Weather & Climate in Rapelje, MT

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

Rapelje has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 45°F (7°C). Winters average 25°F in January while summers reach 68°F in July. The area gets 311 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 15.2 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 54.3 inches of snow annually, making winter weather a significant factor for residents. 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 4,064 feet.

Temperature

25°F Jan (-4°C) 68°F Jul (20°C)

Annual Average	44.7°F
	17% below US avg
January Average	25°F (-4°C)
July Average	68°F (20°C)
Sunny Days	311 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	4,064 ft (1,239 m)
Area	0.5 sq mi (1.3 km²)
Population Density	196/sq mi
Coordinates	45.9720°N, 109.2580°W
Timezone	America/Denver
County	Stillwater County County
Nearest Airport	Billings Logan International (BIL) 36 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 15.2"

60% below US avg

Snowfall 54.3"

Wettest Month (May) 2.80"

Driest Month (Feb) 0.47"

Air Quality

AQI Median	26.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Very Low
Risk Score	16.8 / 100
Social Vulnerability	10.6 / 100
Community Resilience	56.3 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Very Low
Earthquake	Very Low
Wildfire	Relatively Low
Flood	Relatively Low
Hail	Very Low
Strong Wind	Very Low
Heat Wave	Very Low
Winter Weather	Relatively Low
Lightning	Relatively Low
Ice Storm	Very Low
Drought	Very Low
Cold Wave	Relatively Low
Landslide	Very Low
Volcano	Very Low
Avalanche	Very Low

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

Earthquake History

18 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.0.

Nov 6, 1997	4 km WSW of Springhill, Montana	M4.0	142 km	5 km
Jan 30, 2023	9 km NNW of Livingston, Montana	M3.8	107 km	20 km
Jan 9, 2003	23 km E of Wilsall, Montana	M3.7	85 km	11 km
Jul 6, 2021	27 km SSE of Melstone, Montana	M3.6	124 km	10 km
Nov 13, 1997	4 km WSW of Springhill, Montana	M3.4	143 km	6 km
Jul 21, 2023	Eastern Montana	M3.2	61 km	5 km
May 7, 2008	10 km SE of Springhill, Montana	M3.0	131 km	14 km
Jun 1, 2024	1 km N of Belgrade, Montana	M3.0	150 km	13 km
Jul 15, 2006	Western Montana	M3.0	134 km	10 km
Sep 15, 2012	23 km SSW of White Sulphur Springs, Montana	M2.9	145 km	8 km
Jul 15, 2006	28 km S of White Sulphur Springs, Montana	M2.8	134 km	10 km
Aug 25, 2012	28 km S of White Sulphur Springs, Montana	M2.8	135 km	10 km
Apr 27, 2016	25 km ENE of Toston, Montana	M2.8	150 km	5 km
Nov 4, 2017	32 km NE of Wilsall, Montana	M2.7	84 km	4 km
Aug 1, 2011	14 km ESE of Livingston, Montana	M2.6	95 km	7 km
Jan 6, 2016	27 km ENE of Lovell, Wyoming	M2.6	145 km	12 km
Aug 17, 2012	28 km S of White Sulphur Springs, Montana	M2.5	135 km	9 km
Jan 8, 2003	24 km E of Wilsall, Montana	M2.5	85 km	14 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	62 km	20.6 mi	0
Jul 2, 2010	EF2	94 km	2.1 mi	0
Jun 20, 2010	EF2	63 km	0.7 mi	0
Jun 16, 2010	EF2	99 km	1.0 mi	0
May 4, 1986	EF2	100 km	0.1 mi	0
Jul 20, 1964	EF2	63 km	2.0 mi	0
Jul 2, 1958	EF2	63 km	0.5 mi	0
May 21, 2016	EF1	98 km	2.0 mi	0
Jun 21, 1991	EF1	56 km	0.2 mi	0
May 24, 1990	EF1	66 km	0.2 mi	0
Jun 3, 1971	EF1	90 km	2.3 mi	0
Aug 22, 1965	EF1	61 km	1.5 mi	0
Aug 12, 1958	EF1	47 km	0.5 mi	0
Jul 6, 1955	EF1	75 km	2.0 mi	0
Jun 27, 2019	EF0	97 km	0.4 mi	0
Jun 6, 2011	EF0	63 km	0.3 mi	0
Jun 6, 2011	EF0	37 km	0.0 mi	0
Sep 9, 2010	EF0	63 km	0.3 mi	0
Aug 11, 2005	EF0	20 km	9.0 mi	0
Aug 26, 2004	EF0	66 km	—	0

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

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: DERBY (200,993 acres, 2006).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2006	DERBY	200,993	60 km
1984	HAWK CREEK	157,778	82 km
2008	DUNN MTN. ASSIST	105,494	87 km
2012	DELPHIA	40,396	99 km
2003	HOBBLE	38,365	36 km
2021	ROBERTSON DRAW	31,132	100 km
2020	BOBCAT	31,020	78 km
2006	JUNGLE	23,846	98 km
2012	DAHL	21,448	64 km
2021	AMERICAN FORK	20,726	85 km
1996	SHEPARD MTN	17,379	88 km
1994	BLACK BUTTE	10,231	60 km
2008	CASCADE	10,017	92 km
2010	STUMP GULCH	8,873	29 km
2021	TROUT CREEK	7,804	60 km
2002	COW CREEK	5,162	48 km
1988	TWO DOT	5,097	88 km
1999	HORSE THIE	4,767	67 km
2000	PEASE	4,361	80 km
2006	EMERALD HILLS	4,191	74 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	25°F (-4°C)	0.7 in	Coldest
February	29°F (-2°C)	0.5 in	Driest
March	35°F (2°C)	0.9 in
April	44°F (7°C)	1.5 in
May	53°F (12°C)	2.8 in	Wettest
June	62°F (17°C)	2.4 in
July	68°F (20°C)	1.3 in	Warmest
August	68°F (20°C)	1.2 in
September	58°F (14°C)	1.4 in
October	47°F (8°C)	1.1 in
November	34°F (1°C)	0.7 in
December	26°F (-3°C)	0.6 in

Rapelje has a seasonal temperature swing of 43°F / from 25°F in January to 68°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 15.0 inches, with May being the wettest month (2.8") and February the driest (0.5").

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