Weather & Climate in Burns, WY

Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.

Burns experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 47°F (8°C). Winters average 27°F in January while summers reach 71°F in July. The area gets 316 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 15.3 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 34.5 inches of snow annually, a moderate snowfall amount. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 34. The city sits at an elevation of 5,516 feet.

Temperature

27°F Jan (-3°C) 71°F Jul (22°C)

Annual Average	46.9°F
	13% below US avg
January Average	27°F (-3°C)
July Average	71°F (22°C)
Sunny Days	316 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	5,516 ft (1,681 m)
Area	3.1 sq mi (7.9 km²)
Population Density	120/sq mi
Coordinates	41.1909°N, 104.3590°W
Timezone	America/Denver
County	Laramie County County
Nearest Airport	Cheyenne Regional/Jerry Olson Field (CYS) 24 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 15.3"

60% below US avg

Snowfall 34.5"

Wettest Month (May) 2.60"

Driest Month (Feb) 0.35"

Air Quality

AQI Median	34.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Low
Risk Score	76.7 / 100
Social Vulnerability	22.0 / 100
Community Resilience	49.0 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Relatively Moderate
Earthquake	Relatively Low
Wildfire	Relatively Moderate
Flood	Relatively Low
Hail	Relatively Moderate
Strong Wind	Relatively Moderate
Heat Wave	Very Low
Winter Weather	Very High
Lightning	Relatively High
Ice Storm	Relatively High
Drought	Very Low
Cold Wave	Relatively High
Landslide	Very Low
Avalanche	Very Low

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

7 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.2.

Jun 1, 2014	9 km NNW of Kersey, Colorado	M3.2	83 km	1 km
Jan 6, 2018	7 km SW of Guernsey, Wyoming	M3.0	121 km	5 km
Mar 30, 2019	7 km NE of Greeley, Colorado	M2.9	84 km	6 km
Dec 19, 2013	33 km NE of Rock River, Wyoming	M2.8	137 km	12 km
Jun 13, 2025	7 km SE of Erie, Colorado	M2.7	142 km	9 km
Aug 23, 2016	2 km SSE of Eaton, Colorado	M2.6	82 km	10 km
Jun 23, 2014	6 km NNE of Kersey, Colorado	M2.5	85 km	5 km

Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Tornado History

573 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 3 fatalities, 95 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Jun 27, 1955	EF4	94 km	26.0 mi	2
Jun 9, 1991	EF3	97 km	3.5 mi	0
May 27, 1985	EF3	86 km	48.0 mi	0
Jul 16, 1979	EF3	39 km	8.8 mi	1
Jun 20, 1960	EF3	85 km	26.1 mi	0
Apr 23, 1960	EF3	74 km	17.2 mi	0
Jun 27, 1955	EF3	94 km	2.0 mi	0
Jun 26, 1955	EF3	87 km	2.0 mi	0
May 15, 1952	EF3	97 km	7.4 mi	0
Jun 23, 2023	EF2	93 km	2.5 mi	0
Jun 23, 2023	EF2	66 km	4.7 mi	0
May 27, 2018	EF2	63 km	1.0 mi	0
Jun 12, 2017	EF2	33 km	15.0 mi	0
May 18, 2010	EF2	2 km	1.5 mi	0
Jun 5, 2009	EF2	49 km	8.3 mi	0
May 22, 2008	EF2	80 km	25.1 mi	0
Jun 27, 2005	EF2	84 km	17.0 mi	0
May 21, 1998	EF2	88 km	4.0 mi	0
Jul 31, 1996	EF2	84 km	5.0 mi	0
Jul 30, 1996	EF2	99 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: CARTER CANYON (15,828 acres, 2022).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2022	CARTER CANYON	15,828	78 km
2000	CO LINE	10,961	56 km
2004	PICNIC ROCK	9,014	90 km
2006	TRAILER	8,040	96 km
2024	HAPPY JACK	6,585	53 km
2021	HACKBERRY CA	6,367	91 km
2002	UNNAMED	5,258	68 km
2022	SMOKEY	3,961	89 km
2021	313	3,859	60 km
2020	HUBBARDS GAP	3,435	91 km
2005	BROADCAST BURN	3,230	90 km
2004	ROSETTA LANE	3,164	33 km
2005	LITTLEBEAR	3,125	56 km
2021	BUFFALO CREEK	2,716	85 km
2021	VISTA TREND CA	2,669	82 km
2015	2 CA MA IRON MOUNTAIN MIDDLE CANYON PRESCRIBED BURN	2,517	89 km
2002	UNNAMED	2,261	69 km
2021	CROSS CA	2,247	71 km
2017	CATTLE DRIVE	2,200	65 km
2024	139 FIRE	2,146	39 km

Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	27°F (-3°C)	0.4 in	Coldest
February	30°F (-1°C)	0.4 in	Driest
March	36°F (2°C)	1.0 in
April	43°F (6°C)	1.4 in
May	53°F (12°C)	2.6 in	Wettest
June	63°F (17°C)	2.3 in
July	71°F (22°C)	2.2 in	Warmest
August	68°F (20°C)	1.5 in
September	59°F (15°C)	1.3 in
October	47°F (9°C)	0.8 in
November	35°F (1°C)	0.6 in
December	28°F (-2°C)	0.4 in

Burns has a seasonal temperature swing of 44°F / from 27°F in January to 71°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 14.8 inches, with May being the wettest month (2.6") and February the driest (0.4").

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