Weather & Climate in Melstone, MT

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

Melstone experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 47°F (8°C). Winters average 25°F in January while summers reach 73°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 15.5 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 42.9 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 2,915 feet.

Temperature

25°F Jan (-4°C) 73°F Jul (23°C)

Annual Average	47.2°F
	13% below US avg
January Average	25°F (-4°C)
July Average	73°F (23°C)
Sunny Days	273 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	2,915 ft (888 m)
Area	0.6 sq mi (1.6 km²)
Population Density	121/sq mi
Coordinates	46.5987°N, 107.8683°W
Timezone	America/Denver
County	Treasure County County
Nearest Airport	Billings Logan International (BIL) 63 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 15.5"

59% below US avg

Snowfall 42.9"

Wettest Month (May) 2.76"

Driest Month (Feb) 0.43"

Air Quality

AQI Median	26.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Very Low
Risk Score	0.5 / 100
Social Vulnerability	10.6 / 100
Community Resilience	4.7 / 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

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

Earthquake History

6 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.6.

Jul 6, 2021	27 km SSE of Melstone, Montana	M3.6	27 km	10 km
Dec 23, 1991	10 km SW of Colstrip, Montana	M3.6	124 km	5 km
Jul 21, 2023	Eastern Montana	M3.2	144 km	5 km
May 21, 2013	32 km NE of Melstone, Montana	M2.8	33 km	7 km
Oct 16, 2011	Eastern Montana	M2.7	99 km	21 km
Jul 15, 2015	48 km E of Zortman, Montana	M2.5	142 km	23 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.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Jun 20, 2010	EF2	100 km	0.7 mi	0
May 4, 1986	EF2	32 km	0.1 mi	0
Aug 7, 1962	EF2	88 km	2.0 mi	0
May 21, 2016	EF1	43 km	2.0 mi	0
Jun 22, 1996	EF1	97 km	4.0 mi	0
Jul 9, 1991	EF1	99 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 21, 1991	EF1	89 km	0.2 mi	0
May 24, 1990	EF1	83 km	0.2 mi	0
Jun 14, 1980	EF1	99 km	0.1 mi	0
Jul 6, 1955	EF1	87 km	2.0 mi	0
Jul 6, 1955	EF1	62 km	2.0 mi	0
Jul 7, 2020	EF0	81 km	0.2 mi	0
Jul 7, 2020	EF0	57 km	0.1 mi	0
May 31, 2014	EF0	86 km	0.1 mi	0
Jul 8, 2013	EF0	1 km	0.5 mi	0
Jun 6, 2011	EF0	86 km	0.3 mi	0
Jun 28, 2005	EF0	63 km	2.0 mi	0
Jun 25, 2005	EF0	86 km	1.0 mi	0
Aug 26, 2004	EF0	62 km	—	0
Jul 8, 2002	EF0	78 km	2.0 mi	0

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

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: BRIDGE COULEE (222,571 acres, 2017).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2017	BRIDGE COULEE	222,571	65 km
1984	HAWK CREEK	157,778	49 km
2008	DUNN MTN. ASSIST	105,494	49 km
2006	PINE RIDGE COMPLEX	103,074	67 km
2006	BUNDY RAILROAD	91,575	51 km
2021	P F	66,375	93 km
2012	DELPHIA	40,396	29 km
2017	SOUTH BREAKS	39,217	88 km
2020	BOBCAT	31,020	50 km
1999	FISHEL CREEK	28,611	19 km
2021	MUSSELSHELL TRAIL RD	22,723	39 km
2012	DAHL	21,448	64 km
2006	LODGEPOLE (BLACK PULASKI COMPLEX)	15,248	82 km
2022	BUSMAN ROAD	12,584	46 km
2020	GASS FLATS	10,723	88 km
1996	ALKALIE	10,044	91 km
2014	MONTGOMERY	9,222	99 km
1994	GRIERSON	7,985	21 km
2003	JONNY	7,689	67 km
2017	CRYING	7,497	80 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	25°F (-4°C)	0.6 in	Coldest
February	28°F (-2°C)	0.4 in	Driest
March	36°F (2°C)	0.8 in
April	45°F (7°C)	1.5 in
May	55°F (13°C)	2.8 in	Wettest
June	64°F (18°C)	2.4 in
July	73°F (23°C)	1.4 in	Warmest
August	70°F (21°C)	1.3 in
September	59°F (15°C)	1.5 in
October	48°F (9°C)	0.9 in
November	34°F (1°C)	0.5 in
December	25°F (-4°C)	0.6 in

Melstone has a seasonal temperature swing of 48°F / from 25°F in January to 73°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 14.6 inches, with May being the wettest month (2.8") and February the driest (0.4").

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