Weather & Climate in Waterton Lakes, AB
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Waterton Lakes has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 36°F (2°C). Winters average 17°F in January while summers reach 57°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 32.8 inches. The area receives 15.0 inches of snow annually. The city sits at an elevation of 4,281 feet.
Temperature
17°F Jan (-8°C)
57°F Jul (14°C)
| Annual Average | 36.4°F |
| 33% below US avg | |
| January Average | 17°F (-8°C) |
| July Average | 57°F (14°C) |
Geography
| Elevation | 4,281 ft (1,305 m) |
| Area | 0.4 sq mi (1.0 km²) |
| Population Density | 14/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 49.0825°N, 113.8691°W |
| Timezone | America/Edmonton |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
Earthquake History
108 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.6.
| Mar 4, 2000 | 35 km S of Pincher Creek, Canada | M4.6 | 15 km | 1 km |
| Mar 22, 2006 | 8 km SSW of Rexford, Montana | M4.3 | 101 km | 8 km |
| Jun 29, 1995 | 2 km NNW of Kila, Montana | M4.1 | 114 km | 5 km |
| May 2, 1995 | 2 km NW of Kila, Montana | M4.1 | 114 km | 9 km |
| Apr 15, 1998 | 11 km NE of Swan Lake, Montana | M4.1 | 120 km | 4 km |
| Apr 1, 1992 | 10 km ESE of Swan Lake, Montana | M4.0 | 134 km | 5 km |
| Feb 28, 2000 | 10 km NNE of Sparwood, Canada | M3.8 | 108 km | 10 km |
| Jul 2, 1992 | 4 km SSE of South Browning, Montana | M3.8 | 90 km | 10 km |
| May 1, 1997 | 35 km SSE of Magrath, Canada | M3.8 | 89 km | 5 km |
| May 2, 1995 | 3 km WNW of Kila, Montana | M3.8 | 115 km | 9 km |
| Aug 19, 1999 | 12 km ENE of Happys Inn, Montana | M3.7 | 135 km | 14 km |
| Feb 2, 1997 | 1 km NNE of Lindisfarne, Montana | M3.6 | 143 km | 5 km |
| May 10, 1990 | 47 km SSW of Heart Butte, Montana | M3.6 | 147 km | 5 km |
| Sep 29, 2009 | 42 km NW of Santa Rita, Montana | M3.6 | 90 km | 21 km |
| Apr 11, 2015 | 5 km NW of Columbia Falls, Montana | M3.5 | 80 km | 13 km |
| Jan 3, 2008 | 13 km SSE of Magrath, Canada | M3.5 | 83 km | 38 km |
| Jan 20, 2003 | 10 km S of Little Browning, Montana | M3.5 | 128 km | 1 km |
| Jul 18, 1991 | 14 km SSE of Swan Lake, Montana | M3.5 | 141 km | 5 km |
| Jun 30, 1995 | 3 km NW of Kila, Montana | M3.4 | 114 km | 9 km |
| Nov 21, 1992 | Western Montana | M3.4 | 29 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: MOOSE (73,210 acres, 2001).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2001 | MOOSE | 73,210 | 51 km |
| 2003 | ROBERT | 54,500 | 60 km |
| 2003 | WEDGE CANYON | 51,987 | 42 km |
| 2007 | SKYLAND | 41,237 | 98 km |
| 1988 | RED BENCH | 33,845 | 44 km |
| 2006 | RED EAGLE | 32,563 | 55 km |
| 2003 | RAMPAGE COMPLEX (DOUBLE MOUNTAIN 2) | 23,680 | 79 km |
| 2003 | BLACKFOOT LAKE COMPLEX (BLACKFOOT LAKE) | 18,274 | 94 km |
| 2015 | THOMPSON | 18,049 | 66 km |
| 2003 | TRAPPER CREEK FIRE (TRAPPER CREEK) | 18,028 | 34 km |
| 2017 | SPRAGUE | 16,897 | 54 km |
| 2018 | HOWE RIDGE | 14,747 | 51 km |
| 2021 | GREENHOUSE | 14,501 | 91 km |
| 2003 | TRAPPER CREEK FIRE (WOLF GUN) | 13,920 | 43 km |
| 1999 | ANACONDA | 11,452 | 46 km |
| 1994 | NORTH FORK COMPLEX (ADAIR II) | 10,329 | 44 km |
| 1994 | NORTH FORK COMPLEX (STARVATION) | 8,990 | 32 km |
| 1998 | KOOTENAI COMPLEX (MCDONALD) | 8,061 | 29 km |
| 1998 | CHALLENGE | 8,043 | 99 km |
| 2015 | MARSTON | 7,587 | 76 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 17°F (-8°C) | 2.3 in | Coldest |
| February | 21°F (-6°C) | 2.1 in | Driest |
| March | 26°F (-3°C) | 2.6 in | |
| April | 34°F (1°C) | 2.9 in | |
| May | 42°F (6°C) | 3.8 in | |
| June | 50°F (10°C) | 4.1 in | Wettest |
| July | 57°F (14°C) | 2.3 in | |
| August | 57°F (14°C) | 2.2 in | Warmest |
| September | 48°F (9°C) | 2.5 in | |
| October | 39°F (4°C) | 2.7 in | |
| November | 27°F (-3°C) | 3.0 in | |
| December | 20°F (-7°C) | 2.2 in |
Waterton Lakes has a seasonal temperature swing of 40°F / from 17°F in January to 57°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 32.8 inches, with June being the wettest month (4.1") and February the driest (2.1").