Sign In Register

Weather & Climate in Great Falls, MT

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

Great Falls has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 44°F (7°C). Winters average 23°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 13.8 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 42.5 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 3,330 feet.

Temperature

23°F Jan (-5°C) 68°F Jul (20°C)
Annual Average43.9°F
19% below US avg
January Average23°F (-5°C)
July Average68°F (20°C)
Sunny Days273 days/yr

Geography

Elevation3,330 ft (1,015 m)
Area22.3 sq mi (57.7 km²)
Population Density2,612/sq mi
Coordinates47.5025°N, 111.3000°W
TimezoneAmerica/Denver
CountyCascade County County
Nearest AirportGreat Falls International (GTF)
4 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 13.8"
64% below US avg
Snowfall 42.5"
Wettest Month (May) 2.64"
Driest Month (Feb) 0.51"

Air Quality

AQI Median26.0
RatingGood

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskRelatively Moderate
Risk Score83.1 / 100
Social Vulnerability27.1 / 100
Community Resilience76.3 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado Very Low
Earthquake Relatively Low
Wildfire Relatively Low
Flood Relatively Moderate
Hail Relatively Low
Strong Wind Relatively Moderate
Heat Wave Relatively Low
Winter Weather Very High
Lightning Relatively Moderate
Ice Storm Very Low
Drought Relatively Low
Cold Wave Relatively High
Landslide Relatively Low
Avalanche Relatively Moderate
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

292 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M5.8.

Jul 6, 2017 11 km SE of Lincoln, Montana M5.8 119 km 12 km
Jul 6, 2017 15 km S of Lincoln, Montana M5.0 129 km 15 km
Jul 6, 2017 14 km SE of Lincoln, Montana M4.4 118 km 10 km
Jan 30, 2016 19 km E of Lincoln, Montana M4.3 105 km 2 km
Apr 8, 2000 8 km ENE of Townsend, Montana M4.1 129 km 5 km
Jul 17, 2017 12 km ESE of Lincoln, Montana M4.0 116 km 13 km
Jul 19, 2002 43 km NE of Seeley Lake, Montana M4.0 132 km 25 km
Jul 6, 2017 14 km SSE of Lincoln, Montana M4.0 123 km 9 km
Nov 10, 2000 14 km NE of Townsend, Montana M4.0 123 km 2 km
Oct 19, 2017 12 km SE of Lincoln, Montana M3.9 117 km 4 km
Apr 1, 1993 15 km E of Lincoln, Montana M3.9 107 km 5 km
Feb 6, 1999 24 km E of Townsend, Montana M3.9 128 km 1 km
Aug 16, 1994 27 km W of Chester, Montana M3.9 110 km 5 km
Jun 2, 1996 37 km N of Ovando, Montana M3.9 133 km 5 km
Mar 13, 2017 4 km ESE of Avon, Montana M3.8 140 km 20 km
Apr 17, 2018 13 km ESE of Lincoln, Montana M3.8 115 km 14 km
Jun 1, 1996 23 km N of Ovando, Montana M3.8 144 km 10 km
Jul 5, 2024 24 km ENE of Seeley Lake, Montana M3.8 146 km 22 km
Jul 13, 2017 14 km SE of Lincoln, Montana M3.7 118 km 10 km
Jan 16, 2011 10 km ENE of Marysville, Montana M3.7 104 km 15 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Tornado History

40 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2. Total: 5 injuries.

Date Rating Distance Path Fatalities
Apr 24, 1994 EF2 88 km 1.5 mi 0
Apr 24, 1994 EF2 88 km 1.0 mi 0
Jun 8, 1976 EF2 93 km 0.1 mi 0
Jun 30, 1975 EF2 50 km 0.1 mi 0
Jul 2, 1966 EF2 75 km 0.8 mi 0
Jun 16, 2007 EF1 81 km 5.3 mi 0
Apr 22, 2003 EF1 90 km 2.0 mi 0
Jul 3, 1998 EF1 20 km 0.5 mi 0
Jun 19, 1998 EF1 54 km 1.0 mi 0
Jul 5, 1988 EF1 20 km 0.2 mi 0
Jun 1, 1980 EF1 41 km 0.1 mi 0
Jul 3, 1978 EF1 24 km 1.0 mi 0
Jul 3, 1978 EF1 24 km 1.0 mi 0
Jul 3, 1978 EF1 24 km 1.0 mi 0
Jun 1, 1977 EF1 39 km 0.1 mi 0
Jul 10, 1965 EF1 50 km 0.2 mi 0
Jul 2, 1964 EF1 54 km 27.0 mi 0
Jun 22, 1962 EF1 46 km 0.1 mi 0
Jun 29, 1961 EF1 19 km 0.1 mi 0
Jun 29, 1960 EF1 38 km 0.3 mi 0
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: HARRIS MTN (31,792 acres, 2021).

Year Name Acres Burned Distance
2021 HARRIS MTN 31,792 52 km
2017 ALICE CREEK 29,971 95 km
1984 NORTH HILL 27,162 90 km
2000 CANYON FERRY COMPLEX (CAVE GULCH) 26,997 92 km
1990 TURKEY 25,658 98 km
2007 MERIWETHER 18,865 80 km
1990 BEARTOOTH COMPLEX 13,462 71 km
2009 MEISSNER 12,318 78 km
1985 SANDPOINT 10,439 100 km
1993 FREEZEOUT LAKE 9,793 67 km
2021 BALSINGER 8,317 64 km
2009 INDIAN TRAIL 4,592 75 km
2020 YOGO 4,429 89 km
2008 CHOUTEAU CO COMPLEX 4,365 82 km
2019 NORTH HILLS 4,149 95 km
2019 STUCKEY RD MA 4,073 10 km
1991 POWER 3,822 36 km
2002 PISHKUN 3,450 85 km
2012 MISSION ROAD 3,372 59 km
2008 UNIT 3 MARSH HAZ FUEL REDUCTION 3,333 19 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 23°F (-5°C) 0.7 in Coldest
February 27°F (-3°C) 0.5 in Driest
March 35°F (2°C) 1.0 in
April 44°F (7°C) 1.4 in
May 53°F (12°C) 2.6 in Wettest
June 62°F (17°C) 2.4 in
July 68°F (20°C) 1.5 in Warmest
August 67°F (20°C) 1.6 in
September 57°F (14°C) 1.3 in
October 47°F (8°C) 0.9 in
November 33°F (1°C) 0.6 in
December 25°F (-4°C) 0.7 in

Great Falls has a seasonal temperature swing of 45°F / from 23°F in January to 68°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 15.3 inches, with May being the wettest month (2.6") and February the driest (0.5").

View full profile of Great Falls, MT →