Weather & Climate in Helmville, MT
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Helmville has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 39°F (4°C). Winters average 19°F in January while summers reach 61°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 11.8 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 30.5 inches of snow annually, a moderate snowfall amount. The city sits at an elevation of 4,389 feet.
Temperature
19°F Jan (-7°C)
61°F Jul (16°C)
| Annual Average | 38.9°F |
| 28% below US avg | |
| January Average | 19°F (-7°C) |
| July Average | 61°F (16°C) |
Geography
| Elevation | 4,389 ft (1,338 m) |
| Area | 0.3 sq mi (0.9 km²) |
| Population Density | 176/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 46.8565°N, 112.9668°W |
| Timezone | America/Denver |
| County | Powell County County |
| Nearest Airport | Helena Regional (HLN) 50 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 10.0 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 58.1 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 19.4 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Very Low |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Very Low |
| 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
406 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 | 30 km | 12 km |
| Jul 6, 2017 | 15 km S of Lincoln, Montana | M5.0 | 24 km | 15 km |
| Jul 6, 2017 | 14 km SE of Lincoln, Montana | M4.4 | 32 km | 10 km |
| Jan 30, 2016 | 19 km E of Lincoln, Montana | M4.3 | 43 km | 2 km |
| Oct 28, 1998 | 18 km S of Whitehall, Montana | M4.3 | 144 km | 5 km |
| Apr 8, 2000 | 8 km ENE of Townsend, Montana | M4.1 | 132 km | 5 km |
| Apr 15, 1998 | 11 km NE of Swan Lake, Montana | M4.1 | 141 km | 4 km |
| Sep 3, 2016 | 16 km S of Whitehall, Montana | M4.0 | 141 km | 8 km |
| Jul 6, 2017 | 14 km SSE of Lincoln, Montana | M4.0 | 29 km | 9 km |
| Mar 6, 2009 | 18 km S of Whitehall, Montana | M4.0 | 144 km | 12 km |
| Jun 28, 2000 | 21 km SE of Clinton, Montana | M4.0 | 51 km | 10 km |
| Apr 1, 1992 | 10 km ESE of Swan Lake, Montana | M4.0 | 128 km | 5 km |
| Jul 17, 2017 | 12 km ESE of Lincoln, Montana | M4.0 | 33 km | 13 km |
| Jul 19, 2002 | 43 km NE of Seeley Lake, Montana | M4.0 | 64 km | 25 km |
| Nov 10, 2000 | 14 km NE of Townsend, Montana | M4.0 | 132 km | 2 km |
| Jun 2, 1996 | 37 km N of Ovando, Montana | M3.9 | 55 km | 5 km |
| Oct 19, 2017 | 12 km SE of Lincoln, Montana | M3.9 | 32 km | 4 km |
| Apr 1, 1993 | 15 km E of Lincoln, Montana | M3.9 | 39 km | 5 km |
| Feb 6, 1999 | 24 km E of Townsend, Montana | M3.9 | 146 km | 1 km |
| Mar 13, 2017 | 4 km ESE of Avon, Montana | M3.8 | 45 km | 20 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
17 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jul 2, 1966 | EF2 | 88 km | 0.8 mi | 0 |
| Jun 28, 1982 | EF1 | 56 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| May 9, 2023 | EF0 | 100 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Sep 15, 1997 | EF0 | 85 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 27, 1997 | EF0 | 78 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 7, 1995 | EF0 | 87 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 21, 1993 | EF0 | 72 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 11, 1993 | EF0 | 80 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 9, 1992 | EF0 | 45 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Mar 3, 1991 | EF0 | 86 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 15, 1990 | EF0 | 97 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 11, 1988 | EF0 | 52 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 20, 1983 | EF0 | 86 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| May 4, 1971 | EF0 | 23 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| May 17, 1962 | EF0 | 49 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 22, 1960 | EF0 | 79 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 7, 1953 | EF0 | 77 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: RICE RIDGE (171,473 acres, 2017).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2017 | RICE RIDGE | 171,473 | 49 km |
| 1988 | CANYON CREEK | 167,875 | 46 km |
| 2007 | SAWMILL COMPLEX (WYMAN 2) | 68,236 | 69 km |
| 2017 | LOLO PEAK | 62,316 | 99 km |
| 2007 | AHORN | 45,633 | 77 km |
| 2003 | LINCOLN COMPLEX (SNOWBANK) | 36,987 | 37 km |
| 2007 | JOCKO LAKES | 35,759 | 65 km |
| 2017 | LITTLE HOGBACK | 34,646 | 68 km |
| 2003 | LITTLE SALMON CREEK | 33,044 | 87 km |
| 2017 | ALICE CREEK | 29,971 | 51 km |
| 2012 | ELBOW PASS COMPLEX | 28,989 | 59 km |
| 2017 | LIBERTY | 27,731 | 64 km |
| 2003 | BARTLETT MOUNTAIN | 27,614 | 69 km |
| 1984 | NORTH HILL | 27,162 | 82 km |
| 2021 | HAYSTACK | 26,118 | 96 km |
| 2003 | COONEY RIDGE | 25,741 | 69 km |
| 2007 | CONGER CREEK | 22,936 | 40 km |
| 2000 | MONTURE-SPREAD RIDGE (MONTURE) | 22,493 | 52 km |
| 2003 | MINERAL-PRIMM (MINERAL AND PRIMM) | 20,888 | 64 km |
| 2007 | MERIWETHER | 18,865 | 86 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 19°F (-7°C) | 0.7 in | |
| February | 21°F (-6°C) | 0.4 in | Driest |
| March | 31°F (-0°C) | 0.5 in | |
| April | 39°F (4°C) | 0.8 in | |
| May | 47°F (9°C) | 1.5 in | |
| June | 54°F (12°C) | 2.0 in | Wettest |
| July | 61°F (16°C) | 0.9 in | Warmest |
| August | 60°F (16°C) | 0.9 in | |
| September | 51°F (11°C) | 1.0 in | |
| October | 39°F (4°C) | 1.0 in | |
| November | 27°F (-3°C) | 1.1 in | |
| December | 18°F (-8°C) | 0.9 in | Coldest |
Helmville has a seasonal temperature swing of 43°F / from 18°F in December to 61°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 11.8 inches, with June being the wettest month (2.0") and February the driest (0.4").