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Weather & Climate in Saco, MT
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Saco has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 42°F (6°C). Winters average 14°F in January while summers reach 69°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 13.4 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 2,182 feet.
Temperature
14°F Jan (-10°C)
69°F Jul (21°C)
| Annual Average | 42.0°F |
| 22% below US avg | |
| January Average | 14°F (-10°C) |
| July Average | 69°F (21°C) |
| Sunny Days | 274 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 2,182 ft (665 m) |
| Area | 0.3 sq mi (0.8 km²) |
| Population Density | 513/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 48.4571°N, 107.3413°W |
| Timezone | America/Denver |
| County | Phillips County County |
| Nearest Airport | Sidney-Richland Regional (SDY) 154 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 26.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 34.5 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 80.9 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 17.7 / 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 Moderate |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | Very Low |
| Drought | Very Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| 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: M3.0.
| Dec 5, 1991 | 15 km WSW of Hays, Montana | M3.0 | 128 km | 10 km |
| Oct 16, 2011 | Eastern Montana | M2.7 | 140 km | 21 km |
| Jul 10, 2021 | 24 km SSE of Malta, Montana | M2.7 | 48 km | 10 km |
| Jul 15, 2015 | 48 km E of Zortman, Montana | M2.5 | 76 km | 23 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
53 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jul 18, 2022 | EF2 | 91 km | 8.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 25, 1975 | EF2 | 83 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 25, 1975 | EF2 | 99 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 11, 1972 | EF2 | 74 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Aug 4, 1962 | EF2 | 68 km | 42.9 mi | 0 |
| Jun 29, 2011 | EF1 | 8 km | 0.8 mi | 0 |
| Aug 10, 2007 | EF1 | 36 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 10, 2007 | EF1 | 75 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Jun 21, 1999 | EF1 | 82 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Jul 4, 1991 | EF1 | 19 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Jul 4, 1991 | EF1 | 65 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Jul 10, 1983 | EF1 | 40 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| May 25, 1980 | EF1 | 33 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 11, 1972 | EF1 | 86 km | 3.6 mi | 0 |
| Jun 18, 1958 | EF1 | 80 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 9, 1954 | EF1 | 87 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 12, 2024 | EF0 | 97 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 12, 2024 | EF0 | 74 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 12, 2024 | EF0 | 83 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| May 20, 2020 | EF0 | 71 km | 0.8 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: WELDER (32,985 acres, 2012).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2012 | WELDER | 32,985 | 93 km |
| 1990 | VETERANS | 23,660 | 90 km |
| 2006 | CHALK BUTTE (BLACK PULASKI COMPLEX) | 19,339 | 98 km |
| 2006 | FLAT TIRE (COMPLEX) | 17,467 | 86 km |
| 2006 | BLACK PULASKI (BLACK PULASKI COMPLEX) | 15,504 | 97 km |
| 2021 | DEVILS CREEK | 15,077 | 99 km |
| 2012 | ESTER LAKE | 10,898 | 80 km |
| 2005 | SHEEP | 6,874 | 87 km |
| 2017 | LOWER BLACK COULEE | 6,803 | 34 km |
| 2006 | LARB CREEK | 6,778 | 46 km |
| 1988 | LANGEN | 6,585 | 52 km |
| 2005 | HEARTLAND | 6,383 | 80 km |
| 2007 | BLACK COULEE | 5,613 | 40 km |
| 1998 | HERMAN RDG | 5,279 | 97 km |
| 2008 | KATHRYN | 3,971 | 59 km |
| 2006 | HOWARD | 3,884 | 95 km |
| 1995 | GRANT COUL | 3,690 | 38 km |
| 2020 | HILL | 3,175 | 76 km |
| 1990 | ADAMS | 3,072 | 99 km |
| 2001 | CASTLE | 3,021 | 73 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 14°F (-10°C) | 0.4 in | Coldest |
| February | 19°F (-7°C) | 0.2 in | Driest |
| March | 31°F (-0°C) | 0.5 in | |
| April | 44°F (7°C) | 0.9 in | |
| May | 55°F (13°C) | 2.1 in | |
| June | 64°F (18°C) | 2.5 in | Wettest |
| July | 69°F (21°C) | 1.9 in | Warmest |
| August | 69°F (21°C) | 1.2 in | |
| September | 57°F (14°C) | 1.1 in | |
| October | 46°F (8°C) | 0.7 in | |
| November | 28°F (-2°C) | 0.4 in | |
| December | 17°F (-9°C) | 0.4 in |
Saco has a seasonal temperature swing of 55°F / from 14°F in January to 69°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 12.2 inches, with June being the wettest month (2.5") and February the driest (0.2").