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Weather & Climate in Colstrip, MT
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Colstrip experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 46°F (8°C). Winters average 25°F in January while summers reach 71°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 16.4 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 36.6 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 3,201 feet.
Temperature
25°F Jan (-4°C)
71°F Jul (22°C)
| Annual Average | 46.1°F |
| 15% below US avg | |
| January Average | 25°F (-4°C) |
| July Average | 71°F (22°C) |
| Sunny Days | 311 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 3,201 ft (976 m) |
| Area | 4.1 sq mi (10.5 km²) |
| Population Density | 532/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 45.8945°N, 106.6284°W |
| Timezone | America/Denver |
| County | Rosebud County County |
| Nearest Airport | Sheridan County (SHR) 80 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 26.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 49.7 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 97.4 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 0.9 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Moderate |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | Very Low |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | Relatively Low |
| Avalanche | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
14 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.0.
| Aug 22, 2009 | 20 km SSE of Birney, Montana | M4.0 | 85 km | 14 km |
| Feb 25, 1993 | 31 km N of Arvada, Wyoming | M3.9 | 116 km | 5 km |
| Jul 6, 2021 | 27 km SSE of Melstone, Montana | M3.6 | 101 km | 10 km |
| Dec 23, 1991 | 10 km SW of Colstrip, Montana | M3.6 | 11 km | 5 km |
| Nov 3, 1999 | 8 km NNW of Broadus, Montana | M3.5 | 100 km | 10 km |
| May 25, 2018 | 45 km W of Biddle, Montana | M2.9 | 106 km | 16 km |
| May 21, 2013 | 32 km NE of Melstone, Montana | M2.8 | 119 km | 7 km |
| Mar 30, 2018 | 20 km NNE of Sheridan, Wyoming | M2.8 | 105 km | 5 km |
| Jan 15, 2023 | 6 km NE of Ashland, Montana | M2.8 | 44 km | 11 km |
| Aug 7, 2022 | 38 km N of Arvada, Wyoming | M2.8 | 110 km | 11 km |
| May 19, 2017 | 6 km ESE of Birney, Montana | M2.7 | 69 km | 3 km |
| Jun 2, 2019 | 14 km WSW of Birney, Montana | M2.6 | 68 km | 5 km |
| Apr 22, 2018 | 8 km ENE of Ashland, Montana | M2.6 | 48 km | 5 km |
| Mar 31, 2009 | 36 km NNE of Arvada, Wyoming | M2.6 | 116 km | 17 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
36 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2. Total: 3 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jun 25, 1975 | EF2 | 88 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 7, 2018 | EF1 | 39 km | 0.8 mi | 0 |
| Jul 8, 2013 | EF1 | 77 km | 0.6 mi | 0 |
| Jun 21, 2010 | EF1 | 83 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 22, 1996 | EF1 | 77 km | 4.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 9, 1991 | EF1 | 78 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 21, 1991 | EF1 | 76 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Jun 21, 1984 | EF1 | 79 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 13, 1984 | EF1 | 74 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 14, 1980 | EF1 | 42 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 6, 1955 | EF1 | 62 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| May 31, 2014 | EF0 | 74 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| May 31, 2014 | EF0 | 93 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 3, 2013 | EF0 | 95 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 5, 2000 | EF0 | 84 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 5, 2000 | EF0 | 73 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Aug 15, 1999 | EF0 | 46 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 23, 1998 | EF0 | 73 km | 7.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 23, 1998 | EF0 | 65 km | 7.0 mi | 0 |
| May 13, 1996 | EF0 | 72 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: ASH CREEK (253,413 acres, 2012).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2012 | ASH CREEK | 253,413 | 47 km |
| 2024 | REMINGTON | 192,577 | 85 km |
| 2021 | RICHARD SPRING | 168,765 | 21 km |
| 2012 | CHALKY | 132,680 | 20 km |
| 2006 | PINE RIDGE COMPLEX | 103,074 | 82 km |
| 2017 | SARTIN DRAW | 91,570 | 47 km |
| 2012 | SARPY HILLS COMPLEX | 83,942 | 56 km |
| 2021 | P F | 66,375 | 64 km |
| 2012 | TAYLOR CREEK | 64,383 | 85 km |
| 2000 | STAG | 62,381 | 64 km |
| 1994 | BABY DEAN | 61,955 | 45 km |
| 2020 | SARPY | 51,619 | 39 km |
| 2011 | DIAMOND COMPLEX | 33,546 | 97 km |
| 2020 | SNIDER | 33,246 | 38 km |
| 2017 | WITTEN | 27,938 | 61 km |
| 2003 | LITTLEHAWK | 27,926 | 37 km |
| 1996 | ROSEBUD CREEK | 25,174 | 35 km |
| 2006 | HORTON | 25,108 | 46 km |
| 2021 | MUSSELSHELL TRAIL RD | 22,723 | 94 km |
| 1988 | EARLYBIRD | 21,730 | 27 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 25°F (-4°C) | 0.6 in | |
| February | 27°F (-3°C) | 0.5 in | Driest |
| March | 35°F (1°C) | 0.8 in | |
| April | 44°F (7°C) | 1.6 in | |
| May | 54°F (12°C) | 2.6 in | |
| June | 64°F (18°C) | 2.6 in | Wettest |
| July | 71°F (22°C) | 1.2 in | Warmest |
| August | 70°F (21°C) | 1.1 in | |
| September | 59°F (15°C) | 1.4 in | |
| October | 47°F (8°C) | 1.1 in | |
| November | 34°F (1°C) | 0.6 in | |
| December | 24°F (-5°C) | 0.6 in | Coldest |
Colstrip has a seasonal temperature swing of 47°F / from 24°F in December to 71°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 14.6 inches, with June being the wettest month (2.6") and February the driest (0.5").