Weather & Climate in Laurel, MT

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

Laurel experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 48°F (9°C). Winters average 26°F in January while summers reach 73°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 14.8 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 48.2 inches of snow annually, making winter weather a significant factor for residents. 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 3,314 feet.

Temperature

26°F Jan (-3°C) 73°F Jul (23°C)

Annual Average	48.0°F
	11% below US avg
January Average	26°F (-3°C)
July Average	73°F (23°C)
Sunny Days	311 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	3,314 ft (1,010 m)
Area	2.1 sq mi (5.5 km²)
Population Density	2,758/sq mi
Coordinates	45.6740°N, 108.7768°W
Timezone	America/Denver
County	Yellowstone County County
Nearest Airport	Billings Logan International (BIL) 15 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 14.8"

61% below US avg

Snowfall 48.2"

Wettest Month (May) 2.68"

Driest Month (Feb) 0.51"

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

27 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	146 km	14 km
Mar 25, 2008	35 km S of Silver Gate, Montana	M4.2	146 km	4 km
Jan 30, 2023	9 km NNW of Livingston, Montana	M3.8	142 km	20 km
Jan 9, 2003	23 km E of Wilsall, Montana	M3.7	129 km	11 km
Jul 6, 2021	27 km SSE of Melstone, Montana	M3.6	111 km	10 km
Mar 4, 2019	35 km SSW of Silver Gate, Montana	M3.3	150 km	6 km
Jul 21, 2023	Eastern Montana	M3.2	20 km	5 km
Aug 8, 2003	36 km S of Silver Gate, Montana	M2.9	146 km	4 km
Nov 6, 1998	36 km S of Silver Gate, Montana	M2.9	146 km	15 km
May 3, 2013	35 km S of Silver Gate, Montana	M2.9	148 km	5 km
Mar 30, 2017	38 km S of Silver Gate, Montana	M2.9	146 km	13 km
Jul 22, 2016	21 km W of Cody, Wyoming	M2.8	132 km	7 km
Jan 10, 2020	36 km S of Silver Gate, Montana	M2.8	147 km	14 km
Oct 1, 1995	39 km SSE of Silver Gate, Montana	M2.8	142 km	10 km
Sep 1, 1990	37 km SSE of Silver Gate, Montana	M2.8	141 km	-1 km
Jan 1, 1994	38 km S of Silver Gate, Montana	M2.7	148 km	14 km
Nov 4, 2017	32 km NE of Wilsall, Montana	M2.7	130 km	4 km
Jun 2, 2021	36 km S of Silver Gate, Montana	M2.7	147 km	15 km
Feb 8, 2002	38 km S of Silver Gate, Montana	M2.7	146 km	12 km
Dec 15, 2012	38 km S of Silver Gate, Montana	M2.6	145 km	11 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	26 km	20.6 mi	0
Jun 20, 2010	EF2	28 km	0.7 mi	0
Jun 16, 2010	EF2	55 km	1.0 mi	0
May 4, 1986	EF2	92 km	0.1 mi	0
Jul 2, 1958	EF2	27 km	0.5 mi	0
May 21, 2016	EF1	84 km	2.0 mi	0
Jun 22, 1996	EF1	92 km	4.0 mi	0
Jul 9, 1991	EF1	92 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 21, 1991	EF1	21 km	0.2 mi	0
Jun 21, 1991	EF1	93 km	0.2 mi	0
May 24, 1990	EF1	64 km	0.2 mi	0
May 24, 1990	EF1	42 km	0.2 mi	0
Jul 24, 1981	EF1	99 km	0.1 mi	0
Aug 22, 1965	EF1	96 km	1.5 mi	0
Aug 12, 1958	EF1	3 km	0.5 mi	0
Jul 6, 1955	EF1	44 km	2.0 mi	0
May 24, 2014	EF0	88 km	0.8 mi	0
Jun 6, 2011	EF0	18 km	0.0 mi	0
Jun 6, 2011	EF0	39 km	0.3 mi	0
Aug 11, 2005	EF0	30 km	9.0 mi	0

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

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	81 km
1984	HAWK CREEK	157,778	76 km
2008	DUNN MTN. ASSIST	105,494	76 km
2006	PINE RIDGE COMPLEX	103,074	94 km
2006	BUNDY RAILROAD	91,575	83 km
2012	DELPHIA	40,396	96 km
2003	HOBBLE	38,365	71 km
2021	ROBERTSON DRAW	31,132	74 km
2020	BOBCAT	31,020	77 km
2012	DAHL	21,448	69 km
1996	SHEPARD MTN	17,379	82 km
1994	BLACK BUTTE	10,231	90 km
2008	CASCADE	10,017	79 km
2010	STUMP GULCH	8,873	43 km
1996	COLFAX	8,429	77 km
2021	TROUT CREEK	7,804	71 km
2011	HOLE IN THE WALL	6,559	87 km
2006	BIRTHDAY2	6,553	76 km
2017	MICROWAVE	5,958	77 km
2003	DEEP LAKE	5,466	96 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	26°F (-3°C)	0.7 in	Coldest
February	30°F (-1°C)	0.5 in	Driest
March	37°F (3°C)	1.0 in
April	46°F (8°C)	1.7 in
May	55°F (13°C)	2.7 in	Wettest
June	64°F (18°C)	2.1 in
July	73°F (23°C)	1.1 in	Warmest
August	70°F (21°C)	1.0 in
September	59°F (15°C)	1.4 in
October	48°F (9°C)	1.2 in
November	34°F (1°C)	0.7 in
December	26°F (-3°C)	0.6 in

Laurel has a seasonal temperature swing of 47°F / from 26°F in January to 73°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 14.6 inches, with May being the wettest month (2.7") and February the driest (0.5").

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