January weather forecast
Montana, USA

January is the coldest month of the year in Montana, characterized by freezing temperatures and heavy snowfall. The climate varies across the state, with the eastern part experiencing more severe conditions due to the semi-arid, continental climate. The record low temperature for Montana, and the entire United States, was set in Rogers Pass at -70°F (-56.7°C) on January 20, 1954.

The average minimum temperature in January is 0°F (-17.8°C), and maximum temperatures usually do not exceed 30°F (-1.1°C). However, Chinook winds from the southwest can occasionally elevate temperatures in areas east of the mountains, even reaching the range of 50°F (10°C) to 60°F (15.6°C).

Comparatively, January is significantly colder than the adjacent months of December and February. The transition from December to January marks a noticeable drop in temperature, and the intense cold often continues into early February. Snowfall is substantial during January, particularly in mountainous regions, where it contributes to the yearly accumulation of up to 300" (7620mm). The towns in the prairie commonly register snowfall from 30" (762mm) to 50" (1270mm).

Weather variations between western and eastern Montana are pronounced in January, with the western part benefiting from the northern Pacific coastal climate, resulting in milder winters. In contrast, the eastern region's continental influence leads to more biting cold. Therefore, weather conditions can vary significantly within the state during this month, and the weather's distinct contrast underscores Montana's diverse climatic regions.

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• Billings - January »
  In Billings, in January, during 12.7 snowfall days, 5.35" (136mm) of snow is typically accumulated. In Billings, during January, the rain falls for 6.3 days and regularly aggregates up to 0.83" (21mm) of precipitation.
• Missoula - January »
  In Missoula, in January, during 8.8 snowfall days, 1.3" (33mm) of snow is typically accumulated. As Missoula, Montana's coldest month, January is characterized by heavy and frequent snowfall.
• Great Falls - January »
  January, February and December, with an average of 5.5h of sunshine, are months with the least sunshine in Great Falls, Montana. January through March, October through December, with an average maximum UV index of 2, are months with the lowest UV index in Great Falls, Montana.
• Bozeman - January »
  In Bozeman during January, snow falls for 19 days and regularly aggregates up to 11.97" (304mm) of snow. In Bozeman, Montana, in January, it is raining for 4.4 days, with typically 1.46" (37mm) of accumulated precipitation.
• Butte - January »
  January, November and December are months with the least rain in Butte, Montana, when the rain falls for 4.3 days and typically aggregates up to 0.67" (17mm) of rain. The months with the least rainfall in Butte are January, November and December Rain falls for 4.3 days and accumulates 0.67" (17mm) of rain.
• Helena - January »
  January and December are months with the least rain in Helena when the rain falls for 8.4 days and typically aggregates up to 0.63" (16mm) of rain. In January, the rain falls for 8.4 days.
• Kalispell - January »
  In Kalispell in January, snow falls for 20.6 days, with typically accumulated 11.3" (287mm) of snow. With an average relative humidity of 93%, January is the most humid month in Kalispell, Montana.
• Havre - January »
  In Havre in January, during 7.7 snowfall days, 8.58" (218mm) of snow is typically accumulated. January, February, November and December, with an average maximum UV index of 1, are months with the lowest UV index in Havre, Montana.
• Anaconda - January »
  January and December are months with the least rain in Anaconda, Montana, when the rain falls for 8.3 days and typically aggregates up to 0.94" (24mm) of rain. January and December are months with the least rain in Anaconda when the rain falls for 8.3 days and typically aggregates up to 0.94" (24mm) of rain.
• Miles City - January »
  January through March, November and December, with an average maximum UV index of 2, are months with the lowest UV index in Miles City, Montana. The weather in Miles City, Montana in January is characterized by some of the coldest temperatures of the year, with low temperatures averaging 15.1°F (-9.4°C), and high temperatures averaging 28.8°F (-1.8°C).
• Belgrade - January »
  The month with the least rainfall in Belgrade is January, when the rain falls for 5.4 days and typically collects 0.79" (20mm) of precipitation. In Belgrade, Montana, in January, snow falls for 16.5 days, with typically accumulated 6.18" (157mm) of snow.
• Livingston - January »
  January, on average, is the coldest month in Livingston, Montana, registering a high temperature of 35.1°F (1.7°C) and a low of 16°F (-8.9°C). On the first day of January in Livingston, Montana, sunrise is at 8:02 am and sunset at 4:48 pm.