10 Montana Towns with the Best Climate

10 Montana Towns with the Best Climate

Where Montana's Winters Are (Relatively) Gentle

Let's be honest: Montana winters can be brutal. But not everywhere in the state gets hammered equally. Montana's western valleys, particularly along the Clark Fork and Bitterroot corridors, benefit from Pacific weather patterns that moderate winter temperatures. These towns offer the mildest Montana winters while still delivering four distinct seasons and plenty of sunshine.

#1
Big TimberThe Sweet Grass Jewel
Pop. 1,715

Big Timber enjoys January lows averaging 24°F and July highs around 85°F, with 16" of annual snowfall. At 4,091 feet in Sweet Grass County County, it benefits from Pacific-moderated weather patterns.

Jan Low: 24°F
Jul High: 85°F
Annual Snow: 16"
Precip: 16.1"
#2
Great FallsThe Electric City
Pop. 60,000

Great Falls enjoys January lows averaging 24°F and July highs around 85°F, with 17" of annual snowfall. At 3,340 feet in Cascade County County, it benefits from Pacific-moderated weather patterns.

Jan Low: 24°F
Jul High: 85°F
Annual Snow: 17"
Precip: 15.8"
#3
StevensvilleMontana's First Settlement
Pop. 1,337

Stevensville enjoys January lows averaging 25°F and July highs around 85°F, with 24" of annual snowfall. At 3,317 feet in Ravalli County County, it benefits from Pacific-moderated weather patterns.

Jan Low: 25°F
Jul High: 85°F
Annual Snow: 24"
Precip: 26.9"
#4
FrombergThe Rock Creek Gateway
Pop. 392

Fromberg enjoys January lows averaging 24°F and July highs around 88°F, with 16" of annual snowfall. At 3,524 feet in Carbon County County, it benefits from Pacific-moderated weather patterns.

Jan Low: 24°F
Jul High: 88°F
Annual Snow: 16"
Precip: 15.5"
#5
BridgerThe Heart of Clark's Fork Valley
Pop. 719

Bridger enjoys January lows averaging 23°F and July highs around 87°F, with 16" of annual snowfall. At 3,671 feet in Carbon County County, it benefits from Pacific-moderated weather patterns.

Jan Low: 23°F
Jul High: 87°F
Annual Snow: 16"
Precip: 15.2"
#6
LaurelThe City Between the Yellowstone and the Rimrocks
Pop. 7,215

Laurel enjoys January lows averaging 23°F and July highs around 88°F, with 15" of annual snowfall. At 3,307 feet in Yellowstone County County, it benefits from Pacific-moderated weather patterns.

Jan Low: 23°F
Jul High: 88°F
Annual Snow: 15"
Precip: 15.9"
#7
St. IgnatiusThe Mission Valley Gateway
Pop. 768

St. Ignatius enjoys January lows averaging 23°F and July highs around 84°F, with 17" of annual snowfall. At 2,936 feet in Lake County County, it benefits from Pacific-moderated weather patterns.

Jan Low: 23°F
Jul High: 84°F
Annual Snow: 17"
Precip: 21.9"
#8
JolietThe Carbon County Gateway
Pop. 613

Joliet enjoys January lows averaging 23°F and July highs around 87°F, with 17" of annual snowfall. At 3,734 feet in Carbon County County, it benefits from Pacific-moderated weather patterns.

Jan Low: 23°F
Jul High: 87°F
Annual Snow: 17"
Precip: 16.1"
#9
PolsonThe Jewel of Flathead Lake
Pop. 5,148

Polson enjoys January lows averaging 23°F and July highs around 83°F, with 17" of annual snowfall. At 2,930 feet in Lake County County, it benefits from Pacific-moderated weather patterns.

Jan Low: 23°F
Jul High: 83°F
Annual Snow: 17"
Precip: 20.9"
#10
GeraldineThe Square Butte Gateway
Pop. 317

Geraldine enjoys January lows averaging 23°F and July highs around 85°F, with 20" of annual snowfall. At 3,143 feet in Chouteau County County, it benefits from Pacific-moderated weather patterns.

Jan Low: 23°F
Jul High: 85°F
Annual Snow: 20"
Precip: 17.1"

How We Ranked These Towns

Ranked by a climate mildness score factoring in January average low temperature (higher is better, ×3), annual snowfall (lower is better, ×2), and July average high (moderate is best, ×1). Based on 5-year climate averages from Open-Meteo historical data.

Data last collected: Zillow Research (Jan 2026), U.S. Census ACS (Jan 2026), FBI UCR (Jan 2026), Montana OPI/NCES (Jan 2026), Montana DPHHS (Jan 2026), EPA NPL (Jan 2026). Rankings are updated when data is refreshed. Check individual town profiles for details.

Explore More Rankings

Most Affordable TownsBest Outdoor RecreationBest Ski TownsBest Fly Fishing TownsTowns Near Hot SpringsBest Small TownsNear Glacier & YellowstoneBest for RetireesBest for FamiliesBest for Young ProfessionalsBest Housing Availability
View All Rankings