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Weather & Climate in Malmstrom AFB, MT

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

Malmstrom AFB has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 44°F (7°C). Winters average 23°F in January while summers reach 68°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 13.8 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 42.5 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 3,462 feet.

Temperature

23°F Jan (-5°C) 68°F Jul (20°C)
Annual Average43.9°F
19% below US avg
January Average23°F (-5°C)
July Average68°F (20°C)
Sunny Days273 days/yr

Geography

Elevation3,462 ft (1,055 m)
Area5.1 sq mi (13.2 km²)
Population Density820/sq mi
Coordinates47.5058°N, 111.1825°W
TimezoneAmerica/Denver
CountyCascade County County
Nearest AirportGreat Falls International (GTF)
9 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 13.8"
64% below US avg
Snowfall 42.5"
Wettest Month (May) 2.64"
Driest Month (Feb) 0.51"

Air Quality

AQI Median26.0
RatingGood

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskRelatively Moderate
Risk Score83.1 / 100
Social Vulnerability27.1 / 100
Community Resilience76.3 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado Very Low
Earthquake Relatively Low
Wildfire Relatively Low
Flood Relatively Moderate
Hail Relatively Low
Strong Wind Relatively Moderate
Heat Wave Relatively Low
Winter Weather Very High
Lightning Relatively Moderate
Ice Storm Very Low
Drought Relatively Low
Cold Wave Relatively High
Landslide Relatively Low
Avalanche Relatively Moderate
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

274 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M5.8.

Jul 6, 2017 11 km SE of Lincoln, Montana M5.8 126 km 12 km
Jul 6, 2017 15 km S of Lincoln, Montana M5.0 136 km 15 km
Jul 6, 2017 14 km SE of Lincoln, Montana M4.4 126 km 10 km
Jan 30, 2016 19 km E of Lincoln, Montana M4.3 112 km 2 km
Apr 8, 2000 8 km ENE of Townsend, Montana M4.1 131 km 5 km
Jul 6, 2017 14 km SSE of Lincoln, Montana M4.0 130 km 9 km
Nov 10, 2000 14 km NE of Townsend, Montana M4.0 124 km 2 km
Jul 19, 2002 43 km NE of Seeley Lake, Montana M4.0 141 km 25 km
Jul 17, 2017 12 km ESE of Lincoln, Montana M4.0 123 km 13 km
Jun 2, 1996 37 km N of Ovando, Montana M3.9 142 km 5 km
Apr 1, 1993 15 km E of Lincoln, Montana M3.9 115 km 5 km
Oct 19, 2017 12 km SE of Lincoln, Montana M3.9 124 km 4 km
Aug 16, 1994 27 km W of Chester, Montana M3.9 110 km 5 km
Feb 6, 1999 24 km E of Townsend, Montana M3.9 128 km 1 km
Mar 13, 2017 4 km ESE of Avon, Montana M3.8 147 km 20 km
Apr 17, 2018 13 km ESE of Lincoln, Montana M3.8 123 km 14 km
Jul 13, 2017 14 km SE of Lincoln, Montana M3.7 126 km 10 km
May 24, 2000 9 km ENE of Townsend, Montana M3.7 130 km 3 km
Feb 3, 2019 9 km S of Lincoln, Montana M3.7 133 km 5 km
Jul 6, 2017 12 km ESE of Lincoln, Montana M3.7 122 km 16 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Tornado History

43 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2. Total: 6 injuries.

Date Rating Distance Path Fatalities
Apr 24, 1994 EF2 81 km 1.5 mi 0
Apr 24, 1994 EF2 81 km 1.0 mi 0
Jun 8, 1976 EF2 85 km 0.1 mi 0
Jun 30, 1975 EF2 52 km 0.1 mi 0
Jul 2, 1966 EF2 84 km 0.8 mi 0
Jul 10, 1965 EF2 98 km 2.0 mi 0
Jun 16, 2007 EF1 76 km 5.3 mi 0
Apr 22, 2003 EF1 82 km 2.0 mi 0
Jul 3, 1998 EF1 29 km 0.5 mi 0
Jun 19, 1998 EF1 46 km 1.0 mi 0
Jul 5, 1988 EF1 28 km 0.2 mi 0
Jun 1, 1980 EF1 35 km 0.1 mi 0
Jul 3, 1978 EF1 31 km 1.0 mi 0
Jul 3, 1978 EF1 31 km 1.0 mi 0
Jul 3, 1978 EF1 31 km 1.0 mi 0
Jun 1, 1977 EF1 48 km 0.1 mi 0
May 10, 1977 EF1 100 km 0.1 mi 0
Jul 10, 1965 EF1 44 km 0.2 mi 0
Jul 2, 1964 EF1 62 km 27.0 mi 0
Jun 22, 1962 EF1 55 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: HARRIS MTN (31,792 acres, 2021).

Year Name Acres Burned Distance
2021 HARRIS MTN 31,792 58 km
1984 NORTH HILL 27,162 95 km
2000 CANYON FERRY COMPLEX (CAVE GULCH) 26,997 95 km
1990 TURKEY 25,658 92 km
2007 MERIWETHER 18,865 86 km
1990 BEARTOOTH COMPLEX 13,462 76 km
2009 MEISSNER 12,318 69 km
1985 SANDPOINT 10,439 95 km
1993 FREEZEOUT LAKE 9,793 76 km
2021 BALSINGER 8,317 61 km
2009 INDIAN TRAIL 4,592 81 km
2020 YOGO 4,429 83 km
2008 CHOUTEAU CO COMPLEX 4,365 75 km
2019 STUCKEY RD MA 4,073 16 km
1991 POWER 3,822 42 km
2002 PISHKUN 3,450 93 km
2012 MISSION ROAD 3,372 67 km
2008 UNIT 3 MARSH HAZ FUEL REDUCTION 3,333 22 km
1996 COYOTE 3,320 77 km
2021 ROCK CREEK 3,307 80 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 23°F (-5°C) 0.7 in Coldest
February 27°F (-3°C) 0.5 in Driest
March 35°F (2°C) 1.0 in
April 44°F (7°C) 1.4 in
May 53°F (12°C) 2.6 in Wettest
June 62°F (17°C) 2.4 in
July 68°F (20°C) 1.5 in Warmest
August 67°F (20°C) 1.6 in
September 57°F (14°C) 1.3 in
October 47°F (8°C) 0.9 in
November 33°F (1°C) 0.6 in
December 25°F (-4°C) 0.7 in

Malmstrom AFB has a seasonal temperature swing of 45°F / from 23°F in January to 68°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 15.3 inches, with May being the wettest month (2.6") and February the driest (0.5").

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