Weather & Climate in Lima, MT

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

Lima has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 42°F (5°C). Winters average 21°F in January while summers reach 65°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 10.4 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 52.6 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 6,253 feet.

Temperature

21°F Jan (-6°C) 65°F Jul (18°C)

Annual Average	41.5°F
	23% below US avg
January Average	21°F (-6°C)
July Average	65°F (18°C)
Sunny Days	311 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	6,253 ft (1,906 m)
Area	0.6 sq mi (1.5 km²)
Population Density	423/sq mi
Coordinates	44.6383°N, 112.5918°W
Timezone	America/Denver
County	Clark County County
Nearest Airport	Idaho Falls Regional (IDA) 82 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 10.4"

73% below US avg

Snowfall 52.6"

Wettest Month (May) 1.97"

Driest Month (Feb) 0.59"

Air Quality

AQI Median	26.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Very Low
Risk Score	0.8 / 100
Social Vulnerability	10.6 / 100
Community Resilience	0.2 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

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

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

Earthquake History

1,103 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	81 km	13 km
Aug 20, 1999	22 km NW of Lima, Montana	M5.1	23 km	16 km
Jan 3, 2015	9 km E of Challis, Idaho	M5.0	121 km	9 km
Jun 7, 1994	18 km E of Challis, Idaho	M4.8	113 km	5 km
Apr 13, 2014	15 km NNW of Challis, Idaho	M4.8	138 km	4 km
Apr 9, 2019	9 km NE of Lima, Montana	M4.6	9 km	14 km
May 4, 1992	20 km E of Challis, Idaho	M4.6	111 km	10 km
Dec 28, 1991	southern Idaho	M4.4	121 km	5 km
Apr 5, 2011	28 km NNE of Spencer, Idaho	M4.4	40 km	12 km
Feb 5, 2006	44 km NE of Spencer, Idaho	M4.4	57 km	14 km
Apr 14, 2014	13 km NW of Challis, Idaho	M4.4	138 km	7 km
May 8, 2007	8 km NNW of Alder, Montana	M4.4	92 km	14 km
May 6, 1992	17 km E of Challis, Idaho	M4.4	114 km	5 km
Jun 16, 2017	12 km E of Hebgen Lake Estates, Montana	M4.4	124 km	9 km
Jun 13, 2016	45 km W of Hebgen Lake Estates, Montana	M4.3	66 km	10 km
Mar 22, 1992	11 km NE of Challis, Idaho	M4.3	123 km	5 km
Oct 28, 1998	18 km S of Whitehall, Montana	M4.3	124 km	5 km
Jun 8, 2025	24 km E of Clayton, Idaho	M4.3	127 km	7 km
Jul 14, 2023	3 km S of Lima, Montana	M4.2	3 km	12 km
Aug 13, 1998	3 km ESE of Challis, Idaho	M4.2	128 km	5 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: EF2.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
May 19, 1962	EF2	74 km	2.0 mi	0
Sep 26, 1959	EF2	99 km	1.0 mi	0
May 31, 1997	EF1	90 km	4.0 mi	0
Mar 25, 1991	EF1	60 km	1.0 mi	0
Apr 11, 1985	EF1	94 km	0.1 mi	0
Aug 24, 1984	EF1	89 km	0.1 mi	0
Aug 6, 2023	EF0	15 km	1.6 mi	0
Jul 10, 2016	EF0	65 km	0.0 mi	0
Jul 11, 2015	EF0	88 km	7.4 mi	0
May 10, 2014	EF0	72 km	0.0 mi	0
Sep 17, 2013	EF0	89 km	0.5 mi	0
Sep 17, 2013	EF0	66 km	0.5 mi	0
May 7, 2013	EF0	83 km	1.2 mi	0
Apr 4, 2006	EF0	84 km	0.4 mi	0
Jun 4, 2005	EF0	90 km	0.2 mi	0
May 9, 2005	EF0	52 km	0.5 mi	0
Jul 19, 1997	EF0	68 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 30, 1997	EF0	52 km	0.2 mi	0
Sep 5, 1995	EF0	10 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 5, 1995	EF0	45 km	0.1 mi	0

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

Nearby Volcanoes

3 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Hell's Half Acre (127 km).

Name	Type	Elevation	Last Eruption	Distance
Hell's Half Acre	Shield	1,631 m (5,351 ft)	-3250	127 km
Craters of the Moon	Pyroclastic cone(s)	2,005 m (6,578 ft)	-130	154 km
Yellowstone	Caldera(s)	2,805 m (9,203 ft)	-1350	154 km

Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: GRASSY RIDGE (106,164 acres, 2018).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2018	GRASSY RIDGE	106,164	73 km
2003	DEEP	38,701	36 km
2023	HAYDEN	32,292	88 km
2017	DEER PARK	17,745	97 km
2020	BEAR CREEK	14,978	70 km
2006	CLARKS CANYON	14,848	48 km
2003	TOBIAS	13,356	87 km
2018	INDIAN BUTTE	12,897	40 km
2006	SNOWSHOE	11,910	74 km
2003	WINSLOW	11,794	55 km
2003	MENAN	11,790	98 km
2018	GOLDSTONE	9,812	89 km
1988	SWEETWATER	8,405	50 km
1994	UNNAMED	8,385	84 km
2021	GOOSE	7,817	79 km
2000	CAMAS	7,249	73 km
2018	MONUMENT	6,973	73 km
1986	CEDAR BT 2	6,488	63 km
1988	LITTLE LOST	6,282	67 km
2013	EUREKA	6,213	60 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	21°F (-6°C)	0.8 in
February	20°F (-7°C)	0.6 in	Driest
March	25°F (-4°C)	0.8 in
April	33°F (0°C)	1.1 in
May	42°F (5°C)	2.0 in	Wettest
June	49°F (10°C)	2.0 in
July	65°F (18°C)	1.3 in	Warmest
August	57°F (14°C)	1.3 in
September	50°F (10°C)	1.2 in
October	39°F (4°C)	0.9 in
November	27°F (-3°C)	0.8 in
December	18°F (-8°C)	0.8 in	Coldest

Lima has a seasonal temperature swing of 47°F / from 18°F in December to 65°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 13.4 inches, with May being the wettest month (2.0") and February the driest (0.6").

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