Weather & Climate in Whitewater, MT

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

Whitewater has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 42°F (5°C). Winters average 14°F in January while summers reach 68°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 12.6 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 22.9 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 2,372 feet.

Temperature

14°F Jan (-10°C) 68°F Jul (20°C)

Annual Average	41.6°F
	23% below US avg
January Average	14°F (-10°C)
July Average	68°F (20°C)
Sunny Days	274 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	2,372 ft (723 m)
Area	1.1 sq mi (2.7 km²)
Population Density	94/sq mi
Coordinates	48.7635°N, 107.6302°W
Timezone	America/Denver
County	Phillips County County
Nearest Airport	Sidney-Richland Regional (SDY) 174 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 12.6"

67% below US avg

Snowfall 22.9"

Wettest Month (Jun) 2.64"

Driest Month (Feb) 0.28"

Air Quality

AQI Median	26.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Very Low
Risk Score	34.5 / 100
Social Vulnerability	80.9 / 100
Community Resilience	17.7 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

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

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

Earthquake History

3 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.0.

Dec 5, 1991	15 km WSW of Hays, Montana	M3.0	130 km	10 km
Jul 10, 2021	24 km SSE of Malta, Montana	M2.7	69 km	10 km
Jul 15, 2015	48 km E of Zortman, Montana	M2.5	101 km	23 km

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

Tornado History

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

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Jun 11, 1972	EF2	91 km	0.3 mi	0
Aug 4, 1962	EF2	83 km	42.9 mi	0
Jun 29, 2011	EF1	34 km	0.8 mi	0
Aug 10, 2007	EF1	62 km	0.1 mi	0
Aug 10, 2007	EF1	87 km	0.3 mi	0
Jun 21, 1999	EF1	91 km	0.2 mi	0
Jul 4, 1991	EF1	26 km	0.2 mi	0
Jul 4, 1991	EF1	22 km	0.2 mi	0
Jul 10, 1983	EF1	78 km	1.0 mi	0
May 25, 1980	EF1	68 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 11, 1972	EF1	91 km	3.6 mi	0
Jul 12, 2024	EF0	94 km	1.0 mi	0
Jul 31, 2014	EF0	63 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 29, 2011	EF0	86 km	0.0 mi	0
Jun 21, 2010	EF0	92 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 20, 2005	EF0	70 km	0.1 mi	0
Jul 8, 2002	EF0	51 km	0.1 mi	0
Jul 20, 2001	EF0	98 km	29.0 mi	0
Jul 10, 2000	EF0	66 km	0.5 mi	0
Jun 7, 2000	EF0	98 km	0.5 mi	0

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

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: WELDER (32,985 acres, 2012).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2012	WELDER	32,985	88 km
1990	VETERANS	23,660	95 km
2012	ESTER LAKE	10,898	94 km
2017	LOWER BLACK COULEE	6,803	51 km
2006	LARB CREEK	6,778	81 km
1988	LANGEN	6,585	72 km
2007	BLACK COULEE	5,613	58 km
2008	KATHRYN	3,971	54 km
2006	HOWARD	3,884	87 km
1995	GRANT COUL	3,690	73 km
1990	ADAMS	3,072	99 km
1990	QUISNO	3,018	97 km
1997	HERD	2,259	87 km
2008	EAST UNIT CHARLIE	1,911	37 km
2017	TRIPLE CROSSING	1,804	91 km
2002	WHITEWATER	1,755	17 km
2022	MTBWR-FY22-RX	1,500	39 km
2017	SKYVIEW RIDGE	1,444	64 km
2005	BORDER	1,409	44 km
2021	LONG SPUR	1,369	61 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	14°F (-10°C)	0.4 in	Coldest
February	17°F (-8°C)	0.3 in	Driest
March	30°F (-1°C)	0.5 in
April	43°F (6°C)	0.8 in
May	54°F (12°C)	2.1 in
June	63°F (17°C)	2.6 in	Wettest
July	68°F (20°C)	2.0 in
August	69°F (20°C)	1.1 in	Warmest
September	57°F (14°C)	1.1 in
October	45°F (7°C)	0.6 in
November	27°F (-3°C)	0.5 in
December	15°F (-10°C)	0.4 in

Whitewater has a seasonal temperature swing of 55°F / from 14°F in January to 69°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 12.4 inches, with June being the wettest month (2.6") and February the driest (0.3").

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