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Weather & Climate in Little Bitterroot Lake, MT
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Little Bitterroot Lake has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 43°F (6°C). Winters average 24°F in January while summers reach 65°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 16.8 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 54.4 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 3,909 feet.
Temperature
24°F Jan (-5°C)
65°F Jul (18°C)
| Annual Average | 43.1°F |
| 20% below US avg | |
| January Average | 24°F (-5°C) |
| July Average | 65°F (18°C) |
| Sunny Days | 274 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 3,909 ft (1,191 m) |
| Area | 13.1 sq mi (34.0 km²) |
| Population Density | 18/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 48.1339°N, 114.7259°W |
| Timezone | America/Denver |
| County | Flathead County County |
| Nearest Airport | Glacier Park International (FCA) 25 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 26.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Moderate |
| Risk Score | 86.5 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 15.9 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 46.3 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Moderate |
| Wildfire | Relatively Moderate |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Very Low |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively High |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | Very Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively High |
| Landslide | Relatively Moderate |
| Avalanche | Very High |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
192 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.7.
| Dec 22, 1998 | Idaho-Montana border region | M4.7 | 39 km | 12 km |
| Mar 4, 2000 | 35 km S of Pincher Creek, Canada | M4.6 | 126 km | 1 km |
| Mar 22, 2006 | 8 km SSW of Rexford, Montana | M4.3 | 85 km | 8 km |
| Aug 17, 1994 | 1 km E of Mullan, Idaho | M4.1 | 108 km | 2 km |
| Apr 15, 1998 | 11 km NE of Swan Lake, Montana | M4.1 | 74 km | 4 km |
| Jun 29, 1995 | 2 km NNW of Kila, Montana | M4.1 | 19 km | 5 km |
| May 2, 1995 | 2 km NW of Kila, Montana | M4.1 | 18 km | 9 km |
| Jul 19, 2002 | 43 km NE of Seeley Lake, Montana | M4.0 | 148 km | 25 km |
| Apr 1, 1992 | 10 km ESE of Swan Lake, Montana | M4.0 | 79 km | 5 km |
| Jan 20, 1998 | 15 km SSE of Happys Inn, Montana | M4.0 | 31 km | 7 km |
| Apr 24, 2015 | 8 km WSW of Hope, Idaho | M3.9 | 125 km | 17 km |
| Jul 5, 2024 | 24 km ENE of Seeley Lake, Montana | M3.8 | 147 km | 22 km |
| Mar 21, 1992 | 20 km NE of Seeley Lake, Montana | M3.8 | 144 km | 5 km |
| Sep 26, 2004 | 14 km WSW of Pablo, Montana | M3.8 | 70 km | 17 km |
| May 2, 1995 | 3 km WNW of Kila, Montana | M3.8 | 17 km | 9 km |
| May 7, 1992 | 14 km NE of Seeley Lake, Montana | M3.8 | 142 km | 5 km |
| Jul 2, 1992 | 4 km SSE of South Browning, Montana | M3.8 | 134 km | 10 km |
| Aug 19, 1999 | 12 km ENE of Happys Inn, Montana | M3.7 | 19 km | 14 km |
| Oct 2, 1995 | 18 km E of Finley Point, Montana | M3.7 | 82 km | 5 km |
| Jan 13, 2010 | 36 km NE of Seeley Lake, Montana | M3.7 | 140 km | 21 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
8 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF0.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| May 9, 2023 | EF0 | 100 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Nov 4, 2013 | EF0 | 52 km | 0.8 mi | 0 |
| Sep 1, 2011 | EF0 | 65 km | 0.7 mi | 0 |
| Apr 9, 2008 | EF0 | 30 km | 0.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 18, 2007 | EF0 | 61 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 18, 2007 | EF0 | 48 km | 8.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 10, 2000 | EF0 | 43 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 9, 1978 | EF0 | 79 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: CHIPPY CREEK (95,656 acres, 2007).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2007 | CHIPPY CREEK | 95,656 | 37 km |
| 2001 | MOOSE | 73,210 | 74 km |
| 2003 | ROBERT | 54,500 | 69 km |
| 2003 | WEDGE CANYON | 51,987 | 89 km |
| 2021 | THORNE CREEK | 39,694 | 65 km |
| 1988 | RED BENCH | 33,845 | 80 km |
| 2007 | BRUSH CREEK | 30,166 | 28 km |
| 2016 | COPPER KING | 28,338 | 62 km |
| 2017 | SHEEP GAP | 24,702 | 77 km |
| 2003 | RAMPAGE COMPLEX (DOUBLE MOUNTAIN 2) | 23,680 | 89 km |
| 2022 | ELMO | 22,148 | 38 km |
| 2017 | WEST FORK | 21,154 | 78 km |
| 2023 | NIARADA | 20,686 | 40 km |
| 2000 | UPPER NINEMILE COMPLEX (NINE MILE) | 19,695 | 99 km |
| 2003 | BLACKFOOT LAKE COMPLEX (BLACKFOOT LAKE) | 18,274 | 60 km |
| 2023 | RIVER ROAD EAST | 18,068 | 82 km |
| 2015 | THOMPSON | 18,049 | 97 km |
| 2003 | TRAPPER CREEK FIRE (TRAPPER CREEK) | 18,028 | 97 km |
| 2017 | SPRAGUE | 16,897 | 83 km |
| 1994 | LITTLE WOLF | 15,714 | 21 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 24°F (-5°C) | 2.6 in | Wettest |
| February | 26°F (-3°C) | 1.9 in | |
| March | 32°F (0°C) | 1.5 in | |
| April | 40°F (4°C) | 1.5 in | |
| May | 48°F (9°C) | 2.2 in | |
| June | 55°F (13°C) | 2.4 in | |
| July | 65°F (18°C) | 1.3 in | Warmest, Driest |
| August | 62°F (17°C) | 1.5 in | |
| September | 53°F (11°C) | 1.5 in | |
| October | 42°F (6°C) | 1.3 in | |
| November | 30°F (-1°C) | 2.3 in | |
| December | 23°F (-5°C) | 2.6 in | Coldest |
Little Bitterroot Lake has a seasonal temperature swing of 42°F / from 23°F in December to 65°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 22.5 inches, with January being the wettest month (2.6") and July the driest (1.3").