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Weather & Climate in Winston, MT

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

Winston has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 45°F (7°C). Winters average 24°F in January while summers reach 68°F in July. The area gets 273 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 10.6 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 23.7 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 4,456 feet.

Temperature

24°F Jan (-5°C) 68°F Jul (20°C)
Annual Average44.9°F
17% below US avg
January Average24°F (-5°C)
July Average68°F (20°C)
Sunny Days273 days/yr

Geography

Elevation4,456 ft (1,358 m)
Area5.2 sq mi (13.5 km²)
Population Density18/sq mi
Coordinates46.4684°N, 111.6652°W
TimezoneAmerica/Denver
CountyBroadwater County County
Nearest AirportHelena Regional (HLN)
18 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 10.6"
72% below US avg
Snowfall 23.7"
Wettest Month (Jun) 2.05"
Driest Month (Feb) 0.31"

Air Quality

AQI Median26.0
RatingGood

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskVery Low
Risk Score17.7 / 100
Social Vulnerability52.9 / 100
Community Resilience19.4 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado Very Low
Earthquake Relatively Low
Wildfire Relatively Low
Flood Very 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 Low
Landslide Relatively Moderate
Avalanche Relatively Moderate
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

481 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 83 km 12 km
Jul 26, 2005 16 km N of Dillon, Montana M5.6 143 km 13 km
Jul 6, 2017 15 km S of Lincoln, Montana M5.0 85 km 15 km
Jul 6, 2017 14 km SE of Lincoln, Montana M4.4 80 km 10 km
May 8, 2007 8 km NNW of Alder, Montana M4.4 125 km 14 km
Jan 30, 2016 19 km E of Lincoln, Montana M4.3 78 km 2 km
Oct 28, 1998 18 km S of Whitehall, Montana M4.3 93 km 5 km
Aug 16, 2019 4 km NW of Manhattan, Montana M4.2 68 km 2 km
Aug 6, 2019 3 km NW of Manhattan, Montana M4.1 70 km 5 km
Jun 18, 2006 6 km S of Pony, Montana M4.1 98 km 12 km
Apr 8, 2000 8 km ENE of Townsend, Montana M4.1 24 km 5 km
Sep 3, 2016 16 km S of Whitehall, Montana M4.0 90 km 8 km
Nov 10, 2000 14 km NE of Townsend, Montana M4.0 24 km 2 km
Jul 27, 2005 18 km N of Dillon, Montana M4.0 141 km 5 km
Mar 6, 2009 18 km S of Whitehall, Montana M4.0 92 km 12 km
Jul 6, 2017 14 km SSE of Lincoln, Montana M4.0 82 km 9 km
Jul 17, 2017 12 km ESE of Lincoln, Montana M4.0 82 km 13 km
Jan 18, 2006 18 km NNE of Dillon, Montana M4.0 140 km 9 km
Jul 19, 2002 43 km NE of Seeley Lake, Montana M4.0 150 km 25 km
Jun 28, 2000 21 km SE of Clinton, Montana M4.0 144 km 10 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Tornado History

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

Date Rating Distance Path Fatalities
Jul 2, 2010 EF2 99 km 2.1 mi 0
Jun 30, 1975 EF2 70 km 0.1 mi 0
Jun 5, 2012 EF1 62 km 2.8 mi 0
Jun 16, 2007 EF1 99 km 5.3 mi 0
Jun 28, 1982 EF1 77 km 0.5 mi 0
Jul 3, 1978 EF1 97 km 1.0 mi 0
Jul 3, 1978 EF1 97 km 1.0 mi 0
Jul 3, 1978 EF1 97 km 1.0 mi 0
Jun 15, 1960 EF1 97 km 1.3 mi 0
Aug 9, 2011 EF0 88 km 0.1 mi 0
Sep 15, 1997 EF0 98 km 0.1 mi 0
Jul 2, 1997 EF0 70 km 0.1 mi 0
Jul 2, 1997 EF0 70 km 0.1 mi 0
Jun 27, 1997 EF0 31 km 0.1 mi 0
Jun 15, 1996 EF0 42 km 2.0 mi 0
May 17, 1994 EF0 59 km 0.1 mi 0
Jun 21, 1993 EF0 57 km 0.1 mi 0
Jun 11, 1993 EF0 28 km 0.1 mi 0
Jul 9, 1992 EF0 67 km 0.1 mi 0
Jun 12, 1992 EF0 18 km 0.1 mi 0
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).

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 43 km
2021 WOODS CREEK 55,836 31 km
1988 CANYON CREEK 35,865 10 km
2021 HARRIS MTN 31,792 72 km
2017 ALICE CREEK 29,971 95 km
1984 NORTH HILL 27,162 41 km
2000 CANYON FERRY COMPLEX (CAVE GULCH) 26,997 26 km
2021 HAYSTACK 26,118 56 km
2007 MERIWETHER 18,865 48 km
2012 BEAR TRAP 2 14,875 95 km
2000 CANYON FERRY COMPLEX (BUCKSNORT) 14,843 13 km
1990 BEARTOOTH COMPLEX 13,462 56 km
1985 SANDPOINT 10,439 97 km
2000 BOULDER COMPLEX (HIGH ORE ROAD) 9,625 41 km
2015 EUSTIS 8,469 50 km
2021 BALSINGER 8,317 83 km
2020 BRIDGER FOOTHILLS 8,291 99 km
2015 COTTONWOOD GULCH 8,100 63 km
2017 CHINN MA 7,029 62 km
2009 INDIAN TRAIL 4,592 61 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 24°F (-5°C) 0.5 in Coldest
February 27°F (-3°C) 0.3 in Driest
March 35°F (2°C) 0.7 in
April 44°F (7°C) 0.9 in
May 53°F (11°C) 1.9 in
June 61°F (16°C) 2.1 in Wettest
July 68°F (20°C) 1.3 in Warmest
August 67°F (19°C) 1.3 in
September 57°F (14°C) 1.2 in
October 47°F (8°C) 0.7 in
November 34°F (1°C) 0.5 in
December 24°F (-4°C) 0.4 in

Winston has a seasonal temperature swing of 44°F / from 24°F in January to 68°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 11.8 inches, with June being the wettest month (2.1") and February the driest (0.3").

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