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Weather & Climate in Air Force Academy, CO
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Air Force Academy experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 47°F (8°C). Winters average 29°F in January while summers reach 68°F in July. The area gets 297 sunny days per year, well above the U.S. average of 205 / making it one of the sunnier locations in the country. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41. The city sits at an elevation of 6,779 feet.
Temperature
29°F Jan (-2°C)
68°F Jul (20°C)
| Annual Average | 47.0°F |
| 13% below US avg | |
| January Average | 29°F (-2°C) |
| July Average | 68°F (20°C) |
| Sunny Days | 297 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 6,779 ft (2,066 m) |
| Area | 10.0 sq mi (25.9 km²) |
| Population Density | 671/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 38.9942°N, 104.8639°W |
| Timezone | America/Denver |
| County | El Paso County County |
| Nearest Airport | Denver International (DEN) 61 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 41.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Moderate |
| Risk Score | 94.1 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 10.6 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 58.1 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively High |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively High |
| Flood | Relatively High |
| Hail | Relatively High |
| Strong Wind | Relatively High |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Very High |
| Lightning | Very High |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | Very Low |
| Volcano | Very Low |
| Avalanche | Relatively Moderate |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
17 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.0.
| Dec 25, 1994 | 9 km NE of Larkspur, Colorado | M4.0 | 33 km | 10 km |
| Dec 23, 1995 | 7 km WNW of Rock Creek Park, Colorado | M3.5 | 30 km | 5 km |
| Jan 18, 1997 | 8 km SE of Westcreek, Colorado | M3.3 | 24 km | 5 km |
| Jan 26, 2008 | 12 km NE of Cotopaxi, Colorado | M3.1 | 87 km | 5 km |
| Jul 22, 2001 | 6 km WNW of Woodland Park, Colorado | M3.1 | 23 km | 5 km |
| Sep 12, 1990 | 13 km NW of Silverthorne, Colorado | M3.0 | 140 km | 5 km |
| Feb 26, 2008 | 29 km WNW of Westcreek, Colorado | M2.9 | 61 km | 2 km |
| Aug 24, 2016 | 16 km ENE of Beulah Valley, Colorado | M2.9 | 94 km | 3 km |
| Jan 19, 1997 | 8 km SE of Westcreek, Colorado | M2.9 | 24 km | 5 km |
| Dec 31, 1995 | 6 km WNW of Rock Creek Park, Colorado | M2.8 | 31 km | 5 km |
| Jan 19, 1997 | 8 km SE of Westcreek, Colorado | M2.7 | 24 km | 5 km |
| Apr 18, 1998 | 8 km SE of Westcreek, Colorado | M2.7 | 24 km | 5 km |
| Jun 13, 2025 | 7 km SE of Erie, Colorado | M2.7 | 113 km | 9 km |
| Sep 24, 2013 | 6 km NNE of Cotopaxi, Colorado | M2.6 | 94 km | 5 km |
| Aug 7, 2021 | 23 km NE of Sugar City, Colorado | M2.5 | 135 km | 5 km |
| Jun 26, 2021 | 19 km WNW of Cañon City, Colorado | M2.5 | 73 km | 8 km |
| Aug 4, 1994 | 6 km NNE of Smeltertown, Colorado | M2.5 | 107 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
521 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 86 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jun 6, 1990 | EF3 | 86 km | 7.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 15, 1988 | EF3 | 82 km | 2.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 12, 1982 | EF3 | 96 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 24, 1979 | EF3 | 17 km | 4.3 mi | 0 |
| Jun 13, 1977 | EF3 | 15 km | 4.9 mi | 0 |
| May 18, 1975 | EF3 | 90 km | 4.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 8, 2014 | EF2 | 50 km | 6.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 7, 2012 | EF2 | 62 km | 7.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 15, 2009 | EF2 | 34 km | 4.0 mi | 0 |
| May 10, 2004 | EF2 | 80 km | 6.0 mi | 0 |
| May 28, 2001 | EF2 | 44 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| May 28, 2001 | EF2 | 46 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 13, 1996 | EF2 | 98 km | 12.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 6, 1990 | EF2 | 71 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 15, 1988 | EF2 | 82 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 2, 1987 | EF2 | 99 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 20, 1987 | EF2 | 89 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 8, 1986 | EF2 | 96 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 8, 1986 | EF2 | 81 km | 1.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 19, 1985 | EF2 | 60 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950-2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: HAYMAN (129,417 acres, 2002).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2002 | HAYMAN | 129,417 | 44 km |
| 1986 | UNNAMED | 25,771 | 76 km |
| 2012 | WALDO CANYON | 20,112 | 10 km |
| 2016 | IMPACT AREA | 19,918 | 46 km |
| 2016 | JUNKINS | 19,023 | 98 km |
| 1998 | UNNAMED | 18,218 | 47 km |
| 2013 | BLACK FOREST | 11,885 | 16 km |
| 1996 | BUFFALO CREEK | 11,690 | 54 km |
| 2005 | MASON | 11,630 | 94 km |
| 2000 | HIGH MEADOWS | 9,607 | 62 km |
| 2008 | TA-25 | 8,253 | 42 km |
| 2024 | RANGE 135 | 7,766 | 46 km |
| 2001 | MVD PSFRXASST 4 | 7,375 | 36 km |
| 2002 | MILNE/SQUIRREL | 6,568 | 41 km |
| 2018 | APACHE COMPLEX | 5,182 | 55 km |
| 2009 | QUARRY | 5,141 | 38 km |
| 2017 | MILNE | 5,113 | 48 km |
| 2018 | EDISON | 5,109 | 91 km |
| 2002 | UNNAMED | 4,911 | 54 km |
| 2002 | HANOVER | 4,903 | 55 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 29°F (-2°C) | 0.4 in | Driest |
| February | 27°F (-3°C) | 0.5 in | |
| March | 32°F (-0°C) | 1.2 in | |
| April | 39°F (4°C) | 1.5 in | |
| May | 48°F (9°C) | 2.2 in | |
| June | 57°F (14°C) | 2.1 in | |
| July | 68°F (20°C) | 2.9 in | Warmest, Wettest |
| August | 61°F (16°C) | 2.9 in | |
| September | 53°F (12°C) | 1.5 in | |
| October | 44°F (6°C) | 1.0 in | |
| November | 32°F (0°C) | 0.7 in | |
| December | 26°F (-3°C) | 0.7 in | Coldest |
Air Force Academy has a seasonal temperature swing of 42°F / from 26°F in December to 68°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 17.5 inches, with July being the wettest month (2.9") and January the driest (0.4").