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Weather & Climate in Heron, MT
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Heron experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 47°F (8°C). Winters average 28°F in January while summers reach 68°F in July. The area gets 269 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 24.4 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 2,232 feet.
Temperature
28°F Jan (-2°C)
68°F Jul (20°C)
| Annual Average | 46.8°F |
| 13% below US avg | |
| January Average | 28°F (-2°C) |
| July Average | 68°F (20°C) |
| Sunny Days | 269 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 2,232 ft (680 m) |
| Area | 5.1 sq mi (13.2 km²) |
| Population Density | 61/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 48.0638°N, 115.9802°W |
| Timezone | America/Denver |
| County | Lincoln County County |
| Nearest Airport | Spokane International (GEG) 78 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 26.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 64.3 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 87.2 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 13.7 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Moderate |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Very Low |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively High |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low |
| Drought | Very Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | Relatively Moderate |
| Avalanche | Relatively High |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
146 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.7.
| Dec 22, 1998 | Idaho-Montana border region | M4.7 | 58 km | 12 km |
| Mar 22, 2006 | 8 km SSW of Rexford, Montana | M4.3 | 103 km | 8 km |
| Jun 29, 1995 | 2 km NNW of Kila, Montana | M4.1 | 112 km | 5 km |
| Aug 17, 1994 | 1 km E of Mullan, Idaho | M4.1 | 68 km | 2 km |
| May 2, 1995 | 2 km NW of Kila, Montana | M4.1 | 112 km | 9 km |
| Jan 20, 1998 | 15 km SSE of Happys Inn, Montana | M4.0 | 70 km | 7 km |
| Nov 11, 2001 | 3 km NE of Spokane, Washington | M4.0 | 114 km | 4 km |
| Apr 24, 2015 | 8 km WSW of Hope, Idaho | M3.9 | 36 km | 17 km |
| Jun 25, 2001 | Washington | M3.9 | 114 km | 10 km |
| Sep 26, 2004 | 14 km WSW of Pablo, Montana | M3.8 | 136 km | 17 km |
| May 2, 1995 | 3 km WNW of Kila, Montana | M3.8 | 111 km | 9 km |
| Apr 24, 2015 | 12 km SSW of East Hope, Idaho | M3.7 | 30 km | 9 km |
| Aug 19, 1999 | 12 km ENE of Happys Inn, Montana | M3.7 | 75 km | 14 km |
| May 30, 1996 | 3 km SSW of Mullan, Idaho | M3.6 | 70 km | 1 km |
| Oct 26, 1999 | 23 km WNW of Niarada, Montana | M3.6 | 83 km | 12 km |
| Feb 2, 1997 | 1 km NNE of Lindisfarne, Montana | M3.6 | 134 km | 5 km |
| Mar 14, 1997 | 1 km E of Mullan, Idaho | M3.6 | 68 km | 2 km |
| Apr 11, 2015 | 5 km NW of Columbia Falls, Montana | M3.5 | 134 km | 13 km |
| Jan 20, 2000 | 21 km ENE of Athol, Idaho | M3.5 | 35 km | 5 km |
| Nov 2, 1996 | 4 km W of Trout Creek, Montana | M3.4 | 35 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
9 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2. Total: 4 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| May 31, 1997 | EF2 | 50 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 9, 1991 | EF2 | 70 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 17, 1978 | EF2 | 86 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| May 29, 1994 | EF1 | 80 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 19, 1978 | EF1 | 49 km | 1.9 mi | 0 |
| Jun 25, 2004 | EF0 | 81 km | 4.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 9, 1994 | EF0 | 91 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 5, 1987 | EF0 | 62 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 9, 1978 | EF0 | 66 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: CHIPPY CREEK (95,656 acres, 2007).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2007 | CHIPPY CREEK | 95,656 | 90 km |
| 2021 | THORNE CREEK | 39,694 | 69 km |
| 2007 | BRUSH CREEK | 30,166 | 92 km |
| 2016 | COPPER KING | 28,338 | 81 km |
| 2022 | RUSSELL MOUNTAIN | 26,130 | 94 km |
| 2015 | TOWER | 24,779 | 97 km |
| 2017 | SHEEP GAP | 24,702 | 96 km |
| 2017 | WEST FORK | 21,154 | 58 km |
| 1994 | LITTLE WOLF | 15,714 | 90 km |
| 2017 | DEEP CREEK | 14,558 | 58 km |
| 2017 | MOOSE PEAK | 14,085 | 56 km |
| 2021 | SOUTH YAAK | 12,866 | 58 km |
| 2021 | DECEITFUL | 12,750 | 49 km |
| 1984 | HOUGHTON CREEK II | 12,495 | 54 km |
| 1988 | DRY FORK | 11,403 | 78 km |
| 2000 | STONE YOUNG (STONE HILL) | 11,279 | 99 km |
| 2015 | SOUTH BOBTAIL | 11,256 | 41 km |
| 2023 | OREGON | 10,957 | 91 km |
| 2015 | NAPOLEON 1 | 9,727 | 11 km |
| 2015 | LOWER FLAT | 9,034 | 31 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 28°F (-2°C) | 4.3 in | |
| February | 29°F (-2°C) | 3.1 in | |
| March | 35°F (1°C) | 2.8 in | |
| April | 42°F (5°C) | 2.2 in | |
| May | 49°F (10°C) | 2.4 in | |
| June | 56°F (14°C) | 2.3 in | |
| July | 68°F (20°C) | 1.2 in | Warmest, Driest |
| August | 62°F (17°C) | 1.5 in | |
| September | 54°F (12°C) | 1.8 in | |
| October | 43°F (6°C) | 2.4 in | |
| November | 32°F (0°C) | 4.5 in | Wettest |
| December | 25°F (-4°C) | 4.4 in | Coldest |
Heron has a seasonal temperature swing of 43°F / from 25°F in December to 68°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 32.8 inches, with November being the wettest month (4.5") and July the driest (1.2").