Weather & Climate in Alta, UT

Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.

Alta has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 39°F (4°C). Winters average 23°F in January while summers reach 62°F in July. The area gets 275 sunny days per year, well above the U.S. average of 205 / making it one of the sunnier locations in the country. Annual precipitation totals 47.1 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 458.3 inches of snow annually, making winter weather a significant factor for residents. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41. The city sits at an elevation of 9,261 feet.

Temperature

23°F Jan (-5°C) 62°F Jul (16°C)

Annual Average	39.1°F
	28% below US avg
January Average	23°F (-5°C)
July Average	62°F (16°C)
Sunny Days	275 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	9,261 ft (2,823 m)
Area	4.5 sq mi (11.7 km²)
Population Density	75/sq mi
Coordinates	40.5824°N, 111.6203°W
Timezone	America/Denver
County	Salt Lake County County
Nearest Airport	Salt Lake City International (SLC) 24 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 47.1"

24% above US avg

Snowfall 458.3"

Wettest Month (Jan) 1.93"

Driest Month (Jun) 1.30"

Air Quality

AQI Median	41.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively High
Risk Score	98.6 / 100
Social Vulnerability	10.6 / 100
Community Resilience	66.4 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Relatively Moderate
Earthquake	Relatively High
Wildfire	Relatively High
Flood	Relatively Moderate
Hail	Relatively Low
Strong Wind	Relatively Moderate
Heat Wave	Relatively Moderate
Winter Weather	Very High
Lightning	Relatively High
Ice Storm	Very Low
Drought	Relatively Low
Cold Wave	Relatively Low
Landslide	Relatively Low
Coastal Flood	No Rating
Volcano	Very Low
Avalanche	Very High

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

556 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M5.7.

Mar 18, 2020	5 km NNE of Magna, Utah	M5.7	43 km	12 km
Apr 15, 2010	9 km NE of Randolph, Utah	M4.9	133 km	10 km
Mar 18, 2020	6 km NNE of Magna, Utah	M4.6	43 km	9 km
Mar 18, 2020	5 km NE of Magna, Utah	M4.6	42 km	11 km
May 5, 2024	16 km SW of Thatcher, Utah	M4.4	129 km	7 km
Apr 17, 2003	6 km SSW of Levan, Utah	M4.2	122 km	1 km
Apr 16, 2020	4 km NE of Magna, Utah	M4.2	41 km	10 km
Apr 15, 2020	4 km NE of Magna, Utah	M4.2	41 km	9 km
Mar 18, 2020	1 km NNW of Magna, Utah	M4.2	44 km	9 km
Mar 16, 1992	6 km S of Herriman, Utah	M4.2	39 km	12 km
Mar 7, 2000	7 km N of Helper, Utah	M4.2	113 km	-3 km
Jun 29, 2014	6 km SE of Spring City, Utah	M4.2	128 km	9 km
May 25, 2016	15 km NNE of Tabiona, Utah	M4.0	83 km	16 km
Mar 18, 2020	4 km NNE of Magna, Utah	M4.0	43 km	7 km
Jun 3, 2009	5 km WNW of Riverside, Utah	M4.0	145 km	9 km
May 1, 2025	4 km WNW of Independence, Utah	M3.9	40 km	14 km
Mar 18, 2020	4 km NNE of Magna, Utah	M3.9	43 km	9 km
Mar 23, 2020	8 km NNE of Magna, Utah	M3.9	43 km	10 km
May 4, 2024	16 km SW of Thatcher, Utah	M3.9	129 km	6 km
Mar 18, 2020	6 km NE of Magna, Utah	M3.9	41 km	10 km

Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Tornado History

47 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2. Total: 1 fatality, 96 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Aug 11, 1999	EF2	27 km	4.3 mi	1
Aug 14, 1968	EF2	84 km	1.5 mi	0
Feb 9, 1965	EF2	43 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 3, 1963	EF2	40 km	2.0 mi	0
Sep 2, 2021	EF1	40 km	2.1 mi	0
Sep 22, 2016	EF1	72 km	2.9 mi	0
Aug 20, 1998	EF1	72 km	0.1 mi	0
May 29, 1996	EF1	85 km	1.3 mi	0
Jun 2, 1993	EF1	37 km	1.0 mi	0
May 3, 1993	EF1	58 km	0.1 mi	0
Sep 23, 1992	EF1	67 km	2.0 mi	0
Jul 25, 1991	EF1	53 km	10.0 mi	0
Jul 8, 1989	EF1	24 km	0.2 mi	0
Mar 2, 1989	EF1	43 km	0.2 mi	0
Jan 10, 1989	EF1	22 km	0.2 mi	0
Dec 2, 1970	EF1	21 km	1.0 mi	0
Aug 14, 1968	EF1	30 km	0.1 mi	0
Apr 17, 1966	EF1	48 km	0.1 mi	0
Jul 9, 1965	EF1	24 km	0.4 mi	0
May 28, 2018	EF0	64 km	0.3 mi	0

Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).

Nearby Volcanoes

1 volcano within 200 km. Closest: Black Rock Desert (194 km).

Name	Type	Elevation	Last Eruption	Distance
Black Rock Desert	Volcanic field	1,800 m (5,906 ft)	1290	194 km

Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: EAST FORK (106,432 acres, 2020).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2020	EAST FORK	106,432	86 km
2018	POLE CREEK	102,426	67 km
2018	DOLLAR RIDGE	69,817	82 km
2012	WOOD HOLLOW	46,763	95 km
2009	BIG POLE	41,579	87 km
2017	DAVIS	35,071	95 km
1996	DAVIS KNOLL COMPLEX (DAVIS KNOLL)	34,843	97 km
2018	COAL HOLLOW	30,239	78 km
2013	PATCH SPRINGS	29,562	89 km
2000	OLDROYD COMPLEX (MONA WEST)	28,774	89 km
2007	SALT CREEK	26,924	97 km
2012	FAUST	22,155	94 km
2018	BALD MOUNTAIN	21,016	73 km
2007	KIMBELL	16,949	82 km
2000	CASTLEROCK	16,718	80 km
2016	WEST ANTELOPE	15,483	62 km
2020	TABBY CANYON	14,330	80 km
2002	GARDEN VALLEY COMPLEX (EAST FORK)	14,245	81 km
2020	KNOLLS	12,948	44 km
2017	TANK HOLLOW	11,003	71 km

Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	23°F (-5°C)	1.9 in	Wettest
February	23°F (-5°C)	1.9 in
March	27°F (-3°C)	1.7 in
April	33°F (1°C)	1.6 in
May	42°F (5°C)	1.7 in
June	51°F (11°C)	1.3 in	Driest
July	62°F (16°C)	1.4 in	Warmest
August	58°F (15°C)	1.6 in
September	50°F (10°C)	1.7 in
October	40°F (5°C)	1.7 in
November	28°F (-2°C)	1.9 in
December	22°F (-6°C)	1.9 in	Coldest

Alta has a seasonal temperature swing of 40°F / from 22°F in December to 62°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 20.2 inches, with January being the wettest month (1.9") and June the driest (1.3").

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