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Weather & Climate in Kicking Horse, MT
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Kicking Horse experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 48°F (9°C). Winters average 30°F in January while summers reach 69°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 16.7 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 3,099 feet.
Temperature
30°F Jan (-1°C)
69°F Jul (21°C)
| Annual Average | 47.7°F |
| 12% below US avg | |
| January Average | 30°F (-1°C) |
| July Average | 69°F (21°C) |
| Sunny Days | 273 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 3,099 ft (945 m) |
| Area | 3.6 sq mi (9.2 km²) |
| Population Density | 29/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 47.4612°N, 114.0603°W |
| Timezone | America/Denver |
| County | Lake County County |
| Nearest Airport | Missoula Montana (MSO) 38 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 26.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 67.7 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 58.8 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 51.0 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Moderate |
| 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 Moderate |
| Drought | Very Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | Relatively Moderate |
| Avalanche | Relatively High |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
378 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M5.8.
| Jul 6, 2017 | 11 km SE of Lincoln, Montana | M5.8 | 130 km | 12 km |
| Jul 6, 2017 | 15 km S of Lincoln, Montana | M5.0 | 128 km | 15 km |
| Dec 22, 1998 | Idaho-Montana border region | M4.7 | 104 km | 12 km |
| Jul 6, 2017 | 14 km SE of Lincoln, Montana | M4.4 | 133 km | 10 km |
| Jan 30, 2016 | 19 km E of Lincoln, Montana | M4.3 | 137 km | 2 km |
| Jun 29, 1995 | 2 km NNW of Kila, Montana | M4.1 | 81 km | 5 km |
| Apr 15, 1998 | 11 km NE of Swan Lake, Montana | M4.1 | 65 km | 4 km |
| Aug 17, 1994 | 1 km E of Mullan, Idaho | M4.1 | 129 km | 2 km |
| May 2, 1995 | 2 km NW of Kila, Montana | M4.1 | 82 km | 9 km |
| Jan 20, 1998 | 15 km SSE of Happys Inn, Montana | M4.0 | 92 km | 7 km |
| Jul 17, 2017 | 12 km ESE of Lincoln, Montana | M4.0 | 131 km | 13 km |
| Jul 6, 2017 | 14 km SSE of Lincoln, Montana | M4.0 | 131 km | 9 km |
| Jun 28, 2000 | 21 km SE of Clinton, Montana | M4.0 | 101 km | 10 km |
| Apr 1, 1992 | 10 km ESE of Swan Lake, Montana | M4.0 | 53 km | 5 km |
| Jul 19, 2002 | 43 km NE of Seeley Lake, Montana | M4.0 | 76 km | 25 km |
| Apr 1, 1993 | 15 km E of Lincoln, Montana | M3.9 | 133 km | 5 km |
| Jun 2, 1996 | 37 km N of Ovando, Montana | M3.9 | 77 km | 5 km |
| Oct 19, 2017 | 12 km SE of Lincoln, Montana | M3.9 | 131 km | 4 km |
| May 7, 1992 | 14 km NE of Seeley Lake, Montana | M3.8 | 59 km | 5 km |
| Mar 21, 1992 | 20 km NE of Seeley Lake, Montana | M3.8 | 62 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: EF0.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| May 9, 2023 | EF0 | 11 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Nov 4, 2013 | EF0 | 57 km | 0.8 mi | 0 |
| Sep 1, 2011 | EF0 | 35 km | 0.7 mi | 0 |
| Apr 9, 2008 | EF0 | 87 km | 0.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 18, 2007 | EF0 | 30 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 18, 2007 | EF0 | 56 km | 8.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 7, 1995 | EF0 | 33 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Mar 3, 1991 | EF0 | 38 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 20, 1983 | EF0 | 63 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: RICE RIDGE (171,473 acres, 2017).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2017 | RICE RIDGE | 171,473 | 67 km |
| 2007 | CHIPPY CREEK | 95,656 | 70 km |
| 2017 | LOLO PEAK | 62,316 | 90 km |
| 2015 | BEAR CREEK | 60,710 | 62 km |
| 2007 | AHORN | 45,633 | 83 km |
| 1988 | GATES PARK | 42,493 | 93 km |
| 2021 | THORNE CREEK | 39,694 | 93 km |
| 2007 | JOCKO LAKES | 35,759 | 42 km |
| 2003 | FISH CREEK COMPLEX (THOMPSON CREEK) | 33,779 | 79 km |
| 2003 | LITTLE SALMON CREEK | 33,044 | 58 km |
| 2012 | ELBOW PASS COMPLEX | 28,989 | 89 km |
| 2016 | COPPER KING | 28,338 | 80 km |
| 2017 | LIBERTY | 27,731 | 48 km |
| 2003 | BARTLETT MOUNTAIN | 27,614 | 62 km |
| 2017 | SUNRISE | 26,896 | 73 km |
| 2003 | COONEY RIDGE | 25,741 | 90 km |
| 2017 | SHEEP GAP | 24,702 | 74 km |
| 2007 | CONGER CREEK | 22,936 | 85 km |
| 2000 | MONTURE-SPREAD RIDGE (MONTURE) | 22,493 | 68 km |
| 2015 | TRAIL CREEK | 22,338 | 76 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 30°F (-1°C) | 1.3 in | |
| February | 30°F (-1°C) | 1.0 in | Driest |
| March | 37°F (3°C) | 1.2 in | |
| April | 45°F (7°C) | 1.4 in | |
| May | 53°F (11°C) | 2.5 in | Wettest |
| June | 60°F (15°C) | 2.3 in | |
| July | 69°F (21°C) | 1.3 in | Warmest |
| August | 66°F (19°C) | 1.3 in | |
| September | 56°F (13°C) | 1.4 in | |
| October | 46°F (8°C) | 1.2 in | |
| November | 33°F (1°C) | 1.3 in | |
| December | 26°F (-3°C) | 1.4 in | Coldest |
Kicking Horse has a seasonal temperature swing of 43°F / from 26°F in December to 69°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 17.8 inches, with May being the wettest month (2.5") and February the driest (1.0").