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Weather & Climate in Columbia Falls, MT
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Columbia Falls has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 43°F (6°C). Winters average 24°F in January while summers reach 65°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 16.8 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 54.4 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 3,079 feet.
Temperature
24°F Jan (-5°C)
65°F Jul (18°C)
| Annual Average | 43.1°F |
| 20% below US avg | |
| January Average | 24°F (-5°C) |
| July Average | 65°F (18°C) |
| Sunny Days | 274 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 3,079 ft (938 m) |
| Area | 2.1 sq mi (5.3 km²) |
| Population Density | 2,426/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 48.3715°N, 114.1918°W |
| Timezone | America/Denver |
| County | Flathead County County |
| Nearest Airport | Glacier Park International (FCA) 5 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 26.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Moderate |
| Risk Score | 86.5 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 15.9 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 46.3 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Moderate |
| Wildfire | Relatively Moderate |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Very Low |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively High |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | Very Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively High |
| Landslide | Relatively Moderate |
| Avalanche | Very High |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
176 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.7.
| Dec 22, 1998 | Idaho-Montana border region | M4.7 | 86 km | 12 km |
| Mar 4, 2000 | 35 km S of Pincher Creek, Canada | M4.6 | 90 km | 1 km |
| Mar 22, 2006 | 8 km SSW of Rexford, Montana | M4.3 | 90 km | 8 km |
| May 2, 1995 | 2 km NW of Kila, Montana | M4.1 | 33 km | 9 km |
| Apr 15, 1998 | 11 km NE of Swan Lake, Montana | M4.1 | 52 km | 4 km |
| Jun 29, 1995 | 2 km NNW of Kila, Montana | M4.1 | 33 km | 5 km |
| Jul 19, 2002 | 43 km NE of Seeley Lake, Montana | M4.0 | 135 km | 25 km |
| Jan 20, 1998 | 15 km SSE of Happys Inn, Montana | M4.0 | 79 km | 7 km |
| Apr 1, 1992 | 10 km ESE of Swan Lake, Montana | M4.0 | 64 km | 5 km |
| Jun 2, 1996 | 37 km N of Ovando, Montana | M3.9 | 142 km | 5 km |
| Jul 5, 2024 | 24 km ENE of Seeley Lake, Montana | M3.8 | 141 km | 22 km |
| May 2, 1995 | 3 km WNW of Kila, Montana | M3.8 | 35 km | 9 km |
| May 1, 1997 | 35 km SSE of Magrath, Canada | M3.8 | 141 km | 5 km |
| Mar 21, 1992 | 20 km NE of Seeley Lake, Montana | M3.8 | 138 km | 5 km |
| Jun 1, 1996 | 23 km N of Ovando, Montana | M3.8 | 148 km | 10 km |
| Jul 2, 1992 | 4 km SSE of South Browning, Montana | M3.8 | 89 km | 10 km |
| Sep 26, 2004 | 14 km WSW of Pablo, Montana | M3.8 | 90 km | 17 km |
| May 7, 1992 | 14 km NE of Seeley Lake, Montana | M3.8 | 139 km | 5 km |
| Jan 13, 2010 | 36 km NE of Seeley Lake, Montana | M3.7 | 129 km | 21 km |
| Aug 19, 1999 | 12 km ENE of Happys Inn, Montana | M3.7 | 65 km | 14 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
6 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF0.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Nov 4, 2013 | EF0 | 45 km | 0.8 mi | 0 |
| Sep 1, 2011 | EF0 | 67 km | 0.7 mi | 0 |
| Apr 9, 2008 | EF0 | 20 km | 0.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 18, 2007 | EF0 | 80 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 18, 2007 | EF0 | 46 km | 8.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 10, 2000 | EF0 | 12 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: CHIPPY CREEK (95,656 acres, 2007).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2007 | CHIPPY CREEK | 95,656 | 79 km |
| 2001 | MOOSE | 73,210 | 32 km |
| 2015 | BEAR CREEK | 60,710 | 84 km |
| 2003 | ROBERT | 54,500 | 23 km |
| 2003 | WEDGE CANYON | 51,987 | 60 km |
| 2015 | FAMILY PEAK COMPLEX | 49,769 | 92 km |
| 2007 | SKYLAND | 41,237 | 74 km |
| 1988 | RED BENCH | 33,845 | 47 km |
| 2006 | RED EAGLE | 32,563 | 66 km |
| 2007 | BRUSH CREEK | 30,166 | 47 km |
| 2003 | RAMPAGE COMPLEX (DOUBLE MOUNTAIN 2) | 23,680 | 45 km |
| 2015 | TRAIL CREEK | 22,338 | 75 km |
| 2022 | ELMO | 22,148 | 59 km |
| 2023 | NIARADA | 20,686 | 67 km |
| 2017 | SCALP | 20,309 | 97 km |
| 2003 | BLACKFOOT LAKE COMPLEX (BLACKFOOT LAKE) | 18,274 | 24 km |
| 2015 | THOMPSON | 18,049 | 50 km |
| 2003 | TRAPPER CREEK FIRE (TRAPPER CREEK) | 18,028 | 52 km |
| 2017 | STRAWBERRY | 17,781 | 97 km |
| 2017 | SPRAGUE | 16,897 | 36 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 24°F (-5°C) | 2.2 in | |
| February | 25°F (-4°C) | 1.7 in | |
| March | 33°F (0°C) | 1.5 in | |
| April | 41°F (5°C) | 1.5 in | |
| May | 49°F (10°C) | 2.2 in | |
| June | 57°F (14°C) | 2.6 in | Wettest |
| July | 65°F (18°C) | 1.5 in | Warmest |
| August | 63°F (17°C) | 1.5 in | |
| September | 53°F (12°C) | 1.5 in | |
| October | 43°F (6°C) | 1.5 in | Driest |
| November | 31°F (-1°C) | 2.2 in | |
| December | 23°F (-5°C) | 2.3 in | Coldest |
Columbia Falls has a seasonal temperature swing of 42°F / from 23°F in December to 65°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 22.2 inches, with June being the wettest month (2.6") and October the driest (1.5").