Weather & Climate in Virginia City, MT

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

Virginia City has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 44°F (7°C). Winters average 26°F in January while summers reach 66°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 15.7 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 64.7 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 5,914 feet.

Temperature

26°F Jan (-3°C) 66°F Jul (19°C)

Annual Average	43.9°F
	19% below US avg
January Average	26°F (-3°C)
July Average	66°F (19°C)
Sunny Days	311 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	5,914 ft (1,803 m)
Area	1.0 sq mi (2.5 km²)
Population Density	156/sq mi
Coordinates	45.2962°N, 111.9369°W
Timezone	America/Denver
County	Madison County County
Nearest Airport	Bozeman Yellowstone International (BZN) 51 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 15.7"

59% below US avg

Snowfall 64.7"

Wettest Month (May) 2.52"

Driest Month (Feb) 0.83"

Air Quality

AQI Median	26.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Very Low
Risk Score	41.0 / 100
Social Vulnerability	18.5 / 100
Community Resilience	40.9 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

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

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

Earthquake History

1,025 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	54 km	13 km
Aug 20, 1999	22 km NW of Lima, Montana	M5.1	88 km	16 km
Mar 30, 2014	22 km S of Mammoth, Wyoming	M4.8	114 km	6 km
Apr 9, 2019	9 km NE of Lima, Montana	M4.6	80 km	14 km
May 8, 2007	8 km NNW of Alder, Montana	M4.4	19 km	14 km
Feb 5, 2006	44 km NE of Spencer, Idaho	M4.4	68 km	14 km
Apr 5, 2011	28 km NNE of Spencer, Idaho	M4.4	77 km	12 km
Jun 16, 2017	12 km E of Hebgen Lake Estates, Montana	M4.4	91 km	9 km
Jun 13, 2016	45 km W of Hebgen Lake Estates, Montana	M4.3	64 km	10 km
Oct 28, 1998	18 km S of Whitehall, Montana	M4.3	48 km	5 km
Nov 24, 2000	24 km S of Mammoth, Wyoming	M4.2	115 km	9 km
Aug 16, 2019	4 km NW of Manhattan, Montana	M4.2	80 km	2 km
Jul 14, 2023	3 km S of Lima, Montana	M4.2	92 km	12 km
Jun 18, 2006	6 km S of Pony, Montana	M4.1	34 km	12 km
Apr 8, 2000	8 km ENE of Townsend, Montana	M4.1	123 km	5 km
Aug 6, 2019	3 km NW of Manhattan, Montana	M4.1	79 km	5 km
Oct 7, 2024	11 km E of Dillon, Montana	M4.1	44 km	17 km
Aug 30, 1997	25 km WNW of Hebgen Lake Estates, Montana	M4.1	61 km	4 km
Sep 3, 2016	16 km S of Whitehall, Montana	M4.0	50 km	8 km
Jan 18, 2006	18 km NNE of Dillon, Montana	M4.0	45 km	9 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
May 19, 1962	EF2	60 km	2.0 mi	0
May 29, 1965	EF1	82 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 15, 1960	EF1	81 km	1.3 mi	0
Aug 6, 2023	EF0	78 km	1.6 mi	0
Jul 10, 2016	EF0	57 km	0.0 mi	0
Jun 29, 1999	EF0	23 km	0.2 mi	0
Jul 19, 1997	EF0	72 km	0.1 mi	0
Jul 2, 1997	EF0	80 km	0.1 mi	0
Jul 2, 1997	EF0	80 km	0.1 mi	0
Sep 5, 1995	EF0	85 km	0.1 mi	0
May 17, 1994	EF0	80 km	0.1 mi	0
Jul 6, 1993	EF0	71 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 29, 1992	EF0	20 km	0.1 mi	0
Aug 2, 1959	EF0	82 km	0.1 mi	0

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

Nearby Volcanoes

1 volcano within 200 km. Closest: Yellowstone (139 km).

Name	Type	Elevation	Last Eruption	Distance
Yellowstone	Caldera(s)	2,805 m (9,203 ft)	-1350	139 km

Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: MAPLE (103,193 acres, 2016).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2016	MAPLE	103,193	98 km
2001	FRIDLEY	27,575	89 km
2021	HAYSTACK	26,118	99 km
1988	FAN	20,422	83 km
2012	BEAR TRAP 2	14,875	46 km
2006	CLARKS CANYON	14,848	68 km
2006	BIG CREEK	13,424	84 km
2013	MINER PARADISE COMPLEX	12,210	89 km
2003	WINSLOW	11,794	81 km
2012	MILLIE	10,497	70 km
2000	BEAVER CREEK	9,568	64 km
2015	EUSTIS	8,469	90 km
1988	SWEETWATER	8,405	42 km
2020	BRIDGER FOOTHILLS	8,291	93 km
2015	COTTONWOOD GULCH	8,100	85 km
2021	GOOSE	7,817	69 km
2018	MONUMENT	6,973	33 km
2018	BACON RIND	6,380	75 km
2013	EUREKA	6,213	51 km
2001	PURDY CREEK	4,868	63 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	26°F (-3°C)	1.1 in
February	21°F (-6°C)	0.8 in	Driest
March	26°F (-3°C)	1.3 in
April	33°F (1°C)	1.5 in
May	43°F (6°C)	2.5 in	Wettest
June	51°F (10°C)	2.5 in
July	66°F (19°C)	1.5 in	Warmest
August	58°F (14°C)	1.5 in
September	50°F (10°C)	1.5 in
October	40°F (4°C)	1.2 in
November	27°F (-3°C)	1.2 in
December	20°F (-7°C)	1.1 in	Coldest

Virginia City has a seasonal temperature swing of 47°F / from 20°F in December to 66°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 17.7 inches, with May being the wettest month (2.5") and February the driest (0.8").

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