Weather & Climate in Three Forks, MT

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

Three Forks has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 45°F (7°C). Winters average 24°F in January while summers reach 69°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 13.0 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 4,076 feet.

Temperature

24°F Jan (-4°C) 69°F Jul (21°C)

Annual Average	45.4°F
	16% below US avg
January Average	24°F (-4°C)
July Average	69°F (21°C)
Sunny Days	311 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	4,076 ft (1,242 m)
Area	1.5 sq mi (3.9 km²)
Population Density	1,413/sq mi
Coordinates	45.8896°N, 111.5527°W
Timezone	America/Denver
County	Gallatin County County
Nearest Airport	Bozeman Yellowstone International (BZN) 21 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 13.0"

66% below US avg

Wettest Month (May) 2.13"

Driest Month (Feb) 0.28"

Air Quality

AQI Median	26.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Moderate
Risk Score	81.0 / 100
Social Vulnerability	10.6 / 100
Community Resilience	71.7 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

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

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

Earthquake History

869 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	135 km	12 km
Jul 26, 2005	16 km N of Dillon, Montana	M5.6	101 km	13 km
Jul 6, 2017	15 km S of Lincoln, Montana	M5.0	134 km	15 km
Mar 30, 2014	22 km S of Mammoth, Wyoming	M4.8	142 km	6 km
Feb 5, 2006	44 km NE of Spencer, Idaho	M4.4	136 km	14 km
May 8, 2007	8 km NNW of Alder, Montana	M4.4	71 km	14 km
Apr 5, 2011	28 km NNE of Spencer, Idaho	M4.4	148 km	12 km
Jul 6, 2017	14 km SE of Lincoln, Montana	M4.4	132 km	10 km
Jun 16, 2017	12 km E of Hebgen Lake Estates, Montana	M4.4	130 km	9 km
Jun 13, 2016	45 km W of Hebgen Lake Estates, Montana	M4.3	130 km	10 km
Jan 30, 2016	19 km E of Lincoln, Montana	M4.3	135 km	2 km
Oct 28, 1998	18 km S of Whitehall, Montana	M4.3	50 km	5 km
Nov 24, 2000	24 km S of Mammoth, Wyoming	M4.2	143 km	9 km
Aug 16, 2019	4 km NW of Manhattan, Montana	M4.2	15 km	2 km
Apr 8, 2000	8 km ENE of Townsend, Montana	M4.1	52 km	5 km
Jun 18, 2006	6 km S of Pony, Montana	M4.1	42 km	12 km
Aug 30, 1997	25 km WNW of Hebgen Lake Estates, Montana	M4.1	117 km	4 km
Aug 6, 2019	3 km NW of Manhattan, Montana	M4.1	15 km	5 km
Oct 7, 2024	11 km E of Dillon, Montana	M4.1	104 km	17 km
Sep 3, 2016	16 km S of Whitehall, Montana	M4.0	48 km	8 km

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

Tornado History

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

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Jul 2, 2010	EF2	92 km	2.1 mi	0
Jun 5, 2012	EF1	90 km	2.8 mi	0
Jun 15, 1960	EF1	43 km	1.3 mi	0
Aug 9, 2011	EF0	67 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 29, 1999	EF0	72 km	0.2 mi	0
Jul 2, 1997	EF0	17 km	0.1 mi	0
Jul 2, 1997	EF0	17 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 27, 1997	EF0	85 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 15, 1996	EF0	65 km	2.0 mi	0
May 17, 1994	EF0	7 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 11, 1993	EF0	86 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 29, 1992	EF0	53 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 12, 1992	EF0	48 km	0.1 mi	0
Jul 22, 1960	EF0	86 km	1.0 mi	0

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

Nearby Volcanoes

1 volcano within 200 km. Closest: Yellowstone (176 km).

Name	Type	Elevation	Last Eruption	Distance
Yellowstone	Caldera(s)	2,805 m (9,203 ft)	-1350	176 km

Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: TOSTON-MAUDLOW (80,383 acres, 2000).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2000	TOSTON-MAUDLOW	80,383	42 km
2021	WOODS CREEK	55,836	75 km
1988	CANYON CREEK	35,865	64 km
2001	FRIDLEY	27,575	73 km
2000	CANYON FERRY COMPLEX (CAVE GULCH)	26,997	90 km
2021	HAYSTACK	26,118	60 km
2021	AMERICAN FORK	20,726	100 km
2012	BEAR TRAP 2	14,875	30 km
2000	CANYON FERRY COMPLEX (BUCKSNORT)	14,843	78 km
2006	BIG CREEK	13,424	79 km
2013	MINER PARADISE COMPLEX	12,210	88 km
2012	MILLIE	10,497	64 km
2000	BOULDER COMPLEX (HIGH ORE ROAD)	9,625	65 km
2015	EUSTIS	8,469	18 km
2020	BRIDGER FOOTHILLS	8,291	52 km
2015	COTTONWOOD GULCH	8,100	17 km
2012	PINE CREEK	7,707	91 km
2017	CHINN MA	7,029	74 km
2018	MONUMENT	6,973	100 km
2001	PURDY CREEK	4,868	52 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	24°F (-4°C)	0.4 in	Coldest
February	30°F (-1°C)	0.3 in	Driest
March	36°F (2°C)	0.7 in
April	45°F (7°C)	0.9 in
May	53°F (12°C)	2.1 in	Wettest
June	62°F (17°C)	2.1 in
July	69°F (21°C)	1.2 in	Warmest
August	67°F (20°C)	1.1 in
September	57°F (14°C)	1.3 in
October	46°F (8°C)	0.8 in
November	33°F (0°C)	0.4 in
December	25°F (-4°C)	0.3 in

Three Forks has a seasonal temperature swing of 45°F / from 24°F in January to 69°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 11.7 inches, with May being the wettest month (2.1") and February the driest (0.3").

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