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Weather & Climate in Rocky Boy West, MT

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

Rocky Boy West has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 44°F (6°C). Winters average 18°F in January while summers reach 70°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 13.1 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 34.6 inches of snow annually, a moderate snowfall amount. 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 2,773 feet.

Temperature

18°F Jan (-8°C) 70°F Jul (21°C)
Annual Average43.5°F
19% below US avg
January Average18°F (-8°C)
July Average70°F (21°C)
Sunny Days274 days/yr

Geography

Elevation2,773 ft (845 m)
Area5.5 sq mi (14.1 km²)
Population Density166/sq mi
Coordinates48.2972°N, 109.9918°W
TimezoneAmerica/Denver
CountyHill County County
Nearest AirportGreat Falls International (GTF)
85 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 13.1"
65% below US avg
Snowfall 34.6"
Wettest Month (May) 2.72"
Driest Month (Feb) 0.47"

Air Quality

AQI Median26.0
RatingGood

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskRelatively Low
Risk Score50.5 / 100
Social Vulnerability67.1 / 100
Community Resilience38.1 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado Very Low
Earthquake Very Low
Wildfire Very Low
Flood Relatively Low
Hail Very Low
Strong Wind Very Low
Heat Wave Very Low
Winter Weather Relatively High
Lightning Relatively Moderate
Ice Storm Very Low
Drought Relatively Low
Cold Wave Relatively High
Landslide Very Low
Avalanche Very Low
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

4 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.9.

Aug 16, 1994 27 km W of Chester, Montana M3.9 101 km 5 km
Jun 5, 1991 18 km SW of Shelby, Montana M3.6 149 km 5 km
Dec 5, 1991 15 km WSW of Hays, Montana M3.0 90 km 10 km
Feb 25, 2013 28 km WSW of Chester, Montana M2.5 97 km 18 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Tornado History

29 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 7 injuries.

Date Rating Distance Path Fatalities
Jul 5, 1988 EF3 65 km 3.0 mi 0
Jul 5, 1988 EF3 36 km 12.0 mi 0
Jul 5, 1988 EF3 48 km 10.0 mi 0
Jul 8, 2002 EF1 64 km 2.0 mi 0
Jun 19, 1998 EF1 88 km 1.0 mi 0
Jun 16, 1995 EF1 79 km 0.1 mi 0
Jun 1, 1980 EF1 92 km 0.1 mi 0
May 25, 1980 EF1 80 km 0.1 mi 0
May 25, 1980 EF1 41 km 0.1 mi 0
May 24, 1977 EF1 65 km 0.1 mi 0
Jul 10, 1965 EF1 82 km 0.2 mi 0
Jul 1, 1962 EF1 27 km 3.8 mi 0
Aug 26, 2022 EF0 76 km 3.1 mi 0
Jun 23, 2018 EF0 96 km 1.4 mi 0
Jun 13, 2014 EF0 58 km 0.3 mi 0
Jun 5, 2012 EF0 31 km 1.1 mi 0
Jun 17, 2005 EF0 79 km 0.1 mi 0
Aug 5, 2002 EF0 95 km 4.0 mi 0
Jul 7, 1999 EF0 88 km 0.2 mi 0
Jun 18, 1999 EF0 64 km 0.5 mi 0
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: BLAINE C (138,192 acres, 1991).

Year Name Acres Burned Distance
1991 BLAINE C 138,192 59 km
2021 TAYLOR 21,704 93 km
2017 EAST FORK 21,165 32 km
2009 MEISSNER 12,318 97 km
1984 CENTENNIAL 11,775 18 km
2006 MAGGIE 8,187 83 km
2022 EAGLE CREEK 6,359 32 km
1988 LOSTCANYON 4,532 19 km
2008 CHOUTEAU CO COMPLEX 4,365 50 km
2003 LAKE17 4,054 89 km
2014 MIDDLE BLACK 3,854 85 km
2012 OUTHOUSE 3,179 47 km
1990 QUISNO 3,018 98 km
2007 CHOUTEAU CO ASST 2,646 71 km
2014 2 RAINTRAP PASTURE PRESCRIBED FIRE 2,311 82 km
2021 FOUR SISTERS 1,999 89 km
2011 WILD HORSE 1,882 86 km
2021 EAGLE BUTTE 1,817 50 km
2013 PEOPLES CREEK 1,623 90 km
1988 P N 1,533 70 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 18°F (-8°C) 0.7 in Coldest
February 22°F (-6°C) 0.5 in Driest
March 32°F (-0°C) 0.7 in
April 43°F (6°C) 1.1 in
May 53°F (12°C) 2.7 in Wettest
June 61°F (16°C) 2.6 in
July 70°F (21°C) 1.6 in Warmest
August 67°F (20°C) 1.6 in
September 56°F (13°C) 1.6 in
October 45°F (7°C) 0.8 in
November 31°F (-1°C) 0.5 in
December 22°F (-6°C) 0.6 in

Rocky Boy West has a seasonal temperature swing of 52°F / from 18°F in January to 70°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 15.0 inches, with May being the wettest month (2.7") and February the driest (0.5").

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