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Weather & Climate in Bethune, CO
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Bethune experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 51°F (11°C). Winters average 30°F in January while summers reach 75°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 17.1 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 4,254 feet.
Temperature
30°F Jan (-1°C)
75°F Jul (24°C)
| Annual Average | 51.4°F |
| 5% below US avg | |
| January Average | 30°F (-1°C) |
| July Average | 75°F (24°C) |
| Sunny Days | 330 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 4,254 ft (1,297 m) |
| Area | 0.2 sq mi (0.4 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,606/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 39.3038°N, 102.4234°W |
| Timezone | America/Denver |
| County | Kit Carson County County |
| Nearest Airport | Colorado Plains Regional (AKO) 74 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 41.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 32.5 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 37.0 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 8.4 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Very Low |
| Ice Storm | Very Low |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
5 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.9.
| Aug 17, 2009 | 8 km E of Eads, Colorado | M3.9 | 95 km | 5 km |
| Jul 15, 2014 | 23 km NNE of Haswell, Colorado | M3.0 | 91 km | 5 km |
| Jan 10, 2003 | 14 km NE of Wiley, Colorado | M2.9 | 118 km | 5 km |
| Aug 7, 2021 | 23 km NE of Sugar City, Colorado | M2.5 | 137 km | 5 km |
| Aug 6, 2016 | 13 km NNE of Wiley, Colorado | M2.5 | 117 km | 6 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
638 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 47 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| May 31, 1999 | EF3 | 100 km | 7.0 mi | 0 |
| May 30, 1996 | EF3 | 94 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 21, 1993 | EF3 | 86 km | 12.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 7, 1993 | EF3 | 10 km | 9.0 mi | 0 |
| May 19, 1982 | EF3 | 66 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Oct 17, 1971 | EF3 | 97 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| May 4, 1960 | EF3 | 76 km | 7.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 20, 1958 | EF3 | 64 km | 3.3 mi | 0 |
| Aug 8, 2023 | EF2 | 35 km | 5.3 mi | 0 |
| Jun 21, 2023 | EF2 | 93 km | 4.9 mi | 0 |
| May 7, 2016 | EF2 | 92 km | 7.9 mi | 0 |
| Jun 5, 2015 | EF2 | 49 km | 1.5 mi | 0 |
| Apr 27, 2012 | EF2 | 92 km | 0.7 mi | 0 |
| Mar 28, 2007 | EF2 | 78 km | 34.0 mi | 0 |
| Oct 31, 2000 | EF2 | 42 km | 12.0 mi | 0 |
| May 31, 1999 | EF2 | 95 km | 7.0 mi | 0 |
| Oct 5, 1994 | EF2 | 17 km | 6.3 mi | 0 |
| Jun 7, 1994 | EF2 | 77 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 7, 1994 | EF2 | 69 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 7, 1994 | EF2 | 68 km | 7.0 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
16 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: SHERIDAN LAKE (5,310 acres, 2022).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2022 | SHERIDAN LAKE | 5,310 | 98 km |
| 1996 | UNNAMED | 4,928 | 88 km |
| 1997 | UNNAMED | 4,777 | 97 km |
| 2019 | CHERRY CREEK | 4,273 | 79 km |
| 2022 | CR 15 | 3,244 | 59 km |
| 2000 | UNNAMED | 2,535 | 40 km |
| 2003 | UNNAMED | 2,530 | 86 km |
| 2022 | FF | 2,463 | 65 km |
| 2011 | ZWEYGARDT | 2,118 | 54 km |
| 2022 | COUNTY ROAD R | 2,080 | 87 km |
| 2007 | WANO | 1,556 | 77 km |
| 2020 | COUNTY RD T | 1,371 | 90 km |
| 2000 | UNNAMED | 1,304 | 44 km |
| 2007 | BRADSHAW | 1,255 | 47 km |
| 2006 | UNNAMED | 1,154 | 68 km |
| 2022 | COUNTY ROAD 56 | 1,076 | 29 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 30°F (-1°C) | 0.3 in | Coldest, Driest |
| February | 33°F (0°C) | 0.4 in | |
| March | 40°F (4°C) | 0.9 in | |
| April | 48°F (9°C) | 1.4 in | |
| May | 58°F (15°C) | 2.9 in | Wettest |
| June | 69°F (20°C) | 2.5 in | |
| July | 75°F (24°C) | 2.4 in | Warmest |
| August | 73°F (23°C) | 2.1 in | |
| September | 64°F (18°C) | 1.4 in | |
| October | 52°F (11°C) | 0.8 in | |
| November | 38°F (3°C) | 0.6 in | |
| December | 30°F (-1°C) | 0.4 in |
Bethune has a seasonal temperature swing of 45°F / from 30°F in January to 75°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 16.0 inches, with May being the wettest month (2.9") and January the driest (0.3").