Weather & Climate in Norris, MT

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

Norris experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 49°F (10°C). Winters average 31°F in January while summers reach 71°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 18.4 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 51.8 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 4,856 feet.

Temperature

31°F Jan (-0°C) 71°F Jul (22°C)

Annual Average	49.2°F
	9% below US avg
January Average	31°F (-0°C)
July Average	71°F (22°C)
Sunny Days	311 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	4,856 ft (1,480 m)
Area	0.3 sq mi (0.9 km²)
Population Density	56/sq mi
Coordinates	45.5731°N, 111.6913°W
Timezone	America/Denver
County	Madison County County
Nearest Airport	Bozeman Yellowstone International (BZN) 30 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 18.4"

52% below US avg

Snowfall 51.8"

Wettest Month (May) 2.68"

Driest Month (Feb) 0.47"

Air Quality

AQI Median	26.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Very Low
Risk Score	41.0 / 100
Social Vulnerability	18.5 / 100
Community Resilience	40.9 / 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 Low
Lightning	Relatively Low
Ice Storm	Very Low
Drought	Very Low
Cold Wave	Relatively Low
Landslide	Relatively Moderate
Volcano	Very Low
Avalanche	Very High

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

Earthquake History

993 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M5.6.

Jul 26, 2005	16 km N of Dillon, Montana	M5.6	76 km	13 km
Aug 20, 1999	22 km NW of Lima, Montana	M5.1	123 km	16 km
Mar 30, 2014	22 km S of Mammoth, Wyoming	M4.8	119 km	6 km
Apr 9, 2019	9 km NE of Lima, Montana	M4.6	117 km	14 km
May 8, 2007	8 km NNW of Alder, Montana	M4.4	40 km	14 km
Apr 5, 2011	28 km NNE of Spencer, Idaho	M4.4	111 km	12 km
Feb 5, 2006	44 km NE of Spencer, Idaho	M4.4	99 km	14 km
Jun 16, 2017	12 km E of Hebgen Lake Estates, Montana	M4.4	102 km	9 km
Jun 13, 2016	45 km W of Hebgen Lake Estates, Montana	M4.3	94 km	10 km
Oct 28, 1998	18 km S of Whitehall, Montana	M4.3	37 km	5 km
Nov 24, 2000	24 km S of Mammoth, Wyoming	M4.2	120 km	9 km
Aug 16, 2019	4 km NW of Manhattan, Montana	M4.2	43 km	2 km
Jul 14, 2023	3 km S of Lima, Montana	M4.2	129 km	12 km
Jun 18, 2006	6 km S of Pony, Montana	M4.1	17 km	12 km
Aug 6, 2019	3 km NW of Manhattan, Montana	M4.1	43 km	5 km
Oct 7, 2024	11 km E of Dillon, Montana	M4.1	73 km	17 km
Apr 8, 2000	8 km ENE of Townsend, Montana	M4.1	88 km	5 km
Aug 30, 1997	25 km WNW of Hebgen Lake Estates, Montana	M4.1	83 km	4 km
Sep 3, 2016	16 km S of Whitehall, Montana	M4.0	38 km	8 km
Mar 6, 2009	18 km S of Whitehall, Montana	M4.0	37 km	12 km

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

Tornado History

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

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
May 19, 1962	EF2	84 km	2.0 mi	0
May 29, 1965	EF1	94 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 15, 1960	EF1	50 km	1.3 mi	0
Jul 10, 2016	EF0	85 km	0.0 mi	0
Aug 9, 2011	EF0	92 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 29, 1999	EF0	36 km	0.2 mi	0
Jul 19, 1997	EF0	99 km	0.1 mi	0
Jul 2, 1997	EF0	44 km	0.1 mi	0
Jul 2, 1997	EF0	44 km	0.1 mi	0
May 17, 1994	EF0	44 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 29, 1992	EF0	16 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 12, 1992	EF0	84 km	0.1 mi	0

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

Nearby Volcanoes

1 volcano within 200 km. Closest: Yellowstone (150 km).

Name	Type	Elevation	Last Eruption	Distance
Yellowstone	Caldera(s)	2,805 m (9,203 ft)	-1350	150 km

Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).

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	78 km
1988	CANYON CREEK	35,865	97 km
2001	FRIDLEY	27,575	68 km
2021	HAYSTACK	26,118	77 km
1988	FAN	20,422	85 km
2012	BEAR TRAP 2	14,875	10 km
2006	CLARKS CANYON	14,848	100 km
2006	BIG CREEK	13,424	68 km
2013	MINER PARADISE COMPLEX	12,210	76 km
2012	MILLIE	10,497	52 km
2000	BOULDER COMPLEX (HIGH ORE ROAD)	9,625	88 km
2000	BEAVER CREEK	9,568	77 km
2015	EUSTIS	8,469	55 km
1988	SWEETWATER	8,405	78 km
2020	BRIDGER FOOTHILLS	8,291	63 km
2015	COTTONWOOD GULCH	8,100	49 km
2021	GOOSE	7,817	95 km
2012	PINE CREEK	7,707	92 km
1991	THOMPSON CREEK	6,974	97 km
2018	MONUMENT	6,973	63 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	31°F (-0°C)	0.6 in
February	28°F (-3°C)	0.5 in	Driest
March	33°F (0°C)	1.1 in
April	41°F (5°C)	1.5 in
May	50°F (10°C)	2.7 in	Wettest
June	58°F (15°C)	2.6 in
July	71°F (22°C)	1.5 in	Warmest
August	64°F (18°C)	1.4 in
September	55°F (13°C)	1.5 in
October	45°F (7°C)	1.1 in
November	32°F (-0°C)	0.8 in
December	24°F (-4°C)	0.6 in	Coldest

Norris has a seasonal temperature swing of 47°F / from 24°F in December to 71°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 15.7 inches, with May being the wettest month (2.7") and February the driest (0.5").

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