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Weather & Climate in Fortine, MT
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Fortine has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 44°F (7°C). Winters average 24°F in January while summers reach 67°F in July. The area gets 274 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 15.1 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 40.9 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 3,126 feet.
Temperature
24°F Jan (-5°C)
67°F Jul (19°C)
| Annual Average | 43.9°F |
| 19% below US avg | |
| January Average | 24°F (-5°C) |
| July Average | 67°F (19°C) |
| Sunny Days | 274 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 3,126 ft (953 m) |
| Area | 7.2 sq mi (18.5 km²) |
| Population Density | 53/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 48.7701°N, 114.8860°W |
| Timezone | America/Denver |
| County | Flathead County County |
| Nearest Airport | Glacier Park International (FCA) 43 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 26.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Moderate |
| Risk Score | 86.5 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 15.9 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 46.3 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Moderate |
| Wildfire | Relatively Moderate |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Very Low |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively High |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | Very Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively High |
| Landslide | Relatively Moderate |
| Avalanche | Very High |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
124 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.7.
| Dec 22, 1998 | Idaho-Montana border region | M4.7 | 90 km | 12 km |
| Mar 4, 2000 | 35 km S of Pincher Creek, Canada | M4.6 | 77 km | 1 km |
| Mar 22, 2006 | 8 km SSW of Rexford, Montana | M4.3 | 24 km | 8 km |
| May 2, 1995 | 2 km NW of Kila, Montana | M4.1 | 76 km | 9 km |
| Apr 15, 1998 | 11 km NE of Swan Lake, Montana | M4.1 | 119 km | 4 km |
| Jun 29, 1995 | 2 km NNW of Kila, Montana | M4.1 | 77 km | 5 km |
| Apr 1, 1992 | 10 km ESE of Swan Lake, Montana | M4.0 | 131 km | 5 km |
| Jan 20, 1998 | 15 km SSE of Happys Inn, Montana | M4.0 | 92 km | 7 km |
| Apr 24, 2015 | 8 km WSW of Hope, Idaho | M3.9 | 128 km | 17 km |
| Feb 28, 2000 | 10 km NNE of Sparwood, Canada | M3.8 | 117 km | 10 km |
| May 2, 1995 | 3 km WNW of Kila, Montana | M3.8 | 77 km | 9 km |
| Jul 2, 1992 | 4 km SSE of South Browning, Montana | M3.8 | 142 km | 10 km |
| Sep 26, 2004 | 14 km WSW of Pablo, Montana | M3.8 | 140 km | 17 km |
| Aug 19, 1999 | 12 km ENE of Happys Inn, Montana | M3.7 | 73 km | 14 km |
| Oct 2, 1995 | 18 km E of Finley Point, Montana | M3.7 | 141 km | 5 km |
| Apr 24, 2015 | 12 km SSW of East Hope, Idaho | M3.7 | 130 km | 9 km |
| Oct 26, 1999 | 23 km WNW of Niarada, Montana | M3.6 | 96 km | 12 km |
| Feb 2, 1997 | 1 km NNE of Lindisfarne, Montana | M3.6 | 117 km | 5 km |
| Jan 20, 2000 | 21 km ENE of Athol, Idaho | M3.5 | 142 km | 5 km |
| Jul 18, 1991 | 14 km SSE of Swan Lake, Montana | M3.5 | 135 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
2 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF0.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Apr 9, 2008 | EF0 | 73 km | 0.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 10, 2000 | EF0 | 57 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: MOOSE (73,210 acres, 2001).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2001 | MOOSE | 73,210 | 59 km |
| 2003 | ROBERT | 54,500 | 65 km |
| 2003 | WEDGE CANYON | 51,987 | 40 km |
| 1988 | RED BENCH | 33,845 | 46 km |
| 2007 | BRUSH CREEK | 30,166 | 44 km |
| 2017 | CARIBOU | 28,101 | 41 km |
| 2017 | WEST FORK | 21,154 | 60 km |
| 2003 | BLACKFOOT LAKE COMPLEX (BLACKFOOT LAKE) | 18,274 | 92 km |
| 2003 | TRAPPER CREEK FIRE (TRAPPER CREEK) | 18,028 | 77 km |
| 2017 | SPRAGUE | 16,897 | 79 km |
| 1994 | LITTLE WOLF | 15,714 | 52 km |
| 2018 | HOWE RIDGE | 14,747 | 71 km |
| 2017 | MOOSE PEAK | 14,085 | 99 km |
| 2003 | TRAPPER CREEK FIRE (WOLF GUN) | 13,920 | 65 km |
| 2021 | SOUTH YAAK | 12,866 | 75 km |
| 1984 | HOUGHTON CREEK II | 12,495 | 84 km |
| 1999 | ANACONDA | 11,452 | 63 km |
| 1988 | DRY FORK | 11,403 | 40 km |
| 2000 | STONE YOUNG (STONE HILL) | 11,279 | 25 km |
| 1994 | NORTH FORK COMPLEX (ADAIR II) | 10,329 | 58 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 24°F (-5°C) | 1.7 in | |
| February | 27°F (-3°C) | 1.3 in | |
| March | 34°F (1°C) | 1.2 in | Driest |
| April | 42°F (5°C) | 1.3 in | |
| May | 50°F (10°C) | 2.1 in | |
| June | 57°F (14°C) | 2.4 in | Wettest |
| July | 67°F (19°C) | 1.7 in | Warmest |
| August | 63°F (17°C) | 1.3 in | |
| September | 53°F (12°C) | 1.4 in | |
| October | 43°F (6°C) | 1.2 in | |
| November | 31°F (-1°C) | 1.9 in | |
| December | 23°F (-5°C) | 1.8 in | Coldest |
Fortine has a seasonal temperature swing of 44°F / from 23°F in December to 67°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 19.3 inches, with June being the wettest month (2.4") and March the driest (1.2").