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Weather & Climate in Joplin, MT
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Joplin has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 42°F (6°C). Winters average 19°F in January while summers reach 68°F in July. The area gets 274 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 10.8 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 35.3 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 3,320 feet.
Temperature
19°F Jan (-7°C)
68°F Jul (20°C)
| Annual Average | 42.3°F |
| 22% below US avg | |
| January Average | 19°F (-7°C) |
| July Average | 68°F (20°C) |
| Sunny Days | 274 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 3,320 ft (1,012 m) |
| Area | 1.3 sq mi (3.3 km²) |
| Population Density | 213/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 48.5594°N, 110.7729°W |
| Timezone | America/Denver |
| County | Hill County County |
| Nearest Airport | Cut Bank International (CTB) 73 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 26.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 50.5 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 67.1 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 38.1 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Very 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 High |
| Landslide | Very Low |
| Avalanche | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
20 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.9.
| Aug 16, 1994 | 27 km W of Chester, Montana | M3.9 | 42 km | 5 km |
| Sep 29, 2009 | 42 km NW of Santa Rita, Montana | M3.6 | 146 km | 21 km |
| Jun 5, 1991 | 18 km SW of Shelby, Montana | M3.6 | 93 km | 5 km |
| Jan 20, 2003 | 10 km S of Little Browning, Montana | M3.5 | 115 km | 1 km |
| Aug 15, 1996 | 33 km WNW of Sweet Grass, Montana | M3.4 | 133 km | 5 km |
| Jan 22, 1993 | 33 km SSE of Raymond, Canada | M3.4 | 140 km | 5 km |
| Nov 6, 2002 | 3 km SSE of Little Browning, Montana | M3.4 | 115 km | 1 km |
| Jan 1, 1993 | 20 km WSW of Sweet Grass, Montana | M3.4 | 111 km | 5 km |
| Nov 17, 1992 | 39 km NNW of Santa Rita, Montana | M3.4 | 143 km | 5 km |
| Mar 5, 1995 | 2 km NW of Cut Bank, Montana | M3.3 | 116 km | 10 km |
| Jan 11, 2003 | 44 km SSE of Magrath, Canada | M3.2 | 149 km | 10 km |
| May 29, 2009 | 11 km S of Little Browning, Montana | M3.2 | 116 km | 0 km |
| Apr 4, 1990 | 4 km WNW of Santa Rita, Montana | M3.1 | 119 km | 6 km |
| Apr 2, 2014 | 13 km NNW of Conrad, Montana | M3.1 | 98 km | 7 km |
| Jun 9, 2009 | 20 km NNW of Santa Rita, Montana | M3.0 | 127 km | 23 km |
| Apr 10, 2024 | 17 km NNW of Santa Rita, Montana | M2.7 | 126 km | 10 km |
| Jan 8, 2012 | 8 km W of Valier, Montana | M2.6 | 121 km | 8 km |
| Mar 29, 2008 | 4 km SSE of Little Browning, Montana | M2.6 | 114 km | 3 km |
| Mar 29, 2008 | 3 km SSE of Cut Bank, Montana | M2.5 | 113 km | 3 km |
| Feb 25, 2013 | 28 km WSW of Chester, Montana | M2.5 | 44 km | 18 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
28 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 5 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jul 5, 1988 | EF3 | 99 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 5, 1988 | EF3 | 88 km | 12.0 mi | 0 |
| May 7, 1982 | EF2 | 92 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 16, 1995 | EF1 | 57 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 1, 1980 | EF1 | 88 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| May 25, 1980 | EF1 | 17 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| May 25, 1980 | EF1 | 26 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| May 24, 1977 | EF1 | 1 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 10, 1965 | EF1 | 85 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Jul 1, 1962 | EF1 | 72 km | 3.8 mi | 0 |
| Jun 5, 2012 | EF0 | 91 km | 1.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 2, 1999 | EF0 | 39 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 27, 1996 | EF0 | 13 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Jun 26, 1994 | EF0 | 57 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 26, 1994 | EF0 | 56 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 6, 1994 | EF0 | 85 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 16, 1993 | EF0 | 66 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 21, 1993 | EF0 | 80 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 3, 1992 | EF0 | 50 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 26, 1992 | EF0 | 94 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
11 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: EAST FORK (21,165 acres, 2017).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2017 | EAST FORK | 21,165 | 96 km |
| 1984 | CENTENNIAL | 11,775 | 83 km |
| 2022 | EAGLE CREEK | 6,359 | 96 km |
| 1988 | LOSTCANYON | 4,532 | 83 km |
| 2008 | CHOUTEAU CO COMPLEX | 4,365 | 72 km |
| 2012 | OUTHOUSE | 3,179 | 92 km |
| 2007 | CHOUTEAU CO ASST | 2,646 | 93 km |
| 2021 | EAGLE BUTTE | 1,817 | 97 km |
| 2012 | BIG STRETCH | 1,524 | 74 km |
| 1999 | SHIRLEY | 1,290 | 75 km |
| 2023 | HWY 236 | 1,049 | 86 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 19°F (-7°C) | 0.4 in | Coldest |
| February | 22°F (-5°C) | 0.2 in | Driest |
| March | 32°F (-0°C) | 0.5 in | |
| April | 42°F (6°C) | 0.8 in | |
| May | 53°F (11°C) | 2.1 in | |
| June | 61°F (16°C) | 2.2 in | Wettest |
| July | 68°F (20°C) | 1.4 in | Warmest |
| August | 66°F (19°C) | 1.3 in | |
| September | 55°F (13°C) | 1.0 in | |
| October | 45°F (7°C) | 0.4 in | |
| November | 29°F (-1°C) | 0.3 in | |
| December | 20°F (-7°C) | 0.4 in |
Joplin has a seasonal temperature swing of 49°F / from 19°F in January to 68°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 10.8 inches, with June being the wettest month (2.2") and February the driest (0.2").