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Weather & Climate in Essex, MT
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Essex has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 44°F (7°C). Winters average 25°F in January while summers reach 68°F in July. The area gets 248 sunny days per year, above the national average. Annual precipitation totals 34.6 inches. 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 3,866 feet.
Temperature
25°F Jan (-4°C)
68°F Jul (20°C)
| Annual Average | 44.4°F |
| 18% below US avg | |
| January Average | 25°F (-4°C) |
| July Average | 68°F (20°C) |
| Sunny Days | 248 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 3,866 ft (1,178 m) |
| Area | 0.5 sq mi (1.3 km²) |
| Population Density | 110/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 48.2849°N, 113.6107°W |
| Timezone | America/Denver |
| County | Flathead County County |
| Nearest Airport | Glacier Park International (FCA) 30 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 26.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Moderate |
| Risk Score | 86.5 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 15.9 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 46.3 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Moderate |
| Wildfire | Relatively Moderate |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Very Low |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively High |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | Very Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively High |
| Landslide | Relatively Moderate |
| Avalanche | Very High |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
191 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.7.
| Dec 22, 1998 | Idaho-Montana border region | M4.7 | 123 km | 12 km |
| Mar 4, 2000 | 35 km S of Pincher Creek, Canada | M4.6 | 103 km | 1 km |
| Mar 22, 2006 | 8 km SSW of Rexford, Montana | M4.3 | 132 km | 8 km |
| Jun 29, 1995 | 2 km NNW of Kila, Montana | M4.1 | 66 km | 5 km |
| May 2, 1995 | 2 km NW of Kila, Montana | M4.1 | 66 km | 9 km |
| Apr 15, 1998 | 11 km NE of Swan Lake, Montana | M4.1 | 32 km | 4 km |
| Apr 1, 1992 | 10 km ESE of Swan Lake, Montana | M4.0 | 45 km | 5 km |
| Jan 20, 1998 | 15 km SSE of Happys Inn, Montana | M4.0 | 113 km | 7 km |
| Jul 19, 2002 | 43 km NE of Seeley Lake, Montana | M4.0 | 104 km | 25 km |
| Jun 2, 1996 | 37 km N of Ovando, Montana | M3.9 | 112 km | 5 km |
| May 1, 1997 | 35 km SSE of Magrath, Canada | M3.8 | 118 km | 5 km |
| Mar 21, 1992 | 20 km NE of Seeley Lake, Montana | M3.8 | 113 km | 5 km |
| Jun 1, 1996 | 23 km N of Ovando, Montana | M3.8 | 122 km | 10 km |
| May 2, 1995 | 3 km WNW of Kila, Montana | M3.8 | 68 km | 9 km |
| Jul 5, 2024 | 24 km ENE of Seeley Lake, Montana | M3.8 | 115 km | 22 km |
| Jul 2, 1992 | 4 km SSE of South Browning, Montana | M3.8 | 51 km | 10 km |
| May 7, 1992 | 14 km NE of Seeley Lake, Montana | M3.8 | 115 km | 5 km |
| Sep 26, 2004 | 14 km WSW of Pablo, Montana | M3.8 | 95 km | 17 km |
| Aug 19, 1999 | 12 km ENE of Happys Inn, Montana | M3.7 | 103 km | 14 km |
| Jan 13, 2010 | 36 km NE of Seeley Lake, Montana | M3.7 | 100 km | 21 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
9 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF1.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jun 13, 2006 | EF1 | 81 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| Nov 4, 2013 | EF0 | 49 km | 0.8 mi | 0 |
| Sep 1, 2011 | EF0 | 65 km | 0.7 mi | 0 |
| Apr 9, 2008 | EF0 | 55 km | 0.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 18, 2007 | EF0 | 87 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 18, 2007 | EF0 | 53 km | 8.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 10, 2000 | EF0 | 55 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 7, 1995 | EF0 | 87 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 29, 1986 | EF0 | 92 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: MOOSE (73,210 acres, 2001).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2001 | MOOSE | 73,210 | 55 km |
| 2015 | BEAR CREEK | 60,710 | 54 km |
| 2003 | ROBERT | 54,500 | 45 km |
| 2007 | FOOL CREEK | 53,912 | 61 km |
| 2003 | WEDGE CANYON | 51,987 | 89 km |
| 2015 | FAMILY PEAK COMPLEX | 49,769 | 48 km |
| 2007 | AHORN | 45,633 | 95 km |
| 1988 | GATES PARK | 42,493 | 73 km |
| 2007 | SKYLAND | 41,237 | 31 km |
| 1988 | RED BENCH | 33,845 | 74 km |
| 2003 | LITTLE SALMON CREEK | 33,044 | 79 km |
| 2006 | RED EAGLE | 32,563 | 46 km |
| 2007 | BRUSH CREEK | 30,166 | 90 km |
| 2003 | BARTLETT MOUNTAIN | 27,614 | 97 km |
| 2003 | RAMPAGE COMPLEX (DOUBLE MOUNTAIN 2) | 23,680 | 12 km |
| 2015 | TRAIL CREEK | 22,338 | 39 km |
| 2022 | ELMO | 22,148 | 76 km |
| 2023 | NIARADA | 20,686 | 85 km |
| 2017 | SCALP | 20,309 | 56 km |
| 2003 | BLACKFOOT LAKE COMPLEX (BLACKFOOT LAKE) | 18,274 | 25 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 25°F (-4°C) | 2.3 in | |
| February | 23°F (-5°C) | 1.8 in | |
| March | 28°F (-2°C) | 1.9 in | |
| April | 36°F (2°C) | 2.1 in | |
| May | 44°F (7°C) | 2.9 in | |
| June | 52°F (11°C) | 3.1 in | Wettest |
| July | 68°F (20°C) | 1.6 in | Warmest, Driest |
| August | 59°F (15°C) | 1.9 in | |
| September | 50°F (10°C) | 2.0 in | |
| October | 40°F (5°C) | 1.9 in | |
| November | 27°F (-3°C) | 2.3 in | |
| December | 19°F (-7°C) | 2.2 in | Coldest |
Essex has a seasonal temperature swing of 48°F / from 19°F in December to 68°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 25.9 inches, with June being the wettest month (3.1") and July the driest (1.6").