All Countries
Weather & Climate in Musselshell, MT
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Musselshell has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 44°F (7°C). Winters average 22°F in January while summers reach 70°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 14.5 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 46.1 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 3,056 feet.
Temperature
22°F Jan (-6°C)
70°F Jul (21°C)
| Annual Average | 44.2°F |
| 18% below US avg | |
| January Average | 22°F (-6°C) |
| July Average | 70°F (21°C) |
| Sunny Days | 273 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 3,056 ft (931 m) |
| Area | 2.6 sq mi (6.6 km²) |
| Population Density | 13/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 46.4942°N, 108.0963°W |
| Timezone | America/Denver |
| County | Musselshell County County |
| Nearest Airport | Billings Logan International (BIL) 52 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 26.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 17.1 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 74.3 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 25.1 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Moderate |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Relatively 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 Moderate |
| Landslide | Relatively 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: M3.6.
| Jul 6, 2021 | 27 km SSE of Melstone, Montana | M3.6 | 30 km | 10 km |
| Dec 23, 1991 | 10 km SW of Colstrip, Montana | M3.6 | 130 km | 5 km |
| Jul 21, 2023 | Eastern Montana | M3.2 | 125 km | 5 km |
| May 21, 2013 | 32 km NE of Melstone, Montana | M2.8 | 54 km | 7 km |
| Oct 16, 2011 | Eastern Montana | M2.7 | 104 km | 21 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
41 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 2 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jun 16, 1965 | EF3 | 83 km | 20.6 mi | 0 |
| Jun 20, 2010 | EF2 | 82 km | 0.7 mi | 0 |
| May 4, 1986 | EF2 | 16 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 7, 1962 | EF2 | 93 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 2, 1958 | EF2 | 83 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| May 21, 2016 | EF1 | 30 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 22, 1996 | EF1 | 91 km | 4.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 9, 1991 | EF1 | 93 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 21, 1991 | EF1 | 86 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Jun 21, 1991 | EF1 | 84 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| May 24, 1990 | EF1 | 65 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Jul 6, 1955 | EF1 | 70 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 6, 1955 | EF1 | 70 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 7, 2020 | EF0 | 83 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Jul 7, 2020 | EF0 | 58 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 8, 2013 | EF0 | 22 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 6, 2011 | EF0 | 67 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Jun 6, 2011 | EF0 | 92 km | 0.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 28, 2005 | EF0 | 62 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 25, 2005 | EF0 | 79 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: BRIDGE COULEE (222,571 acres, 2017).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2017 | BRIDGE COULEE | 222,571 | 80 km |
| 1984 | HAWK CREEK | 157,778 | 30 km |
| 2008 | DUNN MTN. ASSIST | 105,494 | 32 km |
| 2006 | PINE RIDGE COMPLEX | 103,074 | 62 km |
| 2006 | BUNDY RAILROAD | 91,575 | 41 km |
| 2021 | P F | 66,375 | 91 km |
| 2012 | DELPHIA | 40,396 | 10 km |
| 2020 | BOBCAT | 31,020 | 30 km |
| 1999 | FISHEL CREEK | 28,611 | 3 km |
| 2021 | MUSSELSHELL TRAIL RD | 22,723 | 39 km |
| 2012 | DAHL | 21,448 | 43 km |
| 2006 | LODGEPOLE (BLACK PULASKI COMPLEX) | 15,248 | 95 km |
| 2022 | BUSMAN ROAD | 12,584 | 55 km |
| 2020 | GASS FLATS | 10,723 | 91 km |
| 1996 | COLFAX | 8,429 | 100 km |
| 1994 | GRIERSON | 7,985 | 34 km |
| 2003 | JONNY | 7,689 | 73 km |
| 2017 | CRYING | 7,497 | 91 km |
| 1998 | BURNT SHED | 6,395 | 15 km |
| 2015 | 3 HL TIN CAN UNIT F PRESCRIBED FIRE | 5,911 | 79 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 22°F (-6°C) | 0.6 in | Coldest |
| February | 28°F (-2°C) | 0.5 in | Driest |
| March | 35°F (2°C) | 0.8 in | |
| April | 44°F (7°C) | 1.5 in | |
| May | 54°F (12°C) | 2.8 in | Wettest |
| June | 63°F (17°C) | 2.4 in | |
| July | 70°F (21°C) | 1.4 in | Warmest |
| August | 69°F (21°C) | 1.2 in | |
| September | 58°F (15°C) | 1.5 in | |
| October | 47°F (8°C) | 1.0 in | |
| November | 34°F (1°C) | 0.6 in | |
| December | 25°F (-4°C) | 0.6 in |
Musselshell has a seasonal temperature swing of 48°F / from 22°F in January to 70°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 14.7 inches, with May being the wettest month (2.8") and February the driest (0.5").