Montana Local Weather (2024)

FAQs

Where is the warmest place to live in Montana? ›

After the valleys of western Montana fill with cold air, prolonged cold spells can occur. January is the coldest month, although periods of subzero air occur occasionally in December and February. There are rare (and brief) subzero bouts in November and March.

The Bitterroot Valley is known as the “Banana Belt of Montana” as the weather is far less severe than in other parts of the state.

Severe weather reports include tornadoes, high winds, and/or large hail.

Bozeman has 60 miles of “Main Street To Mountains” trail system in town, surrounded by 6.9 million acres of public land. In winter Bozeman's Bridger Bowl ski area, and the resort town of Big Sky offer the Biggest Skiing In America. Bozeman is the sunniest city in Montana, averaging over 300 sunny days per year.

Cost of living: Montana's cost of living is generally lower than the national average, but it can vary depending on the location. Housing and healthcare costs, in particular, may be higher in certain areas.

While we are looking at temperatures, it's interesting to note that Cooke City on the southern fringes of the Beartooth Mountain Range boasts of Montana's coldest average temperature on a year-round basis, while Westby, hard up against the Dakota line in the far northeast corner, has our coldest average temperature for ...

Average highs are in the 80s in the summer but we occasionally get heat waves. Temperatures in the 90s are considered hot and temperatures in the low 100s are very rare but possible. September is a transition month. The month is dry and the daily temps are usually very pleasant with highs in the low 80s and 70s.

Layers, layers, layers

And this one should be your mantra. Start with a base layer, your second skin, that wicks away sweat (translation: not cotton), add to that a second layer that keeps you warm while still breathing (think fleece or wool), and an outer layer that protects you from the elements. Like snow.

Are Montana winters hard? ›

How cold does it get? In January, our average high temperature sits at 31 degrees Fahrenheit, with an average low of 16 degrees Fahrenheit. When you visit Montana, you should be prepared for cold weather, snow and ice. The most important part of being comfortable in the winter is being prepared.

Florida has a warmer climate than Montana, as it is closer to the equator, near the tropical region. Explanation: Florida has a mostly humid subtropical climate, except for the southern part beyond Lake Okeechobee which has tropical climate.

For the past 40 years, Montana has been one of the most at-risk states for suicide, with the second highest suicide death rate in the nation in 2022 at 32 deaths per 100,000 people. That's consistently twice the national average of 13 deaths per 100,000 people.

Probably the driest part of the state is along the Clark Fork of the Yellowstone River in Carbon County. In this area, 8 miles south-southwest of Belfry, the average precipitation for a 16-year period is 6.59 inches. The highest average in the state is 34.70 inches at Heron.

Billings is the largest city in Montana, with a population estimated at 117,116 as of 2020. Located in the south-central portion of the state, it is the seat of Yellowstone County and the principal city of the Billings Metropolitan Area, which has a population of 171,677. It has a trade area of over 500,000.

#1 BILLINGS

Billings enjoys 205 sunny days per year on average to take the top spot as the sunniest Montana city.

Great Falls and Billings are both among the best places to live in Montana for families. Both cities have a low cost of living and offer plenty of things for families and kids to do.

Dressing in layers is key to staying warm and dry. Start with a light, moisture-wicking fabric close to your skin, add an insulating layer like fleece or wool, and top it off with a waterproof or water-resistant outer layer to shield yourself from wind, rain, and snow.

Key Takeaways. Montana's cost of living is 2.2% higher than the national average. Bozeman is Montana's most expensive city. The cost of housing is higher than the national average in most cities in Montana.