Weather & Climate in Shepherd, MT

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

Shepherd experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 46°F (8°C). Winters average 23°F in January while summers reach 71°F in July. The area gets 311 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 14.4 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 34.4 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 3,111 feet.

Temperature

23°F Jan (-5°C) 71°F Jul (22°C)

Annual Average	46.1°F
	15% below US avg
January Average	23°F (-5°C)
July Average	71°F (22°C)
Sunny Days	311 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	3,111 ft (948 m)
Area	2.2 sq mi (5.7 km²)
Population Density	276/sq mi
Coordinates	45.9468°N, 108.3463°W
Timezone	America/Denver
County	Yellowstone County County
Nearest Airport	Billings Logan International (BIL) 13 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 14.4"

62% below US avg

Snowfall 34.4"

Wettest Month (May) 2.40"

Driest Month (Feb) 0.51"

Air Quality

AQI Median	26.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Moderate
Risk Score	83.6 / 100
Social Vulnerability	20.3 / 100
Community Resilience	82.3 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

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

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

Earthquake History

6 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.6.

Jul 6, 2021	27 km SSE of Melstone, Montana	M3.6	66 km	10 km
Dec 23, 1991	10 km SW of Colstrip, Montana	M3.6	127 km	5 km
Jul 21, 2023	Eastern Montana	M3.2	63 km	5 km
May 21, 2013	32 km NE of Melstone, Montana	M2.8	111 km	7 km
Jan 6, 2016	27 km ENE of Lovell, Wyoming	M2.6	112 km	12 km
Jun 2, 2019	14 km WSW of Birney, Montana	M2.6	149 km	5 km

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

Tornado History

39 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 3 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Jun 16, 1965	EF3	20 km	20.6 mi	0
Jun 20, 2010	EF2	18 km	0.7 mi	0
Jun 16, 2010	EF2	89 km	1.0 mi	0
May 4, 1986	EF2	49 km	0.1 mi	0
Jul 2, 1958	EF2	19 km	0.5 mi	0
May 21, 2016	EF1	39 km	2.0 mi	0
Jun 22, 1996	EF1	62 km	4.0 mi	0
Jul 9, 1991	EF1	63 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 21, 1991	EF1	24 km	0.2 mi	0
Jun 21, 1991	EF1	60 km	0.2 mi	0
May 24, 1990	EF1	99 km	0.2 mi	0
May 24, 1990	EF1	4 km	0.2 mi	0
Aug 12, 1958	EF1	45 km	0.5 mi	0
Jul 6, 1955	EF1	89 km	2.0 mi	0
Jul 6, 1955	EF1	8 km	2.0 mi	0
Jul 8, 2013	EF0	82 km	0.5 mi	0
Jun 6, 2011	EF0	8 km	0.3 mi	0
Jun 6, 2011	EF0	39 km	0.0 mi	0
Aug 11, 2005	EF0	55 km	9.0 mi	0
Aug 26, 2004	EF0	40 km	—	0

Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: HAWK CREEK (157,778 acres, 1984).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
1984	HAWK CREEK	157,778	35 km
2008	DUNN MTN. ASSIST	105,494	33 km
2006	PINE RIDGE COMPLEX	103,074	53 km
2006	BUNDY RAILROAD	91,575	38 km
2012	SARPY HILLS COMPLEX	83,942	91 km
2021	P F	66,375	71 km
2012	DELPHIA	40,396	54 km
2020	BOBCAT	31,020	40 km
1999	FISHEL CREEK	28,611	67 km
2021	MUSSELSHELL TRAIL RD	22,723	59 km
2012	DAHL	21,448	40 km
2022	BUSMAN ROAD	12,584	82 km
2020	GASS FLATS	10,723	86 km
1991	UNNAMED	9,027	87 km
2010	STUMP GULCH	8,873	80 km
1996	COLFAX	8,429	56 km
1994	GRIERSON	7,985	80 km
2003	JONNY	7,689	85 km
2006	BIRTHDAY2	6,553	70 km
1998	BURNT SHED	6,395	64 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	23°F (-5°C)	0.6 in	Coldest
February	29°F (-2°C)	0.5 in	Driest
March	37°F (3°C)	0.9 in
April	46°F (8°C)	1.6 in
May	55°F (13°C)	2.4 in	Wettest
June	65°F (18°C)	1.9 in
July	71°F (22°C)	1.3 in	Warmest
August	70°F (21°C)	1.0 in
September	59°F (15°C)	1.4 in
October	48°F (9°C)	1.1 in
November	34°F (1°C)	0.6 in
December	25°F (-4°C)	0.6 in

Shepherd has a seasonal temperature swing of 48°F / from 23°F in January to 71°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 14.0 inches, with May being the wettest month (2.4") and February the driest (0.5").

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