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Weather & Climate in West Kootenai, MT
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
West Kootenai experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 47°F (8°C). Winters average 26°F in January while summers reach 70°F in July. The area gets 274 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 15.0 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 35.1 inches of snow annually, a moderate snowfall amount. 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 2,786 feet.
Temperature
26°F Jan (-3°C)
70°F Jul (21°C)
| Annual Average | 47.0°F |
| 13% below US avg | |
| January Average | 26°F (-3°C) |
| July Average | 70°F (21°C) |
| Sunny Days | 274 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 2,786 ft (849 m) |
| Area | 16.1 sq mi (41.6 km²) |
| Population Density | 25/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 48.9632°N, 115.2193°W |
| Timezone | America/Denver |
| County | Lincoln County County |
| Nearest Airport | Glacier Park International (FCA) 63 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 26.0 |
| Rating | Good |
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
103 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.7.
| Dec 22, 1998 | Idaho-Montana border region | M4.7 | 108 km | 12 km |
| Mar 4, 2000 | 35 km S of Pincher Creek, Canada | M4.6 | 90 km | 1 km |
| Mar 22, 2006 | 8 km SSW of Rexford, Montana | M4.3 | 15 km | 8 km |
| Jun 29, 1995 | 2 km NNW of Kila, Montana | M4.1 | 107 km | 5 km |
| May 2, 1995 | 2 km NW of Kila, Montana | M4.1 | 106 km | 9 km |
| Jan 20, 1998 | 15 km SSE of Happys Inn, Montana | M4.0 | 113 km | 7 km |
| Apr 24, 2015 | 8 km WSW of Hope, Idaho | M3.9 | 121 km | 17 km |
| Feb 5, 2023 | British Columbia, Canada | M3.9 | 136 km | 1 km |
| Feb 28, 2000 | 10 km NNE of Sparwood, Canada | M3.8 | 100 km | 10 km |
| May 2, 1995 | 3 km WNW of Kila, Montana | M3.8 | 107 km | 9 km |
| Aug 19, 1999 | 12 km ENE of Happys Inn, Montana | M3.7 | 95 km | 14 km |
| Apr 24, 2015 | 12 km SSW of East Hope, Idaho | M3.7 | 125 km | 9 km |
| Oct 26, 1999 | 23 km WNW of Niarada, Montana | M3.6 | 120 km | 12 km |
| Feb 2, 1997 | 1 km NNE of Lindisfarne, Montana | M3.6 | 147 km | 5 km |
| Jan 20, 2000 | 21 km ENE of Athol, Idaho | M3.5 | 139 km | 5 km |
| Apr 11, 2015 | 5 km NW of Columbia Falls, Montana | M3.5 | 95 km | 13 km |
| May 14, 2014 | 5 km NE of Happys Inn, Montana | M3.4 | 95 km | 15 km |
| Jun 30, 1995 | 3 km NW of Kila, Montana | M3.4 | 106 km | 9 km |
| Nov 21, 1992 | Western Montana | M3.4 | 113 km | 5 km |
| May 25, 1995 | 1 km N of Kila, Montana | M3.4 | 108 km | 9 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
1 tornado (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF0.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Sep 10, 2000 | EF0 | 89 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
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 | 89 km |
| 2003 | ROBERT | 54,500 | 96 km |
| 2003 | WEDGE CANYON | 51,987 | 62 km |
| 1988 | RED BENCH | 33,845 | 73 km |
| 2007 | BRUSH CREEK | 30,166 | 72 km |
| 2017 | CARIBOU | 28,101 | 10 km |
| 2022 | RUSSELL MOUNTAIN | 26,130 | 95 km |
| 2017 | WEST FORK | 21,154 | 57 km |
| 1994 | LITTLE WOLF | 15,714 | 79 km |
| 2003 | TRAPPER CREEK FIRE (WOLF GUN) | 13,920 | 93 km |
| 2021 | SOUTH YAAK | 12,866 | 64 km |
| 1999 | ANACONDA | 11,452 | 92 km |
| 1988 | DRY FORK | 11,403 | 59 km |
| 2000 | STONE YOUNG (STONE HILL) | 11,279 | 19 km |
| 1994 | NORTH FORK COMPLEX (ADAIR II) | 10,329 | 86 km |
| 1994 | NORTH FORK COMPLEX (STARVATION) | 8,990 | 68 km |
| 2000 | KOOTENAI COMPLEX (UPPER BEAVER) | 8,783 | 30 km |
| 1994 | KOOCANUSA COMPLEX (NORTH FORK BIG CREEK) | 8,475 | 30 km |
| 1998 | KOOTENAI COMPLEX (MCDONALD) | 8,061 | 99 km |
| 2015 | MARSTON | 7,587 | 39 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 26°F (-3°C) | 2.2 in | |
| February | 27°F (-3°C) | 1.6 in | |
| March | 33°F (1°C) | 1.5 in | |
| April | 41°F (5°C) | 1.4 in | Driest |
| May | 49°F (9°C) | 2.2 in | |
| June | 56°F (13°C) | 2.5 in | |
| July | 70°F (21°C) | 1.7 in | Warmest |
| August | 62°F (17°C) | 1.4 in | |
| September | 53°F (12°C) | 1.5 in | |
| October | 43°F (6°C) | 1.5 in | |
| November | 32°F (-0°C) | 2.6 in | Wettest |
| December | 24°F (-5°C) | 2.3 in | Coldest |
West Kootenai has a seasonal temperature swing of 46°F / from 24°F in December to 70°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 22.4 inches, with November being the wettest month (2.6") and April the driest (1.4").