Weather & Climate in Rader Creek, MT

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

Rader Creek has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 44°F (6°C). Winters average 24°F in January while summers reach 65°F in July. The area gets 293 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 9.4 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 5,532 feet.

Temperature

24°F Jan (-4°C) 65°F Jul (19°C)

Annual Average	43.5°F
	19% below US avg
January Average	24°F (-4°C)
July Average	65°F (19°C)
Sunny Days	293 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	5,532 ft (1,686 m)
Area	20.3 sq mi (52.4 km²)
Population Density	18/sq mi
Coordinates	45.8455°N, 112.3160°W
Timezone	America/Denver
County	Silver Bow County County
Nearest Airport	Helena Regional (HLN) 55 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 9.4"

75% below US avg

Wettest Month (Jun) 2.09"

Driest Month (Feb) 0.31"

Air Quality

AQI Median	26.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Very Low
Risk Score	38.0 / 100
Social Vulnerability	17.0 / 100
Community Resilience	62.9 / 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 High
Lightning	Relatively Moderate
Ice Storm	Very Low
Drought	Very Low
Cold Wave	Relatively Moderate
Landslide	Relatively Moderate
Avalanche	Very Low

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

Earthquake History

653 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	117 km	12 km
Jul 26, 2005	16 km N of Dillon, Montana	M5.6	58 km	13 km
Aug 20, 1999	22 km NW of Lima, Montana	M5.1	124 km	16 km
Jul 6, 2017	15 km S of Lincoln, Montana	M5.0	111 km	15 km
Apr 9, 2019	9 km NE of Lima, Montana	M4.6	129 km	14 km
Jul 6, 2017	14 km SE of Lincoln, Montana	M4.4	114 km	10 km
Apr 5, 2011	28 km NNE of Spencer, Idaho	M4.4	138 km	12 km
May 8, 2007	8 km NNW of Alder, Montana	M4.4	52 km	14 km
Feb 5, 2006	44 km NE of Spencer, Idaho	M4.4	133 km	14 km
Jun 13, 2016	45 km W of Hebgen Lake Estates, Montana	M4.3	131 km	10 km
Jan 30, 2016	19 km E of Lincoln, Montana	M4.3	123 km	2 km
Oct 28, 1998	18 km S of Whitehall, Montana	M4.3	21 km	5 km
Jul 14, 2023	3 km S of Lima, Montana	M4.2	139 km	12 km
Aug 16, 2019	4 km NW of Manhattan, Montana	M4.2	74 km	2 km
Jun 18, 2006	6 km S of Pony, Montana	M4.1	42 km	12 km
Aug 6, 2019	3 km NW of Manhattan, Montana	M4.1	74 km	5 km
Aug 30, 1997	25 km WNW of Hebgen Lake Estates, Montana	M4.1	129 km	4 km
Apr 8, 2000	8 km ENE of Townsend, Montana	M4.1	89 km	5 km
Oct 7, 2024	11 km E of Dillon, Montana	M4.1	70 km	17 km
Sep 3, 2016	16 km S of Whitehall, Montana	M4.0	20 km	8 km

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

Tornado History

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

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Jun 14, 1962	EF2	98 km	0.1 mi	0
May 19, 1962	EF2	68 km	2.0 mi	0
Jun 28, 1982	EF1	67 km	0.5 mi	0
Jun 6, 1976	EF1	98 km	3.0 mi	0
May 29, 1965	EF1	53 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 15, 1960	EF1	98 km	1.3 mi	0
Aug 20, 2018	EF0	90 km	0.8 mi	0
Jul 10, 2016	EF0	74 km	0.0 mi	0
Jun 29, 1999	EF0	84 km	0.2 mi	0
Sep 15, 1997	EF0	49 km	0.1 mi	0
Jul 19, 1997	EF0	81 km	0.1 mi	0
Jul 2, 1997	EF0	76 km	0.1 mi	0
Jul 2, 1997	EF0	76 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 27, 1997	EF0	85 km	0.1 mi	0
May 17, 1994	EF0	63 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 11, 1993	EF0	88 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 29, 1992	EF0	60 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 12, 1992	EF0	78 km	0.1 mi	0
May 16, 1991	EF0	88 km	0.2 mi	0
Aug 11, 1988	EF0	93 km	2.0 mi	0

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

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	92 km
2017	MEYERS	68,711	97 km
2021	ALDER CREEK	38,189	65 km
1988	CANYON CREEK	35,865	77 km
2021	HAYSTACK	26,118	35 km
2012	BEAR TRAP 2	14,875	62 km
2006	CLARKS CANYON	14,848	94 km
2000	CANYON FERRY COMPLEX (BUCKSNORT)	14,843	94 km
2007	PATTENGAIL CREEK	13,471	71 km
2000	BOULDER COMPLEX (HIGH ORE ROAD)	9,625	52 km
2015	EUSTIS	8,469	69 km
1988	SWEETWATER	8,405	87 km
2015	COTTONWOOD GULCH	8,100	76 km
2001	PURDY CREEK	4,868	96 km
2015	BEAR LAKE	4,695	79 km
2020	STATE CREEK	4,549	29 km
2012	PONY	4,453	31 km
2018	WIGWAM	4,412	85 km
2012	BEAN CANYON	4,285	88 km
2012	NINETEEN MILE	3,549	2 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	24°F (-4°C)	0.5 in
February	27°F (-3°C)	0.3 in	Driest
March	32°F (0°C)	0.6 in
April	40°F (5°C)	0.8 in
May	49°F (9°C)	1.8 in
June	57°F (14°C)	2.1 in	Wettest
July	65°F (19°C)	1.3 in	Warmest
August	62°F (17°C)	1.3 in
September	53°F (12°C)	1.2 in
October	43°F (6°C)	0.6 in
November	30°F (-1°C)	0.4 in
December	23°F (-5°C)	0.4 in	Coldest

Rader Creek has a seasonal temperature swing of 42°F / from 23°F in December to 65°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 11.3 inches, with June being the wettest month (2.1") and February the driest (0.3").

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