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Weather & Climate in Plains, MT
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Plains experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 48°F (9°C). Winters average 29°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 16.4 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 2,471 feet.
Temperature
29°F Jan (-2°C)
70°F Jul (21°C)
| Annual Average | 47.7°F |
| 12% below US avg | |
| January Average | 29°F (-2°C) |
| July Average | 70°F (21°C) |
| Sunny Days | 273 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 2,471 ft (753 m) |
| Area | 0.6 sq mi (1.6 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,737/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 47.4602°N, 114.8842°W |
| Timezone | America/Denver |
| County | Lake County County |
| Nearest Airport | Missoula Montana (MSO) 53 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 26.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 67.7 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 58.8 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 51.0 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Moderate |
| 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 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
217 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.7.
| Dec 22, 1998 | Idaho-Montana border region | M4.7 | 64 km | 12 km |
| Apr 15, 1998 | 11 km NE of Swan Lake, Montana | M4.1 | 105 km | 4 km |
| Aug 17, 1994 | 1 km E of Mullan, Idaho | M4.1 | 67 km | 2 km |
| Jun 29, 1995 | 2 km NNW of Kila, Montana | M4.1 | 81 km | 5 km |
| May 2, 1995 | 2 km NW of Kila, Montana | M4.1 | 82 km | 9 km |
| Jul 19, 2002 | 43 km NE of Seeley Lake, Montana | M4.0 | 138 km | 25 km |
| Jan 20, 1998 | 15 km SSE of Happys Inn, Montana | M4.0 | 56 km | 7 km |
| Apr 1, 1992 | 10 km ESE of Swan Lake, Montana | M4.0 | 99 km | 5 km |
| Jun 28, 2000 | 21 km SE of Clinton, Montana | M4.0 | 138 km | 10 km |
| Jun 2, 1996 | 37 km N of Ovando, Montana | M3.9 | 138 km | 5 km |
| Apr 24, 2015 | 8 km WSW of Hope, Idaho | M3.9 | 142 km | 17 km |
| Mar 21, 1992 | 20 km NE of Seeley Lake, Montana | M3.8 | 123 km | 5 km |
| Jun 1, 1996 | 23 km N of Ovando, Montana | M3.8 | 132 km | 10 km |
| May 2, 1995 | 3 km WNW of Kila, Montana | M3.8 | 80 km | 9 km |
| May 7, 1992 | 14 km NE of Seeley Lake, Montana | M3.8 | 119 km | 5 km |
| Sep 26, 2004 | 14 km WSW of Pablo, Montana | M3.8 | 45 km | 17 km |
| Jul 5, 2024 | 24 km ENE of Seeley Lake, Montana | M3.8 | 128 km | 22 km |
| Nov 8, 1997 | 39 km SE of Pierce, Idaho | M3.8 | 141 km | 5 km |
| Jan 13, 2010 | 36 km NE of Seeley Lake, Montana | M3.7 | 129 km | 21 km |
| Apr 24, 2015 | 12 km SSW of East Hope, Idaho | M3.7 | 134 km | 9 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
10 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF0.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| May 9, 2023 | EF0 | 63 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Nov 4, 2013 | EF0 | 83 km | 0.8 mi | 0 |
| Sep 1, 2011 | EF0 | 72 km | 0.7 mi | 0 |
| Apr 9, 2008 | EF0 | 94 km | 0.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 18, 2007 | EF0 | 48 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 18, 2007 | EF0 | 79 km | 8.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 7, 1995 | EF0 | 95 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Mar 3, 1991 | EF0 | 75 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 20, 1983 | EF0 | 86 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 9, 1978 | EF0 | 43 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 | 39 km |
| 2021 | THORNE CREEK | 39,694 | 37 km |
| 2007 | JOCKO LAKES | 35,759 | 97 km |
| 2003 | FISH CREEK COMPLEX (THOMPSON CREEK) | 33,779 | 66 km |
| 2016 | COPPER KING | 28,338 | 25 km |
| 2017 | LIBERTY | 27,731 | 96 km |
| 2017 | SUNRISE | 26,896 | 44 km |
| 2017 | SHEEP GAP | 24,702 | 12 km |
| 2022 | ELMO | 22,148 | 57 km |
| 2003 | MINERAL-PRIMM (MINERAL AND PRIMM) | 20,888 | 97 km |
| 2023 | NIARADA | 20,686 | 48 km |
| 2000 | UPPER NINEMILE COMPLEX (NINE MILE) | 19,695 | 31 km |
| 2023 | RIVER ROAD EAST | 18,068 | 11 km |
| 1994 | LITTLE WOLF | 15,714 | 94 km |
| 2017 | DEEP CREEK | 14,558 | 49 km |
| 2015 | WEST FORK FISH CREEK | 14,495 | 62 km |
| 2023 | MIDDLE RIDGE | 14,459 | 39 km |
| 2017 | MOOSE PEAK | 14,085 | 58 km |
| 2021 | DECEITFUL | 12,750 | 83 km |
| 1984 | HOUGHTON CREEK II | 12,495 | 72 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 29°F (-2°C) | 2.3 in | Wettest |
| February | 29°F (-2°C) | 1.6 in | |
| March | 35°F (2°C) | 1.3 in | |
| April | 42°F (6°C) | 1.3 in | |
| May | 50°F (10°C) | 2.0 in | |
| June | 58°F (14°C) | 2.0 in | |
| July | 70°F (21°C) | 1.1 in | Warmest, Driest |
| August | 64°F (18°C) | 1.3 in | |
| September | 55°F (13°C) | 1.3 in | |
| October | 44°F (7°C) | 1.1 in | |
| November | 33°F (1°C) | 1.9 in | |
| December | 26°F (-3°C) | 2.2 in | Coldest |
Plains has a seasonal temperature swing of 44°F / from 26°F in December to 70°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 19.5 inches, with January being the wettest month (2.3") and July the driest (1.1").