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Weather & Climate in Fishtail, MT
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Fishtail has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 45°F (7°C). Winters average 29°F in January while summers reach 65°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 17.9 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 69.7 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 4,486 feet.
Temperature
29°F Jan (-1°C)
65°F Jul (19°C)
| Annual Average | 45.2°F |
| 16% below US avg | |
| January Average | 29°F (-1°C) |
| July Average | 65°F (19°C) |
| Sunny Days | 311 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 4,486 ft (1,367 m) |
| Area | 0.6 sq mi (1.5 km²) |
| Population Density | 136/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 45.4481°N, 109.5084°W |
| Timezone | America/Denver |
| County | Stillwater County County |
| Nearest Airport | Billings Logan International (BIL) 53 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 26.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 16.8 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 10.6 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 56.3 / 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 Low |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | Very Low |
| Drought | Very Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
| Volcano | Very Low |
| Avalanche | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
554 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.8.
| Mar 30, 2014 | 22 km S of Mammoth, Wyoming | M4.8 | 119 km | 6 km |
| Jun 16, 2017 | 12 km E of Hebgen Lake Estates, Montana | M4.4 | 141 km | 9 km |
| May 11, 2022 | 36 km S of Silver Gate, Montana | M4.2 | 94 km | 14 km |
| Nov 24, 2000 | 24 km S of Mammoth, Wyoming | M4.2 | 121 km | 9 km |
| Mar 25, 2008 | 35 km S of Silver Gate, Montana | M4.2 | 93 km | 4 km |
| Jul 14, 2019 | 11 km NNE of Manhattan, Montana | M4.0 | 148 km | 6 km |
| Nov 6, 1997 | 4 km WSW of Springhill, Montana | M4.0 | 129 km | 5 km |
| Mar 26, 1994 | 19 km NE of West Yellowstone, Montana | M3.9 | 134 km | 9 km |
| Sep 18, 2022 | 22 km SSW of Mammoth, Wyoming | M3.9 | 126 km | 11 km |
| Jan 30, 2023 | 9 km NNW of Livingston, Montana | M3.8 | 91 km | 20 km |
| Nov 26, 1998 | 63 km SE of West Yellowstone, Montana | M3.8 | 149 km | 6 km |
| Jan 29, 2025 | 24 km SSW of Mammoth, Wyoming | M3.7 | 125 km | 8 km |
| Jan 9, 2008 | 18 km NE of West Yellowstone, Montana | M3.7 | 134 km | 10 km |
| Mar 29, 2023 | 56 km SSE of Mammoth, Wyoming | M3.7 | 123 km | 4 km |
| Aug 19, 2025 | 22 km SSW of Mammoth, Wyoming | M3.7 | 128 km | 12 km |
| Jan 9, 2003 | 23 km E of Wilsall, Montana | M3.7 | 92 km | 11 km |
| Sep 24, 1994 | 39 km SSE of Mammoth, Wyoming | M3.7 | 116 km | 5 km |
| Mar 30, 2014 | 21 km S of Mammoth, Wyoming | M3.7 | 121 km | 3 km |
| Jul 17, 2021 | 63 km SSE of Mammoth, Wyoming | M3.6 | 128 km | 6 km |
| Jul 18, 2017 | 12 km E of Hebgen Lake Estates, Montana | M3.6 | 141 km | 11 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
25 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 3 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jun 16, 1965 | EF3 | 88 km | 20.6 mi | 0 |
| Jun 20, 2010 | EF2 | 90 km | 0.7 mi | 0 |
| Jun 16, 2010 | EF2 | 71 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 26, 1964 | EF2 | 98 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 2, 1958 | EF2 | 89 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 21, 1991 | EF1 | 82 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| May 18, 1991 | EF1 | 90 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| May 24, 1990 | EF1 | 73 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Jun 26, 1976 | EF1 | 97 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 22, 1965 | EF1 | 55 km | 1.5 mi | 0 |
| Aug 12, 1958 | EF1 | 62 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 6, 2011 | EF0 | 99 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Jun 6, 2011 | EF0 | 69 km | 0.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 9, 2010 | EF0 | 98 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Aug 11, 2005 | EF0 | 59 km | 9.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 4, 1998 | EF0 | 88 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 20, 1997 | EF0 | 59 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 19, 1991 | EF0 | 68 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Mar 23, 1988 | EF0 | 52 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Jul 6, 1979 | EF0 | 84 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Nearby Volcanoes
1 volcano within 200 km. Closest: Yellowstone (146 km).
| Name | Type | Elevation | Last Eruption | Distance |
| Yellowstone | Caldera(s) | 2,805 m (9,203 ft) | -1350 | 146 km |
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: CLOVERMIST (303,427 acres, 1988).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 1988 | CLOVERMIST | 303,427 | 83 km |
| 2006 | DERBY | 200,993 | 28 km |
| 1988 | STORM CREEK | 116,027 | 52 km |
| 1988 | HELLROARING | 77,598 | 76 km |
| 2003 | HOBBLE | 38,365 | 44 km |
| 1988 | CLOVER | 34,035 | 91 km |
| 2021 | ROBERTSON DRAW | 31,132 | 48 km |
| 2006 | JUNGLE | 23,846 | 64 km |
| 2007 | WH COMPLEX (WICKED CREEK) | 22,195 | 79 km |
| 1996 | SHEPARD MTN | 17,379 | 26 km |
| 2016 | BUFFALO | 13,706 | 80 km |
| 1994 | BLACK BUTTE | 10,231 | 44 km |
| 2008 | CASCADE | 10,017 | 32 km |
| 2010 | STUMP GULCH | 8,873 | 33 km |
| 2002 | BROAD | 7,922 | 98 km |
| 2021 | TROUT CREEK | 7,804 | 14 km |
| 2012 | PINE CREEK | 7,707 | 79 km |
| 1991 | THOMPSON CREEK | 6,974 | 84 km |
| 2006 | PASSAGE FALLS | 6,837 | 76 km |
| 2011 | HOLE IN THE WALL | 6,559 | 52 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 29°F (-1°C) | 1.0 in | |
| February | 29°F (-2°C) | 0.8 in | Driest |
| March | 34°F (1°C) | 1.5 in | |
| April | 42°F (5°C) | 2.1 in | |
| May | 51°F (10°C) | 3.3 in | Wettest |
| June | 60°F (15°C) | 2.5 in | |
| July | 65°F (19°C) | 1.6 in | |
| August | 66°F (19°C) | 1.4 in | Warmest |
| September | 56°F (14°C) | 1.9 in | |
| October | 46°F (8°C) | 1.5 in | |
| November | 33°F (0°C) | 1.0 in | |
| December | 26°F (-4°C) | 0.9 in | Coldest |
Fishtail has a seasonal temperature swing of 41°F / from 26°F in December to 66°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 19.4 inches, with May being the wettest month (3.3") and February the driest (0.8").