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Weather & Climate in Basalt, CO
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Basalt has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 43°F (6°C). Winters average 22°F in January while summers reach 65°F in July. The area gets 330 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 14.9 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 6,562 feet.
Temperature
22°F Jan (-6°C)
65°F Jul (18°C)
| Annual Average | 42.8°F |
| 21% below US avg | |
| January Average | 22°F (-6°C) |
| July Average | 65°F (18°C) |
| Sunny Days | 330 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 6,562 ft (2,000 m) |
| Area | 2.0 sq mi (5.2 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,978/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 39.3686°N, 107.0488°W |
| Timezone | America/Denver |
| County | Garfield County County |
| Nearest Airport | Eagle County Regional (EGE) 20 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 41.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 64.5 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 15.4 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 12.3 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Moderate |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Very Low |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Very Low |
| Lightning | Relatively High |
| Ice Storm | Very Low |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Very Low |
| Landslide | Relatively High |
| Volcano | Very Low |
| Avalanche | Relatively High |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
63 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.3.
| Jan 31, 2002 | 28 km SSW of Craig, Colorado | M4.3 | 116 km | 5 km |
| Aug 9, 2001 | 11 km NNE of Chacra, Colorado | M4.0 | 43 km | 5 km |
| Feb 10, 2006 | 1 km NNE of Chacra, Colorado | M3.8 | 42 km | 5 km |
| Jun 6, 2011 | 17 km NNW of Oak Creek, Colorado | M3.5 | 117 km | 5 km |
| Apr 10, 2011 | 12 km N of Oak Creek, Colorado | M3.4 | 113 km | 5 km |
| Aug 21, 2012 | 12 km SSW of Gypsum, Colorado | M3.4 | 19 km | 5 km |
| Nov 3, 1994 | 30 km W of Meeker, Colorado | M3.4 | 128 km | 5 km |
| Jan 30, 2017 | 5 km SW of New Castle, Colorado | M3.3 | 50 km | 5 km |
| Apr 3, 2025 | 34 km W of Delta, Colorado | M3.2 | 143 km | 5 km |
| Feb 1, 2019 | 3 km NW of Glenwood Springs, Colorado | M3.1 | 35 km | 2 km |
| Jul 8, 1993 | 9 km ENE of Aspen, Colorado | M3.1 | 33 km | 5 km |
| Sep 2, 2024 | 21 km NW of Steamboat Springs, Colorado | M3.1 | 138 km | 2 km |
| Feb 7, 2000 | 19 km NE of Steamboat Springs, Colorado | M3.0 | 141 km | 5 km |
| Sep 12, 1990 | 13 km NW of Silverthorne, Colorado | M3.0 | 81 km | 5 km |
| May 2, 2013 | 2 km E of Loghill Village, Colorado | M2.9 | 143 km | 4 km |
| Jan 1, 2003 | 6 km SE of Aspen, Colorado | M2.9 | 34 km | 5 km |
| Dec 5, 2000 | 10 km NNW of Redstone, Colorado | M2.9 | 24 km | 5 km |
| Feb 26, 2008 | 29 km WNW of Westcreek, Colorado | M2.9 | 136 km | 2 km |
| Mar 19, 2002 | 40 km NNE of Loma, Colorado | M2.9 | 139 km | 5 km |
| Oct 18, 2024 | 6 km NNE of Chacra, Colorado | M2.9 | 42 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
8 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jun 13, 1977 | EF2 | 98 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 20, 1975 | EF2 | 26 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 9, 2015 | EF1 | 97 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| May 13, 2004 | EF1 | 92 km | 0.7 mi | 0 |
| Jun 8, 1984 | EF1 | 97 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Apr 6, 1974 | EF1 | 39 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 5, 2018 | EF0 | 98 km | 0.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 30, 2004 | EF0 | 38 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950-2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: GRIZZLY CREEK (30,705 acres, 2020).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2020 | GRIZZLY CREEK | 30,705 | 29 km |
| 2002 | BIG FISH | 17,273 | 72 km |
| 2018 | WESTON PASS | 13,169 | 96 km |
| 2018 | LAKE CHRISTINE | 12,506 | 6 km |
| 2002 | COAL SEAM | 12,007 | 36 km |
| 2002 | SPRING CREEK | 10,552 | 52 km |
| 2002 | LOST LAKES | 5,888 | 81 km |
| 2018 | CABIN LAKE | 5,765 | 77 km |
| 2016 | LOST SOLAR | 5,141 | 67 km |
| 2021 | MUDDY SLIDE | 4,372 | 90 km |
| 1987 | BATTLEMENT | 3,839 | 82 km |
| 1994 | WAKE | 3,834 | 78 km |
| 2021 | SYLVAN | 3,480 | 29 km |
| 2023 | SPRING CREEK | 3,279 | 84 km |
| 1994 | UTE CREEK | 3,225 | 76 km |
| 2004 | MCGRUDER | 2,998 | 83 km |
| 2018 | CACHE CREEK | 2,690 | 73 km |
| 1994 | SO. CANYON | 2,014 | 38 km |
| 2023 | LOWLINE | 1,855 | 72 km |
| 2016 | RX MILLER CREEK-HAY FLATS | 1,739 | 83 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 22°F (-6°C) | 1.2 in | |
| February | 22°F (-6°C) | 1.0 in | Driest |
| March | 29°F (-2°C) | 1.3 in | |
| April | 37°F (3°C) | 1.1 in | |
| May | 47°F (8°C) | 1.3 in | |
| June | 56°F (13°C) | 1.1 in | |
| July | 65°F (18°C) | 1.5 in | Warmest |
| August | 61°F (16°C) | 1.5 in | Wettest |
| September | 54°F (12°C) | 1.4 in | |
| October | 44°F (6°C) | 1.3 in | |
| November | 30°F (-1°C) | 1.1 in | |
| December | 20°F (-7°C) | 1.4 in | Coldest |
Basalt has a seasonal temperature swing of 45°F / from 20°F in December to 65°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 15.1 inches, with August being the wettest month (1.5") and February the driest (1.0").