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Weather & Climate in Sula, MT
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Sula has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 42°F (6°C). Winters average 24°F in January while summers reach 63°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 16.2 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 4,483 feet.
Temperature
24°F Jan (-5°C)
63°F Jul (17°C)
| Annual Average | 42.0°F |
| 22% below US avg | |
| January Average | 24°F (-5°C) |
| July Average | 63°F (17°C) |
| Sunny Days | 311 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 4,483 ft (1,366 m) |
| Area | 3.3 sq mi (8.6 km²) |
| Population Density | 10/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 45.8462°N, 113.9575°W |
| Timezone | America/Denver |
| County | Ravalli County County |
| Nearest Airport | Missoula Montana (MSO) 74 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 26.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 78.5 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 45.2 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 27.3 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively High |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Very Low |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively High |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | Very Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | Relatively Moderate |
| Avalanche | Relatively High |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
375 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M5.6.
| Jul 26, 2005 | 16 km N of Dillon, Montana | M5.6 | 117 km | 13 km |
| Aug 20, 1999 | 22 km NW of Lima, Montana | M5.1 | 149 km | 16 km |
| Jan 3, 2015 | 9 km E of Challis, Idaho | M5.0 | 149 km | 9 km |
| Jul 6, 2017 | 15 km S of Lincoln, Montana | M5.0 | 146 km | 15 km |
| Apr 13, 2014 | 15 km NNW of Challis, Idaho | M4.8 | 139 km | 4 km |
| May 4, 1992 | 20 km E of Challis, Idaho | M4.6 | 149 km | 10 km |
| Apr 14, 2014 | 13 km NW of Challis, Idaho | M4.4 | 142 km | 7 km |
| Dec 28, 1991 | southern Idaho | M4.4 | 144 km | 5 km |
| Mar 22, 1992 | 11 km NE of Challis, Idaho | M4.3 | 141 km | 5 km |
| Oct 28, 1998 | 18 km S of Whitehall, Montana | M4.3 | 143 km | 5 km |
| Oct 7, 2024 | 11 km E of Dillon, Montana | M4.1 | 134 km | 17 km |
| Jun 7, 1994 | 21 km E of Challis, Idaho | M4.1 | 146 km | 5 km |
| Sep 3, 2016 | 16 km S of Whitehall, Montana | M4.0 | 143 km | 8 km |
| Jan 18, 2006 | 18 km NNE of Dillon, Montana | M4.0 | 125 km | 9 km |
| Aug 3, 1996 | 7 km E of Challis, Idaho | M4.0 | 149 km | 5 km |
| Apr 10, 2014 | 11 km NW of Challis, Idaho | M4.0 | 142 km | 7 km |
| Mar 6, 2009 | 18 km S of Whitehall, Montana | M4.0 | 143 km | 12 km |
| Jun 28, 2000 | 21 km SE of Clinton, Montana | M4.0 | 92 km | 10 km |
| Jul 27, 2005 | 18 km N of Dillon, Montana | M4.0 | 118 km | 5 km |
| Jul 28, 2014 | 13 km N of Dillon, Montana | M3.9 | 119 km | 10 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
15 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2. Total: 1 injury.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jun 23, 1975 | EF2 | 47 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 14, 1962 | EF2 | 66 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 3, 1988 | EF1 | 68 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Jun 15, 1987 | EF1 | 75 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 6, 1976 | EF1 | 69 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| May 29, 1965 | EF1 | 87 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 1, 1956 | EF1 | 72 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Aug 20, 2018 | EF0 | 48 km | 0.8 mi | 0 |
| Sep 15, 1997 | EF0 | 92 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| May 16, 1991 | EF0 | 39 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Aug 15, 1990 | EF0 | 66 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Oct 16, 1988 | EF0 | 47 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Aug 11, 1988 | EF0 | 87 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 14, 1962 | EF0 | 66 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 2, 1959 | EF0 | 93 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: MUSTANG COMPLEX (377,632 acres, 2012).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2012 | MUSTANG COMPLEX | 377,632 | 60 km |
| 2000 | CLEAR CREEK DIVIDE COMPLEX (CLEAR CREEK) | 170,322 | 78 km |
| 2022 | MOOSE | 142,221 | 62 km |
| 2000 | VALLEY COMPLEX (BEAR) | 118,045 | 20 km |
| 2017 | MEYERS | 68,711 | 35 km |
| 2007 | SAWMILL COMPLEX (WYMAN 2) | 68,236 | 74 km |
| 2000 | MUSSIGBROD COMPLEX (MUSSIGBROD) | 64,810 | 28 km |
| 2000 | SULA COMPLEX (MAYNARD) | 62,967 | 5 km |
| 2021 | TRAIL CREEK | 62,432 | 29 km |
| 2017 | LOLO PEAK | 62,316 | 94 km |
| 2007 | KRASSEL COMPLEX (TAG WFU) | 49,358 | 89 km |
| 2012 | PORCUPINE COMPLEX | 48,980 | 79 km |
| 1988 | GOLDEN | 48,138 | 95 km |
| 2013 | GOLD PAN COMPLEX | 43,216 | 56 km |
| 1988 | LADDER | 42,348 | 97 km |
| 1996 | SWET-WARRIOR COMPLEX (SWET CREEK) | 39,495 | 64 km |
| 2021 | ALDER CREEK | 38,189 | 63 km |
| 2007 | BRIDGE | 36,732 | 73 km |
| 2017 | LITTLE HOGBACK | 34,646 | 70 km |
| 2011 | SADDLE COMPLEX | 30,877 | 52 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 24°F (-5°C) | 1.1 in | |
| February | 25°F (-4°C) | 0.8 in | Driest |
| March | 31°F (-1°C) | 1.0 in | |
| April | 38°F (3°C) | 1.2 in | |
| May | 46°F (8°C) | 2.2 in | Wettest |
| June | 53°F (12°C) | 2.1 in | |
| July | 63°F (17°C) | 1.1 in | Warmest |
| August | 59°F (15°C) | 1.4 in | |
| September | 51°F (10°C) | 1.4 in | |
| October | 41°F (5°C) | 1.0 in | |
| November | 29°F (-2°C) | 1.0 in | |
| December | 21°F (-6°C) | 1.0 in | Coldest |
Sula has a seasonal temperature swing of 42°F / from 21°F in December to 63°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 15.2 inches, with May being the wettest month (2.2") and February the driest (0.8").