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Weather & Climate in Dodson, MT
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Dodson has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 45°F (7°C). Winters average 18°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. The area gets 274 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 13.4 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 2,283 feet.
Temperature
18°F Jan (-8°C)
72°F Jul (22°C)
| Annual Average | 45.0°F |
| 17% below US avg | |
| January Average | 18°F (-8°C) |
| July Average | 72°F (22°C) |
| Sunny Days | 274 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 2,283 ft (696 m) |
| Area | 0.2 sq mi (0.4 km²) |
| Population Density | 918/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 48.3953°N, 108.2472°W |
| Timezone | America/Denver |
| County | Blaine County County |
| Nearest Airport | Great Falls International (GTF) 158 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 26.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 45.9 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 95.7 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 13.4 / 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 Moderate |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | Very Low |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively High |
| Landslide | Very Low |
| Avalanche | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
4 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.0.
| Dec 5, 1991 | 15 km WSW of Hays, Montana | M3.0 | 69 km | 10 km |
| Oct 16, 2011 | Eastern Montana | M2.7 | 110 km | 21 km |
| Jul 10, 2021 | 24 km SSE of Malta, Montana | M2.7 | 43 km | 10 km |
| Jul 15, 2015 | 48 km E of Zortman, Montana | M2.5 | 64 km | 23 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
24 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF1.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jun 29, 2011 | EF1 | 69 km | 0.8 mi | 0 |
| Aug 10, 2007 | EF1 | 48 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 8, 2002 | EF1 | 75 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 4, 1991 | EF1 | 57 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Jul 4, 1991 | EF1 | 66 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| May 25, 1980 | EF1 | 66 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 26, 2022 | EF0 | 54 km | 3.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 27, 2019 | EF0 | 61 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 31, 2014 | EF0 | 13 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 13, 2014 | EF0 | 73 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Jun 29, 2011 | EF0 | 92 km | 0.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 21, 2010 | EF0 | 84 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 20, 2005 | EF0 | 45 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 5, 2002 | EF0 | 80 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 8, 2002 | EF0 | 77 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 20, 2001 | EF0 | 72 km | 29.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 10, 2000 | EF0 | 97 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 7, 2000 | EF0 | 72 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 21, 1999 | EF0 | 70 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Jun 18, 1999 | EF0 | 75 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: BLAINE C (138,192 acres, 1991).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 1991 | BLAINE C | 138,192 | 71 km |
| 2006 | SODA CREEK (BLACK PULASKI COMPLEX) | 33,767 | 100 km |
| 2012 | WELDER | 32,985 | 27 km |
| 2010 | RAVEN | 26,631 | 93 km |
| 1990 | VETERANS | 23,660 | 36 km |
| 2017 | EAST FORK | 21,165 | 100 km |
| 2021 | PINE GROVE | 16,158 | 53 km |
| 2012 | WOLF CREEK | 12,168 | 99 km |
| 2017 | JULY | 11,409 | 61 km |
| 1994 | CK CREEK | 11,206 | 84 km |
| 2012 | ESTER LAKE | 10,898 | 43 km |
| 2006 | MAGGIE | 8,187 | 48 km |
| 2005 | SHEEP | 6,874 | 97 km |
| 2017 | LOWER BLACK COULEE | 6,803 | 39 km |
| 2006 | LARB CREEK | 6,778 | 73 km |
| 2005 | HEARTLAND | 6,383 | 93 km |
| 2007 | BLACK COULEE | 5,613 | 38 km |
| 1988 | MONUMENT | 5,514 | 55 km |
| 2019 | SAGE | 5,140 | 86 km |
| 2003 | LAKE17 | 4,054 | 53 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 18°F (-8°C) | 0.4 in | Coldest |
| February | 20°F (-7°C) | 0.3 in | Driest |
| March | 32°F (-0°C) | 0.5 in | |
| April | 44°F (7°C) | 0.9 in | |
| May | 54°F (12°C) | 2.1 in | |
| June | 64°F (18°C) | 2.1 in | Wettest |
| July | 72°F (22°C) | 1.7 in | Warmest |
| August | 69°F (20°C) | 1.2 in | |
| September | 57°F (14°C) | 1.1 in | |
| October | 46°F (8°C) | 0.5 in | |
| November | 29°F (-2°C) | 0.4 in | |
| December | 18°F (-8°C) | 0.4 in |
Dodson has a seasonal temperature swing of 54°F / from 18°F in January to 72°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 11.5 inches, with June being the wettest month (2.1") and February the driest (0.3").