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Weather & Climate in Sleeping Buffalo, MT
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Sleeping Buffalo has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 45°F (7°C). Winters average 16°F in January while summers reach 73°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 13.3 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 2,244 feet.
Temperature
16°F Jan (-9°C)
73°F Jul (23°C)
| Annual Average | 45.1°F |
| 16% below US avg | |
| January Average | 16°F (-9°C) |
| July Average | 73°F (23°C) |
| Sunny Days | 274 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 2,244 ft (684 m) |
| Area | 0.2 sq mi (0.5 km²) |
| Population Density | 53/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 48.4822°N, 107.5349°W |
| Timezone | America/Denver |
| County | Phillips County County |
| Nearest Airport | Sidney-Richland Regional (SDY) 163 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 26.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 34.5 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 80.9 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 17.7 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Very Low |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | Very Low |
| Drought | Very Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | Very Low |
| Avalanche | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
4 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.0.
| Dec 5, 1991 | 15 km WSW of Hays, Montana | M3.0 | 117 km | 10 km |
| Oct 16, 2011 | Eastern Montana | M2.7 | 135 km | 21 km |
| Jul 10, 2021 | 24 km SSE of Malta, Montana | M2.7 | 41 km | 10 km |
| Jul 15, 2015 | 48 km E of Zortman, Montana | M2.5 | 72 km | 23 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
41 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jun 25, 1975 | EF2 | 97 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 11, 1972 | EF2 | 86 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Aug 4, 1962 | EF2 | 80 km | 42.9 mi | 0 |
| Jun 29, 2011 | EF1 | 16 km | 0.8 mi | 0 |
| Aug 10, 2007 | EF1 | 87 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Aug 10, 2007 | EF1 | 32 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 21, 1999 | EF1 | 93 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Jul 4, 1991 | EF1 | 11 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Jul 4, 1991 | EF1 | 56 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Jul 10, 1983 | EF1 | 54 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| May 25, 1980 | EF1 | 36 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 11, 1972 | EF1 | 96 km | 3.6 mi | 0 |
| Jun 18, 1958 | EF1 | 94 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 9, 1954 | EF1 | 100 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 12, 2024 | EF0 | 88 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 12, 2024 | EF0 | 96 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| May 20, 2020 | EF0 | 85 km | 0.8 mi | 0 |
| Jun 27, 2019 | EF0 | 96 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 31, 2014 | EF0 | 62 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 29, 2011 | EF0 | 56 km | 0.0 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: WELDER (32,985 acres, 2012).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2012 | WELDER | 32,985 | 80 km |
| 1990 | VETERANS | 23,660 | 79 km |
| 2006 | FLAT TIRE (COMPLEX) | 17,467 | 94 km |
| 2021 | PINE GROVE | 16,158 | 97 km |
| 2012 | ESTER LAKE | 10,898 | 72 km |
| 2005 | SHEEP | 6,874 | 89 km |
| 2017 | LOWER BLACK COULEE | 6,803 | 24 km |
| 2006 | LARB CREEK | 6,778 | 49 km |
| 1988 | LANGEN | 6,585 | 65 km |
| 2005 | HEARTLAND | 6,383 | 83 km |
| 2007 | BLACK COULEE | 5,613 | 32 km |
| 1988 | MONUMENT | 5,514 | 97 km |
| 1998 | HERMAN RDG | 5,279 | 99 km |
| 2008 | KATHRYN | 3,971 | 45 km |
| 2006 | HOWARD | 3,884 | 81 km |
| 1995 | GRANT COUL | 3,690 | 41 km |
| 2020 | HILL | 3,175 | 85 km |
| 1990 | ADAMS | 3,072 | 87 km |
| 2001 | CASTLE | 3,021 | 77 km |
| 1990 | QUISNO | 3,018 | 89 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 16°F (-9°C) | 0.4 in | |
| February | 19°F (-7°C) | 0.2 in | Driest |
| March | 32°F (-0°C) | 0.5 in | |
| April | 44°F (7°C) | 0.9 in | |
| May | 55°F (13°C) | 2.1 in | |
| June | 64°F (18°C) | 2.5 in | Wettest |
| July | 73°F (23°C) | 1.8 in | Warmest |
| August | 69°F (21°C) | 1.2 in | |
| September | 57°F (14°C) | 1.1 in | |
| October | 46°F (8°C) | 0.7 in | |
| November | 28°F (-2°C) | 0.4 in | |
| December | 16°F (-9°C) | 0.4 in | Coldest |
Sleeping Buffalo has a seasonal temperature swing of 56°F / from 16°F in December to 73°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 12.2 inches, with June being the wettest month (2.5") and February the driest (0.2").