Weather & Climate in Joliet, MT

Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.

Joliet experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 46°F (8°C). Winters average 24°F in January while summers reach 70°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 11.5 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 30.3 inches of snow annually, a moderate snowfall amount. 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 3,738 feet.

Temperature

24°F Jan (-4°C) 70°F Jul (21°C)

Annual Average	45.7°F
	15% below US avg
January Average	24°F (-4°C)
July Average	70°F (21°C)
Sunny Days	311 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	3,738 ft (1,139 m)
Area	0.3 sq mi (0.7 km²)
Population Density	2,274/sq mi
Coordinates	45.4844°N, 108.9721°W
Timezone	America/Denver
County	Yellowstone County County
Nearest Airport	Billings Logan International (BIL) 30 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 11.5"

70% below US avg

Snowfall 30.3"

Wettest Month (May) 2.60"

Driest Month (Feb) 0.55"

Air Quality

AQI Median	26.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Moderate
Risk Score	83.6 / 100
Social Vulnerability	20.3 / 100
Community Resilience	82.3 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Relatively Low
Earthquake	Relatively Low
Wildfire	Relatively Moderate
Flood	Relatively Moderate
Hail	Relatively Moderate
Strong Wind	Relatively Moderate
Heat Wave	Relatively Low
Winter Weather	Very High
Lightning	Relatively High
Ice Storm	Relatively Low
Drought	Relatively Low
Cold Wave	Relatively High
Landslide	Relatively Low
Avalanche	Very Low

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

80 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.2.

May 11, 2022	36 km S of Silver Gate, Montana	M4.2	120 km	14 km
Mar 25, 2008	35 km S of Silver Gate, Montana	M4.2	120 km	4 km
Jan 30, 2023	9 km NNW of Livingston, Montana	M3.8	130 km	20 km
Sep 24, 1994	39 km SSE of Mammoth, Wyoming	M3.7	149 km	5 km
Jan 9, 2003	23 km E of Wilsall, Montana	M3.7	123 km	11 km
Jul 6, 2021	27 km SSE of Melstone, Montana	M3.6	136 km	10 km
Jul 20, 1992	52 km SSE of Mammoth, Wyoming	M3.6	148 km	0 km
Jul 20, 1992	51 km SSE of Mammoth, Wyoming	M3.5	149 km	2 km
Jan 12, 2014	23 km SE of Mammoth, Wyoming	M3.4	143 km	9 km
Mar 4, 2019	35 km SSW of Silver Gate, Montana	M3.3	124 km	6 km
Jan 9, 2009	42 km SSW of Silver Gate, Montana	M3.3	135 km	7 km
Mar 19, 1993	40 km SSE of Mammoth, Wyoming	M3.3	149 km	2 km
Aug 16, 1992	47 km S of Silver Gate, Montana	M3.2	129 km	5 km
Jul 21, 2023	Eastern Montana	M3.2	9 km	5 km
Jul 3, 1994	25 km ESE of Mammoth, Wyoming	M3.2	131 km	11 km
Nov 9, 2009	40 km SW of Silver Gate, Montana	M3.1	134 km	6 km
Apr 9, 2013	39 km SSE of Mammoth, Wyoming	M3.1	149 km	1 km
Feb 26, 2006	41 km SSE of Mammoth, Wyoming	M3.1	147 km	5 km
Jul 26, 1997	37 km SE of Mammoth, Wyoming	M3.1	144 km	2 km
May 18, 2015	50 km SSE of Mammoth, Wyoming	M3.0	149 km	4 km

Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Tornado History

39 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 3 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Jun 16, 1965	EF3	51 km	20.6 mi	0
Jun 20, 2010	EF2	53 km	0.7 mi	0
Jun 16, 2010	EF2	40 km	1.0 mi	0
Jul 11, 1978	EF2	91 km	0.4 mi	0
Jun 26, 1964	EF2	84 km	1.0 mi	0
Jul 2, 1958	EF2	52 km	0.5 mi	0
Jun 21, 1991	EF1	47 km	0.2 mi	0
May 18, 1991	EF1	82 km	0.2 mi	0
May 24, 1990	EF1	68 km	0.2 mi	0
May 24, 1990	EF1	47 km	0.2 mi	0
Jul 24, 1981	EF1	86 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 18, 1978	EF1	92 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 26, 1976	EF1	82 km	2.0 mi	0
Aug 22, 1965	EF1	87 km	1.5 mi	0
Aug 12, 1958	EF1	28 km	0.5 mi	0
Jul 6, 1955	EF1	68 km	2.0 mi	0
May 24, 2014	EF0	75 km	0.8 mi	0
Jun 6, 2011	EF0	41 km	0.0 mi	0
Jun 6, 2011	EF0	65 km	0.3 mi	0
Aug 11, 2005	EF0	43 km	9.0 mi	0

Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).

Nearby Volcanoes

1 volcano within 200 km. Closest: Yellowstone (178 km).

Name	Type	Elevation	Last Eruption	Distance
Yellowstone	Caldera(s)	2,805 m (9,203 ft)	-1350	178 km

Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: DERBY (200,993 acres, 2006).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2006	DERBY	200,993	66 km
1988	STORM CREEK	116,027	90 km
2003	HOBBLE	38,365	66 km
2021	ROBERTSON DRAW	31,132	49 km
2012	DAHL	21,448	94 km
1996	SHEPARD MTN	17,379	57 km
1994	BLACK BUTTE	10,231	79 km
2008	CASCADE	10,017	53 km
2010	STUMP GULCH	8,873	37 km
1996	COLFAX	8,429	93 km
2021	TROUT CREEK	7,804	54 km
2011	HOLE IN THE WALL	6,559	61 km
2006	BIRTHDAY2	6,553	86 km
2017	MICROWAVE	5,958	92 km
2003	DEEP LAKE	5,466	71 km
1996	LASTSTAND	5,385	96 km
2002	COW CREEK	5,162	12 km
2002	RED WAFFLE	5,060	60 km
2005	BIG HORN	4,899	77 km
1991	ROBERTSON	4,812	56 km

Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	24°F (-4°C)	0.8 in	Coldest
February	29°F (-1°C)	0.6 in	Driest
March	37°F (3°C)	1.0 in
April	46°F (8°C)	1.7 in
May	55°F (13°C)	2.6 in	Wettest
June	64°F (18°C)	2.0 in
July	70°F (21°C)	0.9 in	Warmest
August	69°F (21°C)	1.0 in
September	59°F (15°C)	1.5 in
October	48°F (9°C)	1.2 in
November	34°F (1°C)	0.7 in
December	25°F (-4°C)	0.6 in

Joliet has a seasonal temperature swing of 46°F / from 24°F in January to 70°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 14.3 inches, with May being the wettest month (2.6") and February the driest (0.6").

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