Highwood has cold, snowy winters and pleasant summers, with very little rain
A typical July afternoon reaches 84°, a January night drops to 14°, and about 43 inches of snow falls in a normal winter.
A year in Highwood at a glance
Each month’s typical high and low, and what it brings.
What stands out about Highwood’s climate
Read from where Highwood sits among Montana’s towns. The page puts what stands out first.
Living with Highwood’s climate
What the numbers mean for a garden, a driveway, a furnace and a free afternoon.
149 frost-free days. The last frost comes by May 7 in half of years, so many gardeners wait a week or two past that to set out tomatoes. The first fall frost comes by Oct 2.
About 43" a winter over 18 days with an inch or more, most in March.
Months averaging under 55° run from October through May. Heating is 94% of the year’s heating-and-cooling load.
About 24 days a year reach 90°, and July afternoons average 84°.
The nicest months are June, July, August and September.
Parks & trails →Normals are averages. Ice storms, nor’easters, floods and heat waves are on the natural hazards page.
Natural hazards →Warmer than it used to be
The last 30 years in Highwood averaged 1.2° warmer than the 1900s. The biggest change is in January (+4.4°).
A smaller shift than in 55% of U.S. towns.
Change by month
What a year in Highwood feels like
Typical highs and lows by season and by month, from NOAA’s 30-year normals.
43 inches of snow, 16 of rain and melt
June is the wettest month and February the driest. Rain or snow falls on about 70 days a year.
Rain + melted snow by month
Inches of water
Snowfall by month
Inches of snow
About 149 frost-free days a year
In half of years the last 32° night comes by May 7 and the first by October 2.
Freezing nights by month
Average nights at or below 32°
90° days by month
Average days at 90° or more
How Highwood compares
Against every U.S. town on TownTapestry, each counted once, with its place in Montana.
Highwood weather by month
Average highs, lows, rain and snow for every month, from NOAA’s 1991–2020 normals.
| Month | High | Low | Rain + melt | Snow | Wet days | 30-yr range |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 35° | 14° | 0.6" | 7.1" | 5 | 12° – 37° |
| February | 37° | 16° | 0.5" | 6.9" | 5 | -1° – 39° |
| March | 46° | 23° | 0.6" | 7.5" | 5 | 18° – 43° |
| April | 55° | 31° | 1.7" | 5.3" | 8 | 38° – 48° |
| May | 65° | 40° | 2.7" | 1.6" | 9 | 48° – 58° |
| June | 73° | 48° | 3.1" | 0.2" | 10 | 58° – 65° |
| July | 84° | 53° | 1.6" | 0 | 6 | 59° – 76° |
| August | 83° | 52° | 1.3" | 0 | 5 | 62° – 72° |
| September | 72° | 44° | 1.5" | 0 | 5 | 54° – 64° |
| October | 58° | 33° | 1.1" | 2.1" | 5 | 36° – 52° |
| November | 44° | 24° | 0.7" | 6.1" | 4 | 23° – 43° |
| December | 36° | 16° | 0.6" | 5.7" | 4 | 14° – 36° |
| Year | 57° | 33° | 15.8" | 42.5" | 70 |
Heating and cooling a home in Highwood
94% of the work is heating, so the furnace matters far more than the air conditioner.
Degree days add up how far each day’s average falls below (heating) or rises above (cooling) 65° over a year. Source: NOAA station normals.
How much a month can swing
A normal is an average. February swings the most: from 1991 to 2020 its average ranged from -1° to 39°. June is the most reliable, staying within 8°.
Common questions about Highwood’s climate
What is the coldest month in Highwood?
January, with a typical high of 35° and a low of 14°.
What is the hottest month in Highwood?
July, with a typical high of 84° and a low of 53°. About 24 days a year reach 90°.
How much snow does Highwood get?
About 43 inches in a normal winter, most of it in March.
When is the first frost in Highwood?
In half of years the first 32° night comes by October 2, and the last spring frost by May 7.
What is the rainiest month in Highwood?
June, with 3.1 inches of rain and melted snow. The year totals 16 inches.
Neighbors talk weather
Gardens, snow, and the best days of the year in Highwood.
Your answer becomes a post in Town Square.
Temperatures and rainfall come from NOAA’s gridded climate normals for Highwood itself (about a 3-mile square). Snow, frost dates and day counts come from NOAA’s weather station at Carter 14 W, MT (25 mi, snow) and Highwood 7 Ne, MT (6 mi, frost, heat and degree days). Normals are 30-year averages, not a forecast. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020 and 1901–2000. Today’s forecast: National Weather Service.