 | 68 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 11, 1972 | EF2 | 67 km | 9.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 26, 1954 | EF2 | 18 km | 20.9 mi | 0 |
| Jun 23, 1953 | EF2 | 39 km | 33.5 mi | 0 |
| May 20, 2011 | EF1 | 87 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 16, 2010 | EF1 | 74 km | 2.6 mi | 0 |
| Jul 4, 1998 | EF1 | 96 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 9, 1983 | EF1 | 52 km | 1.0 mi | 1 |
| Jun 26, 1959 | EF1 | 81 km | 5.4 mi | 0 |
| Jun 18, 1958 | EF1 | 97 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 6, 1955 | EF1 | 75 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 30, 1953 | EF1 | 74 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| May 23, 2018 | EF0 | 61 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Jun 17, 2014 | EF0 | 90 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 29, 2011 | EF0 | 67 km | 11.5 mi | 0 |
| May 27, 2010 | EF0 | 30 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 13, 2009 | EF0 | 78 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Jul 13, 2009 | EF0 | 79 km | 0.4 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: HUFF (41,784 acres, 2020).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2020 | HUFF | 41,784 | 95 km |
| 2006 | BLACK PULASKI (BLACK PULASKI COMPLEX) | 15,504 | 94 km |
| 2017 | CROW ROCK | 8,298 | 85 km |
| 2017 | YOOPER | 7,834 | 100 km |
| 2003 | GREYBULL | 7,229 | 97 km |
| 2021 | SMITH | 5,212 | 92 km |
| 2003 | 3 MILE | 3,394 | 57 km |
| 2007 | ROCK SPRINGS | 3,094 | 70 km |
| 2021 | GREAT DIVIDE - DAWSON | 3,003 | 30 km |
| 1999 | HALLOWEEN | 2,845 | 76 km |
| 2021 | BADGER HOLE | 2,804 | 84 km |
| 2020 | SAGE | 2,554 | 93 km |
| 2021 | BRACKETT | 1,756 | 38 km |
| 2021 | THIRTEEN MILE | 1,664 | 78 km |
| 2012 | SKOV | 1,624 | 74 km |
| 2003 | BLUE PULASKI | 1,509 | 95 km |
| 2006 | TOAVS | 1,503 | 99 km |
| 2018 | WHEAT - DAWSON | 1,383 | 63 km |
| 2007 | UNNAMED | 1,279 | 96 km |
| 1996 | J.BAUER | 1,210 | 82 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 18°F (-8°C) | 0.4 in | Coldest |
| February | 22°F (-5°C) | 0.3 in | Driest |
| March | 32°F (-0°C) | 0.6 in | |
| April | 45°F (7°C) | 1.1 in | |
| May | 56°F (13°C) | 2.2 in | |
| June | 66°F (19°C) | 2.7 in | Wettest |
| July | 72°F (22°C) | 1.7 in | Warmest |
| August | 71°F (22°C) | 1.3 in | |
| September | 59°F (15°C) | 1.4 in | |
| October | 47°F (8°C) | 0.7 in | |
| November | 30°F (-1°C) | 0.4 in | |
| December | 19°F (-7°C) | 0.4 in |
Circle has a seasonal temperature swing of 54°F / from 18°F in January to 72°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 13.2 inches, with June being the wettest month (2.7") and February the driest (0.3").