Weather & Climate in Hardin, MT

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

Hardin experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 48°F (9°C). Winters average 24°F in January while summers reach 73°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 13.8 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 27.9 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 2,900 feet.

Temperature

24°F Jan (-5°C) 73°F Jul (23°C)

Annual Average	47.7°F
	12% below US avg
January Average	24°F (-5°C)
July Average	73°F (23°C)
Sunny Days	311 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	2,900 ft (884 m)
Area	3.0 sq mi (7.7 km²)
Population Density	1,268/sq mi
Coordinates	45.7422°N, 107.6082°W
Timezone	America/Denver
County	Big Horn County County
Nearest Airport	Billings Logan International (BIL) 45 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 13.8"

64% below US avg

Snowfall 27.9"

Wettest Month (May) 2.68"

Driest Month (Feb) 0.59"

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

13 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	113 km	14 km
Jul 6, 2021	27 km SSE of Melstone, Montana	M3.6	70 km	10 km
Dec 23, 1991	10 km SW of Colstrip, Montana	M3.6	70 km	5 km
Jul 21, 2023	Eastern Montana	M3.2	101 km	5 km
Mar 23, 2023	8 km S of Shell, Wyoming	M2.8	143 km	11 km
May 21, 2013	32 km NE of Melstone, Montana	M2.8	115 km	7 km
Mar 30, 2018	20 km NNE of Sheridan, Wyoming	M2.8	106 km	5 km
Jan 15, 2023	6 km NE of Ashland, Montana	M2.8	110 km	11 km
Aug 7, 2022	38 km N of Arvada, Wyoming	M2.8	148 km	11 km
May 19, 2017	6 km ESE of Birney, Montana	M2.7	104 km	3 km
Jan 6, 2016	27 km ENE of Lovell, Wyoming	M2.6	95 km	12 km
Jun 2, 2019	14 km WSW of Birney, Montana	M2.6	88 km	5 km
Apr 22, 2018	8 km ENE of Ashland, Montana	M2.6	113 km	5 km

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

Tornado History

48 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 6 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Jun 16, 1965	EF3	70 km	20.6 mi	0
Jun 20, 2010	EF2	68 km	0.7 mi	0
May 4, 1986	EF2	77 km	0.1 mi	0
Jul 2, 1958	EF2	68 km	0.5 mi	0
Jun 7, 2018	EF1	69 km	0.8 mi	0
May 21, 2016	EF1	64 km	2.0 mi	0
Jun 22, 1996	EF1	1 km	4.0 mi	0
Jul 9, 1991	EF1	2 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 21, 1991	EF1	9 km	0.2 mi	0
Jun 21, 1991	EF1	76 km	0.2 mi	0
May 24, 1990	EF1	66 km	0.2 mi	0
Jun 21, 1984	EF1	55 km	1.0 mi	0
Jun 15, 1984	EF1	98 km	1.0 mi	0
Jun 14, 1980	EF1	93 km	0.1 mi	0
Aug 12, 1958	EF1	93 km	0.5 mi	0
Jul 6, 1955	EF1	60 km	2.0 mi	0
Jul 6, 1955	EF1	56 km	2.0 mi	0
Jul 8, 2013	EF0	99 km	0.5 mi	0
Jun 6, 2011	EF0	68 km	0.3 mi	0
Jun 6, 2011	EF0	95 km	0.0 mi	0

Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: RICHARD SPRING (168,765 acres, 2021).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2021	RICHARD SPRING	168,765	84 km
1984	HAWK CREEK	157,778	77 km
2012	CHALKY	132,680	63 km
2008	DUNN MTN. ASSIST	105,494	69 km
2006	PINE RIDGE COMPLEX	103,074	31 km
2006	BUNDY RAILROAD	91,575	51 km
2012	SARPY HILLS COMPLEX	83,942	29 km
2021	P F	66,375	15 km
1994	BABY DEAN	61,955	69 km
2020	SARPY	51,619	48 km
2012	DELPHIA	40,396	85 km
2020	BOBCAT	31,020	86 km
1999	FISHEL CREEK	28,611	94 km
2017	WITTEN	27,938	89 km
2003	LITTLEHAWK	27,926	53 km
2021	MUSSELSHELL TRAIL RD	22,723	58 km
1988	EARLYBIRD	21,730	85 km
2012	DAHL	21,448	95 km
2011	BLACK SPRINGS COMPLEX	19,473	63 km
2024	MCGHEE	19,161	98 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	24°F (-5°C)	0.8 in	Coldest
February	27°F (-3°C)	0.6 in	Driest
March	36°F (2°C)	1.0 in
April	45°F (7°C)	1.8 in
May	55°F (13°C)	2.7 in	Wettest
June	65°F (18°C)	2.1 in
July	73°F (23°C)	1.1 in	Warmest
August	71°F (22°C)	1.1 in
September	61°F (16°C)	1.7 in
October	49°F (9°C)	1.3 in
November	35°F (2°C)	0.9 in
December	25°F (-4°C)	0.7 in

Hardin has a seasonal temperature swing of 49°F / from 24°F in January to 73°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 15.6 inches, with May being the wettest month (2.7") and February the driest (0.6").

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