Weather & Climate in South Hills, MT

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

South Hills 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 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 11.4 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 37.2 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 4,803 feet.

Temperature

23°F Jan (-5°C) 71°F Jul (21°C)

Annual Average	45.5°F
	16% below US avg
January Average	23°F (-5°C)
July Average	71°F (21°C)
Sunny Days	273 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	4,803 ft (1,464 m)
Area	5.9 sq mi (15.2 km²)
Population Density	108/sq mi
Coordinates	46.5564°N, 111.9975°W
Timezone	America/Denver
County	Broadwater County County
Nearest Airport	Helena Regional (HLN) 4 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 11.4"

70% below US avg

Snowfall 37.2"

Wettest Month (Jun) 1.89"

Driest Month (Feb) 0.35"

Air Quality

AQI Median	26.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Very Low
Risk Score	17.7 / 100
Social Vulnerability	52.9 / 100
Community Resilience	19.4 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Very Low
Earthquake	Relatively Low
Wildfire	Relatively Low
Flood	Very 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 Low
Landslide	Relatively Moderate
Avalanche	Relatively Moderate

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

Earthquake History

489 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	57 km	12 km
Jul 26, 2005	16 km N of Dillon, Montana	M5.6	141 km	13 km
Jul 6, 2017	15 km S of Lincoln, Montana	M5.0	58 km	15 km
Jul 6, 2017	14 km SE of Lincoln, Montana	M4.4	54 km	10 km
May 8, 2007	8 km NNW of Alder, Montana	M4.4	130 km	14 km
Jan 30, 2016	19 km E of Lincoln, Montana	M4.3	54 km	2 km
Oct 28, 1998	18 km S of Whitehall, Montana	M4.3	96 km	5 km
Aug 16, 2019	4 km NW of Manhattan, Montana	M4.2	89 km	2 km
Jun 18, 2006	6 km S of Pony, Montana	M4.1	106 km	12 km
Apr 8, 2000	8 km ENE of Townsend, Montana	M4.1	51 km	5 km
Aug 6, 2019	3 km NW of Manhattan, Montana	M4.1	90 km	5 km
Sep 3, 2016	16 km S of Whitehall, Montana	M4.0	93 km	8 km
Jul 19, 2002	43 km NE of Seeley Lake, Montana	M4.0	126 km	25 km
Nov 10, 2000	14 km NE of Townsend, Montana	M4.0	51 km	2 km
Jul 6, 2017	14 km SSE of Lincoln, Montana	M4.0	55 km	9 km
Jul 27, 2005	18 km N of Dillon, Montana	M4.0	139 km	5 km
Mar 6, 2009	18 km S of Whitehall, Montana	M4.0	95 km	12 km
Jun 28, 2000	21 km SE of Clinton, Montana	M4.0	118 km	10 km
Jul 17, 2017	12 km ESE of Lincoln, Montana	M4.0	56 km	13 km
Jan 18, 2006	18 km NNE of Dillon, Montana	M4.0	139 km	9 km

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

Tornado History

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

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Jun 30, 1975	EF2	76 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 5, 2012	EF1	87 km	2.8 mi	0
Jun 28, 1982	EF1	54 km	0.5 mi	0
Jul 3, 1978	EF1	94 km	1.0 mi	0
Jul 3, 1978	EF1	94 km	1.0 mi	0
Jul 3, 1978	EF1	94 km	1.0 mi	0
Sep 15, 1997	EF0	82 km	0.1 mi	0
Jul 2, 1997	EF0	91 km	0.1 mi	0
Jul 2, 1997	EF0	91 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 27, 1997	EF0	4 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 15, 1996	EF0	69 km	2.0 mi	0
May 17, 1994	EF0	77 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 21, 1993	EF0	41 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 11, 1993	EF0	5 km	0.1 mi	0
Jul 9, 1992	EF0	41 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 12, 1992	EF0	42 km	0.1 mi	0
Aug 11, 1988	EF0	93 km	2.0 mi	0
May 4, 1971	EF0	75 km	0.5 mi	0
May 17, 1962	EF0	72 km	0.1 mi	0
Jul 22, 1960	EF0	5 km	1.0 mi	0

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

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: CANYON CREEK (167,875 acres, 1988).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
1988	CANYON CREEK	167,875	95 km
2000	TOSTON-MAUDLOW	80,383	69 km
2021	WOODS CREEK	55,836	56 km
2003	LINCOLN COMPLEX (SNOWBANK)	36,987	76 km
1988	CANYON CREEK	35,865	20 km
2021	HARRIS MTN	31,792	67 km
2017	ALICE CREEK	29,971	73 km
1984	NORTH HILL	27,162	29 km
2000	CANYON FERRY COMPLEX (CAVE GULCH)	26,997	33 km
2021	HAYSTACK	26,118	48 km
2007	MERIWETHER	18,865	38 km
2017	PARK CREEK	17,915	78 km
2000	CANYON FERRY COMPLEX (BUCKSNORT)	14,843	22 km
1990	BEARTOOTH COMPLEX	13,462	48 km
2000	BOULDER COMPLEX (HIGH ORE ROAD)	9,625	31 km
2015	EUSTIS	8,469	71 km
2021	BALSINGER	8,317	98 km
2015	COTTONWOOD GULCH	8,100	85 km
2017	CHINN MA	7,029	89 km
2009	INDIAN TRAIL	4,592	48 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	23°F (-5°C)	0.6 in
February	26°F (-3°C)	0.4 in	Driest
March	35°F (2°C)	0.6 in
April	44°F (7°C)	0.9 in
May	53°F (11°C)	1.9 in
June	61°F (16°C)	1.9 in	Wettest
July	71°F (21°C)	1.3 in	Warmest
August	66°F (19°C)	1.3 in
September	56°F (13°C)	1.1 in
October	46°F (8°C)	0.7 in
November	33°F (0°C)	0.5 in
December	23°F (-5°C)	0.5 in	Coldest

South Hills has a seasonal temperature swing of 48°F / from 23°F in December to 71°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 11.5 inches, with June being the wettest month (1.9") and February the driest (0.4").

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