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Weather & Climate in Santa Rita, MT
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Santa Rita has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 42°F (5°C). Winters average 22°F in January while summers reach 65°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 10.8 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 3,799 feet.
Temperature
22°F Jan (-6°C)
65°F Jul (18°C)
| Annual Average | 41.8°F |
| 23% below US avg | |
| January Average | 22°F (-6°C) |
| July Average | 65°F (18°C) |
| Sunny Days | 274 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 3,799 ft (1,158 m) |
| Area | 3.2 sq mi (8.3 km²) |
| Population Density | 10/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 48.6985°N, 112.3188°W |
| Timezone | America/Denver |
| County | Glacier County County |
| Nearest Airport | Cut Bank International (CTB) 7 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 26.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 51.5 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 99.2 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 28.2 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Very Low |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively High |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | Very Low |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively High |
| Landslide | Relatively Low |
| Avalanche | Relatively Moderate |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
60 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.6.
| Mar 4, 2000 | 35 km S of Pincher Creek, Canada | M4.6 | 136 km | 1 km |
| Apr 15, 1998 | 11 km NE of Swan Lake, Montana | M4.1 | 131 km | 4 km |
| Apr 1, 1992 | 10 km ESE of Swan Lake, Montana | M4.0 | 138 km | 5 km |
| Aug 16, 1994 | 27 km W of Chester, Montana | M3.9 | 76 km | 5 km |
| Jul 2, 1992 | 4 km SSE of South Browning, Montana | M3.8 | 55 km | 10 km |
| May 1, 1997 | 35 km SSE of Magrath, Canada | M3.8 | 54 km | 5 km |
| Sep 29, 2009 | 42 km NW of Santa Rita, Montana | M3.6 | 42 km | 21 km |
| May 10, 1990 | 47 km SSW of Heart Butte, Montana | M3.6 | 105 km | 5 km |
| Jun 5, 1991 | 18 km SW of Shelby, Montana | M3.6 | 43 km | 5 km |
| Apr 11, 2015 | 5 km NW of Columbia Falls, Montana | M3.5 | 145 km | 13 km |
| Jan 3, 2008 | 13 km SSE of Magrath, Canada | M3.5 | 76 km | 38 km |
| Jul 18, 1991 | 14 km SSE of Swan Lake, Montana | M3.5 | 145 km | 5 km |
| Jan 20, 2003 | 10 km S of Little Browning, Montana | M3.5 | 19 km | 1 km |
| Aug 11, 1992 | 27 km W of Augusta, Montana | M3.4 | 139 km | 5 km |
| Sep 7, 2014 | 36 km SSE of Magrath, Canada | M3.4 | 53 km | 15 km |
| Nov 6, 2002 | 3 km SSE of Little Browning, Montana | M3.4 | 11 km | 1 km |
| Aug 15, 1996 | 33 km WNW of Sweet Grass, Montana | M3.4 | 43 km | 5 km |
| Nov 21, 1992 | Western Montana | M3.4 | 102 km | 5 km |
| Jan 1, 1993 | 20 km WSW of Sweet Grass, Montana | M3.4 | 24 km | 5 km |
| Nov 17, 1992 | 39 km NNW of Santa Rita, Montana | M3.4 | 40 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
12 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| May 7, 1982 | EF2 | 37 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 13, 2006 | EF1 | 26 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 6, 1994 | EF1 | 13 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| May 25, 1980 | EF1 | 98 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 1, 1977 | EF1 | 12 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 6, 1994 | EF0 | 32 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 21, 1993 | EF0 | 41 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 29, 1991 | EF0 | 58 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Jun 29, 1986 | EF0 | 70 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| May 7, 1982 | EF0 | 37 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 2, 1981 | EF0 | 38 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 2, 1981 | EF0 | 38 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: FOOL CREEK (53,912 acres, 2007).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2007 | FOOL CREEK | 53,912 | 93 km |
| 2015 | FAMILY PEAK COMPLEX | 49,769 | 70 km |
| 2007 | SKYLAND | 41,237 | 77 km |
| 2006 | RED EAGLE | 32,563 | 82 km |
| 2003 | RAMPAGE COMPLEX (DOUBLE MOUNTAIN 2) | 23,680 | 100 km |
| 2017 | SCALP | 20,309 | 98 km |
| 2015 | THOMPSON | 18,049 | 93 km |
| 2017 | STRAWBERRY | 17,781 | 80 km |
| 2021 | GREENHOUSE | 14,501 | 41 km |
| 2017 | CRUCIFIXION CREEK | 9,971 | 80 km |
| 1998 | CHALLENGE | 8,043 | 88 km |
| 2012 | WYE FIRE | 6,141 | 40 km |
| 2002 | FOX CREEK | 5,949 | 76 km |
| 2012 | BOY | 5,706 | 46 km |
| 2015 | REYNOLDS | 4,789 | 92 km |
| 1996 | SHARPSFIRE | 4,461 | 44 km |
| 2003 | PARDUE | 4,269 | 21 km |
| 1984 | NAPI PEAK | 3,680 | 84 km |
| 2000 | MCDONALD II | 3,619 | 99 km |
| 2020 | DRUMMING | 3,617 | 86 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 22°F (-6°C) | 0.4 in | Coldest |
| February | 27°F (-3°C) | 0.3 in | Driest |
| March | 34°F (1°C) | 0.6 in | |
| April | 43°F (6°C) | 1.0 in | |
| May | 53°F (11°C) | 2.4 in | |
| June | 61°F (16°C) | 2.9 in | Wettest |
| July | 65°F (18°C) | 1.5 in | |
| August | 65°F (18°C) | 1.7 in | Warmest |
| September | 55°F (13°C) | 1.3 in | |
| October | 45°F (7°C) | 0.6 in | |
| November | 32°F (-0°C) | 0.4 in | |
| December | 24°F (-4°C) | 0.4 in |
Santa Rita has a seasonal temperature swing of 43°F / from 22°F in January to 65°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 13.5 inches, with June being the wettest month (2.9") and February the driest (0.3").