Air Quality
Montana's average PM2.5 air quality is generally good outside wildfire season, with a median AQI around 35, though summer wildfire smoke periodically pushes readings into unhealthy ranges.
Monitored days with good air quality
1990–2025U.S. EPA AirData, Annual AQI by County, all monitored Montana counties.
Monitored days unhealthy for sensitive groups or worse
1990–2025U.S. EPA AirData, Annual AQI by County (AQI above 100).
| Indicator | Montana | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Median annual AQI | 35 | 42 |
- •Missoula's valley geography traps wildfire smoke, historically giving it some of the worst air days in the state.
Wildfires
Montana wildfires burned roughly 160,000 acres in 2023, below the state's decade average, but the state still ranks among the top ten for total wildfire acreage burned annually.
| Indicator | Montana | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Acres burned per year (thousands) | 160 | 80 |
- •The 1910 'Big Burn' remains one of the largest wildfires in U.S. history, scorching parts of Montana and Idaho.
Drought
As of late 2023, about 45% of Montana was classified in moderate to severe drought by the U.S. Drought Monitor, with eastern counties hit hardest.
Area in drought (D1–D4), yearly average
2000–2025U.S. Drought Monitor (NDMC / USDA / NOAA), average of weekly maps.
Area in extreme or exceptional drought (D3–D4)
2000–2025U.S. Drought Monitor (NDMC / USDA / NOAA), average of weekly maps.
| Indicator | Montana | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Share of state area in drought (%) | 45 | 29 |
- •Eastern Montana counties have declared agricultural drought disasters in multiple recent years.
Water Usage
Montana withdraws about 9.8 billion gallons of water per day, with irrigation for agriculture accounting for over 95% of total withdrawals, mostly from surface sources.
| Indicator | Montana | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Irrigation share of water withdrawals (%) | 95 | 42 |
- •Irrigation accounts for more than 95% of all water withdrawn in Montana.
Emissions
Montana emitted about 32 million metric tons of energy-related CO2 in 2022, driven largely by coal-fired power generation, ranking around 40th in total emissions nationally.
Energy-related CO₂ emissions
1970–2021U.S. EIA State Energy Data System, all sectors and fuels (FRED EMISSCO2TOTVTTTOMTA).
Transportation CO₂ emissions
1970–2021U.S. EIA State Energy Data System, transportation sector (FRED EMISSCO2TOTVTCTOMTA).
| Indicator | Montana | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Per-capita CO2 emissions (metric tons) | 28 | 14.9 |
- •Montana's per-capita CO2 emissions are nearly double the national average.
Climate Indicators
Montana's average annual temperature has risen about 2.7°F since 1950, one of the fastest warming rates in the Lower 48, according to NOAA and Montana Climate Assessment data.
Average annual temperature
1895–2025NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Climate at a Glance, statewide January–December average.
Annual precipitation
1895–2025NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Climate at a Glance, statewide January–December total.
| Indicator | Montana | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Temperature rise since 1950 (°F) | 2.7 | 1.8 |
- •Glacier National Park has lost most of its historic glaciers due to warming trends.