Weather & Climate in Montana City, MT

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

Montana City experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 46°F (8°C). Winters average 23°F in January while summers reach 71°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 11.4 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 37.2 inches of snow annually, a moderate snowfall amount. 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 4,384 feet.

Temperature

23°F Jan (-5°C) 71°F Jul (21°C)

Annual Average	45.5°F
	16% below US avg
January Average	23°F (-5°C)
July Average	71°F (21°C)
Sunny Days	273 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	4,384 ft (1,336 m)
Area	34.1 sq mi (88.3 km²)
Population Density	85/sq mi
Coordinates	46.5240°N, 111.9335°W
Timezone	America/Denver
County	Broadwater County County
Nearest Airport	Helena Regional (HLN) 6 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 11.4"

70% below US avg

Snowfall 37.2"

Wettest Month (Jun) 1.89"

Driest Month (Feb) 0.35"

Air Quality

AQI Median	26.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Very Low
Risk Score	17.7 / 100
Social Vulnerability	52.9 / 100
Community Resilience	19.4 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

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

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

Earthquake History

490 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	63 km	12 km
Jul 26, 2005	16 km N of Dillon, Montana	M5.6	139 km	13 km
Jul 6, 2017	15 km S of Lincoln, Montana	M5.0	64 km	15 km
May 8, 2007	8 km NNW of Alder, Montana	M4.4	127 km	14 km
Jul 6, 2017	14 km SE of Lincoln, Montana	M4.4	60 km	10 km
Jan 30, 2016	19 km E of Lincoln, Montana	M4.3	60 km	2 km
Oct 28, 1998	18 km S of Whitehall, Montana	M4.3	93 km	5 km
Aug 16, 2019	4 km NW of Manhattan, Montana	M4.2	83 km	2 km
Apr 8, 2000	8 km ENE of Townsend, Montana	M4.1	45 km	5 km
Jun 18, 2006	6 km S of Pony, Montana	M4.1	103 km	12 km
Aug 6, 2019	3 km NW of Manhattan, Montana	M4.1	84 km	5 km
Sep 3, 2016	16 km S of Whitehall, Montana	M4.0	90 km	8 km
Jan 18, 2006	18 km NNE of Dillon, Montana	M4.0	137 km	9 km
Jul 19, 2002	43 km NE of Seeley Lake, Montana	M4.0	132 km	25 km
Mar 6, 2009	18 km S of Whitehall, Montana	M4.0	93 km	12 km
Nov 10, 2000	14 km NE of Townsend, Montana	M4.0	45 km	2 km
Jul 27, 2005	18 km N of Dillon, Montana	M4.0	137 km	5 km
Jun 28, 2000	21 km SE of Clinton, Montana	M4.0	123 km	10 km
Jul 6, 2017	14 km SSE of Lincoln, Montana	M4.0	61 km	9 km
Jul 17, 2017	12 km ESE of Lincoln, Montana	M4.0	62 km	13 km

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

Tornado History

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

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Jun 30, 1975	EF2	76 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 5, 2012	EF1	82 km	2.8 mi	0
Jun 28, 1982	EF1	58 km	0.5 mi	0
Jul 3, 1978	EF1	96 km	1.0 mi	0
Jul 3, 1978	EF1	96 km	1.0 mi	0
Jul 3, 1978	EF1	96 km	1.0 mi	0
Sep 15, 1997	EF0	84 km	0.1 mi	0
Jul 2, 1997	EF0	85 km	0.1 mi	0
Jul 2, 1997	EF0	85 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 27, 1997	EF0	10 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 15, 1996	EF0	63 km	2.0 mi	0
May 17, 1994	EF0	71 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 21, 1993	EF0	45 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 11, 1993	EF0	9 km	0.1 mi	0
Jul 9, 1992	EF0	47 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 12, 1992	EF0	36 km	0.1 mi	0
Aug 11, 1988	EF0	98 km	2.0 mi	0
May 4, 1971	EF0	80 km	0.5 mi	0
May 17, 1962	EF0	76 km	0.1 mi	0
Jul 22, 1960	EF0	10 km	1.0 mi	0

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

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	63 km
2021	WOODS CREEK	55,836	51 km
2003	LINCOLN COMPLEX (SNOWBANK)	36,987	82 km
1988	CANYON CREEK	35,865	14 km
2021	HARRIS MTN	31,792	68 km
2017	ALICE CREEK	29,971	79 km
1984	NORTH HILL	27,162	31 km
2000	CANYON FERRY COMPLEX (CAVE GULCH)	26,997	31 km
2021	HAYSTACK	26,118	47 km
2007	MERIWETHER	18,865	40 km
2017	PARK CREEK	17,915	84 km
2000	CANYON FERRY COMPLEX (BUCKSNORT)	14,843	18 km
1990	BEARTOOTH COMPLEX	13,462	50 km
2000	BOULDER COMPLEX (HIGH ORE ROAD)	9,625	30 km
2015	EUSTIS	8,469	65 km
2021	BALSINGER	8,317	95 km
2015	COTTONWOOD GULCH	8,100	79 km
2017	CHINN MA	7,029	84 km
2009	INDIAN TRAIL	4,592	51 km
2020	STATE CREEK	4,549	52 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	23°F (-5°C)	0.6 in
February	26°F (-3°C)	0.4 in	Driest
March	35°F (2°C)	0.6 in
April	44°F (7°C)	0.9 in
May	53°F (11°C)	1.9 in
June	61°F (16°C)	1.9 in	Wettest
July	71°F (21°C)	1.3 in	Warmest
August	66°F (19°C)	1.3 in
September	56°F (13°C)	1.1 in
October	46°F (8°C)	0.7 in
November	33°F (0°C)	0.5 in
December	23°F (-5°C)	0.5 in	Coldest

Montana City has a seasonal temperature swing of 48°F / from 23°F in December to 71°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 11.5 inches, with June being the wettest month (1.9") and February the driest (0.4").

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