Weather & Climate in Helena Valley West Central, MT
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Helena Valley West Central experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 46°F (8°C). Winters average 23°F in January while summers reach 71°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 11.4 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 37.2 inches of snow annually, a moderate snowfall amount. The city sits at an elevation of 4,218 feet.
Temperature
23°F Jan (-5°C)
71°F Jul (21°C)
| Annual Average | 45.5°F |
| 16% below US avg | |
| January Average | 23°F (-5°C) |
| July Average | 71°F (21°C) |
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
Air Quality
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 | 23°F (-5°C) | 0.4 in | Coldest, Driest |
| February | 27°F (-3°C) | 0.4 in | |
| March | 36°F (2°C) | 0.5 in | |
| April | 45°F (7°C) | 1.0 in | |
| May | 54°F (12°C) | 2.0 in | |
| June | 62°F (17°C) | 2.2 in | Wettest |
| July | 71°F (21°C) | 1.1 in | Warmest |
| August | 69°F (20°C) | 1.0 in | |
| September | 59°F (15°C) | 1.0 in | |
| October | 46°F (8°C) | 0.8 in | |
| November | 33°F (0°C) | 0.6 in | |
| December | 23°F (-5°C) | 0.5 in |
Helena Valley West Central has a seasonal temperature swing of 48°F / from 23°F in January to 71°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 11.4 inches, with June being the wettest month (2.2") and January the driest (0.4").