Sapphire Ridge has cold, snowy winters and pleasant summers, with very little rain
A typical July afternoon reaches 79°, a January night drops to 12°, and about 45 inches of snow falls in a normal winter.
A year in Sapphire Ridge at a glance
Each month’s typical high and low, and what it brings.
What stands out about Sapphire Ridge’s climate
Read from where Sapphire Ridge sits among Montana’s towns. The page puts what stands out first.
Living with Sapphire Ridge’s climate
What the numbers mean for a garden, a driveway, a furnace and a free afternoon.
77 frost-free days. The last frost comes by Jun 15 in half of years, so many gardeners wait a week or two past that to set out tomatoes. The first fall frost comes by Sep 4.
About 45" a winter over 19 days with an inch or more, most in January.
Months averaging under 55° run from September through June. Heating is 99% of the year’s heating-and-cooling load.
About 4 days a year reach 90°, and July afternoons average 79°.
The nicest months are June, July and August. 1.3 miles of trails are waiting.
Parks & trails →Normals are averages. Ice storms, nor’easters, floods and heat waves are on the natural hazards page.
Natural hazards →What a year in Sapphire Ridge feels like
Typical highs and lows by season and by month, from NOAA’s 30-year normals.
45 inches of snow, 18 of rain and melt
June is the wettest month and January the driest. Rain or snow falls on about 99 days a year.
Rain + melted snow by month
Inches of water
Snowfall by month
Inches of snow
About 77 frost-free days a year
In half of years the last 32° night comes by June 15 and the first by September 4.
Freezing nights by month
Average nights at or below 32°
90° days by month
Average days at 90° or more
Warmer than it used to be
The last 30 years in Sapphire Ridge averaged 1.6° warmer than the 1900s. The biggest change is in January (+5.0°).
A bigger shift than in 73% of U.S. towns.
Change by month
How Sapphire Ridge compares
Against every U.S. town on TownTapestry, each counted once, with its place in Montana.
Sapphire Ridge 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 | 36° | 12° | 0.6" | 8.1" | 6 | 14° – 31° |
| February | 37° | 13° | 0.6" | 5.9" | 6 | 10° – 35° |
| March | 44° | 19° | 1.0" | 6.7" | 7 | 21° – 38° |
| April | 51° | 25° | 1.9" | 7.5" | 10 | 32° – 43° |
| May | 61° | 34° | 3.1" | 1.7" | 13 | 43° – 53° |
| June | 69° | 41° | 3.3" | 0 | 12 | 50° – 60° |
| July | 79° | 46° | 1.5" | 0 | 9 | 53° – 70° |
| August | 79° | 44° | 1.6" | 0 | 9 | 55° – 66° |
| September | 69° | 37° | 1.5" | 0.2" | 7 | 48° – 59° |
| October | 55° | 28° | 1.3" | 3.1" | 8 | 33° – 47° |
| November | 43° | 20° | 0.7" | 5.5" | 6 | 24° – 41° |
| December | 36° | 13° | 0.6" | 5.8" | 6 | 16° – 31° |
| Year | 55° | 28° | 17.7" | 44.5" | 99 |
Heating and cooling a home in Sapphire Ridge
99% 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 10° to 35°. May is the most reliable, staying within 10°.
Common questions about Sapphire Ridge’s climate
What is the coldest month in Sapphire Ridge?
January, with a typical high of 36° and a low of 12°.
What is the hottest month in Sapphire Ridge?
July, with a typical high of 79° and a low of 46°. About 4 days a year reach 90°.
How much snow does Sapphire Ridge get?
About 45 inches in a normal winter, most of it in January.
When is the first frost in Sapphire Ridge?
In half of years the first 32° night comes by September 4, and the last spring frost by June 15.
What is the rainiest month in Sapphire Ridge?
June, with 3.3 inches of rain and melted snow. The year totals 18 inches.
Neighbors talk weather
Gardens, snow, and the best days of the year in Sapphire Ridge.
Your answer becomes a post in Town Square.
Temperatures and rainfall come from NOAA’s gridded climate normals for Sapphire Ridge itself (about a 3-mile square). Snow, frost dates and day counts come from NOAA’s weather station at Moccasin Exp Stn, MT (18 mi, snow) and Lewistown 42 Wsw, MT (2 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.