Weather & Climate in Dillon, MT

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

Dillon has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 43°F (6°C). Winters average 24°F in January while summers reach 65°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 11.3 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 11.2 inches of snow annually. 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 5,093 feet.

Temperature

24°F Jan (-5°C) 65°F Jul (18°C)

Annual Average	42.8°F
	21% below US avg
January Average	24°F (-5°C)
July Average	65°F (18°C)
Sunny Days	311 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	5,093 ft (1,552 m)
Area	1.8 sq mi (4.6 km²)
Population Density	2,116/sq mi
Coordinates	45.2179°N, 112.6346°W
Timezone	America/Denver
County	Beaverhead County County
Nearest Airport	Bozeman Yellowstone International (BZN) 82 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 11.3"

70% below US avg

Snowfall 11.2"

Wettest Month (May) 2.05"

Driest Month (Feb) 0.24"

Air Quality

AQI Median	26.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Low
Risk Score	42.9 / 100
Social Vulnerability	77.2 / 100
Community Resilience	24.0 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Very Low
Earthquake	Relatively 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 Moderate
Landslide	Relatively Moderate
Volcano	Very Low
Avalanche	Relatively High

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

Earthquake History

906 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M5.6.

Jul 26, 2005	16 km N of Dillon, Montana	M5.6	16 km	13 km
Aug 20, 1999	22 km NW of Lima, Montana	M5.1	50 km	16 km
Jan 3, 2015	9 km E of Challis, Idaho	M5.0	141 km	9 km
Jun 7, 1994	18 km E of Challis, Idaho	M4.8	135 km	5 km
Apr 13, 2014	15 km NNW of Challis, Idaho	M4.8	149 km	4 km
May 4, 1992	20 km E of Challis, Idaho	M4.6	132 km	10 km
Apr 9, 2019	9 km NE of Lima, Montana	M4.6	59 km	14 km
Apr 5, 2011	28 km NNE of Spencer, Idaho	M4.4	80 km	12 km
Feb 5, 2006	44 km NE of Spencer, Idaho	M4.4	84 km	14 km
May 6, 1992	17 km E of Challis, Idaho	M4.4	136 km	5 km
Dec 28, 1991	southern Idaho	M4.4	138 km	5 km
May 8, 2007	8 km NNW of Alder, Montana	M4.4	44 km	14 km
Jun 16, 2017	12 km E of Hebgen Lake Estates, Montana	M4.4	135 km	9 km
Jun 13, 2016	45 km W of Hebgen Lake Estates, Montana	M4.3	87 km	10 km
Mar 22, 1992	11 km NE of Challis, Idaho	M4.3	138 km	5 km
Oct 28, 1998	18 km S of Whitehall, Montana	M4.3	67 km	5 km
Aug 13, 1998	3 km ESE of Challis, Idaho	M4.2	147 km	5 km
Aug 16, 2019	4 km NW of Manhattan, Montana	M4.2	124 km	2 km
Jul 14, 2023	3 km S of Lima, Montana	M4.2	68 km	12 km
Jun 18, 2006	6 km S of Pony, Montana	M4.1	71 km	12 km

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

Tornado History

20 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Jun 14, 1962	EF2	63 km	0.1 mi	0
May 19, 1962	EF2	11 km	2.0 mi	0
Jul 3, 1988	EF1	64 km	0.2 mi	0
Jun 15, 1987	EF1	99 km	0.1 mi	0
Aug 24, 1984	EF1	82 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 6, 1976	EF1	61 km	3.0 mi	0
May 29, 1965	EF1	47 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 1, 1956	EF1	99 km	0.5 mi	0
Aug 6, 2023	EF0	63 km	1.6 mi	0
Aug 20, 2018	EF0	76 km	0.8 mi	0
Jul 10, 2016	EF0	1 km	0.0 mi	0
Jun 29, 1999	EF0	77 km	0.2 mi	0
Sep 15, 1997	EF0	99 km	0.1 mi	0
Jul 19, 1997	EF0	17 km	0.1 mi	0
Sep 5, 1995	EF0	55 km	0.1 mi	0
Jul 6, 1993	EF0	90 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 29, 1992	EF0	70 km	0.1 mi	0
May 16, 1991	EF0	92 km	0.2 mi	0
Jul 14, 1962	EF0	63 km	0.1 mi	0
Aug 2, 1959	EF0	32 km	0.1 mi	0

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

Nearby Volcanoes

2 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Yellowstone (178 km).

Name	Type	Elevation	Last Eruption	Distance
Yellowstone	Caldera(s)	2,805 m (9,203 ft)	-1350	178 km
Hell's Half Acre	Shield	1,631 m (5,351 ft)	-3250	192 km

Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: TRAIL CREEK (62,432 acres, 2021).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2021	TRAIL CREEK	62,432	99 km
2003	DEEP	38,701	100 km
2021	ALDER CREEK	38,189	76 km
2020	BEAR CREEK	14,978	70 km
2012	BEAR TRAP 2	14,875	94 km
2006	CLARKS CANYON	14,848	20 km
2007	PATTENGAIL CREEK	13,471	70 km
2003	TOBIAS	13,356	96 km
2003	WINSLOW	11,794	92 km
2018	GOLDSTONE	9,812	70 km
2003	WITHINGTON	9,305	97 km
1988	SWEETWATER	8,405	28 km
2021	GOOSE	7,817	98 km
2018	MONUMENT	6,973	67 km
2013	EUREKA	6,213	72 km
2020	SOURDOUGH	5,755	67 km
2015	BEAR LAKE	4,695	57 km
2012	PONY	4,453	73 km
2018	WIGWAM	4,412	59 km
2012	NINETEEN MILE	3,549	76 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	24°F (-5°C)	0.3 in
February	27°F (-3°C)	0.2 in	Driest
March	34°F (1°C)	0.6 in
April	42°F (5°C)	1.0 in
May	50°F (10°C)	2.1 in	Wettest
June	58°F (14°C)	1.9 in
July	65°F (18°C)	1.2 in	Warmest
August	63°F (17°C)	1.1 in
September	54°F (12°C)	1.0 in
October	44°F (7°C)	0.7 in
November	31°F (-1°C)	0.4 in
December	23°F (-5°C)	0.3 in	Coldest

Dillon has a seasonal temperature swing of 42°F / from 23°F in December to 65°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 10.8 inches, with May being the wettest month (2.1") and February the driest (0.2").

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