Historic Montana Heat: The Hottest Julys Ranked

July in Montana is a pretty special time.

Not only do we get to celebrate America's birthday, but we also get to enjoy everything that makes a Montana summer so great.

The Best of Montana’s Summer Activities

In a normal year, July and August are the hottest months in Montana. The rivers start to drop after the spring runoff, there's less debris floating downstream, and people finally get the chance to get out on the water. Whether you're floating the river, spending the day at the lake, or casting a fly rod, this is the time of year Montanans wait for.

When it gets hot, finding some cool water is one of the best ways to spend a summer day.

Cool Evenings and Dry Heat: A Unique Montana Experience

One of the things I love most about Montana summers is that even when it gets really hot, it usually cools down at night. That's one of the biggest differences between Montana and a lot of southern states. We don't have the humidity they deal with. As people like to joke, "It's a dry heat." Honestly, that makes those 90-degree days a lot easier to handle.

Of course, there's another side to all that warm, dry weather.

Hot temperatures can create the perfect conditions for wildfires, and that's always something Montanans have in the back of their minds this time of year. Before long, we'll start hearing about fire restrictions and campfire bans across parts of the state.

Embrace the Outdoors: Classic Montana Summer Activities

So get out there and enjoy Montana while you can. Float a river, spend the day at the lake, go fishing, or just soak in one of those cool Montana evenings before summer slips away.

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While you're out enjoying the sunshine, here's something to think about. According to NOAA, which has been tracking statewide temperatures since 1895, these are the 10 hottest Julys in Montana history.