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Weather & Climate in Black Forest, CO
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Black Forest has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 44°F (7°C). Winters average 25°F in January while summers reach 65°F in July. The area gets 326 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 21.6 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 101.7 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 7,521 feet.
Temperature
25°F Jan (-4°C)
65°F Jul (18°C)
| Annual Average | 43.9°F |
| 19% below US avg | |
| January Average | 25°F (-4°C) |
| July Average | 65°F (18°C) |
| Sunny Days | 326 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 7,521 ft (2,292 m) |
| Area | 100.7 sq mi (260.8 km²) |
| Population Density | 146/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 39.0636°N, 104.6796°W |
| Timezone | America/Denver |
| County | Douglas County County |
| Nearest Airport | Denver International (DEN) 55 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 41.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Moderate |
| Risk Score | 88.7 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 10.6 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 73.7 / 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 | Very High |
| Lightning | Very High |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Relatively Low |
| Volcano | Very Low |
| Avalanche | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
17 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 | 28 km | 10 km |
| Dec 23, 1995 | 7 km WNW of Rock Creek Park, Colorado | M3.5 | 42 km | 5 km |
| Jan 18, 1997 | 8 km SE of Westcreek, Colorado | M3.3 | 37 km | 5 km |
| Jan 26, 2008 | 12 km NE of Cotopaxi, Colorado | M3.1 | 104 km | 5 km |
| Jul 22, 2001 | 6 km WNW of Woodland Park, Colorado | M3.1 | 39 km | 5 km |
| Sep 12, 1990 | 13 km NW of Silverthorne, Colorado | M3.0 | 149 km | 5 km |
| Feb 26, 2008 | 29 km WNW of Westcreek, Colorado | M2.9 | 72 km | 2 km |
| Aug 24, 2016 | 16 km ENE of Beulah Valley, Colorado | M2.9 | 102 km | 3 km |
| Jan 19, 1997 | 8 km SE of Westcreek, Colorado | M2.9 | 37 km | 5 km |
| Dec 31, 1995 | 6 km WNW of Rock Creek Park, Colorado | M2.8 | 44 km | 5 km |
| Jan 19, 1997 | 8 km SE of Westcreek, Colorado | M2.7 | 37 km | 5 km |
| Apr 18, 1998 | 8 km SE of Westcreek, Colorado | M2.7 | 37 km | 5 km |
| Jun 13, 2025 | 7 km SE of Erie, Colorado | M2.7 | 108 km | 9 km |
| Sep 24, 2013 | 6 km NNE of Cotopaxi, Colorado | M2.6 | 111 km | 5 km |
| Aug 7, 2021 | 23 km NE of Sugar City, Colorado | M2.5 | 126 km | 5 km |
| Jun 26, 2021 | 19 km WNW of Cañon City, Colorado | M2.5 | 89 km | 8 km |
| Aug 4, 1994 | 6 km NNE of Smeltertown, Colorado | M2.5 | 125 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
620 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 100 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| May 31, 1999 | EF3 | 100 km | 7.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 6, 1990 | EF3 | 85 km | 7.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 6, 1990 | EF3 | 69 km | 7.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 15, 1988 | EF3 | 77 km | 2.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 12, 1982 | EF3 | 85 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 24, 1979 | EF3 | 32 km | 4.3 mi | 0 |
| Jun 13, 1977 | EF3 | 33 km | 4.9 mi | 0 |
| May 18, 1975 | EF3 | 82 km | 4.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 8, 2014 | EF2 | 67 km | 6.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 7, 2012 | EF2 | 44 km | 7.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 15, 2009 | EF2 | 20 km | 4.0 mi | 0 |
| May 10, 2004 | EF2 | 62 km | 6.0 mi | 0 |
| May 28, 2001 | EF2 | 36 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| May 28, 2001 | EF2 | 38 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 13, 1996 | EF2 | 85 km | 12.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 6, 1990 | EF2 | 59 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 15, 1988 | EF2 | 77 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 2, 1987 | EF2 | 91 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 20, 1987 | EF2 | 79 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 8, 1986 | EF2 | 75 km | 1.1 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: HAYMAN (129,417 acres, 2002).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2002 | HAYMAN | 129,417 | 55 km |
| 1986 | UNNAMED | 25,771 | 75 km |
| 2012 | WALDO CANYON | 20,112 | 27 km |
| 2016 | IMPACT AREA | 19,918 | 54 km |
| 1998 | UNNAMED | 18,218 | 54 km |
| 2013 | BLACK FOREST | 11,885 | 3 km |
| 1996 | BUFFALO CREEK | 11,690 | 61 km |
| 2000 | HIGH MEADOWS | 9,607 | 70 km |
| 2008 | TA-25 | 8,253 | 52 km |
| 2024 | RANGE 135 | 7,766 | 53 km |
| 2001 | MVD PSFRXASST 4 | 7,375 | 44 km |
| 2002 | MILNE/SQUIRREL | 6,568 | 39 km |
| 2018 | APACHE COMPLEX | 5,182 | 64 km |
| 2009 | QUARRY | 5,141 | 45 km |
| 2017 | MILNE | 5,113 | 44 km |
| 2018 | EDISON | 5,109 | 83 km |
| 2002 | UNNAMED | 4,911 | 48 km |
| 2002 | HANOVER | 4,903 | 57 km |
| 2018 | CARSON MIDWAY | 4,773 | 60 km |
| 1997 | UNNAMED | 4,380 | 40 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 25°F (-4°C) | 0.4 in | Coldest, Driest |
| February | 28°F (-2°C) | 0.4 in | |
| March | 33°F (1°C) | 1.1 in | |
| April | 41°F (5°C) | 1.6 in | |
| May | 50°F (10°C) | 2.4 in | |
| June | 59°F (15°C) | 2.2 in | |
| July | 65°F (18°C) | 2.8 in | Warmest, Wettest |
| August | 63°F (17°C) | 2.8 in | |
| September | 55°F (13°C) | 1.4 in | |
| October | 45°F (7°C) | 0.9 in | |
| November | 33°F (1°C) | 0.7 in | |
| December | 26°F (-3°C) | 0.6 in |
Black Forest has a seasonal temperature swing of 40°F / from 25°F in January to 65°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 17.2 inches, with July being the wettest month (2.8") and January the driest (0.4").