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Weather & Climate in Riverbend, MT
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Riverbend experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 48°F (9°C). Winters average 29°F in January while summers reach 70°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 16.4 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 2,728 feet.
Temperature
29°F Jan (-2°C)
70°F Jul (21°C)
| Annual Average | 47.7°F |
| 12% below US avg | |
| January Average | 29°F (-2°C) |
| July Average | 70°F (21°C) |
| Sunny Days | 273 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 2,728 ft (831 m) |
| Area | 4.2 sq mi (11.0 km²) |
| Population Density | 128/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 47.1453°N, 114.8324°W |
| Timezone | America/Denver |
| County | Lake County County |
| Nearest Airport | Missoula Montana (MSO) 38 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 26.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 67.7 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 58.8 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 51.0 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Moderate |
| Wildfire | Relatively Moderate |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Very Low |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively High |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | Very Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | Relatively Moderate |
| Avalanche | Relatively High |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
209 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.7.
| Dec 22, 1998 | Idaho-Montana border region | M4.7 | 98 km | 12 km |
| May 2, 1995 | 2 km NW of Kila, Montana | M4.1 | 114 km | 9 km |
| Jun 29, 1995 | 2 km NNW of Kila, Montana | M4.1 | 114 km | 5 km |
| Aug 17, 1994 | 1 km E of Mullan, Idaho | M4.1 | 80 km | 2 km |
| Apr 15, 1998 | 11 km NE of Swan Lake, Montana | M4.1 | 126 km | 4 km |
| Jul 19, 2002 | 43 km NE of Seeley Lake, Montana | M4.0 | 138 km | 25 km |
| Jun 28, 2000 | 21 km SE of Clinton, Montana | M4.0 | 114 km | 10 km |
| Apr 1, 1992 | 10 km ESE of Swan Lake, Montana | M4.0 | 117 km | 5 km |
| Jan 20, 1998 | 15 km SSE of Happys Inn, Montana | M4.0 | 91 km | 7 km |
| Jun 2, 1996 | 37 km N of Ovando, Montana | M3.9 | 136 km | 5 km |
| Jun 1, 1996 | 23 km N of Ovando, Montana | M3.8 | 126 km | 10 km |
| May 2, 1995 | 3 km WNW of Kila, Montana | M3.8 | 113 km | 9 km |
| May 7, 1992 | 14 km NE of Seeley Lake, Montana | M3.8 | 114 km | 5 km |
| Nov 8, 1997 | 39 km SE of Pierce, Idaho | M3.8 | 109 km | 5 km |
| Sep 26, 2004 | 14 km WSW of Pablo, Montana | M3.8 | 62 km | 17 km |
| Mar 21, 1992 | 20 km NE of Seeley Lake, Montana | M3.8 | 119 km | 5 km |
| Jul 5, 2024 | 24 km ENE of Seeley Lake, Montana | M3.8 | 124 km | 22 km |
| Aug 19, 1999 | 12 km ENE of Happys Inn, Montana | M3.7 | 109 km | 14 km |
| Oct 2, 1995 | 18 km E of Finley Point, Montana | M3.7 | 100 km | 5 km |
| Jan 13, 2010 | 36 km NE of Seeley Lake, Montana | M3.7 | 129 km | 21 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
8 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF0.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| May 9, 2023 | EF0 | 63 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Sep 1, 2011 | EF0 | 92 km | 0.7 mi | 0 |
| Jul 18, 2007 | EF0 | 69 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 7, 1995 | EF0 | 100 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Mar 3, 1991 | EF0 | 61 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 15, 1990 | EF0 | 98 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 20, 1983 | EF0 | 62 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 9, 1978 | EF0 | 67 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: CHIPPY CREEK (95,656 acres, 2007).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2007 | CHIPPY CREEK | 95,656 | 74 km |
| 2017 | LOLO PEAK | 62,316 | 70 km |
| 2021 | THORNE CREEK | 39,694 | 67 km |
| 2007 | BRIDGE | 36,732 | 89 km |
| 2007 | JOCKO LAKES | 35,759 | 89 km |
| 2003 | FISH CREEK COMPLEX (THOMPSON CREEK) | 33,779 | 31 km |
| 2012 | FERN | 29,736 | 78 km |
| 2012 | FREEZE OUT | 28,355 | 81 km |
| 2016 | COPPER KING | 28,338 | 58 km |
| 2017 | LIBERTY | 27,731 | 83 km |
| 2017 | SUNRISE | 26,896 | 8 km |
| 2003 | COONEY RIDGE | 25,741 | 93 km |
| 2017 | SHEEP GAP | 24,702 | 40 km |
| 2022 | ELMO | 22,148 | 86 km |
| 2012 | CEDAR | 21,305 | 95 km |
| 2003 | MINERAL-PRIMM (MINERAL AND PRIMM) | 20,888 | 81 km |
| 2023 | NIARADA | 20,686 | 77 km |
| 2000 | UPPER NINEMILE COMPLEX (NINE MILE) | 19,695 | 19 km |
| 2023 | RIVER ROAD EAST | 18,068 | 28 km |
| 2021 | STORM CREEK | 16,374 | 80 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 29°F (-2°C) | 1.6 in | |
| February | 28°F (-2°C) | 1.1 in | |
| March | 35°F (2°C) | 1.0 in | Driest |
| April | 42°F (5°C) | 1.1 in | |
| May | 50°F (10°C) | 1.9 in | Wettest |
| June | 57°F (14°C) | 1.9 in | |
| July | 70°F (21°C) | 1.0 in | Warmest |
| August | 64°F (18°C) | 1.1 in | |
| September | 55°F (13°C) | 1.2 in | |
| October | 44°F (7°C) | 1.0 in | |
| November | 33°F (1°C) | 1.3 in | |
| December | 25°F (-4°C) | 1.5 in | Coldest |
Riverbend has a seasonal temperature swing of 44°F / from 25°F in December to 70°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 15.7 inches, with May being the wettest month (1.9") and March the driest (1.0").