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Weather & Climate in Altona, CO
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Altona experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 50°F (10°C). Winters average 29°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. The area gets 316 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 15.2 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41. The city sits at an elevation of 6,017 feet.
Temperature
29°F Jan (-1°C)
73°F Jul (23°C)
| Annual Average | 50.0°F |
| 7% below US avg | |
| January Average | 29°F (-1°C) |
| July Average | 73°F (23°C) |
| Sunny Days | 316 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 6,017 ft (1,834 m) |
| Area | 1.7 sq mi (4.5 km²) |
| Population Density | 315/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 40.1219°N, 105.2962°W |
| Timezone | America/Denver |
| County | Boulder County County |
| Nearest Airport | Northern Colorado Regional (FNL) 27 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 41.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Moderate |
| Risk Score | 90.7 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 11.4 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 91.2 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively High |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively High |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Relatively High |
| Strong Wind | Relatively High |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively High |
| Lightning | Very High |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | Relatively Moderate |
| Volcano | Very Low |
| Avalanche | Relatively High |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
23 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 | 101 km | 10 km |
| Apr 10, 2011 | 12 km N of Oak Creek, Colorado | M3.4 | 142 km | 5 km |
| Jan 18, 1997 | 8 km SE of Westcreek, Colorado | M3.3 | 115 km | 5 km |
| Jun 1, 2014 | 9 km NNW of Kersey, Colorado | M3.2 | 70 km | 1 km |
| Jul 22, 2001 | 6 km WNW of Woodland Park, Colorado | M3.1 | 123 km | 5 km |
| Feb 7, 2000 | 19 km NE of Steamboat Springs, Colorado | M3.0 | 128 km | 5 km |
| Sep 12, 1990 | 13 km NW of Silverthorne, Colorado | M3.0 | 91 km | 5 km |
| Mar 30, 2019 | 7 km NE of Greeley, Colorado | M2.9 | 68 km | 6 km |
| Jan 19, 1997 | 8 km SE of Westcreek, Colorado | M2.9 | 115 km | 5 km |
| Feb 26, 2008 | 29 km WNW of Westcreek, Colorado | M2.9 | 95 km | 2 km |
| Apr 30, 2008 | 3 km SW of Steamboat Springs, Colorado | M2.8 | 138 km | 5 km |
| Jul 30, 2000 | 7 km SW of Steamboat Springs, Colorado | M2.8 | 140 km | 5 km |
| Jun 21, 2018 | 16 km SSW of Walden, Colorado | M2.7 | 105 km | 2 km |
| Feb 8, 2007 | 6 km S of Steamboat Springs, Colorado | M2.7 | 136 km | 5 km |
| Jan 19, 1997 | 8 km SE of Westcreek, Colorado | M2.7 | 115 km | 5 km |
| Apr 18, 1998 | 8 km SE of Westcreek, Colorado | M2.7 | 115 km | 5 km |
| Jun 13, 2025 | 7 km SE of Erie, Colorado | M2.7 | 30 km | 9 km |
| May 28, 2019 | 1 km ENE of Gypsum, Colorado | M2.6 | 150 km | 5 km |
| Jan 10, 2016 | 13 km NNW of Oak Creek, Colorado | M2.6 | 149 km | 3 km |
| Jan 31, 2014 | 12 km NNW of Oak Creek, Colorado | M2.6 | 150 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
592 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 1 fatality, 159 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jun 4, 2015 | EF3 | 23 km | 6.7 mi | 0 |
| May 22, 2008 | EF3 | 48 km | 38.7 mi | 1 |
| Jun 15, 1988 | EF3 | 54 km | 2.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 12, 1982 | EF3 | 73 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| May 18, 1975 | EF3 | 60 km | 4.1 mi | 0 |
| May 15, 1952 | EF3 | 66 km | 7.4 mi | 0 |
| Jun 7, 2021 | EF2 | 34 km | 7.5 mi | 0 |
| May 7, 2016 | EF2 | 96 km | 8.8 mi | 0 |
| May 22, 2008 | EF2 | 98 km | 25.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 31, 1996 | EF2 | 75 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 13, 1996 | EF2 | 84 km | 12.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 9, 1990 | EF2 | 72 km | 23.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 15, 1988 | EF2 | 54 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 5, 1988 | EF2 | 27 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 5, 1988 | EF2 | 31 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 7, 1987 | EF2 | 85 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 2, 1987 | EF2 | 55 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 20, 1987 | EF2 | 70 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 8, 1986 | EF2 | 56 km | 1.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 8, 1986 | EF2 | 68 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: CAMERON PEAK (208,910 acres, 2020).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2020 | CAMERON PEAK | 208,910 | 59 km |
| 2020 | EAST TROUBLESOME | 188,924 | 61 km |
| 2012 | HIGH PARK | 90,769 | 60 km |
| 2020 | WILLIAMS FORK | 14,679 | 67 km |
| 1996 | BUFFALO CREEK | 11,690 | 83 km |
| 2000 | BOBCAT | 10,444 | 39 km |
| 2020 | CALWOOD | 9,836 | 4 km |
| 2000 | HIGH MEADOWS | 9,607 | 80 km |
| 2004 | PICNIC ROCK | 9,014 | 67 km |
| 2021 | MARSHALL | 6,286 | 21 km |
| 2010 | FOURMILE CANYON | 5,865 | 11 km |
| 2002 | BIG ELK | 4,348 | 21 km |
| 2012 | LOWER NORTH FORK FIRE | 3,436 | 75 km |
| 2003 | OVERLAND | 3,232 | 5 km |
| 2009 | OLD STAGE | 3,160 | 4 km |
| 2011 | CRYSTAL FIRE | 2,855 | 49 km |
| 2002 | SCHOONOVER | 2,821 | 99 km |
| 2012 | FERN LAKE | 2,549 | 41 km |
| 2020 | SUNDAY FIRE | 2,204 | 61 km |
| 2017 | CATTLE DRIVE | 2,200 | 89 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 29°F (-1°C) | 0.6 in | Coldest, Driest |
| February | 33°F (1°C) | 0.6 in | |
| March | 39°F (4°C) | 1.7 in | |
| April | 46°F (8°C) | 2.3 in | |
| May | 56°F (13°C) | 2.7 in | Wettest |
| June | 65°F (18°C) | 1.9 in | |
| July | 73°F (23°C) | 1.9 in | Warmest |
| August | 69°F (21°C) | 1.6 in | |
| September | 61°F (16°C) | 1.6 in | |
| October | 50°F (10°C) | 1.2 in | |
| November | 37°F (3°C) | 1.2 in | |
| December | 31°F (-0°C) | 0.7 in |
Altona has a seasonal temperature swing of 44°F / from 29°F in January to 73°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 17.9 inches, with May being the wettest month (2.7") and January the driest (0.6").