If you’re planning a trip to the edge of the Beartooths, you’ve probably checked the weather app. You see a high of 75°F for July and think, "Perfect, shorts and a t-shirt."
Honestly? You’re going to be freezing by 8:00 PM.
Red Lodge is a mountain town that doesn't follow the rules of the "big city" plains just an hour away. At an elevation of 5,568 feet, the air is thin, the sun is intense, and the temperature in Red Lodge Montana can swing 40 degrees before you’ve even finished your dinner at Bogart's. People come here expecting standard Montana summer heat and end up buying a $60 logo hoodie because they didn't realize how fast the mercury drops once the sun ducks behind the peaks.
Why the Temperature in Red Lodge Montana is So Unpredictable
The geography here is basically a giant funnel. You have the massive Beartooth Plateau towering over the town, which creates its own microclimate.
When cold air rolls off those snowfields—yes, there is snow up there in August—it sinks right into the valley. You might be sweating at the golf course at 2:00 PM, but by 5:00 PM, a "Beartooth breeze" kicks in.
Suddenly, it's 55 degrees.
The Summer Reality Check
July is technically the hottest month. The average high sits around 80°F, which sounds comfortable. But look at the lows. The average low is 53°F. That means for every hour of "warm" weather, you have two hours of "chilly."
If you are heading up the Beartooth Highway—which peaks at nearly 11,000 feet—the temperature gap is even more violent. It’s common for it to be 80°F in town and 42°F at the summit of the pass. I’ve seen people try to step out of their cars at the Top of the World store in flip-flops only to retreat in literal seconds.
Don't be that person.
Winter Isn't Just Cold; It's Windy
Winter is a different beast entirely. From November to March, the temperature in Red Lodge Montana stays below freezing most of the time. Highs average in the low 30s. Lows? They hover around 18°F, but that’s a bit misleading.
The wind is the real factor.
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Red Lodge is famous for its "Chinook" winds. These are warm, dry winds that can jump the temperature from -10°F to 40°F in a single afternoon. It’s great for melting ice, but it’s brutal if you’re trying to keep a consistent snowpack for skiing. Red Lodge Mountain (the ski area) usually feels much colder than the town because of the exposure.
Seasonal Breakdown: When to Actually Go
If you hate the cold, stay away until late June.
Spring in Red Lodge is basically "Winter Part 2." It’s messy. You’ll get a 60-degree day followed by 14 inches of heavy, wet slush in May. Locals call this "mud season" for a reason.
- June – August: This is prime time. Days are long. The sun is "crispy"—that's the only way to describe how it feels on your skin at this altitude. Just remember that thunderstorms are a daily ritual at 3:00 PM. They drop the temp by 20 degrees in minutes.
- September – October: My personal favorite. The crowds are gone, and the air is incredibly clear. Highs are in the 50s and 60s. You’ll need a real coat for the evenings, though.
- November – April: This is for the skiers. It’s cold, snowy, and gray, but the town feels like a Hallmark movie.
Packing for the "Red Lodge Swing"
You’ve heard it before: layers. But what does that actually mean for the temperature in Red Lodge Montana?
Basically, you need three versions of yourself packed in one suitcase.
Start with a moisture-wicking base. No cotton. If you sweat during a hike and the temperature drops (which it will), cotton stays wet and makes you hypothermic. Top that with a fleece or a light "puffy" jacket. Finally, always have a windproof shell. The wind here doesn't just blow; it bites.
Actionable Insights for Your Trip
- Check the SNOTEL sites: If you’re hiking, don't just look at the town's weather. Look at the Beartooth Lake SNOTEL data. It tells you the real-time temperature and snow depth at the higher elevations where you'll actually be.
- The 3:00 PM Rule: In summer, plan to be off the high ridges by 3:00 PM. Lightning is a serious threat, and the temperature drop during a storm can be dangerous if you’re caught in light gear.
- Hydrate for Temperature Regulation: High altitude makes it harder for your body to regulate heat. If you're dehydrated, you'll feel the cold (and the heat) much more intensely.
- Park in the Sun: In the winter, the difference between "sun" and "shade" in Red Lodge can feel like 15 degrees. If you’re grabbing lunch on Broadway, park on the sunny side of the street to keep your car from becoming an ice box.
The temperature in Red Lodge Montana is a moving target. It’s part of the charm, really. It keeps the landscape rugged and the people tough. Just bring a jacket, even if the forecast says you won't need it. Trust me, you will.
Your Next Step: Before you head out, check the Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) 511 map. This is the only way to know if the Beartooth Highway is actually open, as the temperature up top can cause surprise closures even in mid-July.