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Weather & Climate in Sidney, MT
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Sidney has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 45°F (7°C). Winters average 17°F in January while summers reach 72°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 15.5 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 30.4 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 1,950 feet.
Temperature
17°F Jan (-8°C)
72°F Jul (22°C)
| Annual Average | 45.2°F |
| 16% below US avg | |
| January Average | 17°F (-8°C) |
| July Average | 72°F (22°C) |
| Sunny Days | 273 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,950 ft (594 m) |
| Area | 3.3 sq mi (8.5 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,895/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 47.7155°N, 104.1672°W |
| Timezone | America/Denver |
| County | Richland County County |
| Nearest Airport | Sidney-Richland Regional (SDY) 1 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 26.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 52.7 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 10.6 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 16.8 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively High |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
5 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.8.
| Feb 25, 2014 | 23 km N of Brockton, Montana | M3.8 | 89 km | 5 km |
| Jul 29, 1998 | 16 km WNW of Froid, Montana | M3.8 | 83 km | 5 km |
| Nov 11, 1998 | 10 km SW of Grenora, North Dakota | M3.5 | 93 km | 5 km |
| Sep 28, 2012 | 22 km ESE of Williston, North Dakota | M3.3 | 71 km | 5 km |
| May 6, 2014 | 12 km NNW of Knife River, Montana | M2.6 | 28 km | 8 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
84 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 2 fatalities, 42 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jun 29, 1961 | EF4 | 79 km | 15.9 mi | 0 |
| May 24, 1953 | EF3 | 82 km | 9.3 mi | 0 |
| Jul 19, 1952 | EF3 | 83 km | 16.4 mi | 1 |
| Jun 10, 1952 | EF3 | 73 km | 8.8 mi | 0 |
| Jul 9, 2018 | EF2 | 66 km | 0.5 mi | 1 |
| May 26, 2014 | EF2 | 66 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 27, 1982 | EF2 | 54 km | 0.4 mi | 0 |
| Jun 27, 1975 | EF2 | 69 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 25, 1975 | EF2 | 26 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 11, 1972 | EF2 | 49 km | 9.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 2, 1971 | EF2 | 87 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 21, 1969 | EF2 | 73 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 23, 1953 | EF2 | 92 km | 33.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 13, 1953 | EF2 | 77 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 1, 1952 | EF2 | 48 km | 9.7 mi | 0 |
| Jun 30, 2015 | EF1 | 27 km | 17.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 21, 1999 | EF1 | 46 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 11, 1984 | EF1 | 64 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 24, 1983 | EF1 | 99 km | 9.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 13, 1980 | EF1 | 55 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: GAP/ROUGH CREEK (53,708 acres, 1999).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 1999 | GAP/ROUGH CREEK | 53,708 | 26 km |
| 1988 | BAINVILLE | 12,790 | 40 km |
| 1999 | ROUGH CRK | 7,887 | 75 km |
| 2017 | YOOPER | 7,834 | 55 km |
| 1988 | MIKES CREEK | 5,309 | 85 km |
| 2021 | SMITH | 5,212 | 68 km |
| 2017 | MAGPIE FIRE | 5,056 | 68 km |
| 2021 | ROOSEVELT CREEK | 4,608 | 77 km |
| 2021 | HORSE PASTURE | 4,431 | 65 km |
| 2003 | 3 MILE | 3,394 | 70 km |
| 2015 | RIDGE ROAD | 3,390 | 90 km |
| 1988 | MONTANA LINE | 3,307 | 9 km |
| 1988 | CINNAMON CREEK | 3,204 | 48 km |
| 2021 | GREAT DIVIDE - DAWSON | 3,003 | 89 km |
| 2021 | ELKHORN | 2,784 | 66 km |
| 2021 | 13 MILE FIRE | 2,585 | 76 km |
| 2014 | 14 BEEF CORRAL WASH | 2,471 | 98 km |
| 2007 | W-RX-F SANDHILLS SUB UNIT B | 2,381 | 81 km |
| 1988 | FANTAIL | 2,341 | 63 km |
| 2021 | 744 | 2,268 | 100 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 17°F (-8°C) | 0.4 in | Coldest |
| February | 22°F (-6°C) | 0.3 in | Driest |
| March | 33°F (0°C) | 0.6 in | |
| April | 46°F (8°C) | 1.2 in | |
| May | 58°F (14°C) | 2.1 in | |
| June | 67°F (19°C) | 2.8 in | Wettest |
| July | 72°F (22°C) | 2.1 in | Warmest |
| August | 71°F (22°C) | 1.4 in | |
| September | 59°F (15°C) | 1.5 in | |
| October | 48°F (9°C) | 0.9 in | |
| November | 30°F (-1°C) | 0.5 in | |
| December | 18°F (-8°C) | 0.4 in |
Sidney has a seasonal temperature swing of 55°F / from 17°F in January to 72°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 14.2 inches, with June being the wettest month (2.8") and February the driest (0.3").