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Weather & Climate in Elmo, MT

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

Elmo has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 45°F (7°C). Winters average 26°F in January while summers reach 67°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 15.7 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 33.6 inches of snow annually, a moderate snowfall amount. 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 2,912 feet.

Temperature

26°F Jan (-3°C) 67°F Jul (20°C)
Annual Average45.2°F
16% below US avg
January Average26°F (-3°C)
July Average67°F (20°C)
Sunny Days273 days/yr

Geography

Elevation2,912 ft (888 m)
Area0.3 sq mi (0.8 km²)
Population Density572/sq mi
Coordinates47.8290°N, 114.3483°W
TimezoneAmerica/Denver
CountyLake County County
Nearest AirportGlacier Park International (FCA)
34 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 15.7"
59% below US avg
Snowfall 33.6"
Wettest Month (Jun) 2.32"
Driest Month (Oct) 1.18"

Air Quality

AQI Median26.0
RatingGood

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskRelatively Low
Risk Score67.7 / 100
Social Vulnerability58.8 / 100
Community Resilience51.0 / 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

219 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.7.

Dec 22, 1998 Idaho-Montana border region M4.7 67 km 12 km
Mar 22, 2006 8 km SSW of Rexford, Montana M4.3 128 km 8 km
May 2, 1995 2 km NW of Kila, Montana M4.1 36 km 9 km
Apr 15, 1998 11 km NE of Swan Lake, Montana M4.1 49 km 4 km
Aug 17, 1994 1 km E of Mullan, Idaho M4.1 114 km 2 km
Jun 29, 1995 2 km NNW of Kila, Montana M4.1 35 km 5 km
Apr 1, 1992 10 km ESE of Swan Lake, Montana M4.0 47 km 5 km
Jan 20, 1998 15 km SSE of Happys Inn, Montana M4.0 54 km 7 km
Jul 19, 2002 43 km NE of Seeley Lake, Montana M4.0 107 km 25 km
Jun 28, 2000 21 km SE of Clinton, Montana M4.0 147 km 10 km
Jun 2, 1996 37 km N of Ovando, Montana M3.9 111 km 5 km
May 7, 1992 14 km NE of Seeley Lake, Montana M3.8 99 km 5 km
Jun 1, 1996 23 km N of Ovando, Montana M3.8 111 km 10 km
Jul 2, 1992 4 km SSE of South Browning, Montana M3.8 125 km 10 km
May 2, 1995 3 km WNW of Kila, Montana M3.8 36 km 9 km
Jul 5, 2024 24 km ENE of Seeley Lake, Montana M3.8 105 km 22 km
Mar 21, 1992 20 km NE of Seeley Lake, Montana M3.8 101 km 5 km
Sep 26, 2004 14 km WSW of Pablo, Montana M3.8 29 km 17 km
Aug 19, 1999 12 km ENE of Happys Inn, Montana M3.7 57 km 14 km
Jan 13, 2010 36 km NE of Seeley Lake, Montana M3.7 99 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 57 km 0.5 mi 0
Nov 4, 2013 EF0 26 km 0.8 mi 0
Sep 1, 2011 EF0 24 km 0.7 mi 0
Apr 9, 2008 EF0 44 km 0.0 mi 0
Jul 18, 2007 EF0 19 km 1.0 mi 0
Jul 18, 2007 EF0 21 km 8.0 mi 0
Sep 10, 2000 EF0 66 km 2.0 mi 0
Aug 7, 1995 EF0 66 km 0.1 mi 0
Mar 3, 1991 EF0 82 km 0.1 mi 0
Jul 9, 1978 EF0 84 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 36 km
2001 MOOSE 73,210 93 km
2015 BEAR CREEK 60,710 69 km
2003 ROBERT 54,500 84 km
2021 THORNE CREEK 39,694 70 km
2007 JOCKO LAKES 35,759 87 km
2003 LITTLE SALMON CREEK 33,044 81 km
2007 BRUSH CREEK 30,166 70 km
2016 COPPER KING 28,338 60 km
2017 LIBERTY 27,731 95 km
2003 BARTLETT MOUNTAIN 27,614 94 km
2017 SUNRISE 26,896 92 km
2017 SHEEP GAP 24,702 65 km
2003 RAMPAGE COMPLEX (DOUBLE MOUNTAIN 2) 23,680 84 km
2015 TRAIL CREEK 22,338 74 km
2022 ELMO 22,148 6 km
2003 MINERAL-PRIMM (MINERAL AND PRIMM) 20,888 99 km
2023 NIARADA 20,686 12 km
2017 SCALP 20,309 99 km
2000 UPPER NINEMILE COMPLEX (NINE MILE) 19,695 68 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 26°F (-3°C) 1.9 in
February 29°F (-2°C) 1.3 in
March 35°F (2°C) 1.3 in
April 43°F (6°C) 1.4 in
May 51°F (11°C) 2.2 in
June 59°F (15°C) 2.3 in Wettest
July 67°F (20°C) 1.3 in Warmest
August 66°F (19°C) 1.4 in
September 55°F (13°C) 1.5 in
October 44°F (7°C) 1.2 in Driest
November 33°F (0°C) 1.7 in
December 26°F (-4°C) 1.9 in Coldest

Elmo has a seasonal temperature swing of 42°F / from 26°F in December to 67°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 19.5 inches, with June being the wettest month (2.3") and October the driest (1.2").

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