Weather & Climate in Fairview, MT

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

Fairview has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 45°F (7°C). Winters average 17°F in January while summers reach 72°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 15.5 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 30.4 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 1,927 feet.

Temperature

17°F Jan (-8°C) 72°F Jul (22°C)

Annual Average	45.2°F
	16% below US avg
January Average	17°F (-8°C)
July Average	72°F (22°C)
Sunny Days	273 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	1,927 ft (587 m)
Area	0.8 sq mi (2.1 km²)
Population Density	1,149/sq mi
Coordinates	47.8520°N, 104.0509°W
Timezone	America/Denver
County	Richland County County
Nearest Airport	Sidney-Richland Regional (SDY) 12 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 15.5"

59% below US avg

Snowfall 30.4"

Wettest Month (Jun) 2.76"

Driest Month (Feb) 0.31"

Air Quality

AQI Median	26.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Low
Risk Score	52.7 / 100
Social Vulnerability	10.6 / 100
Community Resilience	16.8 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Relatively Low
Earthquake	Very Low
Wildfire	Very Low
Flood	Very Low
Hail	Relatively Low
Strong Wind	Relatively Low
Heat Wave	Relatively Low
Winter Weather	Relatively Moderate
Lightning	Relatively Low
Ice Storm	Relatively Low
Drought	Relatively Low
Cold Wave	Relatively High
Landslide	Very Low

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

Earthquake History

5 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.8.

Feb 25, 2014	23 km N of Brockton, Montana	M3.8	83 km	5 km
Jul 29, 1998	16 km WNW of Froid, Montana	M3.8	75 km	5 km
Nov 11, 1998	10 km SW of Grenora, North Dakota	M3.5	77 km	5 km
Sep 28, 2012	22 km ESE of Williston, North Dakota	M3.3	57 km	5 km
May 6, 2014	12 km NNW of Knife River, Montana	M2.6	45 km	8 km

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

Tornado History

85 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 2 fatalities, 42 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Jun 29, 1961	EF4	97 km	15.9 mi	0
May 24, 1953	EF3	98 km	9.3 mi	0
Jul 19, 1952	EF3	99 km	16.4 mi	1
Jun 10, 1952	EF3	87 km	8.8 mi	0
Jul 9, 2018	EF2	57 km	0.5 mi	1
May 26, 2014	EF2	60 km	0.5 mi	0
Jun 27, 1982	EF2	36 km	0.4 mi	0
Jun 27, 1975	EF2	86 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 25, 1975	EF2	15 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 11, 1972	EF2	59 km	9.1 mi	0
Jul 2, 1971	EF2	75 km	10.0 mi	0
Sep 21, 1969	EF2	64 km	1.0 mi	0
Jun 13, 1953	EF2	61 km	0.1 mi	0
Jul 1, 1952	EF2	38 km	9.7 mi	0
Jun 30, 2015	EF1	42 km	17.5 mi	0
Jul 21, 1999	EF1	33 km	1.0 mi	0
Jun 11, 1984	EF1	70 km	3.0 mi	0
Jul 13, 1980	EF1	48 km	0.1 mi	0
May 17, 1977	EF1	92 km	8.5 mi	0
Jun 27, 1975	EF1	51 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: WILLIAMS CO WILDLAND FIRE (67,150 acres, 2024).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2024	WILLIAMS CO WILDLAND FIRE	67,150	84 km
1999	GAP/ROUGH CREEK	53,708	30 km
1988	BAINVILLE	12,790	25 km
2016	FLAGSTAFF HILL	9,129	94 km
1999	ROUGH CRK	7,887	70 km
2017	YOOPER	7,834	52 km
1988	MIKES CREEK	5,309	92 km
2021	SMITH	5,212	67 km
1999	ANTELOPE	5,118	93 km
2017	MAGPIE FIRE	5,056	73 km
2021	ROOSEVELT CREEK	4,608	86 km
2021	HORSE PASTURE	4,431	61 km
2003	3 MILE	3,394	87 km
2015	RIDGE ROAD	3,390	76 km
1988	MONTANA LINE	3,307	15 km
1988	CINNAMON CREEK	3,204	56 km
2024	CHARLSON	3,055	91 km
2021	ELKHORN	2,784	74 km
2021	13 MILE FIRE	2,585	59 km
2007	W-RX-F SANDHILLS SUB UNIT B	2,381	68 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	17°F (-8°C)	0.4 in
February	21°F (-6°C)	0.3 in	Driest
March	32°F (-0°C)	0.6 in
April	46°F (8°C)	1.2 in
May	57°F (14°C)	2.1 in
June	66°F (19°C)	2.8 in	Wettest
July	72°F (22°C)	2.1 in	Warmest
August	71°F (21°C)	1.4 in
September	59°F (15°C)	1.5 in
October	47°F (8°C)	0.8 in
November	29°F (-2°C)	0.5 in
December	17°F (-9°C)	0.4 in	Coldest

Fairview has a seasonal temperature swing of 56°F / from 17°F in December to 72°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 14.0 inches, with June being the wettest month (2.8") and February the driest (0.3").

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