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Weather & Climate in Bonanza, CO
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Bonanza has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 44°F (7°C). Winters average 21°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 8.4 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 9,525 feet.
Temperature
21°F Jan (-6°C)
65°F Jul (18°C)
| Annual Average | 43.9°F |
| 19% below US avg | |
| January Average | 21°F (-6°C) |
| July Average | 65°F (18°C) |
| Sunny Days | 330 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 9,525 ft (2,903 m) |
| Area | 0.4 sq mi (1.1 km²) |
| Population Density | 27/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 38.2966°N, 106.1419°W |
| Timezone | America/Denver |
| County | Saguache County County |
| Nearest Airport | Gunnison-Crested Butte Regional (GUC) 46 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 41.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 14.3 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 55.2 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 10.7 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Very Low |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Very Low |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | Very Low |
| Drought | Relatively Moderate |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Relatively Moderate |
| Volcano | Very Low |
| Avalanche | Relatively Moderate |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
37 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.5.
| Dec 23, 1995 | 7 km WNW of Rock Creek Park, Colorado | M3.5 | 117 km | 5 km |
| Feb 28, 2019 | 22 km NNW of Blanca, Colorado | M3.4 | 89 km | 5 km |
| May 10, 1991 | 24 km SSE of South Fork, Colorado | M3.4 | 101 km | 5 km |
| Jan 18, 1997 | 8 km SE of Westcreek, Colorado | M3.3 | 127 km | 5 km |
| Feb 28, 2019 | 22 km N of Blanca, Colorado | M3.3 | 92 km | 6 km |
| Jan 26, 2008 | 12 km NE of Cotopaxi, Colorado | M3.1 | 52 km | 5 km |
| Jul 22, 2001 | 6 km WNW of Woodland Park, Colorado | M3.1 | 119 km | 5 km |
| Jul 8, 1993 | 9 km ENE of Aspen, Colorado | M3.1 | 115 km | 5 km |
| Jan 1, 2003 | 6 km SE of Aspen, Colorado | M2.9 | 109 km | 5 km |
| Feb 26, 2008 | 29 km WNW of Westcreek, Colorado | M2.9 | 123 km | 2 km |
| Feb 11, 2006 | 13 km NE of Costilla, New Mexico | M2.9 | 149 km | 5 km |
| May 2, 2013 | 2 km E of Loghill Village, Colorado | M2.9 | 141 km | 4 km |
| Aug 24, 2016 | 16 km ENE of Beulah Valley, Colorado | M2.9 | 118 km | 3 km |
| Jun 18, 2002 | 39 km SW of Creede, Colorado | M2.9 | 124 km | 5 km |
| Dec 5, 2000 | 10 km NNW of Redstone, Colorado | M2.9 | 147 km | 5 km |
| Jan 19, 1997 | 8 km SE of Westcreek, Colorado | M2.9 | 127 km | 5 km |
| Jul 24, 2019 | 24 km N of Blanca, Colorado | M2.8 | 91 km | 6 km |
| Oct 13, 2002 | 13 km S of Norrie, Colorado | M2.8 | 110 km | 5 km |
| Apr 11, 2021 | 9 km E of Woody Creek, Colorado | M2.8 | 123 km | 2 km |
| Jan 20, 2017 | Colorado | M2.8 | 131 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
46 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jun 8, 2014 | EF2 | 97 km | 6.0 mi | 0 |
| Oct 10, 1997 | EF2 | 97 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 4, 1960 | EF2 | 66 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 10, 1955 | EF2 | 97 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 18, 2009 | EF1 | 92 km | 9.3 mi | 0 |
| Aug 23, 2008 | EF1 | 88 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 16, 2008 | EF1 | 82 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Mar 19, 1995 | EF1 | 99 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 16, 1991 | EF1 | 20 km | 6.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 13, 1989 | EF1 | 99 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Apr 21, 1988 | EF1 | 99 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Jul 22, 1985 | EF1 | 81 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Jun 22, 1983 | EF1 | 93 km | 1.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 19, 1982 | EF1 | 89 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 10, 1980 | EF1 | 46 km | 19.9 mi | 0 |
| Jun 25, 1956 | EF1 | 94 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Feb 13, 1954 | EF1 | 62 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 30, 2023 | EF0 | 89 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| May 30, 2021 | EF0 | 89 km | 0.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 22, 2019 | EF0 | 61 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950-2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: WEST FORK COMPLEX - EAST ZONE (34,441 acres, 2013).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2013 | WEST FORK COMPLEX - EAST ZONE | 34,441 | 96 km |
| 2016 | JUNKINS | 19,023 | 90 km |
| 2016 | HAYDEN PASS | 17,977 | 33 km |
| 2018 | WESTON PASS | 13,169 | 82 km |
| 2005 | MASON | 11,630 | 98 km |
| 2019 | DECKER | 9,875 | 21 km |
| 2002 | MILLION | 7,923 | 84 km |
| 2010 | MEDANO | 4,887 | 80 km |
| 2011 | DUCKETT | 4,705 | 42 km |
| 2002 | IRON MOUNTAIN | 3,955 | 59 km |
| 2022 | UNNAMED | 3,643 | 91 km |
| 2013 | ROYAL GORGE | 3,290 | 75 km |
| 2000 | PSFRXASST1 | 2,747 | 98 km |
| 2012 | WETMORE | 2,293 | 95 km |
| 1988 | DINOSAUR | 2,147 | 88 km |
| 2000 | SAND | 1,911 | 84 km |
| 2023 | THREEMILE CREEK RX | 1,863 | 44 km |
| 2023 | LOWLINE | 1,855 | 93 km |
| 2023 | 403 | 1,767 | 95 km |
| 2012 | SPRINGER | 1,665 | 95 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 21°F (-6°C) | 0.9 in | Driest |
| February | 20°F (-7°C) | 0.9 in | |
| March | 26°F (-3°C) | 1.5 in | |
| April | 33°F (1°C) | 1.1 in | |
| May | 43°F (6°C) | 1.2 in | |
| June | 52°F (11°C) | 1.1 in | |
| July | 65°F (18°C) | 2.2 in | Warmest |
| August | 56°F (13°C) | 2.5 in | Wettest |
| September | 50°F (10°C) | 1.6 in | |
| October | 40°F (4°C) | 1.2 in | |
| November | 27°F (-3°C) | 1.1 in | |
| December | 18°F (-8°C) | 1.1 in | Coldest |
Bonanza has a seasonal temperature swing of 47°F / from 18°F in December to 65°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 16.5 inches, with August being the wettest month (2.5") and January the driest (0.9").