Weather & Climate in Montaqua, MT

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

Montaqua experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 48°F (9°C). Winters average 26°F in January while summers reach 73°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 14.8 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 48.2 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 3,594 feet.

Temperature

26°F Jan (-3°C) 73°F Jul (23°C)

Annual Average	48.0°F
	11% below US avg
January Average	26°F (-3°C)
July Average	73°F (23°C)
Sunny Days	311 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	3,594 ft (1,095 m)
Area	1.4 sq mi (3.7 km²)
Population Density	77/sq mi
Coordinates	45.5073°N, 108.9087°W
Timezone	America/Denver
County	Yellowstone County County
Nearest Airport	Billings Logan International (BIL) 27 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 14.8"

61% below US avg

Snowfall 48.2"

Wettest Month (May) 2.68"

Driest Month (Feb) 0.51"

Air Quality

AQI Median	26.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Moderate
Risk Score	83.6 / 100
Social Vulnerability	20.3 / 100
Community Resilience	82.3 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

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

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

Earthquake History

51 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.2.

May 11, 2022	36 km S of Silver Gate, Montana	M4.2	125 km	14 km
Mar 25, 2008	35 km S of Silver Gate, Montana	M4.2	126 km	4 km
Jan 30, 2023	9 km NNW of Livingston, Montana	M3.8	134 km	20 km
Jan 9, 2003	23 km E of Wilsall, Montana	M3.7	126 km	11 km
Jul 6, 2021	27 km SSE of Melstone, Montana	M3.6	131 km	10 km
Jan 12, 2014	23 km SE of Mammoth, Wyoming	M3.4	149 km	9 km
Mar 4, 2019	35 km SSW of Silver Gate, Montana	M3.3	129 km	6 km
Jan 9, 2009	42 km SSW of Silver Gate, Montana	M3.3	140 km	7 km
Aug 16, 1992	47 km S of Silver Gate, Montana	M3.2	134 km	5 km
Jul 21, 2023	Eastern Montana	M3.2	4 km	5 km
Jul 3, 1994	25 km ESE of Mammoth, Wyoming	M3.2	136 km	11 km
Nov 9, 2009	40 km SW of Silver Gate, Montana	M3.1	140 km	6 km
Jul 26, 1997	37 km SE of Mammoth, Wyoming	M3.1	149 km	2 km
Aug 8, 2003	36 km S of Silver Gate, Montana	M2.9	126 km	4 km
Nov 6, 1998	36 km S of Silver Gate, Montana	M2.9	125 km	15 km
Feb 28, 2007	44 km SSW of Silver Gate, Montana	M2.9	142 km	2 km
May 3, 2013	35 km S of Silver Gate, Montana	M2.9	128 km	5 km
Mar 15, 2022	51 km SE of Mammoth, Wyoming	M2.9	149 km	6 km
Mar 30, 2017	38 km S of Silver Gate, Montana	M2.9	125 km	13 km
Jan 27, 2009	41 km SSW of Silver Gate, Montana	M2.8	140 km	6 km

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

Tornado History

39 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 3 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Jun 16, 1965	EF3	46 km	20.6 mi	0
Jun 20, 2010	EF2	47 km	0.7 mi	0
Jun 16, 2010	EF2	40 km	1.0 mi	0
Jul 11, 1978	EF2	93 km	0.4 mi	0
Jun 26, 1964	EF2	85 km	1.0 mi	0
Jul 2, 1958	EF2	47 km	0.5 mi	0
Jun 21, 1991	EF1	41 km	0.2 mi	0
May 18, 1991	EF1	84 km	0.2 mi	0
May 24, 1990	EF1	63 km	0.2 mi	0
May 24, 1990	EF1	48 km	0.2 mi	0
Jul 24, 1981	EF1	86 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 18, 1978	EF1	91 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 26, 1976	EF1	83 km	2.0 mi	0
Aug 22, 1965	EF1	91 km	1.5 mi	0
Aug 12, 1958	EF1	23 km	0.5 mi	0
Jul 6, 1955	EF1	63 km	2.0 mi	0
May 24, 2014	EF0	75 km	0.8 mi	0
Jun 6, 2011	EF0	37 km	0.0 mi	0
Jun 6, 2011	EF0	60 km	0.3 mi	0
Aug 11, 2005	EF0	42 km	9.0 mi	0

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

Nearby Volcanoes

1 volcano within 200 km. Closest: Yellowstone (183 km).

Name	Type	Elevation	Last Eruption	Distance
Yellowstone	Caldera(s)	2,805 m (9,203 ft)	-1350	183 km

Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: DERBY (200,993 acres, 2006).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2006	DERBY	200,993	71 km
1984	HAWK CREEK	157,778	97 km
1988	STORM CREEK	116,027	95 km
2008	DUNN MTN. ASSIST	105,494	97 km
2003	HOBBLE	38,365	69 km
2021	ROBERTSON DRAW	31,132	53 km
2020	BOBCAT	31,020	98 km
2012	DAHL	21,448	90 km
1996	SHEPARD MTN	17,379	63 km
1994	BLACK BUTTE	10,231	83 km
2008	CASCADE	10,017	58 km
2010	STUMP GULCH	8,873	39 km
1996	COLFAX	8,429	88 km
2021	TROUT CREEK	7,804	58 km
2011	HOLE IN THE WALL	6,559	65 km
2006	BIRTHDAY2	6,553	82 km
2017	MICROWAVE	5,958	87 km
2003	DEEP LAKE	5,466	75 km
1996	LASTSTAND	5,385	91 km
2002	COW CREEK	5,162	15 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	26°F (-3°C)	0.7 in
February	30°F (-1°C)	0.5 in	Driest
March	37°F (3°C)	1.0 in
April	46°F (8°C)	1.7 in
May	55°F (13°C)	2.7 in	Wettest
June	64°F (18°C)	2.0 in
July	73°F (23°C)	1.0 in	Warmest
August	69°F (21°C)	1.0 in
September	59°F (15°C)	1.5 in
October	48°F (9°C)	1.2 in
November	34°F (1°C)	0.7 in
December	26°F (-3°C)	0.6 in	Coldest

Montaqua has a seasonal temperature swing of 47°F / from 26°F in December to 73°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 14.4 inches, with May being the wettest month (2.7") and February the driest (0.5").

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