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Weather & Climate in Medicine Lake, MT
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Medicine Lake has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 39°F (4°C). Winters average 9°F in January while summers reach 67°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 14.7 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 1,963 feet.
Temperature
9°F Jan (-13°C)
67°F Jul (20°C)
| Annual Average | 39.4°F |
| 27% below US avg | |
| January Average | 9°F (-13°C) |
| July Average | 67°F (20°C) |
| Sunny Days | 274 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,963 ft (598 m) |
| Area | 0.4 sq mi (1.0 km²) |
| Population Density | 475/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 48.5022°N, 104.5017°W |
| Timezone | America/Denver |
| County | Sheridan County County |
| Nearest Airport | Williston Basin International (XWA) 38 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 26.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 15.1 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 59.2 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 12.0 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Very Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
5 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.8.
| Feb 25, 2014 | 23 km N of Brockton, Montana | M3.8 | 32 km | 5 km |
| Jul 29, 1998 | 16 km WNW of Froid, Montana | M3.8 | 21 km | 5 km |
| Nov 11, 1998 | 10 km SW of Grenora, North Dakota | M3.5 | 35 km | 5 km |
| Sep 28, 2012 | 22 km ESE of Williston, North Dakota | M3.3 | 99 km | 5 km |
| May 6, 2014 | 12 km NNW of Knife River, Montana | M2.6 | 106 km | 8 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
68 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 2 fatalities, 1 injury.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jul 26, 2010 | EF3 | 41 km | 18.0 mi | 2 |
| Jun 14, 1950 | EF3 | 71 km | 23.7 mi | 0 |
| Jul 15, 2013 | EF2 | 84 km | 23.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 27, 1982 | EF2 | 62 km | 0.4 mi | 0 |
| Jun 25, 1975 | EF2 | 66 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 11, 1972 | EF2 | 90 km | 9.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 2, 1971 | EF2 | 4 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 21, 1969 | EF2 | 24 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 13, 1953 | EF2 | 91 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 9, 2018 | EF1 | 30 km | 2.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 11, 2007 | EF1 | 70 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 21, 1999 | EF1 | 46 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 4, 1998 | EF1 | 76 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 4, 1998 | EF1 | 51 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 29, 1991 | EF1 | 56 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Jul 2, 1990 | EF1 | 82 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 13, 1980 | EF1 | 39 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 27, 1975 | EF1 | 64 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 18, 1962 | EF1 | 68 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 22, 1962 | EF1 | 77 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: WILLIAMS CO WILDLAND FIRE (67,150 acres, 2024).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2024 | WILLIAMS CO WILDLAND FIRE | 67,150 | 92 km |
| 1988 | BAINVILLE | 12,790 | 57 km |
| 2016 | FLAGSTAFF HILL | 9,129 | 22 km |
| 2012 | HIGHWAY 13-20 | 8,372 | 64 km |
| 2017 | YOOPER | 7,834 | 50 km |
| 2018 | BUFFALO PASTURE | 7,624 | 60 km |
| 2003 | GREYBULL | 7,229 | 74 km |
| 1999 | OUTLOOK | 6,292 | 48 km |
| 2021 | SMITH | 5,212 | 53 km |
| 2006 | BUFFALO RANCH | 5,206 | 64 km |
| 1999 | ANTELOPE | 5,118 | 17 km |
| 2020 | BULL | 3,428 | 84 km |
| 1988 | MONTANA LINE | 3,307 | 93 km |
| 2022 | BLISTER | 3,298 | 72 km |
| 1999 | HALLOWEEN | 2,845 | 86 km |
| 2021 | 13 MILE FIRE | 2,585 | 65 km |
| 2007 | W-RX-F SANDHILLS SUB UNIT B | 2,381 | 14 km |
| 2018 | MTMLR-FY18-RX-WUI DEEP LAKE | 2,088 | 12 km |
| 2021 | HIGHWAY 16 NORTH | 2,069 | 34 km |
| 2022 | MTMLR-FY22-RX-BRIDGERMAN | 1,852 | 12 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 9°F (-13°C) | 0.3 in | Coldest |
| February | 19°F (-7°C) | 0.2 in | Driest |
| March | 30°F (-1°C) | 0.5 in | |
| April | 45°F (7°C) | 0.9 in | |
| May | 57°F (14°C) | 2.1 in | |
| June | 66°F (19°C) | 2.6 in | Wettest |
| July | 67°F (20°C) | 2.1 in | |
| August | 70°F (21°C) | 1.5 in | Warmest |
| September | 58°F (14°C) | 1.4 in | |
| October | 46°F (8°C) | 0.7 in | |
| November | 28°F (-2°C) | 0.4 in | |
| December | 15°F (-10°C) | 0.4 in |
Medicine Lake has a seasonal temperature swing of 60°F / from 9°F in January to 70°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 13.0 inches, with June being the wettest month (2.6") and February the driest (0.2").