If you’re the kind of Montanan who embraces the long, snow-filled winters, you’re in luck: the majority of the state sees freezing temperatures and plenty of snowfall for months, and while you definitely won’t find a warm winter here, there are a few places you can go where winter isn’t quite so harsh. If you live near one of these cities or towns, make the drive before March to get a hint of a break from the elements. These towns are all thought to have the best weather in Montana: enjoy them when everywhere else is too chilly! Winter in Montana has never been so normal! Well, sort of. 

  1. Billings

Wendy / Flickr Billing’s climate is surprisingly mild for its location. The average winter snowfall is 59 inches, but it tends to melt quickly. The shelter of the river valley offers some protection. There are lots of reasons why people tend to see Billings as one of the best places to live in the United States, and its pleasant weather is one of them. Billings, MT, USA

  1. Great Falls

J. Stephen Conn / Flickr Great Falls does get some freezing cold winds, so winters there definitely aren’t entirely mild. But on wind-free days, the winter temps can be almost pleasant. This charming little river town in Montana really is everything that’s right with the world. Great Falls, MT, USA

  1. Livingston

Jasperdo / Flickr Livingston sees 190 sunny days a year. It does tend to get a lot of snow, but the temperatures are almost always tolerable. Come out and see why Livingston is often called the best warm-weather town in Montana. Livingston, MT 59047, USA

  1. Hamilton

Alan / Flickr The Bitterroot Valley is often spared most of the harsh blizzard winds and record-breaking wind chill temperatures. Hamilton sees around 25 inches of snow per year, which is on par with the national average. Hamilton is one of those downright charming small towns in MT whose wonderful weather is just one of its perks. Hamilton, MT 59840, USA

  1. Kalispell

Holly Hayes / Flickr Kalispell’s climate is a bit humid, and summers are pleasantly warm. Winters tend to be mild for the area as well. We cannot get enough of this beautiful little mountain town in Montana, and we don’t think you will, either! Kalispell, MT 59901, USA

  1. Laurel

PBS NewsHour / Flickr Laurel gets its share of snow, but it’s typically intermittent. Its close proximity to Billings means it gets some of the tamer winter weather. Laurel is easily one of the best, friendliest towns in Montana and it’s sure to capture your imagination. Laurel, MT 59044, USA

  1. Darby

Jimmy Emerson, DVM / Flickr Darby is located in the Bitterroot Valley, meaning you’ll find the same tamer temps that you do in Hamilton. It does snow a lot here, but since the area is known for its winter sports and activities, that’s a good thing. You’re never going to want to leave this small town in MT. Darby, MT 59829, USA

  1. Missoula

Micah Sheldon / Flickr Missoula tends to see less snowfall than the surrounding areas and you will see temperatures in the twenties (quite warm for a Montana winter). However, sometimes an arctic blast rolls in and sends the temperature dropping. Plan for all kinds of weather when you visit Missoula during winter. This is a cute little hippie town in Montana you are sure to find delight in year-round. Missoula, MT, USA

Tame or not, winter is a beautiful time to be in Montana. These photos prove just how amazing Montana in the winter is and why you should plan a visit.

Wendy / Flickr

Billing’s climate is surprisingly mild for its location. The average winter snowfall is 59 inches, but it tends to melt quickly. The shelter of the river valley offers some protection. There are lots of reasons why people tend to see Billings as one of the best places to live in the United States, and its pleasant weather is one of them.

Billings, MT, USA

J. Stephen Conn / Flickr

Great Falls does get some freezing cold winds, so winters there definitely aren’t entirely mild. But on wind-free days, the winter temps can be almost pleasant. This charming little river town in Montana really is everything that’s right with the world.

Great Falls, MT, USA

Jasperdo / Flickr

Livingston sees 190 sunny days a year. It does tend to get a lot of snow, but the temperatures are almost always tolerable. Come out and see why Livingston is often called the best warm-weather town in Montana.

Livingston, MT 59047, USA

Alan / Flickr

The Bitterroot Valley is often spared most of the harsh blizzard winds and record-breaking wind chill temperatures. Hamilton sees around 25 inches of snow per year, which is on par with the national average. Hamilton is one of those downright charming small towns in MT whose wonderful weather is just one of its perks.

Hamilton, MT 59840, USA

Holly Hayes / Flickr

Kalispell’s climate is a bit humid, and summers are pleasantly warm. Winters tend to be mild for the area as well. We cannot get enough of this beautiful little mountain town in Montana, and we don’t think you will, either!

Kalispell, MT 59901, USA

PBS NewsHour / Flickr

Laurel gets its share of snow, but it’s typically intermittent. Its close proximity to Billings means it gets some of the tamer winter weather. Laurel is easily one of the best, friendliest towns in Montana and it’s sure to capture your imagination.

Laurel, MT 59044, USA

Jimmy Emerson, DVM / Flickr

Darby is located in the Bitterroot Valley, meaning you’ll find the same tamer temps that you do in Hamilton. It does snow a lot here, but since the area is known for its winter sports and activities, that’s a good thing. You’re never going to want to leave this small town in MT.

Darby, MT 59829, USA

Micah Sheldon / Flickr

Missoula tends to see less snowfall than the surrounding areas and you will see temperatures in the twenties (quite warm for a Montana winter). However, sometimes an arctic blast rolls in and sends the temperature dropping. Plan for all kinds of weather when you visit Missoula during winter. This is a cute little hippie town in Montana you are sure to find delight in year-round.

Missoula, MT, USA

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The OIYS Visitor Center

Best Weather in Montana November 20, 2022 Tori Jane

What cities have the best weather in Montana?  

Though the term “best” is subjective, there are several cities thought to have the best weather in Montana, such as:  

Bitterroot Valley, which is famous for having less severe weather than other parts of the state    Billings, which often sees less snowfall than other cities    Thompson Falls, which is one of the warmest towns in Montana

  2. What is the warmest city in Montana?   The warmest city in Montana is still pretty chilly in the winter! Some of the warmest cities in Montana include:  

Hardin  Forsyth Libby Polson 

  3. What are some of the most beautiful towns in Montana?   Montana is an amazingly beautiful state and the most beautiful towns in Montana include gems like:  

Bozeman   Whitefish   Hamilton   Lewistown  

The OIYS Visitor Center

Best Weather in Montana

November 20, 2022

Tori Jane

What cities have the best weather in Montana?  

Though the term “best” is subjective, there are several cities thought to have the best weather in Montana, such as:  

Bitterroot Valley, which is famous for having less severe weather than other parts of the state    Billings, which often sees less snowfall than other cities    Thompson Falls, which is one of the warmest towns in Montana

  2. What is the warmest city in Montana?   The warmest city in Montana is still pretty chilly in the winter! Some of the warmest cities in Montana include:  

Hardin  Forsyth Libby Polson 

  3. What are some of the most beautiful towns in Montana?   Montana is an amazingly beautiful state and the most beautiful towns in Montana include gems like:  

Bozeman   Whitefish   Hamilton   Lewistown  

The OIYS Visitor Center

The OIYS Visitor Center

Though the term “best” is subjective, there are several cities thought to have the best weather in Montana, such as:  

  • Bitterroot Valley, which is famous for having less severe weather than other parts of the state
  • Billings, which often sees less snowfall than other cities
  • Thompson Falls, which is one of the warmest towns in Montana

 

  1. What is the warmest city in Montana?  

The warmest city in Montana is still pretty chilly in the winter! Some of the warmest cities in Montana include:  

  • Hardin
  • Forsyth
  • Libby
  • Polson
  1. What are some of the most beautiful towns in Montana?  

Montana is an amazingly beautiful state and the most beautiful towns in Montana include gems like:  

  • Bozeman
  • Whitefish
  • Hamilton
  • Lewistown