Weather & Climate in Helena Valley West Central, MT

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

Helena Valley West Central has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 40°F (5°C). Winters average 21°F in January while summers reach 64°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 16.5 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). 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 4,218 feet.

Temperature

21°F Jan (-6°C) 64°F Jul (18°C)

Annual Average	40.3°F
	25% below US avg
January Average	21°F (-6°C)
July Average	64°F (18°C)
Sunny Days	273 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	4,218 ft (1,286 m)
Area	26.4 sq mi (68.4 km²)
Population Density	312/sq mi
Coordinates	46.6603°N, 112.0586°W
Timezone	America/Denver
County	Jefferson County County
Nearest Airport	Helena Regional (HLN) 5 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 16.5"

57% below US avg

Wettest Month (Jun) 1.97"

Driest Month (Feb) 0.47"

Air Quality

AQI Median	26.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Very Low
Risk Score	21.6 / 100
Social Vulnerability	24.0 / 100
Community Resilience	34.4 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

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

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

Earthquake History

465 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	46 km	12 km
Jul 6, 2017	15 km S of Lincoln, Montana	M5.0	49 km	15 km
Jul 6, 2017	14 km SE of Lincoln, Montana	M4.4	43 km	10 km
May 8, 2007	8 km NNW of Alder, Montana	M4.4	141 km	14 km
Jan 30, 2016	19 km E of Lincoln, Montana	M4.3	42 km	2 km
Oct 28, 1998	18 km S of Whitehall, Montana	M4.3	107 km	5 km
Aug 16, 2019	4 km NW of Manhattan, Montana	M4.2	101 km	2 km
Aug 6, 2019	3 km NW of Manhattan, Montana	M4.1	102 km	5 km
Jun 18, 2006	6 km S of Pony, Montana	M4.1	118 km	12 km
Apr 8, 2000	8 km ENE of Townsend, Montana	M4.1	61 km	5 km
Sep 3, 2016	16 km S of Whitehall, Montana	M4.0	104 km	8 km
Jun 28, 2000	21 km SE of Clinton, Montana	M4.0	113 km	10 km
Nov 10, 2000	14 km NE of Townsend, Montana	M4.0	60 km	2 km
Jul 14, 2019	11 km NNE of Manhattan, Montana	M4.0	100 km	6 km
Jul 27, 2005	18 km N of Dillon, Montana	M4.0	148 km	5 km
Mar 6, 2009	18 km S of Whitehall, Montana	M4.0	107 km	12 km
Jul 6, 2017	14 km SSE of Lincoln, Montana	M4.0	45 km	9 km
Jul 17, 2017	12 km ESE of Lincoln, Montana	M4.0	45 km	13 km
Jul 19, 2002	43 km NE of Seeley Lake, Montana	M4.0	114 km	25 km
Jan 18, 2006	18 km NNE of Dillon, Montana	M4.0	149 km	9 km

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

Tornado History

22 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Jun 30, 1975	EF2	72 km	0.1 mi	0
Jul 2, 1966	EF2	95 km	0.8 mi	0
Jun 5, 2012	EF1	93 km	2.8 mi	0
Jul 5, 1988	EF1	92 km	0.2 mi	0
Jun 28, 1982	EF1	55 km	0.5 mi	0
Jul 3, 1978	EF1	86 km	1.0 mi	0
Jul 3, 1978	EF1	86 km	1.0 mi	0
Jul 3, 1978	EF1	86 km	1.0 mi	0
Jun 1, 1977	EF1	95 km	0.1 mi	0
Sep 15, 1997	EF0	86 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 27, 1997	EF0	9 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 15, 1996	EF0	77 km	2.0 mi	0
May 17, 1994	EF0	89 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 21, 1993	EF0	29 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 11, 1993	EF0	9 km	0.1 mi	0
Jul 9, 1992	EF0	30 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 12, 1992	EF0	53 km	0.1 mi	0
Aug 11, 1988	EF0	91 km	2.0 mi	0
May 4, 1971	EF0	70 km	0.5 mi	0
May 17, 1962	EF0	71 km	0.1 mi	0

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

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: CANYON CREEK (167,875 acres, 1988).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
1988	CANYON CREEK	167,875	83 km
2000	TOSTON-MAUDLOW	80,383	80 km
2021	WOODS CREEK	55,836	62 km
2003	LINCOLN COMPLEX (SNOWBANK)	36,987	64 km
1988	CANYON CREEK	35,865	32 km
2021	HARRIS MTN	31,792	58 km
2017	ALICE CREEK	29,971	61 km
1984	NORTH HILL	27,162	20 km
2000	CANYON FERRY COMPLEX (CAVE GULCH)	26,997	34 km
2021	HAYSTACK	26,118	57 km
2007	CONGER CREEK	22,936	94 km
2007	MERIWETHER	18,865	30 km
2017	PARK CREEK	17,915	67 km
2000	CANYON FERRY COMPLEX (BUCKSNORT)	14,843	28 km
1990	BEARTOOTH COMPLEX	13,462	39 km
2000	BOULDER COMPLEX (HIGH ORE ROAD)	9,625	40 km
2015	EUSTIS	8,469	83 km
2021	BALSINGER	8,317	97 km
2015	COTTONWOOD GULCH	8,100	97 km
2017	CHINN MA	7,029	97 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	21°F (-6°C)	0.7 in	Coldest
February	27°F (-3°C)	0.5 in	Driest
March	34°F (1°C)	0.7 in
April	42°F (6°C)	0.9 in
May	51°F (10°C)	1.9 in
June	59°F (15°C)	2.0 in	Wettest
July	64°F (18°C)	1.3 in
August	65°F (18°C)	1.4 in	Warmest
September	55°F (13°C)	1.2 in
October	45°F (7°C)	0.7 in
November	32°F (-0°C)	0.6 in
December	23°F (-5°C)	0.6 in

Helena Valley West Central has a seasonal temperature swing of 44°F / from 21°F in January to 65°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 12.4 inches, with June being the wettest month (2.0") and February the driest (0.5").

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