Weather & Climate in Sylvanite, MT
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Sylvanite experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 47°F (8°C). Winters average 28°F in January while summers reach 68°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 24.4 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 53.8 inches of snow annually, making winter weather a significant factor for residents. The city sits at an elevation of 2,690 feet.
Temperature
28°F Jan (-2°C)
68°F Jul (20°C)
| Annual Average | 46.8°F |
| 13% below US avg | |
| January Average | 28°F (-2°C) |
| July Average | 68°F (20°C) |
Geography
| Elevation | 2,690 ft (820 m) |
| Area | 5.7 sq mi (14.8 km²) |
| Population Density | 27/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 48.7063°N, 115.8740°W |
| Timezone | America/Denver |
| County | Lincoln County County |
| Nearest Airport | Glacier Park International (FCA) 79 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 64.3 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 87.2 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 13.7 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Moderate |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Very Low |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively High |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low |
| Drought | Very Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | Relatively Moderate |
| Avalanche | Relatively High |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
120 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.7.
| Dec 22, 1998 | Idaho-Montana border region | M4.7 | 93 km | 12 km |
| Mar 4, 2000 | 35 km S of Pincher Creek, Canada | M4.6 | 144 km | 1 km |
| Mar 22, 2006 | 8 km SSW of Rexford, Montana | M4.3 | 51 km | 8 km |
| Aug 17, 1994 | 1 km E of Mullan, Idaho | M4.1 | 137 km | 2 km |
| Jun 29, 1995 | 2 km NNW of Kila, Montana | M4.1 | 122 km | 5 km |
| May 2, 1995 | 2 km NW of Kila, Montana | M4.1 | 121 km | 9 km |
| Jan 20, 1998 | 15 km SSE of Happys Inn, Montana | M4.0 | 103 km | 7 km |
| Feb 5, 2023 | British Columbia, Canada | M3.9 | 139 km | 1 km |
| Apr 24, 2015 | 8 km WSW of Hope, Idaho | M3.9 | 67 km | 17 km |
| Feb 28, 2000 | 10 km NNE of Sparwood, Canada | M3.8 | 145 km | 10 km |
| May 2, 1995 | 3 km WNW of Kila, Montana | M3.8 | 120 km | 9 km |
| Apr 24, 2015 | 12 km SSW of East Hope, Idaho | M3.7 | 73 km | 9 km |
| Aug 19, 1999 | 12 km ENE of Happys Inn, Montana | M3.7 | 93 km | 14 km |
| Oct 26, 1999 | 23 km WNW of Niarada, Montana | M3.6 | 115 km | 12 km |
| Mar 14, 1997 | 1 km E of Mullan, Idaho | M3.6 | 138 km | 2 km |
| May 30, 1996 | 3 km SSW of Mullan, Idaho | M3.6 | 141 km | 1 km |
| Jan 20, 2000 | 21 km ENE of Athol, Idaho | M3.5 | 88 km | 5 km |
| Apr 11, 2015 | 5 km NW of Columbia Falls, Montana | M3.5 | 125 km | 13 km |
| Jun 28, 1997 | 3 km NNW of Mullan, Idaho | M3.4 | 134 km | 2 km |
| May 25, 1995 | 2 km NW of Kila, Montana | M3.4 | 121 km | 9 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
4 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2. Total: 1 injury.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Apr 9, 1991 | EF2 | 96 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| May 29, 1994 | EF1 | 69 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 19, 1978 | EF1 | 71 km | 1.9 mi | 0 |
| Jun 25, 2004 | EF0 | 73 km | 4.0 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950-2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: BRUSH CREEK (30,166 acres, 2007).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2007 | BRUSH CREEK | 30,166 | 86 km |
| 2017 | CARIBOU | 28,101 | 49 km |
| 2022 | RUSSELL MOUNTAIN | 26,130 | 48 km |
| 2015 | TOWER | 24,779 | 96 km |
| 2017 | WEST FORK | 21,154 | 29 km |
| 1994 | LITTLE WOLF | 15,714 | 89 km |
| 2017 | MOOSE PEAK | 14,085 | 99 km |
| 2021 | SOUTH YAAK | 12,866 | 14 km |
| 1984 | HOUGHTON CREEK II | 12,495 | 86 km |
| 1988 | DRY FORK | 11,403 | 65 km |
| 2000 | STONE YOUNG (STONE HILL) | 11,279 | 49 km |
| 2015 | NAPOLEON 1 | 9,727 | 66 km |
| 2000 | KOOTENAI COMPLEX (UPPER BEAVER) | 8,783 | 27 km |
| 2018 | COUGAR | 8,708 | 51 km |
| 1994 | KOOCANUSA COMPLEX (NORTH FORK BIG CREEK) | 8,475 | 28 km |
| 2015 | MARSTON | 7,587 | 80 km |
| 2021 | TRESTLE CREEK COMPLEX | 7,117 | 49 km |
| 2018 | DAVIS | 7,103 | 32 km |
| 1991 | UNNAMED | 7,096 | 4 km |
| 2018 | GOLD HILL | 6,780 | 29 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 28°F (-2°C) | 2.6 in | Coldest |
| February | 31°F (-0°C) | 1.9 in | |
| March | 39°F (4°C) | 2.4 in | |
| April | 46°F (8°C) | 1.7 in | |
| May | 55°F (13°C) | 1.8 in | |
| June | 61°F (16°C) | 2.5 in | |
| July | 68°F (20°C) | 0.9 in | Warmest |
| August | 67°F (19°C) | 0.7 in | Driest |
| September | 58°F (15°C) | 1.2 in | |
| October | 46°F (8°C) | 2.4 in | |
| November | 35°F (2°C) | 3.5 in | Wettest |
| December | 28°F (-2°C) | 2.8 in |
Sylvanite has a seasonal temperature swing of 40°F / from 28°F in January to 68°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 24.4 inches, with November being the wettest month (3.5") and August the driest (0.7").