Weather & Climate in Shelby, MT

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

Shelby has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 42°F (6°C). Winters average 19°F in January while summers reach 67°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 12.1 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 38.9 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 3,419 feet.

Temperature

19°F Jan (-7°C) 67°F Jul (19°C)

Annual Average	42.2°F
	22% below US avg
January Average	19°F (-7°C)
July Average	67°F (19°C)
Sunny Days	274 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	3,419 ft (1,042 m)
Area	6.0 sq mi (15.4 km²)
Population Density	541/sq mi
Coordinates	48.5021°N, 111.8620°W
Timezone	America/Denver
County	Toole County County
Nearest Airport	Cut Bank International (CTB) 25 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 12.1"

68% below US avg

Snowfall 38.9"

Wettest Month (Jun) 2.40"

Driest Month (Feb) 0.28"

Air Quality

AQI Median	26.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Very Low
Risk Score	13.0 / 100
Social Vulnerability	64.7 / 100
Community Resilience	19.8 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Very Low
Earthquake	Very Low
Wildfire	Very 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	Relatively Low
Cold Wave	Relatively Moderate
Landslide	Very Low
Avalanche	Very Low

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

Earthquake History

45 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.0.

Apr 15, 1998	11 km NE of Swan Lake, Montana	M4.1	150 km	4 km
Jul 19, 2002	43 km NE of Seeley Lake, Montana	M4.0	148 km	25 km
Aug 16, 1994	27 km W of Chester, Montana	M3.9	39 km	5 km
Jul 2, 1992	4 km SSE of South Browning, Montana	M3.8	84 km	10 km
May 1, 1997	35 km SSE of Magrath, Canada	M3.8	91 km	5 km
Jun 5, 1991	18 km SW of Shelby, Montana	M3.6	18 km	5 km
Sep 29, 2009	42 km NW of Santa Rita, Montana	M3.6	81 km	21 km
May 10, 1990	47 km SSW of Heart Butte, Montana	M3.6	111 km	5 km
Jan 20, 2003	10 km S of Little Browning, Montana	M3.5	35 km	1 km
Jan 3, 2008	13 km SSE of Magrath, Canada	M3.5	112 km	38 km
Aug 15, 1996	33 km WNW of Sweet Grass, Montana	M3.4	75 km	5 km
Aug 11, 1992	27 km W of Augusta, Montana	M3.4	132 km	5 km
Nov 17, 1992	39 km NNW of Santa Rita, Montana	M3.4	78 km	5 km
Jan 1, 1993	20 km WSW of Sweet Grass, Montana	M3.4	50 km	5 km
Jan 22, 1993	33 km SSE of Raymond, Canada	M3.4	88 km	5 km
Sep 7, 2014	36 km SSE of Magrath, Canada	M3.4	90 km	15 km
Nov 21, 1992	Western Montana	M3.4	140 km	5 km
Nov 6, 2002	3 km SSE of Little Browning, Montana	M3.4	36 km	1 km
Mar 5, 1995	2 km NW of Cut Bank, Montana	M3.3	40 km	10 km
Jul 31, 2009	41 km E of Swan Lake, Montana	M3.2	124 km	4 km

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

Tornado History

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

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
May 7, 1982	EF2	44 km	0.5 mi	0
Jun 13, 2006	EF1	60 km	10.0 mi	0
Jun 6, 1994	EF1	27 km	0.1 mi	0
May 25, 1980	EF1	64 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 1, 1977	EF1	29 km	0.1 mi	0
May 24, 1977	EF1	81 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 2, 1999	EF0	61 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 27, 1996	EF0	67 km	0.2 mi	0
Jun 6, 1994	EF0	9 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 21, 1993	EF0	1 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 26, 1992	EF0	92 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 29, 1991	EF0	57 km	0.2 mi	0
Jul 5, 1990	EF0	98 km	0.1 mi	0
Jul 5, 1988	EF0	98 km	0.2 mi	0
Jun 29, 1986	EF0	63 km	0.2 mi	0
May 7, 1982	EF0	44 km	0.1 mi	0
Aug 2, 1981	EF0	3 km	0.1 mi	0
Aug 2, 1981	EF0	3 km	0.1 mi	0
Jul 3, 1963	EF0	93 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 5, 1963	EF0	79 km	1.5 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	99 km
2015	FAMILY PEAK COMPLEX	49,769	87 km
2017	STRAWBERRY	17,781	91 km
2021	GREENHOUSE	14,501	74 km
2017	CRUCIFIXION CREEK	9,971	98 km
1993	FREEZEOUT LAKE	9,793	95 km
2012	WYE FIRE	6,141	72 km
2012	BOY	5,706	82 km
1996	SHARPSFIRE	4,461	78 km
2003	PARDUE	4,269	56 km
1991	POWER	3,822	86 km
1998	BOWL MTN.	3,251	98 km
1992	RDOORECMPX	3,088	73 km
2022	BENTON LAKE UNIT 3 AND 4B	2,996	99 km
2000	BUNYAN POINT-EAR MTN. COMPLEX (EAR MOUNTAIN)	2,660	92 km
2006	NANNY CREEK	2,343	88 km
2005	H RX F COMPLEX BROADCAST BURNS	1,747	98 km
1994	WALBERGERS	1,732	93 km
1992	POWER	1,290	85 km
2006	MISSION LAKE FIRE	1,100	61 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	19°F (-7°C)	0.4 in	Coldest
February	26°F (-3°C)	0.3 in	Driest
March	34°F (1°C)	0.6 in
April	44°F (7°C)	0.9 in
May	54°F (12°C)	2.2 in
June	62°F (17°C)	2.4 in	Wettest
July	67°F (19°C)	1.4 in
August	67°F (20°C)	1.5 in	Warmest
September	56°F (13°C)	1.1 in
October	46°F (8°C)	0.5 in
November	32°F (-0°C)	0.4 in
December	23°F (-5°C)	0.4 in

Shelby has a seasonal temperature swing of 48°F / from 19°F in January to 67°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 12.0 inches, with June being the wettest month (2.4") and February the driest (0.3").

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