Weather & Climate in Fort Benton, MT

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

Fort Benton has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 45°F (7°C). Winters average 22°F in January while summers reach 70°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 13.2 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 38.2 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 2,656 feet.

Temperature

22°F Jan (-5°C) 70°F Jul (21°C)

Annual Average	45.4°F
	16% below US avg
January Average	22°F (-5°C)
July Average	70°F (21°C)
Sunny Days	273 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	2,656 ft (810 m)
Area	2.1 sq mi (5.4 km²)
Population Density	642/sq mi
Coordinates	47.8290°N, 110.6558°W
Timezone	America/Denver
County	Chouteau County County
Nearest Airport	Great Falls International (GTF) 41 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 13.2"

65% below US avg

Snowfall 38.2"

Wettest Month (May) 3.15"

Driest Month (Feb) 0.59"

Air Quality

AQI Median	26.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Very Low
Risk Score	39.5 / 100
Social Vulnerability	65.4 / 100
Community Resilience	24.9 / 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 Moderate
Lightning	Relatively Low
Ice Storm	Very Low
Drought	Relatively Low
Cold Wave	Relatively Moderate
Landslide	Very Low
Avalanche	Relatively Moderate

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

Earthquake History

19 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.9.

Aug 16, 1994	27 km W of Chester, Montana	M3.9	89 km	5 km
Jun 5, 1991	18 km SW of Shelby, Montana	M3.6	117 km	5 km
Jan 20, 2003	10 km S of Little Browning, Montana	M3.5	147 km	1 km
Jun 16, 1999	16 km SSE of Craig, Montana	M3.2	138 km	4 km
May 29, 2009	11 km S of Little Browning, Montana	M3.2	147 km	0 km
Apr 2, 2014	13 km NNW of Conrad, Montana	M3.1	113 km	7 km
Dec 5, 1991	15 km WSW of Hays, Montana	M3.0	132 km	10 km
Sep 13, 2012	14 km NE of Helena Valley Northwest, Montana	M2.9	148 km	9 km
Jan 1, 2025	28 km ENE of Helena Valley Northeast, Montana	M2.9	138 km	20 km
May 6, 2014	10 km SSW of Cascade, Montana	M2.8	110 km	13 km
Apr 11, 2010	33 km ENE of Helena Valley Northeast, Montana	M2.8	129 km	18 km
Jan 1, 2025	28 km ENE of Helena Valley Northeast, Montana	M2.7	135 km	15 km
Mar 29, 2008	4 km SSE of Little Browning, Montana	M2.6	150 km	3 km
Apr 27, 2012	11 km SSW of Craig, Montana	M2.6	139 km	10 km
Jan 8, 2012	8 km W of Valier, Montana	M2.6	138 km	8 km
May 10, 2024	13 km WSW of Cascade, Montana	M2.6	112 km	26 km
Mar 29, 2008	3 km SSE of Cut Bank, Montana	M2.5	150 km	3 km
Mar 20, 2025	23 km SSE of Craig, Montana	M2.5	135 km	5 km
Feb 25, 2013	28 km WSW of Chester, Montana	M2.5	78 km	18 km

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

Tornado History

54 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 7 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Jul 5, 1988	EF3	55 km	10.0 mi	0
Jul 5, 1988	EF3	63 km	3.0 mi	0
Jul 5, 1988	EF3	53 km	12.0 mi	0
Jun 25, 1996	EF2	80 km	2.0 mi	0
Apr 24, 1994	EF2	83 km	1.5 mi	0
Apr 24, 1994	EF2	83 km	1.0 mi	0
Jun 8, 1976	EF2	69 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 30, 1975	EF2	99 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 16, 2007	EF1	97 km	5.3 mi	0
Apr 22, 2003	EF1	82 km	2.0 mi	0
Jul 3, 1998	EF1	73 km	0.5 mi	0
Jun 19, 1998	EF1	24 km	1.0 mi	0
Jul 5, 1988	EF1	80 km	0.2 mi	0
Jun 1, 1980	EF1	23 km	0.1 mi	0
May 25, 1980	EF1	80 km	0.1 mi	0
May 25, 1980	EF1	84 km	0.1 mi	0
Jul 3, 1978	EF1	84 km	1.0 mi	0
Jul 3, 1978	EF1	84 km	1.0 mi	0
Jul 3, 1978	EF1	84 km	1.0 mi	0
Jun 1, 1977	EF1	95 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: TURKEY (25,658 acres, 1990).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
1990	TURKEY	25,658	99 km
2021	TAYLOR	21,704	85 km
2017	EAST FORK	21,165	92 km
2009	MEISSNER	12,318	52 km
1984	CENTENNIAL	11,775	80 km
2021	BALSINGER	8,317	94 km
2022	EAGLE CREEK	6,359	84 km
1988	LOSTCANYON	4,532	77 km
2008	CHOUTEAU CO COMPLEX	4,365	22 km
2019	STUCKEY RD MA	4,073	59 km
1991	POWER	3,822	72 km
2008	UNIT 3 MARSH HAZ FUEL REDUCTION	3,333	54 km
2020	EAGLE ROCK ROAD	3,129	59 km
2022	BENTON LAKE UNIT 3 AND 4B	2,996	54 km
2007	CHOUTEAU CO ASST	2,646	17 km
2022	MTBLR-FY22-RX	2,244	55 km
2007	2007 HAZ FUEL REDUCTION	2,159	49 km
2021	FOUR SISTERS	1,999	45 km
2001	LOST FORK-MONARCH COMPLEX (MONARCH)	1,818	85 km
2021	EAGLE BUTTE	1,817	48 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	22°F (-5°C)	0.9 in	Coldest
February	27°F (-3°C)	0.6 in	Driest
March	35°F (2°C)	1.1 in
April	45°F (7°C)	1.5 in
May	54°F (12°C)	3.2 in	Wettest
June	62°F (17°C)	2.8 in
July	70°F (21°C)	1.5 in	Warmest
August	68°F (20°C)	1.7 in
September	57°F (14°C)	1.6 in
October	47°F (8°C)	1.0 in
November	33°F (1°C)	0.7 in
December	26°F (-4°C)	0.8 in

Fort Benton has a seasonal temperature swing of 48°F / from 22°F in January to 70°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 17.2 inches, with May being the wettest month (3.2") and February the driest (0.6").

View full profile of Fort Benton, MT →