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Weather & Climate in Sapphire Ridge, MT
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Sapphire Ridge has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 41°F (5°C). Winters average 25°F in January while summers reach 61°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 16.8 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 4,892 feet.
Temperature
25°F Jan (-4°C)
61°F Jul (16°C)
| Annual Average | 40.6°F |
| 25% below US avg | |
| January Average | 25°F (-4°C) |
| July Average | 61°F (16°C) |
| Sunny Days | 273 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 4,892 ft (1,491 m) |
| Area | 0.5 sq mi (1.4 km²) |
| Population Density | 31/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 46.8866°N, 110.2522°W |
| Timezone | America/Denver |
| County | Meagher County County |
| Nearest Airport | Great Falls International (GTF) 67 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 26.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 2.8 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 51.2 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 15.5 / 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 | Very Low |
| Ice Storm | Very Low |
| Drought | Very Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Relatively Moderate |
| Avalanche | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
116 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.2.
| Aug 16, 2019 | 4 km NW of Manhattan, Montana | M4.2 | 140 km | 2 km |
| Aug 6, 2019 | 3 km NW of Manhattan, Montana | M4.1 | 140 km | 5 km |
| Apr 8, 2000 | 8 km ENE of Townsend, Montana | M4.1 | 107 km | 5 km |
| Nov 6, 1997 | 4 km WSW of Springhill, Montana | M4.0 | 135 km | 5 km |
| Jul 14, 2019 | 11 km NNE of Manhattan, Montana | M4.0 | 130 km | 6 km |
| Nov 10, 2000 | 14 km NE of Townsend, Montana | M4.0 | 101 km | 2 km |
| Feb 6, 1999 | 24 km E of Townsend, Montana | M3.9 | 93 km | 1 km |
| Jan 30, 2023 | 9 km NNW of Livingston, Montana | M3.8 | 130 km | 20 km |
| Feb 22, 2019 | 4 km N of Manhattan, Montana | M3.7 | 138 km | 6 km |
| May 24, 2000 | 9 km ENE of Townsend, Montana | M3.7 | 107 km | 3 km |
| Jan 2, 1990 | 6 km NNE of Toston, Montana | M3.7 | 114 km | 1 km |
| Jan 9, 2003 | 23 km E of Wilsall, Montana | M3.7 | 97 km | 11 km |
| Jan 16, 2011 | 10 km ENE of Marysville, Montana | M3.7 | 147 km | 15 km |
| Feb 4, 2016 | 5 km NW of Clancy, Montana | M3.7 | 143 km | 7 km |
| Aug 4, 2019 | 4 km WSW of Manhattan, Montana | M3.6 | 145 km | 5 km |
| Jul 23, 2014 | 11 km NNE of Toston, Montana | M3.6 | 110 km | 10 km |
| Jul 2, 1993 | 8 km N of Manhattan, Montana | M3.5 | 134 km | 5 km |
| Jan 17, 2004 | 4 km W of Radersburg, Montana | M3.5 | 135 km | 11 km |
| Nov 13, 1997 | 4 km WSW of Springhill, Montana | M3.4 | 135 km | 6 km |
| Aug 3, 2019 | 3 km NNW of Manhattan, Montana | M3.4 | 140 km | 3 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
58 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 6 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jul 5, 1988 | EF3 | 98 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 2, 2010 | EF2 | 80 km | 2.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 8, 2002 | EF2 | 79 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 14, 1999 | EF2 | 66 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 25, 1996 | EF2 | 67 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 24, 1994 | EF2 | 27 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 24, 1994 | EF2 | 27 km | 1.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 8, 1976 | EF2 | 53 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 30, 1975 | EF2 | 82 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 10, 1965 | EF2 | 15 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 20, 1964 | EF2 | 64 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 5, 2012 | EF1 | 60 km | 2.8 mi | 0 |
| Jun 16, 2007 | EF1 | 26 km | 5.3 mi | 0 |
| Apr 22, 2003 | EF1 | 29 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 23, 1998 | EF1 | 46 km | 3.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 19, 1998 | EF1 | 86 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| May 10, 1977 | EF1 | 28 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| May 10, 1977 | EF1 | 17 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 3, 1971 | EF1 | 38 km | 2.3 mi | 0 |
| Jun 29, 1961 | EF1 | 86 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 | 87 km |
| 1990 | TURKEY | 25,658 | 11 km |
| 2021 | TAYLOR | 21,704 | 82 km |
| 2021 | AMERICAN FORK | 20,726 | 80 km |
| 2021 | SOUTH MOCCASIN | 12,727 | 64 km |
| 2009 | MEISSNER | 12,318 | 62 km |
| 1985 | SANDPOINT | 10,439 | 21 km |
| 2021 | BALSINGER | 8,317 | 50 km |
| 2017 | CHINN MA | 7,029 | 75 km |
| 2020 | LOUSE CREEK | 5,237 | 43 km |
| 1988 | TWO DOT | 5,097 | 61 km |
| 1991 | BURNETTEPK | 4,644 | 76 km |
| 2020 | YOGO | 4,429 | 20 km |
| 2021 | DEEP CREEK CANYON | 4,282 | 89 km |
| 2017 | BLACKTAIL | 4,029 | 73 km |
| 1996 | COYOTE | 3,320 | 41 km |
| 2020 | EAGLE ROCK ROAD | 3,129 | 52 km |
| 2012 | ANDERSON | 2,917 | 96 km |
| 2020 | LODE ROAD | 2,736 | 47 km |
| 2001 | TWIN COULE | 2,688 | 87 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 25°F (-4°C) | 0.9 in | |
| February | 26°F (-4°C) | 0.6 in | Driest |
| March | 31°F (-1°C) | 1.1 in | |
| April | 38°F (4°C) | 1.5 in | |
| May | 47°F (9°C) | 3.4 in | Wettest |
| June | 56°F (13°C) | 3.1 in | |
| July | 61°F (16°C) | 2.0 in | |
| August | 62°F (17°C) | 1.9 in | Warmest |
| September | 53°F (12°C) | 1.8 in | |
| October | 43°F (6°C) | 1.0 in | |
| November | 31°F (-1°C) | 0.8 in | |
| December | 25°F (-4°C) | 0.8 in | Coldest |
Sapphire Ridge has a seasonal temperature swing of 37°F / from 25°F in December to 62°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 18.7 inches, with May being the wettest month (3.4") and February the driest (0.6").