Weather & Climate in Willow Creek, MT

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

Willow Creek has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 43°F (6°C). Winters average 21°F in January while summers reach 67°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 15.5 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). 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 4,192 feet.

Temperature

21°F Jan (-6°C) 67°F Jul (19°C)

Annual Average	42.7°F
	21% below US avg
January Average	21°F (-6°C)
July Average	67°F (19°C)
Sunny Days	311 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	4,192 ft (1,278 m)
Area	2.7 sq mi (7.1 km²)
Population Density	59/sq mi
Coordinates	45.8097°N, 111.6489°W
Timezone	America/Denver
County	Gallatin County County
Nearest Airport	Bozeman Yellowstone International (BZN) 24 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 15.5"

59% below US avg

Wettest Month (May) 2.52"

Driest Month (Feb) 0.35"

Air Quality

AQI Median	26.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Moderate
Risk Score	81.0 / 100
Social Vulnerability	10.6 / 100
Community Resilience	71.7 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

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

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

Earthquake History

992 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M5.8.

Jul 6, 2017	11 km SE of Lincoln, Montana	M5.8	139 km	12 km
Jul 26, 2005	16 km N of Dillon, Montana	M5.6	90 km	13 km
Aug 20, 1999	22 km NW of Lima, Montana	M5.1	145 km	16 km
Jul 6, 2017	15 km S of Lincoln, Montana	M5.0	136 km	15 km
Mar 30, 2014	22 km S of Mammoth, Wyoming	M4.8	138 km	6 km
Apr 9, 2019	9 km NE of Lima, Montana	M4.6	141 km	14 km
Apr 5, 2011	28 km NNE of Spencer, Idaho	M4.4	138 km	12 km
May 8, 2007	8 km NNW of Alder, Montana	M4.4	60 km	14 km
Feb 5, 2006	44 km NE of Spencer, Idaho	M4.4	126 km	14 km
Jul 6, 2017	14 km SE of Lincoln, Montana	M4.4	135 km	10 km
Jun 16, 2017	12 km E of Hebgen Lake Estates, Montana	M4.4	124 km	9 km
Jun 13, 2016	45 km W of Hebgen Lake Estates, Montana	M4.3	120 km	10 km
Jan 30, 2016	19 km E of Lincoln, Montana	M4.3	140 km	2 km
Oct 28, 1998	18 km S of Whitehall, Montana	M4.3	39 km	5 km
Nov 24, 2000	24 km S of Mammoth, Wyoming	M4.2	139 km	9 km
Aug 16, 2019	4 km NW of Manhattan, Montana	M4.2	24 km	2 km
Aug 6, 2019	3 km NW of Manhattan, Montana	M4.1	24 km	5 km
Jun 18, 2006	6 km S of Pony, Montana	M4.1	30 km	12 km
Apr 8, 2000	8 km ENE of Townsend, Montana	M4.1	62 km	5 km
Aug 30, 1997	25 km WNW of Hebgen Lake Estates, Montana	M4.1	109 km	4 km

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

Tornado History

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

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
May 19, 1962	EF2	100 km	2.0 mi	0
May 29, 1965	EF1	100 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 15, 1960	EF1	47 km	1.3 mi	0
Aug 9, 2011	EF0	77 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 29, 1999	EF0	62 km	0.2 mi	0
Sep 15, 1997	EF0	97 km	0.1 mi	0
Jul 2, 1997	EF0	26 km	0.1 mi	0
Jul 2, 1997	EF0	26 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 27, 1997	EF0	91 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 15, 1996	EF0	77 km	2.0 mi	0
May 17, 1994	EF0	19 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 11, 1993	EF0	92 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 29, 1992	EF0	42 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 12, 1992	EF0	57 km	0.1 mi	0
Jul 22, 1960	EF0	92 km	1.0 mi	0

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

Nearby Volcanoes

1 volcano within 200 km. Closest: Yellowstone (172 km).

Name	Type	Elevation	Last Eruption	Distance
Yellowstone	Caldera(s)	2,805 m (9,203 ft)	-1350	172 km

Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: TOSTON-MAUDLOW (80,383 acres, 2000).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2000	TOSTON-MAUDLOW	80,383	54 km
2021	WOODS CREEK	55,836	86 km
1988	CANYON CREEK	35,865	71 km
2001	FRIDLEY	27,575	74 km
2000	CANYON FERRY COMPLEX (CAVE GULCH)	26,997	99 km
2021	HAYSTACK	26,118	59 km
2012	BEAR TRAP 2	14,875	22 km
2000	CANYON FERRY COMPLEX (BUCKSNORT)	14,843	86 km
2006	BIG CREEK	13,424	78 km
2013	MINER PARADISE COMPLEX	12,210	87 km
2012	MILLIE	10,497	63 km
2000	BOULDER COMPLEX (HIGH ORE ROAD)	9,625	67 km
2015	EUSTIS	8,469	29 km
2020	BRIDGER FOOTHILLS	8,291	57 km
2015	COTTONWOOD GULCH	8,100	28 km
2012	PINE CREEK	7,707	95 km
2017	CHINN MA	7,029	86 km
2018	MONUMENT	6,973	90 km
2001	PURDY CREEK	4,868	50 km
2020	STATE CREEK	4,549	53 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	21°F (-6°C)	0.5 in	Coldest
February	30°F (-1°C)	0.4 in	Driest
March	36°F (2°C)	0.9 in
April	44°F (7°C)	1.3 in
May	53°F (12°C)	2.5 in	Wettest
June	61°F (16°C)	2.4 in
July	67°F (19°C)	1.3 in
August	67°F (20°C)	1.3 in	Warmest
September	57°F (14°C)	1.5 in
October	47°F (8°C)	1.0 in
November	33°F (0°C)	0.6 in
December	26°F (-4°C)	0.4 in

Willow Creek has a seasonal temperature swing of 46°F / from 21°F in January to 67°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 13.9 inches, with May being the wettest month (2.5") and February the driest (0.4").

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