West Kootenai has chilly, snowy winters and pleasant summers, with very little rain
A typical July afternoon reaches 83°, a January night drops to 18°, and about 35 inches of snow falls in a normal winter.
A year in West Kootenai at a glance
Each month’s typical high and low, and what it brings.
What stands out about West Kootenai’s climate
Read from where West Kootenai sits among Montana’s towns. The page puts what stands out first.
Warmer than it used to be
The last 30 years in West Kootenai averaged 1.8° warmer than the 1900s. The biggest change is in January (+4.4°).
A bigger shift than in 88% of U.S. towns.
Change by month
Living with West Kootenai’s climate
What the numbers mean for a garden, a driveway, a furnace and a free afternoon.
138 frost-free days. The last frost comes by May 11 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 27.
About 35" a winter over 13 days with an inch or more, most in December. Snow covers the ground about 56 days a year.
Months averaging under 55° run from October through May. Heating is 95% of the year’s heating-and-cooling load.
About 26 days a year reach 90°, and July afternoons average 83°.
The nicest months are June, July, August and September. 50 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 West Kootenai feels like
Typical highs and lows by season and by month, from NOAA’s 30-year normals.
35 inches of snow, 17 of rain and melt
June is the wettest month and August the driest. Rain or snow falls on about 103 days a year.
Rain + melted snow by month
Inches of water
Snowfall by month
Inches of snow
About 138 frost-free days a year
In half of years the last 32° night comes by May 11 and the first by September 27.
Freezing nights by month
Average nights at or below 32°
90° days by month
Average days at 90° or more
How West Kootenai compares
Against every U.S. town on TownTapestry, each counted once, with its place in Montana.
West Kootenai 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 | Snow on ground | 30-yr range |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 31° | 18° | 1.2" | 8.5" | 11 | 20 | 14° – 32° |
| February | 37° | 20° | 1.0" | 5.9" | 8 | 11 | 14° – 36° |
| March | 47° | 26° | 1.1" | 3.7" | 9 | 5 | 29° – 42° |
| April | 57° | 32° | 1.2" | 1.0" | 9 | 1 | 39° – 52° |
| May | 67° | 39° | 1.9" | 0.2" | 10 | 0 | 48° – 60° |
| June | 73° | 46° | 2.4" | 0 | 10 | 0 | 56° – 66° |
| July | 83° | 50° | 1.2" | 0 | 7 | 0 | 58° – 73° |
| August | 82° | 49° | 0.9" | 0 | 5 | 0 | 61° – 69° |
| September | 71° | 41° | 1.3" | 0 | 7 | 0 | 52° – 62° |
| October | 55° | 33° | 1.4" | 0.6" | 9 | 1 | 38° – 50° |
| November | 39° | 26° | 1.7" | 5.0" | 9 | 4 | 24° – 40° |
| December | 30° | 19° | 1.4" | 10.2" | 10 | 15 | 17° – 30° |
| Year | 56° | 33° | 16.7" | 35.1" | 103 | 56 |
Heating and cooling a home in West Kootenai
95% 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 14° to 36°. August is the most reliable, staying within 8°.
Common questions about West Kootenai’s climate
What is the coldest month in West Kootenai?
January, with a typical high of 31° and a low of 18°.
What is the hottest month in West Kootenai?
July, with a typical high of 83° and a low of 50°. About 26 days a year reach 90°.
How much snow does West Kootenai get?
About 35 inches in a normal winter, most of it in December.
When is the first frost in West Kootenai?
In half of years the first 32° night comes by September 27, and the last spring frost by May 11.
What is the rainiest month in West Kootenai?
June, with 2.4 inches of rain and melted snow. The year totals 17 inches.
Neighbors talk weather
Gardens, snow, and the best days of the year in West Kootenai.
Your answer becomes a post in Town Square.
Temperatures and rainfall come from NOAA’s gridded climate normals for West Kootenai itself (about a 3-mile square). Snow, frost dates and day counts come from NOAA’s weather station at Eureka Rs, MT (8 mi) away. 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.