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Weather & Climate in Pinesdale, MT
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Pinesdale experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 46°F (8°C). Winters average 27°F in January while summers reach 68°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). 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 3,953 feet.
Temperature
27°F Jan (-3°C)
68°F Jul (20°C)
| Annual Average | 45.7°F |
| 15% below US avg | |
| January Average | 27°F (-3°C) |
| July Average | 68°F (20°C) |
| Sunny Days | 273 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 3,953 ft (1,205 m) |
| Area | 1.3 sq mi (3.4 km²) |
| Population Density | 652/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 46.3342°N, 114.2230°W |
| Timezone | America/Denver |
| County | Ravalli County County |
| Nearest Airport | Missoula Montana (MSO) 41 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 26.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 78.5 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 45.2 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 27.3 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively High |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Very Low |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively High |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | Very Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | Relatively Moderate |
| Avalanche | Relatively High |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
252 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 | 140 km | 12 km |
| Jul 6, 2017 | 15 km S of Lincoln, Montana | M5.0 | 130 km | 15 km |
| Jul 6, 2017 | 14 km SE of Lincoln, Montana | M4.4 | 141 km | 10 km |
| Jul 6, 2017 | 14 km SSE of Lincoln, Montana | M4.0 | 137 km | 9 km |
| Jul 17, 2017 | 12 km ESE of Lincoln, Montana | M4.0 | 143 km | 13 km |
| Jun 28, 2000 | 21 km SE of Clinton, Montana | M4.0 | 62 km | 10 km |
| Oct 19, 2017 | 12 km SE of Lincoln, Montana | M3.9 | 142 km | 4 km |
| Jun 2, 1996 | 37 km N of Ovando, Montana | M3.9 | 144 km | 5 km |
| Mar 13, 2017 | 4 km ESE of Avon, Montana | M3.8 | 131 km | 20 km |
| Apr 17, 2018 | 13 km ESE of Lincoln, Montana | M3.8 | 143 km | 14 km |
| Nov 8, 1997 | 39 km SE of Pierce, Idaho | M3.8 | 92 km | 5 km |
| Jun 1, 1996 | 23 km N of Ovando, Montana | M3.8 | 128 km | 10 km |
| Mar 21, 1992 | 20 km NE of Seeley Lake, Montana | M3.8 | 129 km | 5 km |
| May 7, 1992 | 14 km NE of Seeley Lake, Montana | M3.8 | 124 km | 5 km |
| Sep 26, 2004 | 14 km WSW of Pablo, Montana | M3.8 | 138 km | 17 km |
| Jul 5, 2024 | 24 km ENE of Seeley Lake, Montana | M3.8 | 131 km | 22 km |
| Jan 13, 2010 | 36 km NE of Seeley Lake, Montana | M3.7 | 146 km | 21 km |
| Jul 13, 2017 | 14 km SE of Lincoln, Montana | M3.7 | 141 km | 10 km |
| Feb 3, 2019 | 9 km S of Lincoln, Montana | M3.7 | 132 km | 5 km |
| Jul 6, 2017 | 12 km ESE of Lincoln, Montana | M3.7 | 144 km | 16 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
7 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2. Total: 1 injury.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jun 23, 1975 | EF2 | 21 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| May 16, 1991 | EF0 | 83 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Mar 3, 1991 | EF0 | 89 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 15, 1990 | EF0 | 15 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Oct 16, 1988 | EF0 | 11 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Aug 11, 1988 | EF0 | 79 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 20, 1983 | EF0 | 64 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: MUSTANG COMPLEX (377,632 acres, 2012).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2012 | MUSTANG COMPLEX | 377,632 | 98 km |
| 2000 | VALLEY COMPLEX (BEAR) | 118,045 | 38 km |
| 2017 | MEYERS | 68,711 | 64 km |
| 2007 | SAWMILL COMPLEX (WYMAN 2) | 68,236 | 45 km |
| 2000 | MUSSIGBROD COMPLEX (MUSSIGBROD) | 64,810 | 68 km |
| 2000 | SULA COMPLEX (MAYNARD) | 62,967 | 63 km |
| 2021 | TRAIL CREEK | 62,432 | 87 km |
| 2017 | LOLO PEAK | 62,316 | 37 km |
| 2012 | PORCUPINE COMPLEX | 48,980 | 90 km |
| 2013 | GOLD PAN COMPLEX | 43,216 | 79 km |
| 1996 | SWET-WARRIOR COMPLEX (SWET CREEK) | 39,495 | 92 km |
| 2015 | WASH | 39,448 | 94 km |
| 2007 | BRIDGE | 36,732 | 23 km |
| 2017 | LITTLE HOGBACK | 34,646 | 49 km |
| 2003 | FISH CREEK COMPLEX (THOMPSON CREEK) | 33,779 | 70 km |
| 2011 | SADDLE COMPLEX | 30,877 | 92 km |
| 2012 | FERN | 29,736 | 27 km |
| 2012 | FREEZE OUT | 28,355 | 52 km |
| 2007 | ROMBO MOUNTAIN | 28,215 | 62 km |
| 2017 | LIBERTY | 27,731 | 91 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 27°F (-3°C) | 1.3 in | |
| February | 26°F (-3°C) | 0.9 in | Driest |
| March | 31°F (-1°C) | 1.0 in | |
| April | 37°F (3°C) | 1.1 in | |
| May | 45°F (7°C) | 1.9 in | Wettest |
| June | 53°F (12°C) | 1.9 in | |
| July | 68°F (20°C) | 1.0 in | Warmest |
| August | 60°F (15°C) | 1.3 in | |
| September | 51°F (11°C) | 1.3 in | |
| October | 41°F (5°C) | 0.9 in | |
| November | 29°F (-2°C) | 1.1 in | |
| December | 22°F (-6°C) | 1.2 in | Coldest |
Pinesdale has a seasonal temperature swing of 46°F / from 22°F in December to 68°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 14.9 inches, with May being the wettest month (1.9") and February the driest (0.9").