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Weather & Climate in Poplar, MT
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Poplar has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 41°F (5°C). Winters average 12°F in January while summers reach 68°F in July. The area gets 274 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 14.2 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 1,987 feet.
Temperature
12°F Jan (-11°C)
68°F Jul (20°C)
| Annual Average | 40.5°F |
| 25% below US avg | |
| January Average | 12°F (-11°C) |
| July Average | 68°F (20°C) |
| Sunny Days | 274 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,987 ft (606 m) |
| Area | 0.3 sq mi (0.7 km²) |
| Population Density | 2,339/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 48.1105°N, 105.1969°W |
| Timezone | America/Denver |
| County | Daniels County County |
| Nearest Airport | Sidney-Richland Regional (SDY) 54 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 26.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 1.8 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 10.6 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 8.6 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Very Low |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Very Low |
| Ice Storm | Very Low |
| Drought | Very Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
5 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.8.
| Feb 25, 2014 | 23 km N of Brockton, Montana | M3.8 | 37 km | 5 km |
| Jul 29, 1998 | 16 km WNW of Froid, Montana | M3.8 | 46 km | 5 km |
| Nov 11, 1998 | 10 km SW of Grenora, North Dakota | M3.5 | 99 km | 5 km |
| Sep 28, 2012 | 22 km ESE of Williston, North Dakota | M3.3 | 137 km | 5 km |
| May 6, 2014 | 12 km NNW of Knife River, Montana | M2.6 | 85 km | 8 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
77 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 3 fatalities, 2 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jul 26, 2010 | EF3 | 63 km | 18.0 mi | 2 |
| Jul 15, 2013 | EF2 | 41 km | 23.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 25, 1975 | EF2 | 87 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 25, 1975 | EF2 | 78 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 25, 1975 | EF2 | 64 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 11, 1972 | EF2 | 52 km | 9.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 2, 1971 | EF2 | 67 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 21, 1969 | EF2 | 49 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 26, 1954 | EF2 | 66 km | 20.9 mi | 0 |
| Jun 23, 1953 | EF2 | 98 km | 33.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 9, 2018 | EF1 | 88 km | 2.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 16, 2010 | EF1 | 67 km | 2.6 mi | 0 |
| Jul 21, 1999 | EF1 | 73 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 4, 1998 | EF1 | 32 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 4, 1998 | EF1 | 28 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 29, 1991 | EF1 | 71 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Jul 9, 1983 | EF1 | 34 km | 1.0 mi | 1 |
| Jul 13, 1980 | EF1 | 50 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 11, 1972 | EF1 | 87 km | 10.4 mi | 0 |
| Aug 6, 1970 | EF1 | 58 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: BAINVILLE (12,790 acres, 1988).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 1988 | BAINVILLE | 12,790 | 83 km |
| 2016 | FLAGSTAFF HILL | 9,129 | 55 km |
| 2012 | HIGHWAY 13-20 | 8,372 | 29 km |
| 2017 | YOOPER | 7,834 | 39 km |
| 2018 | BUFFALO PASTURE | 7,624 | 24 km |
| 2003 | GREYBULL | 7,229 | 27 km |
| 1999 | OUTLOOK | 6,292 | 91 km |
| 2021 | SMITH | 5,212 | 24 km |
| 2006 | BUFFALO RANCH | 5,206 | 26 km |
| 1999 | ANTELOPE | 5,118 | 83 km |
| 2020 | BULL | 3,428 | 41 km |
| 2003 | 3 MILE | 3,394 | 94 km |
| 1988 | MONTANA LINE | 3,307 | 96 km |
| 2022 | BLISTER | 3,298 | 43 km |
| 2021 | GREAT DIVIDE - DAWSON | 3,003 | 87 km |
| 1999 | HALLOWEEN | 2,845 | 22 km |
| 2021 | BADGER HOLE | 2,804 | 43 km |
| 2020 | SAGE | 2,554 | 54 km |
| 2007 | W-RX-F SANDHILLS SUB UNIT B | 2,381 | 73 km |
| 2018 | MTMLR-FY18-RX-WUI DEEP LAKE | 2,088 | 74 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 12°F (-11°C) | 0.4 in | Coldest |
| February | 20°F (-7°C) | 0.3 in | Driest |
| March | 33°F (0°C) | 0.6 in | |
| April | 47°F (8°C) | 1.0 in | |
| May | 59°F (15°C) | 2.1 in | |
| June | 68°F (20°C) | 2.6 in | Wettest |
| July | 68°F (20°C) | 1.9 in | |
| August | 73°F (23°C) | 1.3 in | Warmest |
| September | 60°F (16°C) | 1.3 in | |
| October | 48°F (9°C) | 0.8 in | |
| November | 32°F (0°C) | 0.3 in | |
| December | 19°F (-8°C) | 0.5 in |
Poplar has a seasonal temperature swing of 61°F / from 12°F in January to 73°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 13.1 inches, with June being the wettest month (2.6") and February the driest (0.3").