Last checked October 2026. Hours and conditions change; links go to the people who run each place.
Missoula has four real seasons and two long shoulder seasons, and each one changes what you can do, how long the light lasts and what the air is like. Summer is hot, dry and bright late into the evening. Winter is short on daylight, cold, and sometimes gray for days when the valley traps its own air.
Here is what each part of the year is like, what opens and closes when, and what to pack. Right now, in mid-October 2026, the city is in its fall shoulder season: cool nights, mild afternoons, and several seasonal services wrapping up at the end of the month.
The numbers at a glance
These are the official 1991 to 2020 climate normals for the Missoula airport from NOAA's National Centers for Environmental Information. Averages hide swings, so treat them as a starting point and check the National Weather Service in Missoula before you go.
- January: average high about 32 degrees, low about 18, with about 10 inches of snow.
- April: high about 56, low about 32.
- July: high about 85, low about 52. July and August are the driest months.
- October: high about 56, low about 32, and usually less than an inch of snow.
- December: high about 31, low about 18, with about 12 inches of snow, the snowiest month.
The airport averages about 43 inches of snow and a little over 14 inches of total precipitation a year. June is the wettest month.
Daylight through the year
Missoula sits far enough north that daylight swings hard. Around the winter solstice the sun rises a little after 8 a.m. and sets around 4:50 p.m., for about eight and a half hours of daylight. Around the summer solstice it rises before 6 a.m. and sets around 9:30 p.m., for nearly 16 hours.
Plan winter hikes to finish by midafternoon. In summer, the long evenings are the best time to be outside, after the heat breaks. Daylight saving time ends Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026, so sunset jumps an hour earlier that week.
Summer: June to early September
June starts green and often wet. By July the hills turn gold, afternoons climb into the 80s and 90s, and evenings cool off fast once the sun drops. Pack a warm layer even in July.
Summer is also wildfire season. Smoke can drift in from fires hundreds of miles away and linger for days, and fire restrictions can limit campfires on the national forest. Our wildfire smoke and fire season guide explains how to check air quality and current rules.
Summer is when Mountain Line runs its extra seasonal services, including a Saturday market trolley and the weekend Marshall Mountain shuttle.
Fall: September to early November
Fall is many locals' favorite stretch. September often stays warm and dry, then October brings frosty mornings, cottonwoods turning yellow along the Clark Fork and the first snow on the peaks. Wildfire smoke can hang on into early fall before cooler, wetter weather clears it, and Missoula County's prescribed wildland burning season runs through Nov. 30, so you may see smoke from planned burns on calm fall days.
Hunting season matters if you hike outside town. Montana's 2026 general deer and elk rifle season runs Oct. 24 to Nov. 29, after archery season wraps Oct. 18. Wear bright colors on national forest trails, and put some on your dog too.
What wraps up this month:
- The Marshall Mountain shuttle and Summer Market Trolley both run through October.
- The Clark Fork River Market runs year round on Saturdays. It shifts to 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in October and moves indoors to The Badlander at 208 Ryman St. from November through April.
- At Pattee Canyon, the group picnic area and disc golf course go walk-in only from Nov. 1 to June 14.
Winter: December to February
Winter in Missoula is cold but rarely brutal, with highs near freezing and snow that comes and goes in town. The bigger story is the air. The Missoula Valley is ringed by mountains, and Missoula Public Health notes that winter temperature inversions are common, trapping cold air and pollution on the valley floor. On inversion days the city can sit under low gray cloud while the ridges above are sunny. Getting up high, at Snowbowl or on a ridge trail, is the local fix.
Montana Snowbowl, about 20 minutes north of downtown, opened Dec. 12 last season and has not posted its 2026 to 2027 opening date yet. Check its snow report before you plan around it.
Winter also brings wildlife closures on city open space. Most of Mount Jumbo closes Dec. 1 to protect wintering elk and deer. The lower L trail and the U.S. West road above Interstate 90 stay open year round. Our dog guide covers the Rattlesnake's winter dog rules.
Spring: March to May
Spring is the messiest season. Lower trails turn muddy as snow melts, and a warm afternoon can be followed by a snowy morning. The south zone of Mount Jumbo typically reopens in mid-March and the north zone around May 1, with exact dates set by the city each year.
Rivers rise with snowmelt in late spring and run high, cold and fast. Wait for flows to drop before floating unless you know the water.
What to pack
- Layers in every season. Daily temperature swings of 30 degrees are normal, especially in summer and fall.
- Summer: sun hat, sunscreen, water bottle and a light jacket for evenings. An N95 mask is worth carrying in smoke season.
- Fall and spring: warm hat, gloves, a waterproof shell and shoes that can handle mud.
- Winter: an insulated jacket, boots with good grip for icy sidewalks, and traction devices for trails.
- Bright clothing for hiking during fall hunting seasons.
Quick answers
What is the best time of year to visit Missoula?
Late June through September has the warmest weather and longest days, though smoke can be a factor in late summer. September and early October offer mild days, fall color and fewer crowds.
How cold does Missoula get in winter?
Average January highs are about 32 degrees with lows around 18, based on NOAA normals for the airport. Colder snaps happen, so pack for single digits.
Does Missoula get a lot of snow?
The airport averages about 43 inches a year, with December and January the snowiest months. Snow in town comes and goes rather than piling up all winter.
What is an inversion in Missoula?
It is a winter weather pattern where cold air gets trapped on the valley floor under warmer air, holding in fog and pollution. Higher elevations are often sunny while town stays gray.
When does the sun set in Missoula?
Around 4:50 p.m. near the winter solstice and around 9:30 p.m. near the summer solstice.
What closes in Missoula for winter?
Most of Mount Jumbo closes Dec. 1 for wintering wildlife, Mountain Line's seasonal shuttles end in October and the Clark Fork River Market moves indoors in November.
Planning more of your trip? See all the Missoula Commons visitor guides.
