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Weather & Climate in Buena Vista, CO
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Buena Vista has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 45°F (7°C). Winters average 26°F in January while summers reach 66°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 9.9 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 49.3 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 7,988 feet.
Temperature
26°F Jan (-3°C)
66°F Jul (19°C)
| Annual Average | 44.7°F |
| 17% below US avg | |
| January Average | 26°F (-3°C) |
| July Average | 66°F (19°C) |
| Sunny Days | 330 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 7,988 ft (2,435 m) |
| Area | 3.5 sq mi (9.0 km²) |
| Population Density | 852/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 38.8320°N, 106.1387°W |
| Timezone | America/Denver |
| County | Chaffee County County |
| Nearest Airport | Gunnison-Crested Butte Regional (GUC) 47 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 41.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 51.1 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 18.1 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 54.8 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Very Low |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Relatively High |
| Ice Storm | Very Low |
| Drought | Very Low |
| Cold Wave | Very Low |
| Landslide | Relatively Moderate |
| Volcano | Very Low |
| Avalanche | Very High |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
43 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.0.
| Aug 9, 2001 | 11 km NNE of Chacra, Colorado | M4.0 | 141 km | 5 km |
| Dec 25, 1994 | 9 km NE of Larkspur, Colorado | M4.0 | 125 km | 10 km |
| Feb 10, 2006 | 1 km NNE of Chacra, Colorado | M3.8 | 140 km | 5 km |
| Dec 23, 1995 | 7 km WNW of Rock Creek Park, Colorado | M3.5 | 107 km | 5 km |
| Feb 28, 2019 | 22 km NNW of Blanca, Colorado | M3.4 | 142 km | 5 km |
| Aug 21, 2012 | 12 km SSW of Gypsum, Colorado | M3.4 | 107 km | 5 km |
| Jan 30, 2017 | 5 km SW of New Castle, Colorado | M3.3 | 148 km | 5 km |
| Feb 28, 2019 | 22 km N of Blanca, Colorado | M3.3 | 144 km | 6 km |
| Jan 18, 1997 | 8 km SE of Westcreek, Colorado | M3.3 | 95 km | 5 km |
| Jul 8, 1993 | 9 km ENE of Aspen, Colorado | M3.1 | 66 km | 5 km |
| Jul 22, 2001 | 6 km WNW of Woodland Park, Colorado | M3.1 | 90 km | 5 km |
| Jan 26, 2008 | 12 km NE of Cotopaxi, Colorado | M3.1 | 65 km | 5 km |
| Feb 1, 2019 | 3 km NW of Glenwood Springs, Colorado | M3.1 | 133 km | 2 km |
| Sep 12, 1990 | 13 km NW of Silverthorne, Colorado | M3.0 | 97 km | 5 km |
| May 1, 2009 | 21 km NW of Dotsero, Colorado | M2.9 | 142 km | 5 km |
| Aug 24, 2016 | 16 km ENE of Beulah Valley, Colorado | M2.9 | 138 km | 3 km |
| Dec 5, 2000 | 10 km NNW of Redstone, Colorado | M2.9 | 111 km | 5 km |
| Oct 18, 2024 | 6 km NNE of Chacra, Colorado | M2.9 | 141 km | 5 km |
| Jan 19, 1997 | 8 km SE of Westcreek, Colorado | M2.9 | 95 km | 5 km |
| Jan 1, 2003 | 6 km SE of Aspen, Colorado | M2.9 | 65 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
30 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jun 13, 1977 | EF3 | 97 km | 4.9 mi | 0 |
| Jun 8, 2014 | EF2 | 62 km | 6.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 13, 1977 | EF2 | 50 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 9, 2024 | EF1 | 87 km | 0.9 mi | 0 |
| Jul 20, 2023 | EF1 | 94 km | 1.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 8, 2014 | EF1 | 99 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Jun 8, 2014 | EF1 | 73 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Aug 18, 2009 | EF1 | 55 km | 9.3 mi | 0 |
| Aug 23, 2008 | EF1 | 96 km | 0.6 mi | 0 |
| Aug 23, 2008 | EF1 | 95 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Aug 23, 2008 | EF1 | 58 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 27, 2007 | EF1 | 89 km | 0.9 mi | 0 |
| Jul 12, 1996 | EF1 | 85 km | 0.7 mi | 0 |
| Jun 16, 1991 | EF1 | 79 km | 6.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 22, 1985 | EF1 | 91 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Jun 28, 1983 | EF1 | 78 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Feb 13, 1954 | EF1 | 97 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 30, 2023 | EF0 | 71 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| May 30, 2021 | EF0 | 56 km | 0.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 22, 2019 | EF0 | 92 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: HAYMAN (129,417 acres, 2002).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2002 | HAYMAN | 129,417 | 85 km |
| 2016 | HAYDEN PASS | 17,977 | 68 km |
| 2018 | WESTON PASS | 13,169 | 24 km |
| 1996 | BUFFALO CREEK | 11,690 | 97 km |
| 2019 | DECKER | 9,875 | 45 km |
| 2000 | HIGH MEADOWS | 9,607 | 92 km |
| 2001 | MVD PSFRXASST 4 | 7,375 | 97 km |
| 2011 | DUCKETT | 4,705 | 77 km |
| 2002 | IRON MOUNTAIN | 3,955 | 80 km |
| 2021 | SYLVAN | 3,480 | 86 km |
| 2013 | ROYAL GORGE | 3,290 | 83 km |
| 2002 | SCHOONOVER | 2,821 | 91 km |
| 1988 | DINOSAUR | 2,147 | 90 km |
| 2002 | SNAKING | 2,080 | 85 km |
| 2023 | THREEMILE CREEK RX | 1,863 | 16 km |
| 2023 | LOWLINE | 1,855 | 82 km |
| 2023 | 403 | 1,767 | 68 km |
| 2012 | SPRINGER | 1,665 | 63 km |
| 2022 | HIGH PARK | 1,605 | 76 km |
| 2018 | CHATEAU | 1,414 | 73 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 26°F (-3°C) | 0.4 in | Driest |
| February | 25°F (-4°C) | 0.4 in | |
| March | 31°F (-0°C) | 0.7 in | |
| April | 38°F (3°C) | 0.8 in | |
| May | 48°F (9°C) | 1.0 in | |
| June | 57°F (14°C) | 1.0 in | |
| July | 66°F (19°C) | 1.9 in | Warmest |
| August | 61°F (16°C) | 2.1 in | Wettest |
| September | 53°F (12°C) | 1.2 in | |
| October | 43°F (6°C) | 0.8 in | |
| November | 31°F (-1°C) | 0.6 in | |
| December | 23°F (-5°C) | 0.6 in | Coldest |
Buena Vista has a seasonal temperature swing of 43°F / from 23°F in December to 66°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 11.3 inches, with August being the wettest month (2.1") and January the driest (0.4").