Weather & Climate in Manhattan, MT

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

Manhattan has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 43°F (6°C). Winters average 21°F in January while summers reach 67°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 15.5 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 4,242 feet.

Temperature

21°F Jan (-6°C) 67°F Jul (19°C)

Annual Average	42.7°F
	21% below US avg
January Average	21°F (-6°C)
July Average	67°F (19°C)
Sunny Days	311 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	4,242 ft (1,293 m)
Area	1.8 sq mi (4.5 km²)
Population Density	1,221/sq mi
Coordinates	45.8586°N, 111.3303°W
Timezone	America/Denver
County	Gallatin County County
Nearest Airport	Bozeman Yellowstone International (BZN) 10 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 15.5"

59% below US avg

Wettest Month (May) 2.52"

Driest Month (Feb) 0.47"

Air Quality

AQI Median	26.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Moderate
Risk Score	81.0 / 100
Social Vulnerability	10.6 / 100
Community Resilience	71.7 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

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

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

Earthquake History

938 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	149 km	12 km
Jul 26, 2005	16 km N of Dillon, Montana	M5.6	114 km	13 km
Jul 6, 2017	15 km S of Lincoln, Montana	M5.0	148 km	15 km
Mar 30, 2014	22 km S of Mammoth, Wyoming	M4.8	131 km	6 km
Jul 6, 2017	14 km SE of Lincoln, Montana	M4.4	145 km	10 km
May 8, 2007	8 km NNW of Alder, Montana	M4.4	81 km	14 km
Feb 5, 2006	44 km NE of Spencer, Idaho	M4.4	137 km	14 km
Jun 16, 2017	12 km E of Hebgen Lake Estates, Montana	M4.4	122 km	9 km
Jun 13, 2016	45 km W of Hebgen Lake Estates, Montana	M4.3	130 km	10 km
Jan 30, 2016	19 km E of Lincoln, Montana	M4.3	147 km	2 km
Oct 28, 1998	18 km S of Whitehall, Montana	M4.3	65 km	5 km
Nov 24, 2000	24 km S of Mammoth, Wyoming	M4.2	133 km	9 km
Aug 16, 2019	4 km NW of Manhattan, Montana	M4.2	4 km	2 km
Apr 8, 2000	8 km ENE of Townsend, Montana	M4.1	54 km	5 km
Oct 7, 2024	11 km E of Dillon, Montana	M4.1	114 km	17 km
Jun 18, 2006	6 km S of Pony, Montana	M4.1	53 km	12 km
Aug 6, 2019	3 km NW of Manhattan, Montana	M4.1	3 km	5 km
Aug 30, 1997	25 km WNW of Hebgen Lake Estates, Montana	M4.1	114 km	4 km
Sep 3, 2016	16 km S of Whitehall, Montana	M4.0	64 km	8 km
Jul 6, 2017	14 km SSE of Lincoln, Montana	M4.0	146 km	9 km

Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Tornado History

14 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Jul 2, 2010	EF2	77 km	2.1 mi	0
Jun 5, 2012	EF1	84 km	2.8 mi	0
Jun 15, 1960	EF1	27 km	1.3 mi	0
Aug 9, 2011	EF0	52 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 29, 1999	EF0	72 km	0.2 mi	0
Jul 2, 1997	EF0	2 km	0.1 mi	0
Jul 2, 1997	EF0	2 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 27, 1997	EF0	97 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 15, 1996	EF0	62 km	2.0 mi	0
May 17, 1994	EF0	18 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 11, 1993	EF0	96 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 29, 1992	EF0	58 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 12, 1992	EF0	55 km	0.1 mi	0
Jul 22, 1960	EF0	97 km	1.0 mi	0

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

Nearby Volcanoes

1 volcano within 200 km. Closest: Yellowstone (167 km).

Name	Type	Elevation	Last Eruption	Distance
Yellowstone	Caldera(s)	2,805 m (9,203 ft)	-1350	167 km

Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: TOSTON-MAUDLOW (80,383 acres, 2000).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2000	TOSTON-MAUDLOW	80,383	39 km
2021	WOODS CREEK	55,836	75 km
1988	CANYON CREEK	35,865	74 km
2001	FRIDLEY	27,575	58 km
2000	CANYON FERRY COMPLEX (CAVE GULCH)	26,997	96 km
2021	HAYSTACK	26,118	77 km
2006	JUNGLE	23,846	88 km
2007	WH COMPLEX (WICKED CREEK)	22,195	93 km
2021	AMERICAN FORK	20,726	85 km
1988	FAN	20,422	100 km
2012	BEAR TRAP 2	14,875	33 km
2000	CANYON FERRY COMPLEX (BUCKSNORT)	14,843	85 km
2006	BIG CREEK	13,424	65 km
2013	MINER PARADISE COMPLEX	12,210	75 km
2012	MILLIE	10,497	53 km
2000	BOULDER COMPLEX (HIGH ORE ROAD)	9,625	80 km
2015	EUSTIS	8,469	23 km
2020	BRIDGER FOOTHILLS	8,291	34 km
2015	COTTONWOOD GULCH	8,100	10 km
2012	PINE CREEK	7,707	75 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	21°F (-6°C)	0.6 in	Coldest
February	28°F (-3°C)	0.5 in	Driest
March	35°F (1°C)	0.9 in
April	43°F (6°C)	1.3 in
May	52°F (11°C)	2.5 in	Wettest
June	61°F (16°C)	2.4 in
July	67°F (19°C)	1.3 in	Warmest
August	67°F (19°C)	1.3 in
September	56°F (13°C)	1.6 in
October	46°F (8°C)	1.1 in
November	32°F (-0°C)	0.8 in
December	24°F (-5°C)	0.5 in

Manhattan has a seasonal temperature swing of 46°F / from 21°F in January to 67°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 14.8 inches, with May being the wettest month (2.5") and February the driest (0.5").

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