Weather & Climate in Wise River, MT

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

Wise River has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 38°F (3°C). Winters average 20°F in January while summers reach 58°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 12.9 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 5,654 feet.

Temperature

20°F Jan (-7°C) 58°F Jul (15°C)

Annual Average	37.7°F
	30% below US avg
January Average	20°F (-7°C)
July Average	58°F (15°C)
Sunny Days	311 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	5,654 ft (1,723 m)
Area	0.7 sq mi (1.9 km²)
Population Density	32/sq mi
Coordinates	45.7944°N, 112.9438°W
Timezone	America/Denver
County	Silver Bow County County
Nearest Airport	Helena Regional (HLN) 73 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 12.9"

66% below US avg

Wettest Month (Jun) 2.20"

Driest Month (Feb) 0.47"

Air Quality

AQI Median	26.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Very Low
Risk Score	38.0 / 100
Social Vulnerability	17.0 / 100
Community Resilience	62.9 / 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 High
Lightning	Relatively Moderate
Ice Storm	Very Low
Drought	Very Low
Cold Wave	Relatively Moderate
Landslide	Relatively Moderate
Avalanche	Very Low

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

Earthquake History

621 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	124 km	12 km
Jul 26, 2005	16 km N of Dillon, Montana	M5.6	54 km	13 km
Aug 20, 1999	22 km NW of Lima, Montana	M5.1	113 km	16 km
Jul 6, 2017	15 km S of Lincoln, Montana	M5.0	115 km	15 km
Apr 9, 2019	9 km NE of Lima, Montana	M4.6	127 km	14 km
May 8, 2007	8 km NNW of Alder, Montana	M4.4	77 km	14 km
Jul 6, 2017	14 km SE of Lincoln, Montana	M4.4	122 km	10 km
Feb 5, 2006	44 km NE of Spencer, Idaho	M4.4	149 km	14 km
Apr 5, 2011	28 km NNE of Spencer, Idaho	M4.4	148 km	12 km
Jan 30, 2016	19 km E of Lincoln, Montana	M4.3	134 km	2 km
Oct 28, 1998	18 km S of Whitehall, Montana	M4.3	64 km	5 km
Aug 16, 2019	4 km NW of Manhattan, Montana	M4.2	123 km	2 km
Jul 14, 2023	3 km S of Lima, Montana	M4.2	135 km	12 km
Apr 8, 2000	8 km ENE of Townsend, Montana	M4.1	133 km	5 km
Jun 18, 2006	6 km S of Pony, Montana	M4.1	84 km	12 km
Aug 6, 2019	3 km NW of Manhattan, Montana	M4.1	123 km	5 km
Oct 7, 2024	11 km E of Dillon, Montana	M4.1	73 km	17 km
Sep 3, 2016	16 km S of Whitehall, Montana	M4.0	64 km	8 km
Feb 17, 1992	24 km NE of Lima, Montana	M4.0	123 km	10 km
Mar 10, 1996	17 km NNW of Lima, Montana	M4.0	115 km	8 km

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

Tornado History

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

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Jun 14, 1962	EF2	56 km	0.1 mi	0
May 19, 1962	EF2	58 km	2.0 mi	0
Jul 3, 1988	EF1	60 km	0.2 mi	0
Jun 28, 1982	EF1	71 km	0.5 mi	0
Jun 6, 1976	EF1	58 km	3.0 mi	0
May 29, 1965	EF1	22 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 1, 1956	EF1	100 km	0.5 mi	0
Aug 20, 2018	EF0	43 km	0.8 mi	0
Jul 10, 2016	EF0	68 km	0.0 mi	0
Sep 15, 1997	EF0	35 km	0.1 mi	0
Jul 19, 1997	EF0	64 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 29, 1992	EF0	97 km	0.1 mi	0
May 16, 1991	EF0	39 km	0.2 mi	0
Aug 11, 1988	EF0	72 km	2.0 mi	0
May 4, 1971	EF0	95 km	0.5 mi	0
Jul 14, 1962	EF0	56 km	0.1 mi	0
May 17, 1962	EF0	70 km	0.1 mi	0
Aug 2, 1959	EF0	47 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: VALLEY COMPLEX (BEAR) (118,045 acres, 2000).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2000	VALLEY COMPLEX (BEAR)	118,045	91 km
2017	MEYERS	68,711	52 km
2007	SAWMILL COMPLEX (WYMAN 2)	68,236	95 km
2000	MUSSIGBROD COMPLEX (MUSSIGBROD)	64,810	53 km
2000	SULA COMPLEX (MAYNARD)	62,967	79 km
2021	TRAIL CREEK	62,432	67 km
2021	ALDER CREEK	38,189	16 km
2017	LITTLE HOGBACK	34,646	87 km
2007	ROMBO MOUNTAIN	28,215	93 km
2021	HAYSTACK	26,118	68 km
2007	RAT CREEK	25,929	63 km
2000	TAYLOR SPRINGS FIRES	22,598	93 km
2000	VALLEY COMPLEX (COYOTE)	20,601	77 km
2022	TRAIL RIDGE	19,532	68 km
2006	CLARKS CANYON	14,848	84 km
2007	PATTENGAIL CREEK	13,471	22 km
2011	FORTY ONE COMPLEX	12,679	86 km
2005	SIGNAL ROCK	12,653	74 km
2000	MIDDLE FORK COMPLEX (COUGAR CREEK)	11,655	69 km
2018	GOLDSTONE	9,812	89 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	20°F (-7°C)	0.7 in
February	22°F (-6°C)	0.5 in	Driest
March	26°F (-3°C)	0.8 in
April	33°F (1°C)	1.1 in
May	41°F (5°C)	2.0 in
June	49°F (10°C)	2.2 in	Wettest
July	58°F (15°C)	1.3 in	Warmest
August	55°F (13°C)	1.5 in
September	47°F (8°C)	1.4 in
October	38°F (3°C)	0.8 in
November	27°F (-3°C)	0.8 in
December	19°F (-7°C)	0.8 in	Coldest

Wise River has a seasonal temperature swing of 39°F / from 19°F in December to 58°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 13.8 inches, with June being the wettest month (2.2") and February the driest (0.5").

View full profile of Wise River, MT →