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Weather & Climate in Jackson, MT
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Jackson has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 37°F (3°C). Winters average 18°F in January while summers reach 59°F in July. The area gets 311 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 12.0 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 6,479 feet.
Temperature
18°F Jan (-8°C)
59°F Jul (15°C)
| Annual Average | 36.8°F |
| 32% below US avg | |
| January Average | 18°F (-8°C) |
| July Average | 59°F (15°C) |
| Sunny Days | 311 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 6,479 ft (1,975 m) |
| Area | 1.0 sq mi (2.5 km²) |
| Population Density | 24/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 45.3679°N, 113.4097°W |
| Timezone | America/Denver |
| County | Beaverhead County County |
| Nearest Airport | Helena Regional (HLN) 110 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 26.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 42.9 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 77.2 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 24.0 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Very Low |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively High |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | Very Low |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | Relatively Moderate |
| Volcano | Very Low |
| Avalanche | Relatively High |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
699 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M5.6.
| Jul 26, 2005 | 16 km N of Dillon, Montana | M5.6 | 62 km | 13 km |
| Aug 20, 1999 | 22 km NW of Lima, Montana | M5.1 | 81 km | 16 km |
| Jan 3, 2015 | 9 km E of Challis, Idaho | M5.0 | 111 km | 9 km |
| Apr 13, 2014 | 15 km NNW of Challis, Idaho | M4.8 | 110 km | 4 km |
| Jun 7, 1994 | 18 km E of Challis, Idaho | M4.8 | 108 km | 5 km |
| Apr 9, 2019 | 9 km NE of Lima, Montana | M4.6 | 103 km | 14 km |
| May 4, 1992 | 20 km E of Challis, Idaho | M4.6 | 105 km | 10 km |
| Dec 28, 1991 | southern Idaho | M4.4 | 106 km | 5 km |
| Apr 14, 2014 | 13 km NW of Challis, Idaho | M4.4 | 112 km | 7 km |
| Feb 5, 2006 | 44 km NE of Spencer, Idaho | M4.4 | 143 km | 14 km |
| Apr 5, 2011 | 28 km NNE of Spencer, Idaho | M4.4 | 134 km | 12 km |
| May 6, 1992 | 17 km E of Challis, Idaho | M4.4 | 109 km | 5 km |
| May 8, 2007 | 8 km NNW of Alder, Montana | M4.4 | 100 km | 14 km |
| Jun 13, 2016 | 45 km W of Hebgen Lake Estates, Montana | M4.3 | 148 km | 10 km |
| Jun 8, 2025 | 24 km E of Clayton, Idaho | M4.3 | 134 km | 7 km |
| Oct 28, 1998 | 18 km S of Whitehall, Montana | M4.3 | 106 km | 5 km |
| Mar 22, 1992 | 11 km NE of Challis, Idaho | M4.3 | 104 km | 5 km |
| Jan 28, 1995 | 33 km NNE of Stanley, Idaho | M4.3 | 145 km | 5 km |
| Feb 17, 1992 | 33 km NNE of Stanley, Idaho | M4.3 | 144 km | 5 km |
| Jul 14, 2023 | 3 km S of Lima, Montana | M4.2 | 106 km | 12 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
16 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jun 14, 1962 | EF2 | 4 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| May 19, 1962 | EF2 | 56 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 3, 1988 | EF1 | 1 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Jun 15, 1987 | EF1 | 44 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 24, 1984 | EF1 | 47 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 6, 1976 | EF1 | 2 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| May 29, 1965 | EF1 | 47 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 1, 1956 | EF1 | 43 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Aug 20, 2018 | EF0 | 28 km | 0.8 mi | 0 |
| Jul 10, 2016 | EF0 | 62 km | 0.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 15, 1997 | EF0 | 93 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 19, 1997 | EF0 | 47 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Sep 5, 1995 | EF0 | 94 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| May 16, 1991 | EF0 | 50 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Jul 14, 1962 | EF0 | 4 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 2, 1959 | EF0 | 34 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: MUSTANG COMPLEX (377,632 acres, 2012).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2012 | MUSTANG COMPLEX | 377,632 | 86 km |
| 2000 | CLEAR CREEK DIVIDE COMPLEX (CLEAR CREEK) | 170,322 | 75 km |
| 2022 | MOOSE | 142,221 | 59 km |
| 2000 | VALLEY COMPLEX (BEAR) | 118,045 | 88 km |
| 2017 | MEYERS | 68,711 | 70 km |
| 2000 | MUSSIGBROD COMPLEX (MUSSIGBROD) | 64,810 | 61 km |
| 2000 | SULA COMPLEX (MAYNARD) | 62,967 | 65 km |
| 2021 | TRAIL CREEK | 62,432 | 40 km |
| 2021 | ALDER CREEK | 38,189 | 52 km |
| 2018 | RABBIT FOOT | 33,787 | 87 km |
| 2023 | HAYDEN | 32,292 | 76 km |
| 2011 | SADDLE COMPLEX | 30,877 | 82 km |
| 1985 | BUTTE | 28,559 | 83 km |
| 2007 | ROMBO MOUNTAIN | 28,215 | 73 km |
| 2007 | RAT CREEK | 25,929 | 46 km |
| 2000 | TAYLOR SPRINGS FIRES | 22,598 | 67 km |
| 2011 | SALT | 22,314 | 73 km |
| 2021 | MUD LICK | 21,029 | 82 km |
| 2007 | CONFLUENCE COMPLEX (CLEAR SAGE) | 20,856 | 83 km |
| 2000 | VALLEY COMPLEX (COYOTE) | 20,601 | 88 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 18°F (-8°C) | 0.6 in | |
| February | 19°F (-7°C) | 0.5 in | Driest |
| March | 26°F (-3°C) | 0.7 in | |
| April | 34°F (1°C) | 0.9 in | |
| May | 42°F (6°C) | 1.9 in | Wettest |
| June | 50°F (10°C) | 1.8 in | |
| July | 59°F (15°C) | 1.1 in | Warmest |
| August | 56°F (13°C) | 1.3 in | |
| September | 48°F (9°C) | 1.3 in | |
| October | 39°F (4°C) | 0.8 in | |
| November | 26°F (-3°C) | 0.7 in | |
| December | 17°F (-8°C) | 0.7 in | Coldest |
Jackson has a seasonal temperature swing of 42°F / from 17°F in December to 59°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 12.2 inches, with May being the wettest month (1.9") and February the driest (0.5").