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Weather & Climate in Fords Creek Colony, MT
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Fords Creek Colony experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 46°F (8°C). Winters average 26°F in January while summers reach 68°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 17.9 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 50.1 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 3,558 feet.
Temperature
26°F Jan (-4°C)
68°F Jul (20°C)
| Annual Average | 45.5°F |
| 16% below US avg | |
| January Average | 26°F (-4°C) |
| July Average | 68°F (20°C) |
| Sunny Days | 273 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 3,558 ft (1,084 m) |
| Area | 0.2 sq mi (0.4 km²) |
| Population Density | 182/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 47.1310°N, 108.9167°W |
| Timezone | America/Denver |
| County | Petroleum County County |
| Nearest Airport | Billings Logan International (BIL) 93 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 26.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 1.3 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 27.4 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 12.9 / 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 | Very Low |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | Very Low |
| Drought | Very Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | 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: M3.6.
| Jul 6, 2021 | 27 km SSE of Melstone, Montana | M3.6 | 123 km | 10 km |
| Dec 5, 1991 | 15 km WSW of Hays, Montana | M3.0 | 91 km | 10 km |
| May 21, 2013 | 32 km NE of Melstone, Montana | M2.8 | 113 km | 7 km |
| Oct 16, 2011 | Eastern Montana | M2.7 | 51 km | 21 km |
| Jul 10, 2021 | 24 km SSE of Malta, Montana | M2.7 | 141 km | 10 km |
| Jul 15, 2015 | 48 km E of Zortman, Montana | M2.5 | 114 km | 23 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
57 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 5 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jul 5, 1988 | EF3 | 95 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 8, 2002 | EF2 | 35 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 14, 1999 | EF2 | 39 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 25, 1996 | EF2 | 73 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| May 28, 1981 | EF2 | 26 km | 1.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 8, 1976 | EF2 | 91 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 7, 1962 | EF2 | 43 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 22, 2003 | EF1 | 99 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 23, 1998 | EF1 | 59 km | 3.5 mi | 0 |
| May 10, 1977 | EF1 | 84 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| May 10, 1977 | EF1 | 89 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 3, 1971 | EF1 | 92 km | 2.3 mi | 0 |
| Jul 7, 1957 | EF1 | 85 km | 1.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 7, 2020 | EF0 | 30 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Jul 7, 2020 | EF0 | 44 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 27, 2019 | EF0 | 96 km | 0.4 mi | 0 |
| Jun 27, 2019 | EF0 | 81 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Jun 27, 2019 | EF0 | 89 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| May 9, 2018 | EF0 | 70 km | 0.7 mi | 0 |
| Jul 8, 2013 | EF0 | 98 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: BRIDGE COULEE (222,571 acres, 2017).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2017 | BRIDGE COULEE | 222,571 | 86 km |
| 2012 | DELPHIA | 40,396 | 100 km |
| 2017 | SOUTH BREAKS | 39,217 | 100 km |
| 2006 | SODA CREEK (BLACK PULASKI COMPLEX) | 33,767 | 82 km |
| 1999 | FISHEL CREEK | 28,611 | 93 km |
| 2010 | RAVEN | 26,631 | 71 km |
| 2021 | TAYLOR | 21,704 | 68 km |
| 2012 | DAHL | 21,448 | 99 km |
| 2021 | PINE GROVE | 16,158 | 98 km |
| 2006 | LODGEPOLE (BLACK PULASKI COMPLEX) | 15,248 | 81 km |
| 2021 | SOUTH MOCCASIN | 12,727 | 46 km |
| 2012 | WOLF CREEK | 12,168 | 68 km |
| 2017 | JULY | 11,409 | 88 km |
| 1994 | CK CREEK | 11,206 | 81 km |
| 2019 | RIDGETOP | 10,316 | 63 km |
| 1996 | ALKALIE | 10,044 | 77 km |
| 2012 | WELLS | 9,921 | 90 km |
| 2017 | CRYING | 7,497 | 73 km |
| 2018 | 3 2 1 HL LOWER CROOKED CREEK UNIT D RX FY 18 | 6,791 | 67 km |
| 2015 | 3 HL TIN CAN UNIT F PRESCRIBED FIRE | 5,911 | 71 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 26°F (-4°C) | 0.8 in | |
| February | 28°F (-2°C) | 0.4 in | Driest |
| March | 34°F (1°C) | 0.8 in | |
| April | 43°F (6°C) | 1.4 in | |
| May | 53°F (11°C) | 3.2 in | Wettest |
| June | 61°F (16°C) | 2.8 in | |
| July | 68°F (20°C) | 1.7 in | Warmest |
| August | 67°F (20°C) | 1.7 in | |
| September | 57°F (14°C) | 1.4 in | |
| October | 46°F (8°C) | 0.9 in | |
| November | 33°F (0°C) | 0.6 in | |
| December | 26°F (-4°C) | 0.7 in | Coldest |
Fords Creek Colony has a seasonal temperature swing of 43°F / from 26°F in December to 68°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 16.3 inches, with May being the wettest month (3.2") and February the driest (0.4").