Weather & Climate in Denton, MT

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

Denton has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 43°F (6°C). Winters average 22°F in January while summers reach 66°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 15.8 inches (drier than the 38-inch 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 3,593 feet.

Temperature

22°F Jan (-5°C) 66°F Jul (19°C)

Annual Average	42.8°F
	21% below US avg
January Average	22°F (-5°C)
July Average	66°F (19°C)
Sunny Days	273 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	3,593 ft (1,095 m)
Area	0.7 sq mi (1.8 km²)
Population Density	279/sq mi
Coordinates	47.3222°N, 109.9482°W
Timezone	America/Denver
County	Fergus County County
Nearest Airport	Great Falls International (GTF) 67 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 15.8"

58% below US avg

Wettest Month (May) 2.99"

Driest Month (Feb) 0.43"

Air Quality

AQI Median	26.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Low
Risk Score	45.1 / 100
Social Vulnerability	45.2 / 100
Community Resilience	70.3 / 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 High
Lightning	Relatively Moderate
Ice Storm	Very Low
Drought	Relatively Low
Cold Wave	Relatively High
Landslide	Relatively Low
Avalanche	Very Low

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

Earthquake History

21 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.0.

Nov 10, 2000	14 km NE of Townsend, Montana	M4.0	149 km	2 km
Feb 6, 1999	24 km E of Townsend, Montana	M3.9	144 km	1 km
Jan 9, 2003	23 km E of Wilsall, Montana	M3.7	148 km	11 km
Feb 11, 1999	23 km E of Townsend, Montana	M3.3	145 km	3 km
Dec 5, 1991	15 km WSW of Hays, Montana	M3.0	106 km	10 km
Jul 15, 2006	Western Montana	M3.0	138 km	10 km
Jan 1, 2025	28 km ENE of Helena Valley Northeast, Montana	M2.9	139 km	20 km
Sep 20, 2002	16 km ENE of Townsend, Montana	M2.9	148 km	0 km
Sep 15, 2012	23 km SSW of White Sulphur Springs, Montana	M2.9	135 km	8 km
May 6, 2014	10 km SSW of Cascade, Montana	M2.8	138 km	13 km
Apr 11, 2010	33 km ENE of Helena Valley Northeast, Montana	M2.8	134 km	18 km
Aug 25, 2012	28 km S of White Sulphur Springs, Montana	M2.8	138 km	10 km
Jul 15, 2006	28 km S of White Sulphur Springs, Montana	M2.8	137 km	10 km
Apr 27, 2016	25 km ENE of Toston, Montana	M2.8	148 km	5 km
Oct 16, 2011	Eastern Montana	M2.7	118 km	21 km
Nov 4, 2017	32 km NE of Wilsall, Montana	M2.7	133 km	4 km
Jan 1, 2025	28 km ENE of Helena Valley Northeast, Montana	M2.7	139 km	15 km
May 10, 2024	13 km WSW of Cascade, Montana	M2.6	145 km	26 km
Aug 17, 2012	28 km S of White Sulphur Springs, Montana	M2.5	138 km	9 km
Jan 8, 2003	24 km E of Wilsall, Montana	M2.5	148 km	14 km

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

Tornado History

63 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 11 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Jul 5, 1988	EF3	45 km	3.0 mi	0
Jul 5, 1988	EF3	72 km	12.0 mi	0
Jul 5, 1988	EF3	61 km	10.0 mi	0
Jul 8, 2002	EF2	46 km	10.0 mi	0
Aug 14, 1999	EF2	49 km	5.0 mi	0
Jun 25, 1996	EF2	14 km	2.0 mi	0
Apr 24, 1994	EF2	32 km	1.5 mi	0
Apr 24, 1994	EF2	32 km	1.0 mi	0
May 28, 1981	EF2	68 km	1.5 mi	0
Jun 8, 1976	EF2	10 km	0.1 mi	0
Jul 10, 1965	EF2	67 km	2.0 mi	0
Jun 16, 2007	EF1	63 km	5.3 mi	0
Apr 22, 2003	EF1	29 km	2.0 mi	0
Aug 23, 1998	EF1	38 km	3.5 mi	0
Jun 19, 1998	EF1	59 km	1.0 mi	0
Jun 1, 1980	EF1	91 km	0.1 mi	0
May 10, 1977	EF1	40 km	0.1 mi	0
May 10, 1977	EF1	28 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 3, 1971	EF1	75 km	2.3 mi	0
Jul 10, 1965	EF1	83 km	0.2 mi	0

Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: TURKEY (25,658 acres, 1990).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
1990	TURKEY	25,658	44 km
2021	TAYLOR	21,704	30 km
2021	SOUTH MOCCASIN	12,727	36 km
2009	MEISSNER	12,318	28 km
1985	SANDPOINT	10,439	71 km
2021	BALSINGER	8,317	80 km
2022	EAGLE CREEK	6,359	95 km
2020	LOUSE CREEK	5,237	24 km
1991	BURNETTEPK	4,644	49 km
1988	LOSTCANYON	4,532	99 km
2020	YOGO	4,429	62 km
2008	CHOUTEAU CO COMPLEX	4,365	79 km
1996	COYOTE	3,320	81 km
2020	EAGLE ROCK ROAD	3,129	47 km
2020	LODE ROAD	2,736	85 km
2001	TWIN COULE	2,688	92 km
2007	CHOUTEAU CO ASST	2,646	61 km
2001	LOST FORK-MONARCH COMPLEX (LOST FORK)	2,313	79 km
2007	2007 HAZ FUEL REDUCTION	2,159	80 km
2005	KNOX	2,060	78 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	22°F (-5°C)	0.6 in	Coldest
February	26°F (-3°C)	0.4 in	Driest
March	34°F (1°C)	0.8 in
April	43°F (6°C)	1.1 in
May	52°F (11°C)	3.0 in	Wettest
June	60°F (16°C)	2.7 in
July	66°F (19°C)	1.8 in
August	66°F (19°C)	1.7 in	Warmest
September	56°F (13°C)	1.5 in
October	46°F (8°C)	0.9 in
November	32°F (-0°C)	0.5 in
December	24°F (-5°C)	0.6 in

Denton has a seasonal temperature swing of 44°F / from 22°F in January to 66°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 15.6 inches, with May being the wettest month (3.0") and February the driest (0.4").

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