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Weather & Climate in Craig, MT
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Craig has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 42°F (5°C). Winters average 25°F in January while summers reach 62°F in July. The area gets 253 sunny days per year, above the 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 3,549 feet.
Temperature
25°F Jan (-4°C)
62°F Jul (17°C)
| Annual Average | 41.5°F |
| 23% below US avg | |
| January Average | 25°F (-4°C) |
| July Average | 62°F (17°C) |
| Sunny Days | 253 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 3,549 ft (1,082 m) |
| Area | 0.3 sq mi (0.8 km²) |
| Population Density | 157/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 47.0706°N, 111.9680°W |
| Timezone | America/Denver |
| County | Cascade County County |
| Nearest Airport | Helena Regional (HLN) 32 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 26.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Moderate |
| Risk Score | 83.1 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 27.1 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 76.3 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Very High |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | Very Low |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively High |
| Landslide | Relatively Low |
| Avalanche | Relatively Moderate |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
387 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M5.8.
| Jul 6, 2017 | 11 km SE of Lincoln, Montana | M5.8 | 51 km | 12 km |
| Jul 6, 2017 | 15 km S of Lincoln, Montana | M5.0 | 60 km | 15 km |
| Jul 6, 2017 | 14 km SE of Lincoln, Montana | M4.4 | 50 km | 10 km |
| Jan 30, 2016 | 19 km E of Lincoln, Montana | M4.3 | 37 km | 2 km |
| Aug 16, 2019 | 4 km NW of Manhattan, Montana | M4.2 | 139 km | 2 km |
| Apr 8, 2000 | 8 km ENE of Townsend, Montana | M4.1 | 92 km | 5 km |
| Aug 6, 2019 | 3 km NW of Manhattan, Montana | M4.1 | 140 km | 5 km |
| Jul 19, 2002 | 43 km NE of Seeley Lake, Montana | M4.0 | 91 km | 25 km |
| Jul 14, 2019 | 11 km NNE of Manhattan, Montana | M4.0 | 136 km | 6 km |
| Jul 17, 2017 | 12 km ESE of Lincoln, Montana | M4.0 | 48 km | 13 km |
| Nov 10, 2000 | 14 km NE of Townsend, Montana | M4.0 | 88 km | 2 km |
| Jun 28, 2000 | 21 km SE of Clinton, Montana | M4.0 | 129 km | 10 km |
| Jul 6, 2017 | 14 km SSE of Lincoln, Montana | M4.0 | 54 km | 9 km |
| Oct 19, 2017 | 12 km SE of Lincoln, Montana | M3.9 | 49 km | 4 km |
| Feb 6, 1999 | 24 km E of Townsend, Montana | M3.9 | 99 km | 1 km |
| Apr 1, 1993 | 15 km E of Lincoln, Montana | M3.9 | 40 km | 5 km |
| Jun 2, 1996 | 37 km N of Ovando, Montana | M3.9 | 88 km | 5 km |
| Mar 13, 2017 | 4 km ESE of Avon, Montana | M3.8 | 71 km | 20 km |
| Jun 1, 1996 | 23 km N of Ovando, Montana | M3.8 | 93 km | 10 km |
| Apr 17, 2018 | 13 km ESE of Lincoln, Montana | M3.8 | 47 km | 14 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
29 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jun 30, 1975 | EF2 | 51 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 2, 1966 | EF2 | 54 km | 0.8 mi | 0 |
| Jul 3, 1998 | EF1 | 64 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 5, 1988 | EF1 | 50 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Jun 28, 1982 | EF1 | 92 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 3, 1978 | EF1 | 46 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 3, 1978 | EF1 | 46 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 3, 1978 | EF1 | 46 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 1, 1977 | EF1 | 49 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 2, 1964 | EF1 | 59 km | 27.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 22, 1962 | EF1 | 59 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 29, 1961 | EF1 | 75 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 5, 2000 | EF0 | 81 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 27, 1997 | EF0 | 55 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 15, 1996 | EF0 | 98 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 21, 1993 | EF0 | 17 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 21, 1993 | EF0 | 71 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 11, 1993 | EF0 | 52 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 9, 1992 | EF0 | 42 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 26, 1992 | EF0 | 96 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: RICE RIDGE (171,473 acres, 2017).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2017 | RICE RIDGE | 171,473 | 97 km |
| 1988 | CANYON CREEK | 167,875 | 62 km |
| 2021 | WOODS CREEK | 55,836 | 80 km |
| 2007 | AHORN | 45,633 | 92 km |
| 2003 | LINCOLN COMPLEX (SNOWBANK) | 36,987 | 49 km |
| 1988 | CANYON CREEK | 35,865 | 72 km |
| 2021 | HARRIS MTN | 31,792 | 22 km |
| 2017 | ALICE CREEK | 29,971 | 36 km |
| 2012 | ELBOW PASS COMPLEX | 28,989 | 78 km |
| 1984 | NORTH HILL | 27,162 | 30 km |
| 2000 | CANYON FERRY COMPLEX (CAVE GULCH) | 26,997 | 49 km |
| 2007 | CONGER CREEK | 22,936 | 79 km |
| 2000 | MONTURE-SPREAD RIDGE (MONTURE) | 22,493 | 96 km |
| 2007 | MERIWETHER | 18,865 | 23 km |
| 2017 | PARK CREEK | 17,915 | 58 km |
| 2000 | CANYON FERRY COMPLEX (BUCKSNORT) | 14,843 | 58 km |
| 1990 | BEARTOOTH COMPLEX | 13,462 | 17 km |
| 1993 | FREEZEOUT LAKE | 9,793 | 68 km |
| 2000 | BOULDER COMPLEX (HIGH ORE ROAD) | 9,625 | 87 km |
| 2021 | BALSINGER | 8,317 | 82 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 25°F (-4°C) | 0.6 in | Coldest |
| February | 29°F (-2°C) | 0.4 in | Driest |
| March | 35°F (2°C) | 0.7 in | |
| April | 43°F (6°C) | 1.3 in | |
| May | 52°F (11°C) | 2.4 in | Wettest |
| June | 61°F (16°C) | 2.1 in | |
| July | 62°F (17°C) | 1.4 in | |
| August | 66°F (19°C) | 1.5 in | Warmest |
| September | 56°F (13°C) | 1.4 in | |
| October | 46°F (8°C) | 0.8 in | |
| November | 34°F (1°C) | 0.5 in | |
| December | 27°F (-3°C) | 0.6 in |
Craig has a seasonal temperature swing of 41°F / from 25°F in January to 66°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 13.6 inches, with May being the wettest month (2.4") and February the driest (0.4").