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Weather & Climate in Ekalaka, MT
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Ekalaka has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 45°F (7°C). Winters average 22°F in January while summers reach 71°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 18.1 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 48.4 inches of snow annually, making winter weather a significant factor for residents. 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 3,424 feet.
Temperature
22°F Jan (-6°C)
71°F Jul (22°C)
| Annual Average | 45.3°F |
| 16% below US avg | |
| January Average | 22°F (-6°C) |
| July Average | 71°F (22°C) |
| Sunny Days | 311 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 3,424 ft (1,044 m) |
| Area | 1.0 sq mi (2.7 km²) |
| Population Density | 355/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 45.8892°N, 104.5517°W |
| Timezone | America/Denver |
| County | Carter County County |
| Nearest Airport | Dickinson/Theodore Roosevelt Regional (DIK) 104 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 26.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 1.8 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 10.6 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 5.1 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Very Low |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Very Low |
| Ice Storm | Very Low |
| Drought | Very Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
| Avalanche | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
6 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.2.
| Sep 25, 2009 | 15 km E of Alzada, Montana | M4.2 | 100 km | 5 km |
| Nov 3, 1999 | 8 km NNW of Broadus, Montana | M3.5 | 83 km | 10 km |
| May 25, 2018 | 45 km W of Biddle, Montana | M2.9 | 140 km | 16 km |
| Jan 15, 2023 | 6 km NE of Ashland, Montana | M2.8 | 132 km | 11 km |
| Apr 22, 2018 | 8 km ENE of Ashland, Montana | M2.6 | 129 km | 5 km |
| Jul 29, 2013 | 18 km SE of Ekalaka, Montana | M2.6 | 19 km | 8 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
79 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 9 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jul 7, 1969 | EF4 | 92 km | 1.8 mi | 0 |
| Jun 28, 2018 | EF3 | 67 km | 3.6 mi | 0 |
| Jun 11, 2016 | EF3 | 52 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 17, 2014 | EF3 | 54 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 19, 1952 | EF3 | 57 km | 55.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 28, 2018 | EF2 | 72 km | 7.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 28, 2018 | EF2 | 72 km | 2.3 mi | 0 |
| Jun 28, 2018 | EF2 | 68 km | 6.6 mi | 0 |
| Jun 21, 2010 | EF2 | 99 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 25, 2001 | EF2 | 76 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 20, 1999 | EF2 | 77 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 14, 1977 | EF2 | 66 km | 8.2 mi | 0 |
| Jun 25, 1975 | EF2 | 93 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 25, 1966 | EF2 | 86 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 11, 1965 | EF2 | 81 km | 5.4 mi | 0 |
| Apr 25, 1964 | EF2 | 86 km | 6.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 18, 1962 | EF2 | 84 km | 40.6 mi | 0 |
| May 27, 1954 | EF2 | 82 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 19, 2019 | EF1 | 44 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 30, 2015 | EF1 | 88 km | 3.9 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: KRAFT SPRINGS (66,292 acres, 2002).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2002 | KRAFT SPRINGS | 66,292 | 40 km |
| 1996 | POWDERVILLE | 55,024 | 48 km |
| 1988 | BREWER | 48,282 | 41 km |
| 2007 | OKERMAN | 15,478 | 83 km |
| 2015 | SHEEP DRAW | 13,837 | 78 km |
| 1990 | KNOWLTON C | 13,226 | 72 km |
| 1998 | BRADSHAW | 10,591 | 78 km |
| 2000 | CEDAR BUTTE | 9,154 | 60 km |
| 1999 | JOHNSTONE | 8,817 | 11 km |
| 1991 | MEDICINE ROCK | 8,565 | 19 km |
| 2024 | TRAVIN | 7,917 | 75 km |
| 2017 | SNAKE | 7,705 | 55 km |
| 1990 | RIDGE | 7,556 | 88 km |
| 2008 | KNOWLTON COMPLEX (DRGA) | 7,218 | 64 km |
| 2000 | CAMP CROOK COMPLEX | 6,927 | 65 km |
| 2012 | DUGAN | 6,688 | 9 km |
| 1999 | MILL IRON | 6,494 | 41 km |
| 2000 | TOOKE | 6,128 | 26 km |
| 1996 | ROBINSON | 5,901 | 59 km |
| 1988 | SHORT PINES | 5,516 | 74 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 22°F (-6°C) | 0.6 in | Coldest |
| February | 27°F (-3°C) | 0.5 in | Driest |
| March | 36°F (2°C) | 0.8 in | |
| April | 47°F (8°C) | 1.7 in | |
| May | 58°F (15°C) | 2.6 in | |
| June | 69°F (21°C) | 3.1 in | Wettest |
| July | 71°F (22°C) | 1.8 in | |
| August | 76°F (24°C) | 1.2 in | Warmest |
| September | 62°F (17°C) | 1.5 in | |
| October | 49°F (9°C) | 1.4 in | |
| November | 35°F (1°C) | 0.7 in | |
| December | 25°F (-4°C) | 0.6 in |
Ekalaka has a seasonal temperature swing of 54°F / from 22°F in January to 76°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 16.4 inches, with June being the wettest month (3.1") and February the driest (0.5").