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Weather & Climate in Amherst, CO
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Amherst experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 49°F (9°C). Winters average 27°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 17.9 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 30.4 inches of snow annually, a moderate snowfall amount. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41. The city sits at an elevation of 3,691 feet.
Temperature
27°F Jan (-3°C)
73°F Jul (23°C)
| Annual Average | 48.9°F |
| 9% below US avg | |
| January Average | 27°F (-3°C) |
| July Average | 73°F (23°C) |
| Sunny Days | 316 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 3,691 ft (1,125 m) |
| Area | 0.5 sq mi (1.2 km²) |
| Population Density | 187/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 40.6832°N, 102.1726°W |
| Timezone | America/Denver |
| County | Phillips County County |
| Nearest Airport | Colorado Plains Regional (AKO) 65 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 41.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 12.3 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 11.4 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 6.6 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Very Low |
| Lightning | Very Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low |
| Drought | Relatively Moderate |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
2 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.0.
| Sep 30, 1990 | 29 km SE of Hyannis, Nebraska | M3.0 | 138 km | 5 km |
| Apr 16, 2007 | 11 km WSW of Maywood, Nebraska | M3.0 | 121 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
570 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 2 fatalities, 53 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jun 15, 1990 | EF4 | 99 km | 28.0 mi | 0 |
| Oct 29, 1956 | EF4 | 80 km | 147.7 mi | 0 |
| Aug 8, 2023 | EF3 | 87 km | 15.7 mi | 0 |
| Jul 5, 2000 | EF3 | 45 km | 6.0 mi | 0 |
| May 2, 1991 | EF3 | 30 km | 13.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 15, 1974 | EF3 | 84 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 6, 1967 | EF3 | 59 km | 40.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 27, 1960 | EF3 | 27 km | 6.5 mi | 2 |
| Jun 27, 1960 | EF3 | 71 km | 15.2 mi | 0 |
| Jun 5, 1953 | EF3 | 70 km | 9.8 mi | 0 |
| May 23, 2024 | EF2 | 72 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| May 19, 2024 | EF2 | 73 km | 1.6 mi | 0 |
| May 26, 2021 | EF2 | 79 km | 8.3 mi | 0 |
| Sep 11, 2019 | EF2 | 66 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Sep 11, 2019 | EF2 | 70 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| May 7, 2016 | EF2 | 63 km | 7.9 mi | 0 |
| Mar 28, 2007 | EF2 | 35 km | 15.9 mi | 0 |
| Jun 20, 2003 | EF2 | 80 km | 1.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 13, 1996 | EF2 | 83 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| May 21, 1995 | EF2 | 59 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
16 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: LOGAN (30,076 acres, 2017).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2017 | LOGAN | 30,076 | 47 km |
| 2012 | UNNAMED | 17,990 | 100 km |
| 2012 | KEITH COUNTY COMPLEX | 13,526 | 78 km |
| 2000 | DRYWELLS | 6,492 | 95 km |
| 1997 | UNNAMED | 4,777 | 70 km |
| 2002 | UNNAMED | 3,275 | 85 km |
| 2000 | UNNAMED | 3,192 | 93 km |
| 2022 | COUNTY ROAD R | 2,080 | 75 km |
| 2018 | COUNTY ROAD 56 | 1,866 | 34 km |
| 1994 | STABLE | 1,706 | 82 km |
| 1989 | UNNAMED | 1,544 | 76 km |
| 2002 | UNNAMED | 1,476 | 88 km |
| 2000 | UNNAMED | 1,318 | 79 km |
| 1990 | UNNAMED | 1,285 | 82 km |
| 1994 | UNNAMED | 1,262 | 100 km |
| 2006 | I 76 | 1,033 | 87 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 27°F (-3°C) | 0.4 in | Coldest |
| February | 32°F (-0°C) | 0.4 in | Driest |
| March | 38°F (4°C) | 1.0 in | |
| April | 48°F (9°C) | 1.7 in | |
| May | 58°F (14°C) | 3.3 in | Wettest |
| June | 68°F (20°C) | 3.1 in | |
| July | 73°F (23°C) | 2.7 in | Warmest |
| August | 73°F (23°C) | 1.9 in | |
| September | 63°F (17°C) | 1.3 in | |
| October | 50°F (10°C) | 0.7 in | |
| November | 37°F (3°C) | 0.5 in | |
| December | 28°F (-2°C) | 0.4 in |
Amherst has a seasonal temperature swing of 46°F / from 27°F in January to 73°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 17.3 inches, with May being the wettest month (3.3") and February the driest (0.4").