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Weather & Climate in Miles City, MT
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Miles City experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 46°F (8°C). Winters average 20°F in January while summers reach 74°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 12.9 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 2,361 feet.
Temperature
20°F Jan (-7°C)
74°F Jul (23°C)
| Annual Average | 46.2°F |
| 14% below US avg | |
| January Average | 20°F (-7°C) |
| July Average | 74°F (23°C) |
| Sunny Days | 273 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 2,361 ft (720 m) |
| Area | 3.4 sq mi (8.7 km²) |
| Population Density | 2,504/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 46.4058°N, 105.8389°W |
| Timezone | America/Denver |
| County | Custer County County |
| Nearest Airport | Sidney-Richland Regional (SDY) 119 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 26.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 42.1 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 70.8 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 27.1 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively High |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | Very Low |
| Drought | Very Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
11 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.0.
| Aug 22, 2009 | 20 km SSE of Birney, Montana | M4.0 | 149 km | 14 km |
| Jul 6, 2021 | 27 km SSE of Melstone, Montana | M3.6 | 147 km | 10 km |
| Dec 23, 1991 | 10 km SW of Colstrip, Montana | M3.6 | 94 km | 5 km |
| Nov 3, 1999 | 8 km NNW of Broadus, Montana | M3.5 | 104 km | 10 km |
| May 25, 2018 | 45 km W of Biddle, Montana | M2.9 | 148 km | 16 km |
| May 21, 2013 | 32 km NE of Melstone, Montana | M2.8 | 135 km | 7 km |
| Jan 15, 2023 | 6 km NE of Ashland, Montana | M2.8 | 91 km | 11 km |
| May 19, 2017 | 6 km ESE of Birney, Montana | M2.7 | 133 km | 3 km |
| Jun 2, 2019 | 14 km WSW of Birney, Montana | M2.6 | 141 km | 5 km |
| Apr 22, 2018 | 8 km ENE of Ashland, Montana | M2.6 | 92 km | 5 km |
| Jul 29, 2013 | 18 km SE of Ekalaka, Montana | M2.6 | 133 km | 8 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
29 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jul 11, 1995 | EF2 | 86 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 25, 1975 | EF2 | 22 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 11, 1965 | EF2 | 82 km | 5.4 mi | 0 |
| Jul 18, 1962 | EF2 | 67 km | 40.6 mi | 0 |
| Jul 8, 2013 | EF1 | 19 km | 0.6 mi | 0 |
| May 20, 2011 | EF1 | 50 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| May 24, 1990 | EF1 | 89 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Jun 13, 1984 | EF1 | 90 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 14, 1980 | EF1 | 66 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 6, 1955 | EF1 | 57 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| May 31, 2014 | EF0 | 79 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| May 31, 2014 | EF0 | 62 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| May 27, 2010 | EF0 | 89 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 6, 2005 | EF0 | 100 km | 30.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 5, 2000 | EF0 | 91 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Aug 15, 1999 | EF0 | 81 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 24, 1996 | EF0 | 53 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 26, 1995 | EF0 | 40 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 13, 1993 | EF0 | 63 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 24, 1993 | EF0 | 20 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: ASH CREEK (253,413 acres, 2012).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2012 | ASH CREEK | 253,413 | 87 km |
| 2021 | RICHARD SPRING | 168,765 | 94 km |
| 2017 | SARTIN DRAW | 91,570 | 63 km |
| 1996 | POWDERVILLE | 55,024 | 82 km |
| 2020 | SNIDER | 33,246 | 68 km |
| 1996 | ROSEBUD CREEK | 25,174 | 51 km |
| 2006 | HORTON | 25,108 | 37 km |
| 1988 | EARLYBIRD | 21,730 | 98 km |
| 2006 | WATT DRAW | 17,594 | 100 km |
| 2020 | RICE | 15,883 | 87 km |
| 1988 | SCHILLER | 15,533 | 88 km |
| 2007 | OKERMAN | 15,478 | 33 km |
| 1990 | KNOWLTON C | 13,226 | 51 km |
| 2012 | SWEENEY | 12,642 | 39 km |
| 1998 | BRADSHAW | 10,591 | 53 km |
| 2014 | MONTGOMERY | 9,222 | 59 km |
| 2000 | TOBIN | 9,181 | 98 km |
| 2017 | 1026 | 8,387 | 55 km |
| 2017 | CROW ROCK | 8,298 | 38 km |
| 2003 | SWAIN | 7,762 | 71 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 20°F (-7°C) | 0.5 in | Coldest |
| February | 24°F (-4°C) | 0.3 in | Driest |
| March | 35°F (2°C) | 0.5 in | |
| April | 46°F (8°C) | 1.3 in | |
| May | 57°F (14°C) | 2.2 in | |
| June | 66°F (19°C) | 2.4 in | Wettest |
| July | 74°F (23°C) | 1.5 in | Warmest |
| August | 72°F (22°C) | 1.1 in | |
| September | 60°F (16°C) | 1.2 in | |
| October | 47°F (9°C) | 1.1 in | |
| November | 31°F (-0°C) | 0.5 in | |
| December | 20°F (-6°C) | 0.4 in |
Miles City has a seasonal temperature swing of 55°F / from 20°F in January to 74°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 13.0 inches, with June being the wettest month (2.4") and February the driest (0.3").