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Weather & Climate in Bayfield, CO
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Bayfield has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 44°F (7°C). Winters average 23°F in January while summers reach 65°F in July. The area gets 323 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 25.8 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 84.9 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 6,975 feet.
Temperature
23°F Jan (-5°C)
65°F Jul (18°C)
| Annual Average | 43.7°F |
| 19% below US avg | |
| January Average | 23°F (-5°C) |
| July Average | 65°F (18°C) |
| Sunny Days | 323 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 6,975 ft (2,126 m) |
| Area | 1.4 sq mi (3.7 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,417/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 37.2341°N, 107.5952°W |
| Timezone | America/Denver |
| County | La Plata County County |
| Nearest Airport | Four Corners Regional (FMN) 49 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 41.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 75.2 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 21.0 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 48.4 / 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 | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Relatively High |
| Ice Storm | Very Low |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Very Low |
| Landslide | Relatively Moderate |
| Avalanche | Relatively High |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
27 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.4.
| Sep 13, 1994 | 17 km N of Sawpit, Colorado | M4.4 | 107 km | 10 km |
| Jul 12, 2021 | 5 km E of Capulin, New Mexico | M4.2 | 135 km | 13 km |
| Jul 12, 2021 | 3 km E of Capulin, New Mexico | M3.7 | 134 km | 10 km |
| Jun 4, 2008 | 8 km ENE of Canjilon, New Mexico | M3.7 | 137 km | 5 km |
| Mar 10, 2023 | 16 km S of Ophir, Colorado | M3.6 | 58 km | 7 km |
| Sep 14, 2009 | 7 km NNW of Canjilon, New Mexico | M3.5 | 127 km | 5 km |
| May 10, 1991 | 24 km SSE of South Fork, Colorado | M3.4 | 93 km | 5 km |
| Apr 9, 2021 | 2 km NNE of Capulin, New Mexico | M3.3 | 130 km | 5 km |
| Jun 26, 2018 | 3 km ESE of Regina, New Mexico | M3.0 | 133 km | 3 km |
| Jul 12, 2021 | 4 km NNE of Capulin, New Mexico | M3.0 | 129 km | 10 km |
| Jun 14, 2018 | 0 km NW of Regina, New Mexico | M3.0 | 129 km | 5 km |
| Jun 18, 2002 | 39 km SW of Creede, Colorado | M2.9 | 51 km | 5 km |
| Feb 8, 2021 | 3 km ENE of Capulin, New Mexico | M2.9 | 133 km | 6 km |
| May 2, 2013 | 2 km E of Loghill Village, Colorado | M2.9 | 108 km | 4 km |
| Sep 1, 2024 | 7 km ENE of Capulin, New Mexico | M2.9 | 132 km | 10 km |
| Jan 17, 2009 | 11 km NNW of Cañones, New Mexico | M2.8 | 145 km | 5 km |
| Jun 17, 2022 | 4 km NNW of Regina, New Mexico | M2.8 | 125 km | 3 km |
| Jan 17, 1994 | 6 km ENE of Loghill Village, Colorado | M2.8 | 110 km | 5 km |
| Sep 14, 1994 | 20 km ENE of Norwood, Colorado | M2.8 | 116 km | 10 km |
| Jul 12, 2021 | 4 km SE of Capulin, New Mexico | M2.7 | 136 km | 10 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
19 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Oct 10, 1997 | EF2 | 78 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 25, 1985 | EF2 | 88 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| May 10, 1957 | EF2 | 83 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Sep 29, 2014 | EF1 | 79 km | 2.3 mi | 0 |
| Oct 5, 2004 | EF1 | 27 km | 2.5 mi | 0 |
| Aug 5, 1999 | EF1 | 51 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Jun 7, 1997 | EF1 | 22 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Aug 30, 1966 | EF1 | 48 km | 1.5 mi | 0 |
| Mar 21, 2020 | EF0 | 91 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 10, 2015 | EF0 | 84 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Sep 18, 2013 | EF0 | 85 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Jul 18, 2011 | EF0 | 98 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Aug 29, 2002 | EF0 | 32 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Oct 23, 2000 | EF0 | 63 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Oct 23, 2000 | EF0 | 63 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 25, 1999 | EF0 | 50 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| May 30, 1992 | EF0 | 29 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Sep 28, 1990 | EF0 | 78 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| May 28, 1963 | EF0 | 68 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: MISSIONARY RIDGE (68,919 acres, 2002).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2002 | MISSIONARY RIDGE | 68,919 | 25 km |
| 2018 | 416 | 55,123 | 40 km |
| 2013 | PAPOOSE | 46,991 | 64 km |
| 2013 | WEST FORK COMPLEX - EAST ZONE | 34,441 | 80 km |
| 2012 | LITTLE SAND | 26,240 | 35 km |
| 2000 | BIRCHER | 23,317 | 72 km |
| 2018 | PLATEAU | 19,746 | 88 km |
| 2013 | WEST FORK COMPLEX | 18,775 | 65 km |
| 1996 | ARCHULETA | 15,613 | 58 km |
| 1994 | UNNAMED | 13,234 | 36 km |
| 2012 | WEBER | 10,898 | 59 km |
| 2002 | MILLION | 7,923 | 97 km |
| 2001 | SANDOVAL | 6,773 | 31 km |
| 2017 | EIGHT FOUR TWO | 5,954 | 16 km |
| 2018 | BURRO | 5,242 | 54 km |
| 2000 | PONY | 5,224 | 85 km |
| 1996 | CHAPIN 5 | 4,832 | 78 km |
| 2016 | GREATER GRACIA RX | 3,960 | 35 km |
| 2020 | EAST CANYON | 3,031 | 55 km |
| 1999 | UNNAMED | 2,852 | 80 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 23°F (-5°C) | 1.8 in | Coldest |
| February | 28°F (-2°C) | 1.6 in | |
| March | 35°F (2°C) | 2.0 in | |
| April | 42°F (6°C) | 1.3 in | |
| May | 51°F (11°C) | 1.2 in | |
| June | 60°F (16°C) | 0.8 in | Driest |
| July | 65°F (18°C) | 2.0 in | Warmest |
| August | 65°F (18°C) | 2.7 in | Wettest |
| September | 58°F (14°C) | 2.1 in | |
| October | 47°F (8°C) | 2.1 in | |
| November | 35°F (1°C) | 1.9 in | |
| December | 26°F (-3°C) | 2.0 in |
Bayfield has a seasonal temperature swing of 42°F / from 23°F in January to 65°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 21.4 inches, with August being the wettest month (2.7") and June the driest (0.8").