Weather & Climate in Fort Smith, MT

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

Fort Smith experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 49°F (10°C). Winters average 29°F in January while summers reach 74°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 16.7 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 43.9 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 3,194 feet.

Temperature

29°F Jan (-2°C) 74°F Jul (23°C)

Annual Average	49.4°F
	9% below US avg
January Average	29°F (-2°C)
July Average	74°F (23°C)
Sunny Days	311 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	3,194 ft (974 m)
Area	1.4 sq mi (3.6 km²)
Population Density	76/sq mi
Coordinates	45.3171°N, 107.9351°W
Timezone	America/Denver
County	Big Horn County County
Nearest Airport	Billings Logan International (BIL) 45 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 16.7"

56% below US avg

Snowfall 43.9"

Wettest Month (May) 2.95"

Driest Month (Feb) 0.79"

Air Quality

AQI Median	26.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Low
Risk Score	57.2 / 100
Social Vulnerability	94.2 / 100
Community Resilience	4.8 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

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

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

Earthquake History

15 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.0.

Aug 22, 2009	20 km SSE of Birney, Montana	M4.0	118 km	14 km
Jul 6, 2021	27 km SSE of Melstone, Montana	M3.6	118 km	10 km
Dec 23, 1991	10 km SW of Colstrip, Montana	M3.6	110 km	5 km
Jul 21, 2023	Eastern Montana	M3.2	75 km	5 km
Feb 13, 1998	12 km NE of Hyattville, Wyoming	M3.0	114 km	5 km
Mar 2, 2014	9 km SE of Washakie Ten, Wyoming	M2.9	142 km	0 km
Jul 22, 2016	21 km W of Cody, Wyoming	M2.8	139 km	7 km
Mar 23, 2023	8 km S of Shell, Wyoming	M2.8	96 km	11 km
Mar 30, 2018	20 km NNE of Sheridan, Wyoming	M2.8	95 km	5 km
Jan 15, 2023	6 km NE of Ashland, Montana	M2.8	139 km	11 km
May 19, 2017	6 km ESE of Birney, Montana	M2.7	117 km	3 km
Jan 6, 2016	27 km ENE of Lovell, Wyoming	M2.6	41 km	12 km
May 30, 2018	10 km SW of Meadow Lark Lake, Wyoming	M2.6	142 km	14 km
Jun 2, 2019	14 km WSW of Birney, Montana	M2.6	98 km	5 km
Apr 22, 2018	8 km ENE of Ashland, Montana	M2.6	142 km	5 km

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

Tornado History

63 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 1 fatality, 5 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Aug 2, 1985	EF3	54 km	0.2 mi	0
Jun 16, 1965	EF3	69 km	20.6 mi	0
Jun 20, 2010	EF2	69 km	0.7 mi	0
Jun 16, 2010	EF2	61 km	1.0 mi	0
Jul 4, 1978	EF2	91 km	5.0 mi	0
Jun 26, 1964	EF2	90 km	1.0 mi	0
Jun 12, 1962	EF2	100 km	0.5 mi	0
Jun 26, 1959	EF2	96 km	9.2 mi	1
Jul 2, 1958	EF2	68 km	0.5 mi	0
Jun 3, 1958	EF2	88 km	0.2 mi	0
Jun 7, 2018	EF1	96 km	0.8 mi	0
Jun 26, 2001	EF1	94 km	0.7 mi	0
Jun 6, 1997	EF1	84 km	1.0 mi	0
Jun 22, 1996	EF1	55 km	4.0 mi	0
Jul 9, 1991	EF1	53 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 21, 1991	EF1	74 km	0.2 mi	0
Jun 21, 1991	EF1	62 km	0.2 mi	0
May 18, 1991	EF1	100 km	0.2 mi	0
May 24, 1990	EF1	66 km	0.2 mi	0
May 24, 1990	EF1	79 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: PINE RIDGE COMPLEX (103,074 acres, 2006).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2006	PINE RIDGE COMPLEX	103,074	81 km
2006	BUNDY RAILROAD	91,575	91 km
2012	SARPY HILLS COMPLEX	83,942	64 km
2021	P F	66,375	67 km
1994	BABY DEAN	61,955	92 km
2020	SARPY	51,619	82 km
2003	LITTLEHAWK	27,926	86 km
2011	BLACK SPRINGS COMPLEX	19,473	95 km
1988	KIRBY	14,253	93 km
2007	BONE CREEK	12,776	79 km
1996	ROLLOVER	10,743	54 km
2020	GASS FLATS	10,723	88 km
2021	SLOUGH GRASS	9,384	97 km
1991	UNNAMED	9,027	50 km
1996	COLFAX	8,429	35 km
2021	CRATER RIDGE	8,147	43 km
2024	BADGER	7,891	100 km
2012	HORSE CREEK	7,635	99 km
2001	THUNDER CH	7,539	85 km
2006	BIRTHDAY2	6,553	12 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	29°F (-2°C)	0.9 in
February	28°F (-2°C)	0.8 in	Driest
March	34°F (1°C)	1.3 in
April	42°F (6°C)	2.2 in
May	52°F (11°C)	3.0 in	Wettest
June	61°F (16°C)	2.4 in
July	74°F (23°C)	1.1 in	Warmest
August	68°F (20°C)	1.1 in
September	58°F (15°C)	1.8 in
October	47°F (8°C)	1.5 in
November	34°F (1°C)	1.0 in
December	27°F (-3°C)	0.9 in	Coldest

Fort Smith has a seasonal temperature swing of 47°F / from 27°F in December to 74°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 18.1 inches, with May being the wettest month (3.0") and February the driest (0.8").

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