Weather & Climate in Pompeys Pillar, MT
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Pompeys Pillar 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. 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. The city sits at an elevation of 2,892 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) |
Geography
| Elevation | 2,892 ft (881 m) |
| Area | 0.2 sq mi (0.5 km²) |
| Population Density | 125/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 45.9906°N, 107.9504°W |
| Timezone | America/Denver |
| County | Big Horn County County |
| Nearest Airport | Billings Logan International (BIL) 31 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 57.2 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 94.2 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 4.8 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Moderate |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively High |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively High |
| Lightning | Relatively High |
| Ice Storm | Very Low |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | Relatively Low |
| Volcano | Very Low |
| Avalanche | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
10 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 | 45 km | 10 km |
| Dec 23, 1991 | 10 km SW of Colstrip, Montana | M3.6 | 98 km | 5 km |
| Jul 21, 2023 | Eastern Montana | M3.2 | 89 km | 5 km |
| May 21, 2013 | 32 km NE of Melstone, Montana | M2.8 | 93 km | 7 km |
| Mar 30, 2018 | 20 km NNE of Sheridan, Wyoming | M2.8 | 144 km | 5 km |
| Jan 15, 2023 | 6 km NE of Ashland, Montana | M2.8 | 141 km | 11 km |
| May 19, 2017 | 6 km ESE of Birney, Montana | M2.7 | 141 km | 3 km |
| Jan 6, 2016 | 27 km ENE of Lovell, Wyoming | M2.6 | 115 km | 12 km |
| Jun 2, 2019 | 14 km WSW of Birney, Montana | M2.6 | 126 km | 5 km |
| Apr 22, 2018 | 8 km ENE of Ashland, Montana | M2.6 | 145 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
42 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 3 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jun 16, 1965 | EF3 | 48 km | 20.6 mi | 0 |
| Jun 20, 2010 | EF2 | 46 km | 0.7 mi | 0 |
| May 4, 1986 | EF2 | 41 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 2, 1958 | EF2 | 46 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| May 21, 2016 | EF1 | 28 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 22, 1996 | EF1 | 38 km | 4.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 9, 1991 | EF1 | 40 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 21, 1991 | EF1 | 33 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Jun 21, 1991 | EF1 | 53 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| May 24, 1990 | EF1 | 35 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Jun 21, 1984 | EF1 | 93 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 12, 1958 | EF1 | 73 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 6, 1955 | EF1 | 59 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 6, 1955 | EF1 | 30 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 8, 2013 | EF0 | 69 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 6, 2011 | EF0 | 69 km | 0.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 6, 2011 | EF0 | 38 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Aug 11, 2005 | EF0 | 86 km | 9.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 26, 2004 | EF0 | 55 km | - | 0 |
| Jul 26, 2003 | EF0 | 50 km | 2.5 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950-2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: HAWK CREEK (157,778 acres, 1984).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 1984 | HAWK CREEK | 157,778 | 39 km |
| 2012 | CHALKY | 132,680 | 93 km |
| 2008 | DUNN MTN. ASSIST | 105,494 | 31 km |
| 2006 | PINE RIDGE COMPLEX | 103,074 | 22 km |
| 2006 | BUNDY RAILROAD | 91,575 | 17 km |
| 2012 | SARPY HILLS COMPLEX | 83,942 | 66 km |
| 2021 | P F | 66,375 | 44 km |
| 2020 | SARPY | 51,619 | 82 km |
| 2012 | DELPHIA | 40,396 | 49 km |
| 2020 | BOBCAT | 31,020 | 48 km |
| 1999 | FISHEL CREEK | 28,611 | 60 km |
| 2003 | LITTLEHAWK | 27,926 | 88 km |
| 2021 | MUSSELSHELL TRAIL RD | 22,723 | 35 km |
| 2012 | DAHL | 21,448 | 57 km |
| 2011 | BLACK SPRINGS COMPLEX | 19,473 | 96 km |
| 2022 | BUSMAN ROAD | 12,584 | 54 km |
| 1996 | ROLLOVER | 10,743 | 81 km |
| 2020 | GASS FLATS | 10,723 | 56 km |
| 2021 | SLOUGH GRASS | 9,384 | 87 km |
| 1991 | UNNAMED | 9,027 | 66 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 22°F (-6°C) | 0.5 in | Coldest |
| February | 24°F (-4°C) | 0.6 in | |
| March | 33°F (1°C) | 0.7 in | |
| April | 42°F (6°C) | 1.6 in | |
| May | 52°F (11°C) | 2.6 in | |
| June | 61°F (16°C) | 2.7 in | Wettest |
| July | 70°F (21°C) | 1.4 in | Warmest |
| August | 69°F (20°C) | 0.9 in | |
| September | 58°F (14°C) | 1.2 in | |
| October | 44°F (7°C) | 1.4 in | |
| November | 32°F (0°C) | 0.5 in | |
| December | 24°F (-5°C) | 0.4 in | Driest |
Pompeys Pillar has a seasonal temperature swing of 48°F / from 22°F in January to 70°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 14.5 inches, with June being the wettest month (2.7") and December the driest (0.4").