Climate in Montana

The climate varies considerably, because the state is so large and varies so much in elevation. Western Montana usually has cooler summers, milder winters, less wind, more cloudy days, and more rain then eastern Montana. This makes it easier for hunting guides and outfitters to offer better guided hunts. The average January temperature in western Montana is 22° F., and the average July temperature is 65° F.

Eastern Montana has great extremes of heat and cold, with an average January temperature of 12° F., and an average July temperature of 72° F. The state’s record high temperature of 117° F. was recorded at Glendive in July, 1893, and at Medicine Lake in July, 1937. Rogers Pass had the lowest temperature recorded in the United States, before Alaska became a state. The temperature at Rogers Pass fell to -70° F. in January, 1954.

Almost all Montana except the west edge has an annual rainfall of from 13 to 16 inches. The heaviest rains fall in the northwest. Saltese has an average of 34 inches annually. Montana’s plains and protected mountain valleys have the longest growing season. The state-wide growing season generally lasts from May 10th to October 1. The average annual snowfall is about 52 inches, but some areas receive less then 15 inches.