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Weather & Climate in Swan Lake, MT
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Swan Lake has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 44°F (6°C). Winters average 24°F in January while summers reach 65°F in July. The area gets 253 sunny days per year, above the 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 4,632 feet.
Temperature
24°F Jan (-4°C)
65°F Jul (18°C)
| Annual Average | 43.5°F |
| 19% below US avg | |
| January Average | 24°F (-4°C) |
| July Average | 65°F (18°C) |
| Sunny Days | 253 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 4,632 ft (1,412 m) |
| Area | 7.6 sq mi (19.7 km²) |
| Population Density | 30/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 47.9361°N, 113.7997°W |
| Timezone | America/Denver |
| County | Missoula County County |
| Nearest Airport | Glacier Park International (FCA) 33 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 26.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 77.0 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 10.6 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 79.6 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Moderate |
| Wildfire | Relatively Moderate |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | Relatively High |
| Drought | Very Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively High |
| Landslide | Relatively Moderate |
| Avalanche | Relatively High |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
273 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 | 149 km | 12 km |
| Dec 22, 1998 | Idaho-Montana border region | M4.7 | 105 km | 12 km |
| Mar 4, 2000 | 35 km S of Pincher Creek, Canada | M4.6 | 138 km | 1 km |
| Mar 22, 2006 | 8 km SSW of Rexford, Montana | M4.3 | 143 km | 8 km |
| May 2, 1995 | 2 km NW of Kila, Montana | M4.1 | 56 km | 9 km |
| Jun 29, 1995 | 2 km NNW of Kila, Montana | M4.1 | 55 km | 5 km |
| Apr 15, 1998 | 11 km NE of Swan Lake, Montana | M4.1 | 9 km | 4 km |
| Jul 19, 2002 | 43 km NE of Seeley Lake, Montana | M4.0 | 80 km | 25 km |
| Jul 17, 2017 | 12 km ESE of Lincoln, Montana | M4.0 | 150 km | 13 km |
| Jan 20, 1998 | 15 km SSE of Happys Inn, Montana | M4.0 | 93 km | 7 km |
| Apr 1, 1992 | 10 km ESE of Swan Lake, Montana | M4.0 | 8 km | 5 km |
| Jun 28, 2000 | 21 km SE of Clinton, Montana | M4.0 | 147 km | 10 km |
| Apr 1, 1993 | 15 km E of Lincoln, Montana | M3.9 | 148 km | 5 km |
| Jun 2, 1996 | 37 km N of Ovando, Montana | M3.9 | 86 km | 5 km |
| Oct 19, 2017 | 12 km SE of Lincoln, Montana | M3.9 | 150 km | 4 km |
| Mar 21, 1992 | 20 km NE of Seeley Lake, Montana | M3.8 | 82 km | 5 km |
| May 7, 1992 | 14 km NE of Seeley Lake, Montana | M3.8 | 83 km | 5 km |
| May 2, 1995 | 3 km WNW of Kila, Montana | M3.8 | 56 km | 9 km |
| Jul 5, 2024 | 24 km ENE of Seeley Lake, Montana | M3.8 | 84 km | 22 km |
| Jun 1, 1996 | 23 km N of Ovando, Montana | M3.8 | 92 km | 10 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
9 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF0.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| May 9, 2023 | EF0 | 67 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Nov 4, 2013 | EF0 | 21 km | 0.8 mi | 0 |
| Sep 1, 2011 | EF0 | 25 km | 0.7 mi | 0 |
| Apr 9, 2008 | EF0 | 51 km | 0.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 18, 2007 | EF0 | 50 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 18, 2007 | EF0 | 26 km | 8.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 10, 2000 | EF0 | 67 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 7, 1995 | EF0 | 50 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Mar 3, 1991 | EF0 | 92 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: RICE RIDGE (171,473 acres, 2017).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2017 | RICE RIDGE | 171,473 | 87 km |
| 2007 | CHIPPY CREEK | 95,656 | 79 km |
| 2001 | MOOSE | 73,210 | 83 km |
| 2015 | BEAR CREEK | 60,710 | 31 km |
| 2003 | ROBERT | 54,500 | 72 km |
| 2007 | FOOL CREEK | 53,912 | 65 km |
| 2015 | FAMILY PEAK COMPLEX | 49,769 | 71 km |
| 2007 | AHORN | 45,633 | 76 km |
| 1988 | GATES PARK | 42,493 | 66 km |
| 2007 | SKYLAND | 41,237 | 62 km |
| 2007 | JOCKO LAKES | 35,759 | 82 km |
| 2003 | LITTLE SALMON CREEK | 33,044 | 52 km |
| 2006 | RED EAGLE | 32,563 | 87 km |
| 2007 | BRUSH CREEK | 30,166 | 90 km |
| 2012 | ELBOW PASS COMPLEX | 28,989 | 92 km |
| 2017 | LIBERTY | 27,731 | 95 km |
| 2003 | BARTLETT MOUNTAIN | 27,614 | 69 km |
| 2003 | RAMPAGE COMPLEX (DOUBLE MOUNTAIN 2) | 23,680 | 53 km |
| 2000 | MONTURE-SPREAD RIDGE (MONTURE) | 22,493 | 85 km |
| 2015 | TRAIL CREEK | 22,338 | 31 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 24°F (-4°C) | 2.8 in | |
| February | 24°F (-4°C) | 2.1 in | |
| March | 29°F (-2°C) | 2.0 in | |
| April | 37°F (3°C) | 2.0 in | |
| May | 45°F (7°C) | 2.8 in | |
| June | 53°F (12°C) | 2.9 in | Wettest |
| July | 65°F (18°C) | 1.5 in | Warmest, Driest |
| August | 59°F (15°C) | 1.8 in | |
| September | 50°F (10°C) | 2.0 in | |
| October | 41°F (5°C) | 2.0 in | |
| November | 28°F (-2°C) | 2.7 in | |
| December | 21°F (-6°C) | 2.7 in | Coldest |
Swan Lake has a seasonal temperature swing of 44°F / from 21°F in December to 65°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 27.1 inches, with June being the wettest month (2.9") and July the driest (1.5").