Weather & Climate in Seeley Lake, MT

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

Seeley Lake has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 42°F (5°C). Winters average 22°F in January while summers reach 64°F in July. The area gets 276 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 21.6 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 118.9 inches of snow annually, making winter weather a significant factor for residents. 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 4,187 feet.

Temperature

22°F Jan (-6°C) 64°F Jul (18°C)

Annual Average	41.8°F
	23% below US avg
January Average	22°F (-6°C)
July Average	64°F (18°C)
Sunny Days	276 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	4,187 ft (1,276 m)
Area	12.5 sq mi (32.2 km²)
Population Density	109/sq mi
Coordinates	47.1705°N, 113.4586°W
Timezone	America/Denver
County	Missoula County County
Nearest Airport	Missoula Montana (MSO) 35 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 21.6"

43% below US avg

Snowfall 118.9"

Wettest Month (May) 2.60"

Driest Month (Jul) 1.30"

Air Quality

AQI Median	26.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Low
Risk Score	77.0 / 100
Social Vulnerability	10.6 / 100
Community Resilience	79.6 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Very Low
Earthquake	Relatively Moderate
Wildfire	Relatively Moderate
Flood	Relatively Low
Hail	Very Low
Strong Wind	Relatively Low
Heat Wave	Relatively Low
Winter Weather	Relatively Moderate
Lightning	Relatively Moderate
Ice Storm	Relatively High
Drought	Very Low
Cold Wave	Relatively High
Landslide	Relatively Moderate
Avalanche	Relatively High

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

370 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M5.8.

Jul 6, 2017	11 km SE of Lincoln, Montana	M5.8	74 km	12 km
Jul 6, 2017	15 km S of Lincoln, Montana	M5.0	72 km	15 km
Jul 6, 2017	14 km SE of Lincoln, Montana	M4.4	78 km	10 km
Jan 30, 2016	19 km E of Lincoln, Montana	M4.3	83 km	2 km
May 2, 1995	2 km NW of Kila, Montana	M4.1	132 km	9 km
Apr 15, 1998	11 km NE of Swan Lake, Montana	M4.1	96 km	4 km
Jun 29, 1995	2 km NNW of Kila, Montana	M4.1	131 km	5 km
Jun 28, 2000	21 km SE of Clinton, Montana	M4.0	61 km	10 km
Apr 1, 1992	10 km ESE of Swan Lake, Montana	M4.0	82 km	5 km
Jan 20, 1998	15 km SSE of Happys Inn, Montana	M4.0	148 km	7 km
Jul 6, 2017	14 km SSE of Lincoln, Montana	M4.0	75 km	9 km
Jul 19, 2002	43 km NE of Seeley Lake, Montana	M4.0	42 km	25 km
Jul 17, 2017	12 km ESE of Lincoln, Montana	M4.0	76 km	13 km
Jun 2, 1996	37 km N of Ovando, Montana	M3.9	37 km	5 km
Oct 19, 2017	12 km SE of Lincoln, Montana	M3.9	76 km	4 km
Apr 1, 1993	15 km E of Lincoln, Montana	M3.9	78 km	5 km
Mar 13, 2017	4 km ESE of Avon, Montana	M3.8	96 km	20 km
Jun 1, 1996	23 km N of Ovando, Montana	M3.8	23 km	10 km
Mar 21, 1992	20 km NE of Seeley Lake, Montana	M3.8	20 km	5 km
Jul 5, 2024	24 km ENE of Seeley Lake, Montana	M3.8	23 km	22 km

Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Tornado History

13 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Jul 2, 1966	EF2	95 km	0.8 mi	0
May 9, 2023	EF0	50 km	0.5 mi	0
Sep 1, 2011	EF0	80 km	0.7 mi	0
Jul 18, 2007	EF0	85 km	1.0 mi	0
Aug 7, 1995	EF0	39 km	0.1 mi	0
Jul 9, 1992	EF0	91 km	0.1 mi	0
Mar 3, 1991	EF0	44 km	0.1 mi	0
Aug 15, 1990	EF0	95 km	0.1 mi	0
Aug 11, 1988	EF0	86 km	2.0 mi	0
Jul 20, 1983	EF0	57 km	2.0 mi	0
May 4, 1971	EF0	69 km	0.5 mi	0
May 17, 1962	EF0	93 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 7, 1953	EF0	98 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: RICE RIDGE (171,473 acres, 2017).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2017	RICE RIDGE	171,473	21 km
1988	CANYON CREEK	167,875	54 km
2007	SAWMILL COMPLEX (WYMAN 2)	68,236	79 km
2017	LOLO PEAK	62,316	82 km
2015	BEAR CREEK	60,710	71 km
2007	FOOL CREEK	53,912	97 km
2007	AHORN	45,633	56 km
1988	GATES PARK	42,493	82 km
2003	LINCOLN COMPLEX (SNOWBANK)	36,987	64 km
2007	JOCKO LAKES	35,759	15 km
2017	LITTLE HOGBACK	34,646	83 km
2003	FISH CREEK COMPLEX (THOMPSON CREEK)	33,779	97 km
2003	LITTLE SALMON CREEK	33,044	49 km
2017	ALICE CREEK	29,971	77 km
2012	ELBOW PASS COMPLEX	28,989	49 km
2017	LIBERTY	27,731	23 km
2003	BARTLETT MOUNTAIN	27,614	35 km
2003	COONEY RIDGE	25,741	62 km
2007	CONGER CREEK	22,936	36 km
2000	MONTURE-SPREAD RIDGE (MONTURE)	22,493	24 km

Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	22°F (-6°C)	2.3 in
February	24°F (-5°C)	1.5 in
March	28°F (-2°C)	1.6 in
April	35°F (2°C)	1.7 in
May	43°F (6°C)	2.6 in	Wettest
June	51°F (11°C)	2.5 in
July	64°F (18°C)	1.3 in	Warmest, Driest
August	58°F (14°C)	1.5 in
September	49°F (10°C)	1.7 in
October	40°F (4°C)	1.5 in
November	27°F (-3°C)	1.9 in
December	19°F (-7°C)	2.2 in	Coldest

Seeley Lake has a seasonal temperature swing of 44°F / from 19°F in December to 64°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 22.3 inches, with May being the wettest month (2.6") and July the driest (1.3").

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