Weather & Climate in Ponderosa Pines, MT

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

Ponderosa Pines has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 45°F (7°C). Winters average 24°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 10.6 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 23.7 inches of snow annually, a moderate snowfall amount. 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 4,341 feet.

Temperature

24°F Jan (-5°C) 68°F Jul (20°C)

Annual Average	44.9°F
	17% below US avg
January Average	24°F (-5°C)
July Average	68°F (20°C)
Sunny Days	273 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	4,341 ft (1,323 m)
Area	39.5 sq mi (102.3 km²)
Population Density	24/sq mi
Coordinates	46.0321°N, 111.3671°W
Timezone	America/Denver
County	Broadwater County County
Nearest Airport	Bozeman Yellowstone International (BZN) 20 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 10.6"

72% below US avg

Snowfall 23.7"

Wettest Month (Jun) 2.13"

Driest Month (Feb) 0.31"

Air Quality

AQI Median	26.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Very Low
Risk Score	17.7 / 100
Social Vulnerability	52.9 / 100
Community Resilience	19.4 / 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 Moderate
Lightning	Relatively Moderate
Ice Storm	Very Low
Drought	Very Low
Cold Wave	Relatively Low
Landslide	Relatively Moderate
Avalanche	Relatively Moderate

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

Earthquake History

775 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	132 km	12 km
Jul 26, 2005	16 km N of Dillon, Montana	M5.6	122 km	13 km
Jul 6, 2017	15 km S of Lincoln, Montana	M5.0	132 km	15 km
Mar 30, 2014	22 km S of Mammoth, Wyoming	M4.8	150 km	6 km
Jul 6, 2017	14 km SE of Lincoln, Montana	M4.4	129 km	10 km
May 8, 2007	8 km NNW of Alder, Montana	M4.4	92 km	14 km
Jun 16, 2017	12 km E of Hebgen Lake Estates, Montana	M4.4	142 km	9 km
Jun 13, 2016	45 km W of Hebgen Lake Estates, Montana	M4.3	148 km	10 km
Jan 30, 2016	19 km E of Lincoln, Montana	M4.3	130 km	2 km
Oct 28, 1998	18 km S of Whitehall, Montana	M4.3	70 km	5 km
Aug 16, 2019	4 km NW of Manhattan, Montana	M4.2	16 km	2 km
Aug 30, 1997	25 km WNW of Hebgen Lake Estates, Montana	M4.1	133 km	4 km
Apr 8, 2000	8 km ENE of Townsend, Montana	M4.1	35 km	5 km
Jun 18, 2006	6 km S of Pony, Montana	M4.1	63 km	12 km
Oct 7, 2024	11 km E of Dillon, Montana	M4.1	125 km	17 km
Aug 6, 2019	3 km NW of Manhattan, Montana	M4.1	17 km	5 km
Sep 3, 2016	16 km S of Whitehall, Montana	M4.0	68 km	8 km
Jul 27, 2005	18 km N of Dillon, Montana	M4.0	120 km	5 km
Jan 18, 2006	18 km NNE of Dillon, Montana	M4.0	116 km	9 km
Jul 6, 2017	14 km SSE of Lincoln, Montana	M4.0	130 km	9 km

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

Tornado History

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

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Jul 2, 2010	EF2	73 km	2.1 mi	0
Jun 5, 2012	EF1	69 km	2.8 mi	0
Jun 15, 1960	EF1	44 km	1.3 mi	0
Aug 9, 2011	EF0	51 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 29, 1999	EF0	90 km	0.2 mi	0
Jul 2, 1997	EF0	17 km	0.1 mi	0
Jul 2, 1997	EF0	17 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 27, 1997	EF0	79 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 15, 1996	EF0	45 km	2.0 mi	0
May 17, 1994	EF0	15 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 11, 1993	EF0	79 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 29, 1992	EF0	73 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 12, 1992	EF0	36 km	0.1 mi	0
Aug 22, 1978	EF0	93 km	0.1 mi	0
Jul 22, 1960	EF0	80 km	1.0 mi	0

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

Nearby Volcanoes

1 volcano within 200 km. Closest: Yellowstone (186 km).

Name	Type	Elevation	Last Eruption	Distance
Yellowstone	Caldera(s)	2,805 m (9,203 ft)	-1350	186 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	22 km
2021	WOODS CREEK	55,836	57 km
1988	CANYON CREEK	35,865	56 km
2001	FRIDLEY	27,575	74 km
1984	NORTH HILL	27,162	95 km
2000	CANYON FERRY COMPLEX (CAVE GULCH)	26,997	77 km
2021	HAYSTACK	26,118	68 km
2021	AMERICAN FORK	20,726	82 km
2012	BEAR TRAP 2	14,875	49 km
2000	CANYON FERRY COMPLEX (BUCKSNORT)	14,843	66 km
2006	BIG CREEK	13,424	83 km
2013	MINER PARADISE COMPLEX	12,210	93 km
2012	MILLIE	10,497	72 km
2000	BOULDER COMPLEX (HIGH ORE ROAD)	9,625	67 km
2015	EUSTIS	8,469	8 km
2020	BRIDGER FOOTHILLS	8,291	47 km
2015	COTTONWOOD GULCH	8,100	10 km
2012	PINE CREEK	7,707	88 km
2017	CHINN MA	7,029	53 km
1988	TWO DOT	5,097	92 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	24°F (-5°C)	0.4 in
February	28°F (-2°C)	0.3 in	Driest
March	36°F (2°C)	0.7 in
April	44°F (7°C)	0.9 in
May	53°F (12°C)	2.0 in
June	61°F (16°C)	2.1 in	Wettest
July	68°F (20°C)	1.3 in	Warmest
August	67°F (19°C)	1.2 in
September	57°F (14°C)	1.4 in
October	46°F (8°C)	0.8 in
November	33°F (0°C)	0.5 in
December	24°F (-5°C)	0.4 in	Coldest

Ponderosa Pines has a seasonal temperature swing of 44°F / from 24°F in December to 68°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 12.0 inches, with June being the wettest month (2.1") and February the driest (0.3").

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