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Weather & Climate in Highwood, MT
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Highwood experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 47°F (8°C). Winters average 27°F in January while summers reach 70°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 15.1 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 3,718 feet.
Temperature
27°F Jan (-3°C)
70°F Jul (21°C)
| Annual Average | 46.7°F |
| 14% below US avg | |
| January Average | 27°F (-3°C) |
| July Average | 70°F (21°C) |
| Sunny Days | 273 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 3,718 ft (1,133 m) |
| Area | 5.2 sq mi (13.4 km²) |
| Population Density | 40/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 47.5992°N, 110.7696°W |
| Timezone | America/Denver |
| County | Chouteau County County |
| Nearest Airport | Great Falls International (GTF) 29 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 26.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 39.5 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 65.4 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 24.9 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Very Low |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | Very Low |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | Very Low |
| Avalanche | Relatively Moderate |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
68 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.3.
| Jan 30, 2016 | 19 km E of Lincoln, Montana | M4.3 | 144 km | 2 km |
| Apr 8, 2000 | 8 km ENE of Townsend, Montana | M4.1 | 148 km | 5 km |
| Nov 10, 2000 | 14 km NE of Townsend, Montana | M4.0 | 141 km | 2 km |
| Aug 16, 1994 | 27 km W of Chester, Montana | M3.9 | 107 km | 5 km |
| Apr 1, 1993 | 15 km E of Lincoln, Montana | M3.9 | 147 km | 5 km |
| Feb 6, 1999 | 24 km E of Townsend, Montana | M3.9 | 142 km | 1 km |
| Jan 16, 2011 | 10 km ENE of Marysville, Montana | M3.7 | 140 km | 15 km |
| May 24, 2000 | 9 km ENE of Townsend, Montana | M3.7 | 148 km | 3 km |
| Jun 5, 1991 | 18 km SW of Shelby, Montana | M3.6 | 126 km | 5 km |
| Aug 11, 1992 | 27 km W of Augusta, Montana | M3.4 | 150 km | 5 km |
| Mar 7, 2017 | 9 km ENE of Marysville, Montana | M3.4 | 140 km | 11 km |
| Apr 1, 2000 | 9 km ENE of Townsend, Montana | M3.3 | 148 km | 7 km |
| Jan 31, 2020 | 4 km NNE of Marysville, Montana | M3.3 | 146 km | 5 km |
| Jun 6, 2000 | 7 km E of Townsend, Montana | M3.3 | 150 km | 2 km |
| Feb 11, 1999 | 23 km E of Townsend, Montana | M3.3 | 143 km | 3 km |
| Apr 10, 2000 | 8 km E of Townsend, Montana | M3.2 | 150 km | 4 km |
| Jun 16, 1999 | 16 km SSE of Craig, Montana | M3.2 | 114 km | 4 km |
| Apr 9, 2000 | 9 km ENE of Townsend, Montana | M3.2 | 147 km | 4 km |
| Apr 2, 2014 | 13 km NNW of Conrad, Montana | M3.1 | 120 km | 7 km |
| Mar 25, 2021 | 13 km NNW of Marysville, Montana | M3.1 | 146 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
57 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 8 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jul 5, 1988 | EF3 | 72 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 5, 1988 | EF3 | 70 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 5, 1988 | EF3 | 72 km | 12.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 25, 1996 | EF2 | 76 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 24, 1994 | EF2 | 64 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 24, 1994 | EF2 | 64 km | 1.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 8, 1976 | EF2 | 59 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 30, 1975 | EF2 | 73 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 10, 1965 | EF2 | 93 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 16, 2007 | EF1 | 73 km | 5.3 mi | 0 |
| Apr 22, 2003 | EF1 | 64 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 3, 1998 | EF1 | 59 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 19, 1998 | EF1 | 13 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 5, 1988 | EF1 | 61 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Jun 1, 1980 | EF1 | 24 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 3, 1978 | EF1 | 63 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 3, 1978 | EF1 | 63 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 3, 1978 | EF1 | 63 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 1, 1977 | EF1 | 80 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| May 10, 1977 | EF1 | 88 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: HARRIS MTN (31,792 acres, 2021).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2021 | HARRIS MTN | 31,792 | 87 km |
| 1990 | TURKEY | 25,658 | 79 km |
| 2021 | TAYLOR | 21,704 | 86 km |
| 2009 | MEISSNER | 12,318 | 42 km |
| 1985 | SANDPOINT | 10,439 | 92 km |
| 2021 | BALSINGER | 8,317 | 68 km |
| 2020 | LOUSE CREEK | 5,237 | 90 km |
| 1988 | LOSTCANYON | 4,532 | 99 km |
| 2020 | YOGO | 4,429 | 79 km |
| 2008 | CHOUTEAU CO COMPLEX | 4,365 | 47 km |
| 2019 | STUCKEY RD MA | 4,073 | 44 km |
| 1991 | POWER | 3,822 | 65 km |
| 2012 | MISSION ROAD | 3,372 | 100 km |
| 2008 | UNIT 3 MARSH HAZ FUEL REDUCTION | 3,333 | 43 km |
| 1996 | COYOTE | 3,320 | 81 km |
| 2020 | EAGLE ROCK ROAD | 3,129 | 36 km |
| 2022 | BENTON LAKE UNIT 3 AND 4B | 2,996 | 44 km |
| 2007 | CHOUTEAU CO ASST | 2,646 | 28 km |
| 2001 | LOST FORK-MONARCH COMPLEX (LOST FORK) | 2,313 | 95 km |
| 2022 | MTBLR-FY22-RX | 2,244 | 44 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 27°F (-3°C) | 1.0 in | |
| February | 27°F (-3°C) | 0.8 in | Driest |
| March | 34°F (1°C) | 1.5 in | |
| April | 43°F (6°C) | 1.9 in | |
| May | 52°F (11°C) | 3.9 in | Wettest |
| June | 60°F (16°C) | 3.3 in | |
| July | 70°F (21°C) | 1.7 in | Warmest |
| August | 66°F (19°C) | 1.9 in | |
| September | 56°F (14°C) | 2.0 in | |
| October | 46°F (8°C) | 1.3 in | |
| November | 34°F (1°C) | 0.9 in | |
| December | 26°F (-3°C) | 1.0 in | Coldest |
Highwood has a seasonal temperature swing of 44°F / from 26°F in December to 70°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 21.0 inches, with May being the wettest month (3.9") and February the driest (0.8").