Sweet Grass County is a county located in the U.S. state of Montana. As of the 2020 census, the population was 3,678. Its county seat is Big Timber. The county was founded in 1895.
History
The Montana Legislature authorized Sweet Grass County in 1895, taking parts of Park, Meagher, and Yellowstone counties. That boundary was altered in 1913 when Stillwater County was formed from a portion of Sweet Grass; again in 1917 with the formation of Wheatland County, and in 1920 with the formation of Golden Valley County.
Climate
Sweet Grass County's climate is generally dry and cool, specified as Dfc in the Köppen-Geiger climate classification (subarctic or boreal). Average annual precipitation of comes in rain and snow. The summer precipitation accumulation (April through September) averages . The average summer high temperature is and the average minimum temperature during that period is . July and August are the hottest months. The annual average high temperature is and the annual average minimum temperature is . The coldest temperature recorded in the county in recent times was in February 1936, and the warmest was in July 2002. Big Timber receives 286 sunny days on average.
Major highways
- 20px Interstate 90
- 20px U.S. Highway 191
- 20px U.S. Highway 10 (Former)
Transit
- Jefferson Lines
Adjacent counties
- Wheatland County - north
- Golden Valley County - northeast
- Stillwater County - east
- Park County - west
- Meagher County - northwest
National protected areas
- Custer National Forest (part)
- Gallatin National Forest (part)
- Lewis and Clark National Forest (part)