Weather & Climate in Center, CO

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

Center has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 42°F (6°C). Winters average 18°F in January while summers reach 64°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 7.2 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 25.1 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 7,644 feet.

Temperature

18°F Jan (-8°C) 64°F Jul (18°C)

Annual Average	42.3°F
	22% below US avg
January Average	18°F (-8°C)
July Average	64°F (18°C)
Sunny Days	330 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	7,644 ft (2,330 m)
Area	0.8 sq mi (2.1 km²)
Population Density	2,688/sq mi
Coordinates	37.7512°N, 106.1106°W
Timezone	America/Denver
County	Rio Grande County County
Nearest Airport	San Luis Valley Regional/Bergman Field (ALS) 26 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 7.2"

81% below US avg

Snowfall 25.1"

Wettest Month (Aug) 1.77"

Driest Month (Feb) 0.24"

Air Quality

AQI Median	41.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Low
Risk Score	45.8 / 100
Social Vulnerability	91.5 / 100
Community Resilience	7.4 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

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

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

Earthquake History

281 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M5.3.

Aug 23, 2011	6 km S of Valdez, Colorado	M5.3	146 km	4 km
Aug 10, 2005	20 km S of Weston, Colorado	M5.0	144 km	5 km
Sep 5, 2001	0 km SE of Cokedale, Colorado	M4.5	148 km	5 km
Mar 22, 2004	30 km S of Weston, Colorado	M4.4	150 km	5 km
Jan 3, 2007	8 km SSW of Weston, Colorado	M4.4	132 km	5 km
Aug 1, 2004	31 km S of Stonewall Gap, Colorado	M4.3	132 km	5 km
Mar 10, 2023	6 km NNE of Segundo, Colorado	M4.3	137 km	6 km
Aug 10, 2005	20 km SSW of Segundo, Colorado	M4.1	145 km	5 km
Aug 23, 2011	7 km S of Valdez, Colorado	M4.0	147 km	5 km
Sep 4, 2001	2 km W of Cokedale, Colorado	M4.0	146 km	5 km
Feb 6, 2016	Colorado	M4.0	126 km	2 km
Aug 26, 2023	19 km SSW of Weston, Colorado	M4.0	136 km	4 km
Mar 10, 2023	5 km N of Sequndo, Colorado	M3.9	138 km	4 km
Aug 23, 2016	18 km SSW of Weston, CO	M3.9	134 km	4 km
Aug 20, 2015	7 km WSW of Weston, Colorado	M3.9	128 km	1 km
May 19, 2019	15 km SSE of Stonewall Gap, Colorado	M3.8	128 km	5 km
Sep 13, 2003	33 km S of Weston, Colorado	M3.8	148 km	5 km
May 11, 2011	4 km SE of Valdez, Colorado	M3.8	147 km	5 km
Nov 20, 2009	29 km S of Stonewall Gap, Colorado	M3.7	138 km	5 km
Sep 10, 2017	14 km SW of Weston, Colorado	M3.7	129 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: EF3.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Jul 31, 1955	EF3	70 km	0.5 mi	0
Oct 10, 1997	EF2	72 km	3.0 mi	0
Jul 4, 1960	EF2	64 km	0.1 mi	0
Jul 10, 1955	EF2	40 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 17, 1953	EF2	72 km	1.0 mi	0
May 8, 2017	EF1	95 km	0.2 mi	0
Aug 16, 2008	EF1	35 km	0.3 mi	0
Mar 19, 1995	EF1	41 km	0.1 mi	0
May 25, 1993	EF1	100 km	1.0 mi	0
Jun 16, 1991	EF1	42 km	6.5 mi	0
Jun 22, 1983	EF1	33 km	1.5 mi	0
Jun 19, 1982	EF1	28 km	2.0 mi	0
Jun 10, 1980	EF1	30 km	19.9 mi	0
May 5, 1980	EF1	73 km	2.0 mi	0
Jun 25, 1956	EF1	38 km	0.1 mi	0
Feb 13, 1954	EF1	70 km	0.5 mi	0
May 31, 2021	EF0	59 km	3.5 mi	0
Jul 22, 2019	EF0	76 km	0.5 mi	0
May 22, 2014	EF0	47 km	0.3 mi	0
May 20, 2013	EF0	12 km	0.1 mi	0

Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: SPRING CREEK (107,108 acres, 2018).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2018	SPRING CREEK	107,108	88 km
2013	PAPOOSE	46,991	91 km
2013	WEST FORK COMPLEX - EAST ZONE	34,441	66 km
2016	JUNKINS	19,023	96 km
2013	WEST FORK COMPLEX	18,775	78 km
2016	HAYDEN PASS	17,977	68 km
2006	MATO VEGA	13,126	75 km
2019	DECKER	9,875	77 km
2002	MILLION	7,923	46 km
2010	MEDANO	4,887	58 km
2011	DUCKETT	4,705	69 km
2002	IRON MOUNTAIN	3,955	86 km
2022	UNNAMED	3,643	80 km
2023	QUARTZ RIDGE	2,584	71 km
2019	G18	2,264	74 km
2000	SAND	1,911	51 km
1989	MV BROWN	1,476	29 km
2013	UNNAMED	1,327	71 km
2005	RX	1,203	98 km
2005	RIO BLANCO WFU	1,083	96 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	18°F (-8°C)	0.3 in	Coldest
February	24°F (-5°C)	0.2 in	Driest
March	34°F (1°C)	0.6 in
April	42°F (5°C)	0.6 in
May	51°F (10°C)	0.8 in
June	58°F (14°C)	0.7 in
July	64°F (18°C)	1.4 in	Warmest
August	61°F (16°C)	1.8 in	Wettest
September	56°F (13°C)	1.1 in
October	45°F (7°C)	0.8 in
November	31°F (-0°C)	0.6 in
December	20°F (-7°C)	0.3 in

Center has a seasonal temperature swing of 46°F / from 18°F in January to 64°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 9.1 inches, with August being the wettest month (1.8") and February the driest (0.2").

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