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Weather & Climate in Columbus, MT
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Columbus has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 44°F (7°C). Winters average 23°F in January while summers reach 68°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 15.5 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 47.6 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 3,580 feet.
Temperature
23°F Jan (-5°C)
68°F Jul (20°C)
| Annual Average | 44.4°F |
| 18% below US avg | |
| January Average | 23°F (-5°C) |
| July Average | 68°F (20°C) |
| Sunny Days | 311 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 3,580 ft (1,091 m) |
| Area | 1.4 sq mi (3.5 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,405/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 45.6360°N, 109.2488°W |
| Timezone | America/Denver |
| County | Stillwater County County |
| Nearest Airport | Billings Logan International (BIL) 36 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 26.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 16.8 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 10.6 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 56.3 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Very Low |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | Very Low |
| Drought | Very Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
| Volcano | Very Low |
| Avalanche | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
119 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.8.
| Mar 30, 2014 | 22 km S of Mammoth, Wyoming | M4.8 | 148 km | 6 km |
| May 11, 2022 | 36 km S of Silver Gate, Montana | M4.2 | 121 km | 14 km |
| Nov 24, 2000 | 24 km S of Mammoth, Wyoming | M4.2 | 150 km | 9 km |
| Mar 25, 2008 | 35 km S of Silver Gate, Montana | M4.2 | 121 km | 4 km |
| Nov 6, 1997 | 4 km WSW of Springhill, Montana | M4.0 | 144 km | 5 km |
| Jan 30, 2023 | 9 km NNW of Livingston, Montana | M3.8 | 105 km | 20 km |
| Jan 9, 2003 | 23 km E of Wilsall, Montana | M3.7 | 96 km | 11 km |
| Sep 24, 1994 | 39 km SSE of Mammoth, Wyoming | M3.7 | 145 km | 5 km |
| Mar 30, 2014 | 21 km S of Mammoth, Wyoming | M3.7 | 150 km | 3 km |
| Jul 6, 2021 | 27 km SSE of Melstone, Montana | M3.6 | 142 km | 10 km |
| Jul 20, 1992 | 52 km SSE of Mammoth, Wyoming | M3.6 | 147 km | 0 km |
| Mar 30, 2014 | Wyoming | M3.6 | 148 km | 4 km |
| Jul 20, 1992 | 51 km SSE of Mammoth, Wyoming | M3.5 | 147 km | 2 km |
| Jan 2, 2009 | 54 km SSE of Mammoth, Wyoming | M3.5 | 149 km | 7 km |
| Nov 13, 1997 | 4 km WSW of Springhill, Montana | M3.4 | 144 km | 6 km |
| Jan 12, 2014 | 23 km SE of Mammoth, Wyoming | M3.4 | 136 km | 9 km |
| Mar 30, 2014 | 22 km S of Mammoth, Wyoming | M3.4 | 148 km | 4 km |
| Mar 30, 2014 | 20 km S of Mammoth, Wyoming | M3.4 | 148 km | 5 km |
| Mar 4, 2019 | 35 km SSW of Silver Gate, Montana | M3.3 | 124 km | 6 km |
| Jan 9, 2009 | 42 km SSW of Silver Gate, Montana | M3.3 | 133 km | 7 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: EF3. Total: 3 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jun 16, 1965 | EF3 | 61 km | 20.6 mi | 0 |
| Jun 20, 2010 | EF2 | 63 km | 0.7 mi | 0 |
| Jun 16, 2010 | EF2 | 67 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 20, 1964 | EF2 | 95 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 2, 1958 | EF2 | 62 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 21, 1991 | EF1 | 55 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| May 24, 1990 | EF1 | 73 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| May 24, 1990 | EF1 | 75 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Aug 22, 1965 | EF1 | 61 km | 1.5 mi | 0 |
| Aug 12, 1958 | EF1 | 36 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 6, 1955 | EF1 | 78 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 6, 2011 | EF0 | 71 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Jun 6, 2011 | EF0 | 40 km | 0.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 9, 2010 | EF0 | 89 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Aug 11, 2005 | EF0 | 30 km | 9.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 26, 2004 | EF0 | 91 km | — | 0 |
| Jul 26, 2003 | EF0 | 84 km | 2.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 4, 1998 | EF0 | 61 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 20, 1997 | EF0 | 38 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 14, 1993 | EF0 | 84 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Nearby Volcanoes
1 volcano within 200 km. Closest: Yellowstone (175 km).
| Name | Type | Elevation | Last Eruption | Distance |
| Yellowstone | Caldera(s) | 2,805 m (9,203 ft) | -1350 | 175 km |
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: DERBY (200,993 acres, 2006).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2006 | DERBY | 200,993 | 44 km |
| 1988 | STORM CREEK | 116,027 | 81 km |
| 2003 | HOBBLE | 38,365 | 39 km |
| 2021 | ROBERTSON DRAW | 31,132 | 62 km |
| 2006 | JUNGLE | 23,846 | 85 km |
| 2012 | DAHL | 21,448 | 89 km |
| 1996 | SHEPARD MTN | 17,379 | 54 km |
| 1994 | BLACK BUTTE | 10,231 | 54 km |
| 2008 | CASCADE | 10,017 | 56 km |
| 2010 | STUMP GULCH | 8,873 | 10 km |
| 2021 | TROUT CREEK | 7,804 | 35 km |
| 2012 | PINE CREEK | 7,707 | 99 km |
| 2011 | HOLE IN THE WALL | 6,559 | 71 km |
| 2003 | DEEP LAKE | 5,466 | 82 km |
| 2002 | COW CREEK | 5,162 | 15 km |
| 2002 | RED WAFFLE | 5,060 | 87 km |
| 1991 | ROBERTSON | 4,812 | 69 km |
| 2000 | PEASE | 4,361 | 76 km |
| 2021 | CROOKED CREEK | 4,295 | 84 km |
| 2006 | EMERALD HILLS | 4,191 | 73 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 23°F (-5°C) | 0.7 in | Coldest |
| February | 29°F (-2°C) | 0.5 in | Driest |
| March | 36°F (2°C) | 1.0 in | |
| April | 45°F (7°C) | 1.7 in | |
| May | 54°F (12°C) | 2.8 in | Wettest |
| June | 63°F (17°C) | 2.1 in | |
| July | 68°F (20°C) | 1.2 in | |
| August | 68°F (20°C) | 1.1 in | Warmest |
| September | 58°F (14°C) | 1.5 in | |
| October | 47°F (8°C) | 1.2 in | |
| November | 34°F (1°C) | 0.7 in | |
| December | 25°F (-4°C) | 0.6 in |
Columbus has a seasonal temperature swing of 45°F / from 23°F in January to 68°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 15.1 inches, with May being the wettest month (2.8") and February the driest (0.5").