All Countries
Weather & Climate in Whitefish, MT
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Whitefish has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 43°F (6°C). Winters average 22°F in January while summers reach 65°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 19.9 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 63.1 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 3,034 feet.
Temperature
22°F Jan (-5°C)
65°F Jul (19°C)
| Annual Average | 42.5°F |
| 21% below US avg | |
| January Average | 22°F (-5°C) |
| July Average | 65°F (19°C) |
| Sunny Days | 274 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 3,034 ft (925 m) |
| Area | 11.8 sq mi (30.6 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,149/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 48.4380°N, 114.3480°W |
| Timezone | America/Denver |
| County | Flathead County County |
| Nearest Airport | Glacier Park International (FCA) 10 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 26.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Moderate |
| Risk Score | 86.5 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 15.9 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 46.3 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Moderate |
| Wildfire | Relatively Moderate |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Very Low |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively High |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | Very Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively High |
| Landslide | Relatively Moderate |
| Avalanche | Very High |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
157 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.7.
| Dec 22, 1998 | Idaho-Montana border region | M4.7 | 81 km | 12 km |
| Mar 4, 2000 | 35 km S of Pincher Creek, Canada | M4.6 | 85 km | 1 km |
| Mar 22, 2006 | 8 km SSW of Rexford, Montana | M4.3 | 76 km | 8 km |
| May 2, 1995 | 2 km NW of Kila, Montana | M4.1 | 34 km | 9 km |
| Jun 29, 1995 | 2 km NNW of Kila, Montana | M4.1 | 35 km | 5 km |
| Apr 15, 1998 | 11 km NE of Swan Lake, Montana | M4.1 | 65 km | 4 km |
| Jan 20, 1998 | 15 km SSE of Happys Inn, Montana | M4.0 | 75 km | 7 km |
| Apr 1, 1992 | 10 km ESE of Swan Lake, Montana | M4.0 | 77 km | 5 km |
| Jul 19, 2002 | 43 km NE of Seeley Lake, Montana | M4.0 | 148 km | 25 km |
| Sep 26, 2004 | 14 km WSW of Pablo, Montana | M3.8 | 97 km | 17 km |
| Jul 2, 1992 | 4 km SSE of South Browning, Montana | M3.8 | 100 km | 10 km |
| May 1, 1997 | 35 km SSE of Magrath, Canada | M3.8 | 146 km | 5 km |
| May 2, 1995 | 3 km WNW of Kila, Montana | M3.8 | 36 km | 9 km |
| Oct 2, 1995 | 18 km E of Finley Point, Montana | M3.7 | 89 km | 5 km |
| Jan 13, 2010 | 36 km NE of Seeley Lake, Montana | M3.7 | 142 km | 21 km |
| Aug 19, 1999 | 12 km ENE of Happys Inn, Montana | M3.7 | 59 km | 14 km |
| May 10, 1990 | 47 km SSW of Heart Butte, Montana | M3.6 | 115 km | 5 km |
| Sep 29, 2009 | 42 km NW of Santa Rita, Montana | M3.6 | 141 km | 21 km |
| Feb 2, 1997 | 1 km NNE of Lindisfarne, Montana | M3.6 | 70 km | 5 km |
| Oct 26, 1999 | 23 km WNW of Niarada, Montana | M3.6 | 72 km | 12 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
6 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF0.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Nov 4, 2013 | EF0 | 56 km | 0.8 mi | 0 |
| Sep 1, 2011 | EF0 | 77 km | 0.7 mi | 0 |
| Apr 9, 2008 | EF0 | 24 km | 0.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 18, 2007 | EF0 | 87 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 18, 2007 | EF0 | 55 km | 8.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 10, 2000 | EF0 | 2 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: CHIPPY CREEK (95,656 acres, 2007).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2007 | CHIPPY CREEK | 95,656 | 79 km |
| 2001 | MOOSE | 73,210 | 30 km |
| 2015 | BEAR CREEK | 60,710 | 98 km |
| 2003 | ROBERT | 54,500 | 26 km |
| 2003 | WEDGE CANYON | 51,987 | 52 km |
| 2007 | SKYLAND | 41,237 | 86 km |
| 1988 | RED BENCH | 33,845 | 39 km |
| 2006 | RED EAGLE | 32,563 | 73 km |
| 2007 | BRUSH CREEK | 30,166 | 36 km |
| 2017 | CARIBOU | 28,101 | 95 km |
| 2003 | RAMPAGE COMPLEX (DOUBLE MOUNTAIN 2) | 23,680 | 56 km |
| 2015 | TRAIL CREEK | 22,338 | 89 km |
| 2022 | ELMO | 22,148 | 64 km |
| 2017 | WEST FORK | 21,154 | 93 km |
| 2023 | NIARADA | 20,686 | 71 km |
| 2003 | BLACKFOOT LAKE COMPLEX (BLACKFOOT LAKE) | 18,274 | 38 km |
| 2015 | THOMPSON | 18,049 | 59 km |
| 2003 | TRAPPER CREEK FIRE (TRAPPER CREEK) | 18,028 | 53 km |
| 2017 | SPRAGUE | 16,897 | 41 km |
| 1994 | LITTLE WOLF | 15,714 | 38 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 22°F (-5°C) | 2.2 in | Coldest |
| February | 26°F (-3°C) | 1.7 in | |
| March | 33°F (1°C) | 1.3 in | |
| April | 42°F (5°C) | 1.4 in | |
| May | 50°F (10°C) | 2.1 in | |
| June | 57°F (14°C) | 2.5 in | Wettest |
| July | 65°F (19°C) | 1.5 in | Warmest |
| August | 63°F (17°C) | 1.4 in | |
| September | 54°F (12°C) | 1.4 in | |
| October | 43°F (6°C) | 1.2 in | Driest |
| November | 31°F (-0°C) | 2.0 in | |
| December | 23°F (-5°C) | 2.2 in |
Whitefish has a seasonal temperature swing of 43°F / from 22°F in January to 65°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 20.9 inches, with June being the wettest month (2.5") and October the driest (1.2").