Weather & Climate in Dayton, MT
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Dayton experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 47°F (8°C). Winters average 30°F in January while summers reach 68°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 21.4 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 33.6 inches of snow annually, a moderate snowfall amount. The city sits at an elevation of 2,918 feet.
Temperature
30°F Jan (-1°C)
68°F Jul (20°C)
| Annual Average | 46.8°F |
| 13% below US avg | |
| January Average | 30°F (-1°C) |
| July Average | 68°F (20°C) |
Geography
| Elevation | 2,918 ft (889 m) |
| Area | 0.6 sq mi (1.4 km²) |
| Population Density | 187/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 47.8649°N, 114.2768°W |
| Timezone | America/Denver |
| County | Lake County County |
| Nearest Airport | Glacier Park International (FCA) 31 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 67.7 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 58.8 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 51.0 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Moderate |
| Wildfire | Relatively Moderate |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Very Low |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively High |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | Very Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | Relatively Moderate |
| Avalanche | Relatively High |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
222 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.7.
| Dec 22, 1998 | Idaho-Montana border region | M4.7 | 71 km | 12 km |
| Mar 4, 2000 | 35 km S of Pincher Creek, Canada | M4.6 | 146 km | 1 km |
| Mar 22, 2006 | 8 km SSW of Rexford, Montana | M4.3 | 127 km | 8 km |
| Aug 17, 1994 | 1 km E of Mullan, Idaho | M4.1 | 121 km | 2 km |
| Jun 29, 1995 | 2 km NNW of Kila, Montana | M4.1 | 33 km | 5 km |
| Apr 15, 1998 | 11 km NE of Swan Lake, Montana | M4.1 | 43 km | 4 km |
| May 2, 1995 | 2 km NW of Kila, Montana | M4.1 | 34 km | 9 km |
| Jun 28, 2000 | 21 km SE of Clinton, Montana | M4.0 | 149 km | 10 km |
| Jan 20, 1998 | 15 km SSE of Happys Inn, Montana | M4.0 | 59 km | 7 km |
| Jul 19, 2002 | 43 km NE of Seeley Lake, Montana | M4.0 | 104 km | 25 km |
| Apr 1, 1992 | 10 km ESE of Swan Lake, Montana | M4.0 | 41 km | 5 km |
| Jun 2, 1996 | 37 km N of Ovando, Montana | M3.9 | 108 km | 5 km |
| Sep 26, 2004 | 14 km WSW of Pablo, Montana | M3.8 | 33 km | 17 km |
| Mar 21, 1992 | 20 km NE of Seeley Lake, Montana | M3.8 | 99 km | 5 km |
| May 2, 1995 | 3 km WNW of Kila, Montana | M3.8 | 34 km | 9 km |
| May 7, 1992 | 14 km NE of Seeley Lake, Montana | M3.8 | 97 km | 5 km |
| Jul 5, 2024 | 24 km ENE of Seeley Lake, Montana | M3.8 | 103 km | 22 km |
| Jun 1, 1996 | 23 km N of Ovando, Montana | M3.8 | 109 km | 10 km |
| Jul 2, 1992 | 4 km SSE of South Browning, Montana | M3.8 | 118 km | 10 km |
| Jan 13, 2010 | 36 km NE of Seeley Lake, Montana | M3.7 | 96 km | 21 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
10 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF0.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| May 9, 2023 | EF0 | 58 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Nov 4, 2013 | EF0 | 19 km | 0.8 mi | 0 |
| Sep 1, 2011 | EF0 | 20 km | 0.7 mi | 0 |
| Apr 9, 2008 | EF0 | 40 km | 0.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 18, 2007 | EF0 | 23 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 18, 2007 | EF0 | 15 km | 8.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 10, 2000 | EF0 | 62 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 7, 1995 | EF0 | 64 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Mar 3, 1991 | EF0 | 85 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 9, 1978 | EF0 | 90 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: CHIPPY CREEK (95,656 acres, 2007).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2007 | CHIPPY CREEK | 95,656 | 42 km |
| 2001 | MOOSE | 73,210 | 89 km |
| 2015 | BEAR CREEK | 60,710 | 64 km |
| 2003 | ROBERT | 54,500 | 79 km |
| 2007 | SKYLAND | 41,237 | 95 km |
| 2021 | THORNE CREEK | 39,694 | 76 km |
| 2007 | JOCKO LAKES | 35,759 | 87 km |
| 2003 | LITTLE SALMON CREEK | 33,044 | 78 km |
| 2007 | BRUSH CREEK | 30,166 | 70 km |
| 2016 | COPPER KING | 28,338 | 67 km |
| 2017 | LIBERTY | 27,731 | 96 km |
| 2003 | BARTLETT MOUNTAIN | 27,614 | 91 km |
| 2017 | SUNRISE | 26,896 | 98 km |
| 2017 | SHEEP GAP | 24,702 | 72 km |
| 2003 | RAMPAGE COMPLEX (DOUBLE MOUNTAIN 2) | 23,680 | 78 km |
| 2015 | TRAIL CREEK | 22,338 | 68 km |
| 2022 | ELMO | 22,148 | 10 km |
| 2023 | NIARADA | 20,686 | 18 km |
| 2017 | SCALP | 20,309 | 93 km |
| 2000 | UPPER NINEMILE COMPLEX (NINE MILE) | 19,695 | 74 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 30°F (-1°C) | 1.7 in | Coldest |
| February | 31°F (-0°C) | 1.0 in | Driest |
| March | 37°F (3°C) | 1.3 in | |
| April | 44°F (7°C) | 1.8 in | |
| May | 53°F (12°C) | 2.5 in | |
| June | 60°F (15°C) | 3.2 in | Wettest |
| July | 68°F (20°C) | 1.3 in | Warmest |
| August | 67°F (19°C) | 1.1 in | |
| September | 58°F (15°C) | 1.7 in | |
| October | 47°F (8°C) | 2.4 in | |
| November | 37°F (3°C) | 1.7 in | |
| December | 30°F (-1°C) | 1.6 in |
Dayton has a seasonal temperature swing of 38°F / from 30°F in January to 68°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 21.4 inches, with June being the wettest month (3.2") and February the driest (1.0").