Climate Insights for Montana

The climate in Montana is temperate. The average annual temperature is 12°C and approximately 776mm of precipitation falls per year. Montana receives a notable amount of rainfall throughout the year, including during its driest month. Montana is in the Northern Hemisphere. Summer begins at the end of June and lasts through September. The summer months are: August, July, June. The coldest months are January, February, December, when temperatures can drop to -4°C. Snowfall occurs from January to December, with around 93cm accumulating over the season.

Temperatures in Montana vary considerably across the year, with a 33°C difference between the coldest and warmest months. The warmest month is August, when average highs reach 29°C and the mean temperature sits around 22°C. The coldest month is January, when overnight lows fall to -4°C and the daily average is 0°C. On average, daily temperatures fluctuate by about 11°C between overnight lows and afternoon highs. The sharpest temperature change occurs between September and October, with a 6°C shift in average temperatures.

Montana is a relatively dry area, receiving approximately 776mm of precipitation annually, which averages out to around 65mm per month. The wettest month is May, averaging 96mm of rainfall. June and March also tend to see above-average precipitation. The driest month is August, with just 37mm. That's 59mm less than May, the wettest month. Precipitation varies noticeably between seasons, with the first half (January to June) of the year generally seeing more rainfall. Snowfall is a regular feature from January to December, with around 93cm accumulating over the season. January typically sees the most snow at around 27cm.

Montana is relatively calm, with an average annual wind speed of 11km/h. For context, sustained winds below 12km/h are generally light, while anything above 25km/h is considered strong. The windiest month is April, averaging 12km/h, though still comfortable for most outdoor activities. The calmest conditions occur in November, with average winds dropping to 10km/h, making it an ideal period for wind-sensitive activities. Wind conditions are fairly consistent throughout the year, varying by only 2km/h between the calmest and windiest months.

It is currently spring in Montana, which began on March 20, 2026. Montana is in the Northern Hemisphere, where spring begins in March, summer in June, autumn in September, and winter in December. The warmest period peaks in August at around 29°C, while the coldest stretch bottoms out in January near -4°C. Summer is next, beginning on June 21, 2026 — 89 days from now.

The best time to visit Montana is during May, June, July, August and September, when the weather is most comfortable for travellers. During these months, average temperatures hover around 20°C with modest rainfall averaging 67mm per month. By contrast, January can be quite cold with temperatures dropping to -4°C. A light rain jacket is recommended, though showers are generally brief and shouldn't disrupt your plans.

The table below shows monthly climate averages for Montana based on historical weather data. Min and max temperatures represent typical overnight lows and afternoon highs for each month, shown in degrees Celsius (°C). Precipitation is measured in millimetres (mm) and indicates the average total rainfall per month. Snow is measured in centimetres (cm) and reflects average monthly snowfall accumulation. Wind speed is the average sustained speed in kilometres per hour (km/h). All values are based on averages from over 10 years of historical weather data. The current month is highlighted for quick reference.