Its nearest higher peak is Mount Tilley, 5 km (3.1 mi) to the south, and Mount Begbie is 5.7 km (3.5 mi) to the south-southeast.

[4] Based on the Köppen climate classification, Mount Macpherson is located in a subarctic climate zone with cold, snowy winters, and mild summers.

[5] Winter temperatures can drop below −20 °C with wind chill factors below −30 °C.

Despite the modest elevation, the climate supports a small pocket glacier on the northeast face.

Precipitation runoff from Mount Macpherson drains north into tributaries of the Columbia River.