Weather & Climate in Central, UT

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

Central enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 57°F (14°C). Winters average 38°F in January while summers reach 78°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 14.2 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 10.8 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41. The city sits at an elevation of 5,196 feet.

Temperature

38°F Jan (3°C) 78°F Jul (26°C)

Annual Average	56.6°F
	5% above US avg
January Average	38°F (3°C)
July Average	78°F (26°C)
Sunny Days	330 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	5,196 ft (1,584 m)
Area	2.5 sq mi (6.5 km²)
Population Density	307/sq mi
Coordinates	37.4150°N, 113.6262°W
Timezone	America/Denver
County	Washington County County
Nearest Airport	St George Regional (SGU) 27 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 14.2"

63% below US avg

Snowfall 10.8"

Wettest Month (Mar) 2.13"

Driest Month (Jun) 0.47"

Air Quality

AQI Median	41.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Moderate
Risk Score	92.8 / 100
Social Vulnerability	20.8 / 100
Community Resilience	45.1 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

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

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

Earthquake History

736 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M5.9.

Sep 2, 1992	3 km SSE of Washington, Utah	M5.9	37 km	14 km
May 22, 2015	37 km SSW of Caliente, Nevada	M5.3	92 km	4 km
Apr 20, 1991	19 km SE of Minersville, Utah	M4.6	104 km	10 km
Aug 4, 1992	22 km SE of Alamo, Nevada	M4.6	120 km	5 km
Jan 3, 2011	10 km NW of Circleville, Utah	M4.6	146 km	11 km
May 16, 2004	30 km ESE of Alamo, Nevada	M4.5	108 km	0 km
Jul 29, 2024	24 km S of Brian Head, Utah	M4.5	69 km	20 km
Jan 2, 1998	10 km ESE of Beaver, Utah	M4.4	133 km	12 km
Sep 19, 2022	45 km ESE of Littlefield, Arizona	M4.4	83 km	10 km
Jun 20, 2006	45 km SSW of Caliente, Nevada	M4.4	95 km	0 km
Mar 24, 2002	41 km SSE of Alamo, Nevada	M4.3	135 km	9 km
Jun 30, 2008	36 km SSE of Caliente, Nevada	M4.3	61 km	0 km
Jan 15, 2016	19 km WSW of Enterprise, Utah	M4.2	28 km	1 km
Jan 2, 1998	9 km S of Alamo, Nevada	M4.2	136 km	5 km
Jun 30, 2019	6 km E of Panaca, Nevada	M4.2	73 km	3 km
Jun 29, 1992	12 km WNW of Cedar City, Utah	M4.2	52 km	-3 km
Jun 29, 1992	12 km WNW of Cedar City, Utah	M4.2	49 km	7 km
Apr 12, 2012	16 km NNE of Bryce Canyon City, Utah	M4.2	142 km	15 km
Jan 28, 2014	37 km W of Veyo, Utah	M4.1	45 km	7 km
Jan 4, 2010	8 km S of Cedar City, Utah	M4.1	54 km	9 km

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

Tornado History

10 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF1.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
May 30, 1986	EF1	28 km	3.5 mi	0
Dec 27, 1983	EF1	76 km	0.4 mi	0
Aug 12, 1976	EF1	77 km	0.1 mi	0
Jul 24, 2012	EF0	52 km	0.7 mi	0
Aug 24, 2011	EF0	54 km	1.1 mi	0
Sep 5, 1998	EF0	86 km	0.1 mi	0
Jul 23, 1998	EF0	26 km	0.1 mi	0
Apr 26, 1994	EF0	60 km	3.0 mi	0
Aug 31, 1992	EF0	48 km	0.3 mi	0
Jul 14, 1953	EF0	35 km	0.1 mi	0

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

Nearby Volcanoes

3 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Markagunt Plateau (86 km).

Name	Type	Elevation	Last Eruption	Distance
Markagunt Plateau	Volcanic field	2,840 m (9,318 ft)	1050	86 km
Uinkaret Field	Volcanic field	1,555 m (5,102 ft)	1100	123 km
Black Rock Desert	Volcanic field	1,800 m (5,906 ft)	1290	199 km

Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: SOUTHERN NEVADA COMPLEX (DUZAK) (327,156 acres, 2005).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2005	SOUTHERN NEVADA COMPLEX (DUZAK)	327,156	63 km
2005	SOUTHERN NEVADA COMPLEX (MEADOW VALLEY)	150,019	92 km
2017	BRIANHEAD	74,276	92 km
2020	MEADOW VALLEY	59,254	89 km
2005	WESTSIDE COMPLEX	58,767	38 km
2006	JARVIS	49,636	43 km
2005	COW	44,460	94 km
2020	BASIN	38,588	97 km
2005	TWEEDY POINT	36,126	93 km
2012	HOBBLE COMPLEX	35,205	89 km
2004	HAWKINS	34,259	23 km
2003	APEX	31,000	34 km
1993	MEADOW	30,199	89 km
2005	MT BANGS COMPLEX	29,605	84 km
2006	BULL COMPLEX	27,458	29 km
2007	BLACK ROCK GULCH	21,639	70 km
2012	BABOON	20,453	94 km
1999	JUMPSPRING	19,621	88 km
2019	NECK	19,545	84 km
2006	COVE MOUNTAIN	17,746	15 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	38°F (3°C)	1.5 in
February	34°F (1°C)	1.8 in
March	38°F (4°C)	2.1 in	Wettest
April	45°F (7°C)	1.3 in
May	53°F (12°C)	0.9 in
June	63°F (17°C)	0.5 in	Driest
July	78°F (26°C)	1.4 in	Warmest
August	69°F (20°C)	1.6 in
September	61°F (16°C)	1.3 in
October	51°F (10°C)	1.2 in
November	39°F (4°C)	1.5 in
December	32°F (-0°C)	1.5 in	Coldest

Central has a seasonal temperature swing of 46°F / from 32°F in December to 78°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 16.6 inches, with March being the wettest month (2.1") and June the driest (0.5").

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