Weather & Climate in Sun Prairie, MT

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

Sun Prairie has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 44°F (7°C). Winters average 23°F in January while summers reach 68°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 13.8 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 42.5 inches of snow annually, making winter weather a significant factor for residents. 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 3,343 feet.

Temperature

23°F Jan (-5°C) 68°F Jul (20°C)

Annual Average	43.9°F
	19% below US avg
January Average	23°F (-5°C)
July Average	68°F (20°C)
Sunny Days	273 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	3,343 ft (1,019 m)
Area	5.3 sq mi (13.7 km²)
Population Density	286/sq mi
Coordinates	47.5346°N, 111.4884°W
Timezone	America/Denver
County	Cascade County County
Nearest Airport	Great Falls International (GTF) 7 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 13.8"

64% below US avg

Snowfall 42.5"

Wettest Month (May) 2.48"

Driest Month (Feb) 0.43"

Air Quality

AQI Median	26.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Moderate
Risk Score	83.1 / 100
Social Vulnerability	27.1 / 100
Community Resilience	76.3 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

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

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

Earthquake History

302 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	110 km	12 km
Jul 6, 2017	15 km S of Lincoln, Montana	M5.0	120 km	15 km
Jul 6, 2017	14 km SE of Lincoln, Montana	M4.4	110 km	10 km
Jan 30, 2016	19 km E of Lincoln, Montana	M4.3	96 km	2 km
Apr 8, 2000	8 km ENE of Townsend, Montana	M4.1	133 km	5 km
Jul 17, 2017	12 km ESE of Lincoln, Montana	M4.0	107 km	13 km
Jul 19, 2002	43 km NE of Seeley Lake, Montana	M4.0	118 km	25 km
Jul 6, 2017	14 km SSE of Lincoln, Montana	M4.0	114 km	9 km
Nov 10, 2000	14 km NE of Townsend, Montana	M4.0	127 km	2 km
Jun 2, 1996	37 km N of Ovando, Montana	M3.9	119 km	5 km
Apr 1, 1993	15 km E of Lincoln, Montana	M3.9	98 km	5 km
Oct 19, 2017	12 km SE of Lincoln, Montana	M3.9	108 km	4 km
Aug 16, 1994	27 km W of Chester, Montana	M3.9	107 km	5 km
Feb 6, 1999	24 km E of Townsend, Montana	M3.9	133 km	1 km
Mar 13, 2017	4 km ESE of Avon, Montana	M3.8	134 km	20 km
Jun 1, 1996	23 km N of Ovando, Montana	M3.8	131 km	10 km
May 7, 1992	14 km NE of Seeley Lake, Montana	M3.8	142 km	5 km
Jul 5, 2024	24 km ENE of Seeley Lake, Montana	M3.8	132 km	22 km
Mar 21, 1992	20 km NE of Seeley Lake, Montana	M3.8	137 km	5 km
Apr 17, 2018	13 km ESE of Lincoln, Montana	M3.8	106 km	14 km

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

Tornado History

35 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2. Total: 5 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Jun 30, 1975	EF2	56 km	0.1 mi	0
Jul 2, 1966	EF2	61 km	0.8 mi	0
Jun 16, 2007	EF1	94 km	5.3 mi	0
Jul 3, 1998	EF1	6 km	0.5 mi	0
Jun 19, 1998	EF1	67 km	1.0 mi	0
Jul 5, 1988	EF1	15 km	0.2 mi	0
Jun 1, 1980	EF1	49 km	0.1 mi	0
Jul 3, 1978	EF1	23 km	1.0 mi	0
Jul 3, 1978	EF1	23 km	1.0 mi	0
Jul 3, 1978	EF1	23 km	1.0 mi	0
Jun 1, 1977	EF1	25 km	0.1 mi	0
Jul 10, 1965	EF1	59 km	0.2 mi	0
Jul 2, 1964	EF1	39 km	27.0 mi	0
Jun 22, 1962	EF1	32 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 29, 1961	EF1	33 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 29, 1960	EF1	52 km	0.3 mi	0
Jun 23, 2018	EF0	53 km	1.4 mi	0
Aug 5, 2002	EF0	81 km	5.0 mi	0
Jul 5, 2000	EF0	54 km	1.0 mi	0
Jul 7, 1999	EF0	97 km	0.2 mi	0

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

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: LINCOLN COMPLEX (SNOWBANK) (36,987 acres, 2003).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2003	LINCOLN COMPLEX (SNOWBANK)	36,987	99 km
2021	HARRIS MTN	31,792	49 km
2017	ALICE CREEK	29,971	84 km
1984	NORTH HILL	27,162	87 km
2000	CANYON FERRY COMPLEX (CAVE GULCH)	26,997	93 km
2007	MERIWETHER	18,865	78 km
1990	BEARTOOTH COMPLEX	13,462	67 km
2009	MEISSNER	12,318	92 km
1993	FREEZEOUT LAKE	9,793	53 km
2021	BALSINGER	8,317	75 km
2009	INDIAN TRAIL	4,592	70 km
2008	CHOUTEAU CO COMPLEX	4,365	92 km
2019	NORTH HILLS	4,149	92 km
2019	STUCKEY RD MA	4,073	11 km
1991	POWER	3,822	25 km
2002	PISHKUN	3,450	70 km
2012	MISSION ROAD	3,372	49 km
2008	UNIT 3 MARSH HAZ FUEL REDUCTION	3,333	19 km
1996	COYOTE	3,320	91 km
2021	ROCK CREEK	3,307	66 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	27°F (-3°C)	0.4 in	Driest
March	35°F (1°C)	0.9 in
April	44°F (7°C)	1.3 in
May	54°F (12°C)	2.5 in	Wettest
June	62°F (17°C)	2.3 in
July	68°F (20°C)	1.4 in	Warmest
August	67°F (20°C)	1.5 in
September	57°F (14°C)	1.2 in
October	47°F (8°C)	0.8 in
November	33°F (1°C)	0.6 in
December	25°F (-4°C)	0.6 in

Sun Prairie has a seasonal temperature swing of 45°F / from 23°F in January to 68°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 14.3 inches, with May being the wettest month (2.5") and February the driest (0.4").

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