All Countries
Weather & Climate in Frenchtown, MT
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Frenchtown has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 45°F (7°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 18.7 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 49.4 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 3,037 feet.
Temperature
26°F Jan (-3°C)
68°F Jul (20°C)
| Annual Average | 45.4°F |
| 16% below US avg | |
| January Average | 26°F (-3°C) |
| July Average | 68°F (20°C) |
| Sunny Days | 273 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 3,037 ft (926 m) |
| Area | 6.8 sq mi (17.6 km²) |
| Population Density | 242/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 47.0280°N, 114.2462°W |
| Timezone | America/Denver |
| County | Lake County County |
| Nearest Airport | Missoula Montana (MSO) 11 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 26.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 67.7 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 58.8 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 51.0 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Moderate |
| Wildfire | Relatively Moderate |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Very Low |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively High |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | Very Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | Relatively Moderate |
| Avalanche | Relatively High |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
374 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M5.8.
| Jul 6, 2017 | 11 km SE of Lincoln, Montana | M5.8 | 128 km | 12 km |
| Jul 6, 2017 | 15 km S of Lincoln, Montana | M5.0 | 122 km | 15 km |
| Dec 22, 1998 | Idaho-Montana border region | M4.7 | 129 km | 12 km |
| Jul 6, 2017 | 14 km SE of Lincoln, Montana | M4.4 | 131 km | 10 km |
| Jan 30, 2016 | 19 km E of Lincoln, Montana | M4.3 | 139 km | 2 km |
| Apr 15, 1998 | 11 km NE of Swan Lake, Montana | M4.1 | 115 km | 4 km |
| Aug 17, 1994 | 1 km E of Mullan, Idaho | M4.1 | 126 km | 2 km |
| May 2, 1995 | 2 km NW of Kila, Montana | M4.1 | 125 km | 9 km |
| Jun 29, 1995 | 2 km NNW of Kila, Montana | M4.1 | 124 km | 5 km |
| Apr 1, 1992 | 10 km ESE of Swan Lake, Montana | M4.0 | 103 km | 5 km |
| Jun 28, 2000 | 21 km SE of Clinton, Montana | M4.0 | 70 km | 10 km |
| Jul 17, 2017 | 12 km ESE of Lincoln, Montana | M4.0 | 130 km | 13 km |
| Jul 6, 2017 | 14 km SSE of Lincoln, Montana | M4.0 | 127 km | 9 km |
| Jan 20, 1998 | 15 km SSE of Happys Inn, Montana | M4.0 | 119 km | 7 km |
| Jul 19, 2002 | 43 km NE of Seeley Lake, Montana | M4.0 | 101 km | 25 km |
| Oct 19, 2017 | 12 km SE of Lincoln, Montana | M3.9 | 130 km | 4 km |
| Apr 1, 1993 | 15 km E of Lincoln, Montana | M3.9 | 135 km | 5 km |
| Jun 2, 1996 | 37 km N of Ovando, Montana | M3.9 | 97 km | 5 km |
| Mar 13, 2017 | 4 km ESE of Avon, Montana | M3.8 | 139 km | 20 km |
| Apr 17, 2018 | 13 km ESE of Lincoln, Montana | M3.8 | 131 km | 14 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
9 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2. Total: 1 injury.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jun 23, 1975 | EF2 | 96 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| May 9, 2023 | EF0 | 40 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Sep 1, 2011 | EF0 | 85 km | 0.7 mi | 0 |
| Jul 18, 2007 | EF0 | 71 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 7, 1995 | EF0 | 71 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Mar 3, 1991 | EF0 | 19 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 15, 1990 | EF0 | 68 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Oct 16, 1988 | EF0 | 87 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Jul 20, 1983 | EF0 | 18 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: RICE RIDGE (171,473 acres, 2017).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2017 | RICE RIDGE | 171,473 | 82 km |
| 2007 | CHIPPY CREEK | 95,656 | 97 km |
| 2007 | SAWMILL COMPLEX (WYMAN 2) | 68,236 | 75 km |
| 2017 | LOLO PEAK | 62,316 | 40 km |
| 2007 | BRIDGE | 36,732 | 76 km |
| 2007 | JOCKO LAKES | 35,759 | 49 km |
| 2017 | LITTLE HOGBACK | 34,646 | 83 km |
| 2003 | FISH CREEK COMPLEX (THOMPSON CREEK) | 33,779 | 36 km |
| 2003 | LITTLE SALMON CREEK | 33,044 | 95 km |
| 2012 | FERN | 29,736 | 65 km |
| 2012 | FREEZE OUT | 28,355 | 84 km |
| 2016 | COPPER KING | 28,338 | 93 km |
| 2017 | LIBERTY | 27,731 | 39 km |
| 2003 | BARTLETT MOUNTAIN | 27,614 | 90 km |
| 2017 | SUNRISE | 26,896 | 45 km |
| 2003 | COONEY RIDGE | 25,741 | 51 km |
| 2017 | SHEEP GAP | 24,702 | 78 km |
| 2007 | CONGER CREEK | 22,936 | 97 km |
| 2000 | MONTURE-SPREAD RIDGE (MONTURE) | 22,493 | 85 km |
| 2022 | ELMO | 22,148 | 94 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 26°F (-3°C) | 1.6 in | |
| February | 27°F (-3°C) | 1.1 in | Driest |
| March | 32°F (0°C) | 1.2 in | |
| April | 39°F (4°C) | 1.3 in | |
| May | 47°F (9°C) | 2.1 in | Wettest |
| June | 55°F (13°C) | 2.0 in | |
| July | 68°F (20°C) | 1.1 in | Warmest |
| August | 62°F (16°C) | 1.2 in | |
| September | 53°F (11°C) | 1.3 in | |
| October | 42°F (6°C) | 1.1 in | |
| November | 31°F (-1°C) | 1.3 in | |
| December | 23°F (-5°C) | 1.5 in | Coldest |
Frenchtown has a seasonal temperature swing of 45°F / from 23°F in December to 68°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 16.8 inches, with May being the wettest month (2.1") and February the driest (1.1").