Weather & Climate in Crane, MT

Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.

Crane has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 45°F (7°C). Winters average 17°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 15.5 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 30.4 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 1,916 feet.

Temperature

17°F Jan (-8°C) 72°F Jul (22°C)

Annual Average	45.2°F
	16% below US avg
January Average	17°F (-8°C)
July Average	72°F (22°C)
Sunny Days	273 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	1,916 ft (584 m)
Area	2.5 sq mi (6.6 km²)
Population Density	73/sq mi
Coordinates	47.5794°N, 104.2386°W
Timezone	America/Denver
County	Richland County County
Nearest Airport	Sidney-Richland Regional (SDY) 9 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 15.5"

59% below US avg

Snowfall 30.4"

Wettest Month (Jun) 2.87"

Driest Month (Feb) 0.31"

Air Quality

AQI Median	26.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Low
Risk Score	52.7 / 100
Social Vulnerability	10.6 / 100
Community Resilience	16.8 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Relatively Low
Earthquake	Very Low
Wildfire	Very Low
Flood	Very Low
Hail	Relatively Low
Strong Wind	Relatively Low
Heat Wave	Relatively Low
Winter Weather	Relatively Moderate
Lightning	Relatively Low
Ice Storm	Relatively Low
Drought	Relatively Low
Cold Wave	Relatively High
Landslide	Very Low

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

5 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	99 km	5 km
Jul 29, 1998	16 km WNW of Froid, Montana	M3.8	95 km	5 km
Nov 11, 1998	10 km SW of Grenora, North Dakota	M3.5	109 km	5 km
Sep 28, 2012	22 km ESE of Williston, North Dakota	M3.3	84 km	5 km
May 6, 2014	12 km NNW of Knife River, Montana	M2.6	15 km	8 km

Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Tornado History

81 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 2 fatalities, 42 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Jun 29, 1961	EF4	64 km	15.9 mi	0
May 24, 1953	EF3	67 km	9.3 mi	0
Jul 19, 1952	EF3	68 km	16.4 mi	1
Jun 10, 1952	EF3	59 km	8.8 mi	0
Jul 9, 2018	EF2	74 km	0.5 mi	1
May 26, 2014	EF2	73 km	0.5 mi	0
Jul 25, 2001	EF2	94 km	5.0 mi	0
Jun 27, 1982	EF2	70 km	0.4 mi	0
Jun 27, 1975	EF2	54 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 25, 1975	EF2	41 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 11, 1972	EF2	46 km	9.1 mi	0
Sep 21, 1969	EF2	85 km	1.0 mi	0
Jun 23, 1953	EF2	79 km	33.5 mi	0
Jun 13, 1953	EF2	92 km	0.1 mi	0
Jul 1, 1952	EF2	58 km	9.7 mi	0
Jun 30, 2015	EF1	15 km	17.5 mi	0
Jul 21, 1999	EF1	61 km	1.0 mi	0
Jun 11, 1984	EF1	60 km	3.0 mi	0
Aug 24, 1983	EF1	93 km	9.0 mi	0
Jul 13, 1980	EF1	67 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: GAP/ROUGH CREEK (53,708 acres, 1999).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
1999	GAP/ROUGH CREEK	53,708	29 km
1988	BAINVILLE	12,790	56 km
1999	ROUGH CRK	7,887	81 km
2018	18 DONUT HOLE	7,838	92 km
2017	YOOPER	7,834	64 km
1988	MIKES CREEK	5,309	79 km
2021	SMITH	5,212	75 km
2017	MAGPIE FIRE	5,056	65 km
2021	ROOSEVELT CREEK	4,608	68 km
2021	HORSE PASTURE	4,431	70 km
2003	3 MILE	3,394	57 km
1988	MONTANA LINE	3,307	21 km
1988	CINNAMON CREEK	3,204	44 km
2021	GREAT DIVIDE - DAWSON	3,003	78 km
1999	CEDARCRKN	2,964	91 km
2021	ELKHORN	2,784	59 km
2021	13 MILE FIRE	2,585	92 km
2021	DOROTHY DRAW	2,565	97 km
2014	14 BEEF CORRAL WASH	2,471	89 km
2007	W-RX-F SANDHILLS SUB UNIT B	2,381	95 km

Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	17°F (-8°C)	0.4 in	Coldest
February	23°F (-5°C)	0.3 in	Driest
March	34°F (1°C)	0.6 in
April	47°F (8°C)	1.2 in
May	58°F (15°C)	2.1 in
June	67°F (20°C)	2.9 in	Wettest
July	72°F (22°C)	2.0 in	Warmest
August	71°F (22°C)	1.4 in
September	60°F (15°C)	1.5 in
October	48°F (9°C)	0.9 in
November	31°F (-0°C)	0.5 in
December	19°F (-7°C)	0.4 in

Crane has a seasonal temperature swing of 55°F / from 17°F in January to 72°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 14.1 inches, with June being the wettest month (2.9") and February the driest (0.3").

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