Weather & Climate in Pioneer Junction, MT
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Pioneer Junction has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 45°F (7°C). Winters average 27°F in January while summers reach 68°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 19.1 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. The city sits at an elevation of 2,436 feet.
Temperature
27°F Jan (-3°C)
68°F Jul (20°C)
| Annual Average | 45.4°F |
| 16% below US avg | |
| January Average | 27°F (-3°C) |
| July Average | 68°F (20°C) |
Geography
| Elevation | 2,436 ft (742 m) |
| Area | 3.5 sq mi (9.1 km²) |
| Population Density | 209/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 48.3158°N, 115.5183°W |
| Timezone | America/Denver |
| County | Lincoln County County |
| Nearest Airport | Glacier Park International (FCA) 58 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 64.3 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 87.2 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 13.7 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Moderate |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Very Low |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively High |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low |
| Drought | Very Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | Relatively Moderate |
| Avalanche | Relatively High |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
154 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.7.
| Dec 22, 1998 | Idaho-Montana border region | M4.7 | 43 km | 12 km |
| Mar 4, 2000 | 35 km S of Pincher Creek, Canada | M4.6 | 145 km | 1 km |
| Mar 22, 2006 | 8 km SSW of Rexford, Montana | M4.3 | 62 km | 8 km |
| Jun 29, 1995 | 2 km NNW of Kila, Montana | M4.1 | 80 km | 5 km |
| Aug 17, 1994 | 1 km E of Mullan, Idaho | M4.1 | 96 km | 2 km |
| Apr 15, 1998 | 11 km NE of Swan Lake, Montana | M4.1 | 136 km | 4 km |
| May 2, 1995 | 2 km NW of Kila, Montana | M4.1 | 79 km | 9 km |
| Jan 20, 1998 | 15 km SSE of Happys Inn, Montana | M4.0 | 53 km | 7 km |
| Apr 1, 1992 | 10 km ESE of Swan Lake, Montana | M4.0 | 141 km | 5 km |
| Apr 24, 2015 | 8 km WSW of Hope, Idaho | M3.9 | 67 km | 17 km |
| Sep 26, 2004 | 14 km WSW of Pablo, Montana | M3.8 | 122 km | 17 km |
| May 2, 1995 | 3 km WNW of Kila, Montana | M3.8 | 79 km | 9 km |
| Aug 19, 1999 | 12 km ENE of Happys Inn, Montana | M3.7 | 45 km | 14 km |
| Apr 24, 2015 | 12 km SSW of East Hope, Idaho | M3.7 | 66 km | 9 km |
| Oct 2, 1995 | 18 km E of Finley Point, Montana | M3.7 | 143 km | 5 km |
| May 30, 1996 | 3 km SSW of Mullan, Idaho | M3.6 | 100 km | 1 km |
| Oct 26, 1999 | 23 km WNW of Niarada, Montana | M3.6 | 65 km | 12 km |
| Feb 2, 1997 | 1 km NNE of Lindisfarne, Montana | M3.6 | 111 km | 5 km |
| Mar 14, 1997 | 1 km E of Mullan, Idaho | M3.6 | 96 km | 2 km |
| Apr 11, 2015 | 5 km NW of Columbia Falls, Montana | M3.5 | 95 km | 13 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 |
| May 31, 1997 | EF2 | 93 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| May 29, 1994 | EF1 | 97 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 19, 1978 | EF1 | 78 km | 1.9 mi | 0 |
| Apr 9, 2008 | EF0 | 88 km | 0.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 25, 2004 | EF0 | 99 km | 4.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 10, 2000 | EF0 | 89 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 9, 1978 | EF0 | 80 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950-2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: CHIPPY CREEK (95,656 acres, 2007).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2007 | CHIPPY CREEK | 95,656 | 76 km |
| 2021 | THORNE CREEK | 39,694 | 74 km |
| 2007 | BRUSH CREEK | 30,166 | 52 km |
| 2016 | COPPER KING | 28,338 | 82 km |
| 2017 | CARIBOU | 28,101 | 75 km |
| 2022 | RUSSELL MOUNTAIN | 26,130 | 92 km |
| 2017 | SHEEP GAP | 24,702 | 100 km |
| 2022 | ELMO | 22,148 | 96 km |
| 2017 | WEST FORK | 21,154 | 24 km |
| 2023 | NIARADA | 20,686 | 94 km |
| 1994 | LITTLE WOLF | 15,714 | 51 km |
| 2017 | DEEP CREEK | 14,558 | 61 km |
| 2017 | MOOSE PEAK | 14,085 | 48 km |
| 2021 | SOUTH YAAK | 12,866 | 39 km |
| 2021 | DECEITFUL | 12,750 | 84 km |
| 1984 | HOUGHTON CREEK II | 12,495 | 35 km |
| 1988 | DRY FORK | 11,403 | 35 km |
| 2000 | STONE YOUNG (STONE HILL) | 11,279 | 58 km |
| 2015 | SOUTH BOBTAIL | 11,256 | 71 km |
| 2015 | NAPOLEON 1 | 9,727 | 34 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 27°F (-3°C) | 1.9 in | |
| February | 29°F (-2°C) | 1.3 in | |
| March | 37°F (3°C) | 1.7 in | |
| April | 45°F (7°C) | 1.1 in | |
| May | 54°F (12°C) | 1.7 in | |
| June | 61°F (16°C) | 2.0 in | |
| July | 68°F (20°C) | 0.9 in | Warmest |
| August | 66°F (19°C) | 0.7 in | Driest |
| September | 56°F (13°C) | 1.1 in | |
| October | 44°F (6°C) | 1.8 in | |
| November | 33°F (0°C) | 2.3 in | |
| December | 26°F (-3°C) | 2.5 in | Coldest, Wettest |
Pioneer Junction has a seasonal temperature swing of 42°F / from 26°F in December to 68°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 19.2 inches, with December being the wettest month (2.5") and August the driest (0.7").