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Weather & Climate in Riceville, MT
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Riceville has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 45°F (7°C). Winters average 27°F in January while summers reach 67°F in July. The area gets 276 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 21.6 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 4,356 feet.
Temperature
27°F Jan (-3°C)
67°F Jul (19°C)
| Annual Average | 44.9°F |
| 17% below US avg | |
| January Average | 27°F (-3°C) |
| July Average | 67°F (19°C) |
| Sunny Days | 276 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 4,356 ft (1,328 m) |
| Area | 0.9 sq mi (2.3 km²) |
| Population Density | 30/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 47.2202°N, 110.9263°W |
| Timezone | America/Denver |
| County | Judith Basin County County |
| Nearest Airport | Great Falls International (GTF) 28 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 26.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 5.5 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 29.6 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 49.7 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Very 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 |
| Avalanche | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
269 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 | 131 km | 12 km |
| Jul 6, 2017 | 15 km S of Lincoln, Montana | M5.0 | 139 km | 15 km |
| Jul 6, 2017 | 14 km SE of Lincoln, Montana | M4.4 | 129 km | 10 km |
| Jan 30, 2016 | 19 km E of Lincoln, Montana | M4.3 | 117 km | 2 km |
| Apr 8, 2000 | 8 km ENE of Townsend, Montana | M4.1 | 104 km | 5 km |
| Jul 6, 2017 | 14 km SSE of Lincoln, Montana | M4.0 | 133 km | 9 km |
| Jul 17, 2017 | 12 km ESE of Lincoln, Montana | M4.0 | 128 km | 13 km |
| Jul 14, 2019 | 11 km NNE of Manhattan, Montana | M4.0 | 144 km | 6 km |
| Nov 10, 2000 | 14 km NE of Townsend, Montana | M4.0 | 97 km | 2 km |
| Feb 6, 1999 | 24 km E of Townsend, Montana | M3.9 | 98 km | 1 km |
| Aug 16, 1994 | 27 km W of Chester, Montana | M3.9 | 144 km | 5 km |
| Oct 19, 2017 | 12 km SE of Lincoln, Montana | M3.9 | 129 km | 4 km |
| Apr 1, 1993 | 15 km E of Lincoln, Montana | M3.9 | 121 km | 5 km |
| Mar 13, 2017 | 4 km ESE of Avon, Montana | M3.8 | 143 km | 20 km |
| Apr 17, 2018 | 13 km ESE of Lincoln, Montana | M3.8 | 127 km | 14 km |
| Jul 6, 2017 | 12 km ESE of Lincoln, Montana | M3.7 | 127 km | 16 km |
| May 24, 2000 | 9 km ENE of Townsend, Montana | M3.7 | 104 km | 3 km |
| Jan 16, 2011 | 10 km ENE of Marysville, Montana | M3.7 | 106 km | 15 km |
| Feb 3, 2019 | 9 km S of Lincoln, Montana | M3.7 | 138 km | 5 km |
| Jul 13, 2017 | 14 km SE of Lincoln, Montana | M3.7 | 130 km | 10 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
60 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 8 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jul 5, 1988 | EF3 | 99 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 25, 1996 | EF2 | 87 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 24, 1994 | EF2 | 51 km | 1.5 mi | 0 |
| Apr 24, 1994 | EF2 | 51 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 8, 1976 | EF2 | 65 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 30, 1975 | EF2 | 34 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 10, 1965 | EF2 | 61 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 5, 2012 | EF1 | 76 km | 2.8 mi | 0 |
| Jun 16, 2007 | EF1 | 39 km | 5.3 mi | 0 |
| Apr 22, 2003 | EF1 | 53 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 23, 1998 | EF1 | 97 km | 3.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 3, 1998 | EF1 | 61 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 19, 1998 | EF1 | 51 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 5, 1988 | EF1 | 49 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Jun 1, 1980 | EF1 | 62 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 3, 1978 | EF1 | 45 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 3, 1978 | EF1 | 45 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 3, 1978 | EF1 | 45 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 1, 1977 | EF1 | 74 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| May 10, 1977 | EF1 | 71 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: WOODS CREEK (55,836 acres, 2021).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2021 | WOODS CREEK | 55,836 | 81 km |
| 2021 | HARRIS MTN | 31,792 | 58 km |
| 1984 | NORTH HILL | 27,162 | 87 km |
| 2000 | CANYON FERRY COMPLEX (CAVE GULCH) | 26,997 | 78 km |
| 1990 | TURKEY | 25,658 | 58 km |
| 2007 | MERIWETHER | 18,865 | 79 km |
| 2000 | CANYON FERRY COMPLEX (BUCKSNORT) | 14,843 | 93 km |
| 1990 | BEARTOOTH COMPLEX | 13,462 | 72 km |
| 2009 | MEISSNER | 12,318 | 56 km |
| 1985 | SANDPOINT | 10,439 | 58 km |
| 2021 | BALSINGER | 8,317 | 25 km |
| 2017 | CHINN MA | 7,029 | 96 km |
| 2020 | LOUSE CREEK | 5,237 | 85 km |
| 2009 | INDIAN TRAIL | 4,592 | 81 km |
| 2020 | YOGO | 4,429 | 46 km |
| 2008 | CHOUTEAU CO COMPLEX | 4,365 | 90 km |
| 2021 | DEEP CREEK CANYON | 4,282 | 96 km |
| 2019 | NORTH HILLS | 4,149 | 92 km |
| 2019 | STUCKEY RD MA | 4,073 | 52 km |
| 1991 | POWER | 3,822 | 78 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 27°F (-3°C) | 1.0 in | |
| February | 27°F (-3°C) | 0.7 in | Driest |
| March | 33°F (0°C) | 1.4 in | |
| April | 41°F (5°C) | 1.8 in | |
| May | 50°F (10°C) | 3.6 in | Wettest |
| June | 58°F (15°C) | 3.1 in | |
| July | 67°F (19°C) | 1.7 in | Warmest |
| August | 65°F (18°C) | 1.8 in | |
| September | 55°F (13°C) | 1.9 in | |
| October | 45°F (7°C) | 1.3 in | |
| November | 33°F (0°C) | 0.9 in | |
| December | 26°F (-4°C) | 1.0 in | Coldest |
Riceville has a seasonal temperature swing of 41°F / from 26°F in December to 67°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 20.2 inches, with May being the wettest month (3.6") and February the driest (0.7").