Weather & Climate in Cañon City, CO

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

Cañon City experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 52°F (11°C). Winters average 34°F in January while summers reach 74°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 13.7 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 38.3 inches of snow annually, a moderate snowfall amount. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41. The city sits at an elevation of 5,305 feet.

Temperature

34°F Jan (1°C) 74°F Jul (23°C)

Annual Average	52.1°F
	4% below US avg
January Average	34°F (1°C)
July Average	74°F (23°C)
Sunny Days	330 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	5,305 ft (1,617 m)
Area	12.5 sq mi (32.4 km²)
Population Density	1,378/sq mi
Coordinates	38.4419°N, 105.2209°W
Timezone	America/Denver
County	Fremont County County
Nearest Airport	San Luis Valley Regional/Bergman Field (ALS) 78 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 13.7"

64% below US avg

Snowfall 38.3"

Wettest Month (Aug) 2.32"

Driest Month (Jan) 0.35"

Air Quality

AQI Median	41.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Low
Risk Score	68.6 / 100
Social Vulnerability	66.3 / 100
Community Resilience	40.7 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

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

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

Earthquake History

90 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.3.

Mar 10, 2023	6 km NNE of Segundo, Colorado	M4.3	147 km	6 km
Jun 19, 2023	Colorado	M4.1	142 km	6 km
Dec 25, 1994	9 km NE of Larkspur, Colorado	M4.0	101 km	10 km
Mar 10, 2023	5 km N of Sequndo, Colorado	M3.9	148 km	4 km
Aug 1, 1996	17 km NE of Hoehne, Colorado	M3.8	144 km	5 km
Mar 19, 2023	4 km WNW of Hoehne, Colorado	M3.8	145 km	6 km
Feb 22, 2015	5 km E of Stonewall Gap, Colorado	M3.6	145 km	5 km
Jan 22, 2014	9 km NNW of Cokedale, Colorado	M3.6	144 km	4 km
Sep 10, 2023	8 km NNW of Segundo, Colorado	M3.6	144 km	2 km
Sep 1, 2019	16 km NNW of Weston, Colorado	M3.5	133 km	5 km
Mar 10, 2023	8 km N of Segundo, Colorado	M3.5	144 km	3 km
Feb 25, 2018	12 km NNE of Weston, Colorado	M3.5	138 km	5 km
Dec 23, 1995	7 km WNW of Rock Creek Park, Colorado	M3.5	42 km	5 km
May 3, 2023	8 km N of Segundo, Colorado	M3.4	144 km	4 km
Jun 19, 2023	7 km NNW of El Moro, Colorado	M3.4	144 km	6 km
Feb 28, 2019	22 km NNW of Blanca, Colorado	M3.4	95 km	5 km
Sep 11, 2023	7 km N of Valdez, Colorado	M3.4	146 km	7 km
Jan 18, 1997	8 km SE of Westcreek, Colorado	M3.3	74 km	5 km
Feb 28, 2019	22 km N of Blanca, Colorado	M3.3	92 km	6 km
Feb 3, 2016	7 km E of Stonewall Gap, Colorado	M3.3	145 km	3 km

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

Tornado History

143 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 17 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Jun 24, 1979	EF3	52 km	4.3 mi	0
Jun 13, 1977	EF3	57 km	4.9 mi	0
Jun 8, 2014	EF2	63 km	6.0 mi	0
May 28, 2001	EF2	84 km	0.5 mi	0
May 28, 2001	EF2	83 km	0.3 mi	0
Aug 21, 1984	EF2	58 km	1.0 mi	0
Jun 13, 1977	EF2	65 km	1.0 mi	0
Jun 13, 1977	EF2	79 km	1.0 mi	0
Apr 11, 1977	EF2	43 km	1.0 mi	0
Jul 4, 1960	EF2	51 km	0.1 mi	0
Aug 9, 2024	EF1	40 km	0.9 mi	0
Jul 20, 2023	EF1	54 km	1.5 mi	0
May 8, 2017	EF1	62 km	0.2 mi	0
Jul 21, 2015	EF1	92 km	0.3 mi	0
Jun 8, 2014	EF1	76 km	0.3 mi	0
Jun 8, 2014	EF1	65 km	0.3 mi	0
Aug 18, 2009	EF1	64 km	9.3 mi	0
Aug 23, 2008	EF1	77 km	0.3 mi	0
Aug 23, 2008	EF1	75 km	0.6 mi	0
Aug 23, 2008	EF1	56 km	1.0 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	87 km
1986	UNNAMED	25,771	78 km
2012	WALDO CANYON	20,112	59 km
2016	IMPACT AREA	19,918	43 km
2016	JUNKINS	19,023	34 km
1998	UNNAMED	18,218	43 km
2016	HAYDEN PASS	17,977	50 km
2018	WESTON PASS	13,169	96 km
2006	MATO VEGA	13,126	92 km
2013	BLACK FOREST	11,885	81 km
2005	MASON	11,630	35 km
2019	DECKER	9,875	67 km
2008	TA-25	8,253	37 km
2024	RANGE 135	7,766	43 km
2001	MVD PSFRXASST 4	7,375	88 km
2002	MILNE/SQUIRREL	6,568	67 km
2016	BEULAH HILL	5,769	49 km
2018	APACHE COMPLEX	5,182	36 km
2009	QUARRY	5,141	46 km
2017	MILNE	5,113	74 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	34°F (1°C)	0.4 in	Driest
February	34°F (1°C)	0.4 in
March	39°F (4°C)	0.9 in
April	47°F (8°C)	1.2 in
May	55°F (13°C)	1.6 in
June	65°F (18°C)	1.3 in
July	74°F (23°C)	2.0 in	Warmest
August	68°F (20°C)	2.3 in	Wettest
September	60°F (16°C)	1.1 in
October	50°F (10°C)	0.9 in
November	38°F (4°C)	0.6 in
December	32°F (0°C)	0.5 in	Coldest

Cañon City has a seasonal temperature swing of 42°F / from 32°F in December to 74°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 13.1 inches, with August being the wettest month (2.3") and January the driest (0.4").

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