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Weather & Climate in Cortez, CO
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Cortez experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 51°F (10°C). Winters average 30°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 11.8 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 33.4 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 6,183 feet.
Temperature
30°F Jan (-1°C)
74°F Jul (23°C)
| Annual Average | 50.8°F |
| 6% below US avg | |
| January Average | 30°F (-1°C) |
| July Average | 74°F (23°C) |
| Sunny Days | 330 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 6,183 ft (1,885 m) |
| Area | 6.2 sq mi (16.2 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,428/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 37.3498°N, 108.5767°W |
| Timezone | America/Denver |
| County | Montezuma County County |
| Nearest Airport | Four Corners Regional (FMN) 46 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 41.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 47.6 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 62.4 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 13.0 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Moderate |
| 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 Moderate |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Relatively Moderate |
| Avalanche | Relatively High |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
48 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.5.
| Mar 4, 2019 | 29 km E of La Sal, Utah | M4.5 | 108 km | 1 km |
| May 27, 2000 | 29 km WNW of Naturita, Colorado | M4.4 | 108 km | 10 km |
| Sep 13, 1994 | 17 km N of Sawpit, Colorado | M4.4 | 104 km | 10 km |
| Jan 24, 2013 | 22 km E of La Sal, Utah | M3.9 | 114 km | 1 km |
| Jul 6, 1999 | 27 km WNW of Naturita, Colorado | M3.7 | 106 km | 2 km |
| Apr 22, 2017 | 4 km SSW of Bluff, Utah | M3.7 | 88 km | 9 km |
| Jun 3, 1999 | 28 km E of La Sal, Utah | M3.7 | 109 km | 1 km |
| Jun 6, 2008 | 10 km NE of Bluff, Utah | M3.6 | 79 km | 12 km |
| Mar 10, 2023 | 16 km S of Ophir, Colorado | M3.6 | 76 km | 7 km |
| Aug 2, 1991 | 59 km WNW of Blanding, Utah | M3.4 | 145 km | 6 km |
| Dec 15, 1997 | 7 km ENE of La Sal, Utah | M3.2 | 120 km | 6 km |
| Feb 24, 1993 | 16 km SSE of Monticello, Utah | M3.1 | 76 km | -1 km |
| May 13, 1993 | 19 km SSE of Monticello, Utah | M3.1 | 72 km | -3 km |
| Mar 15, 2000 | Colorado | M3.1 | 108 km | -1 km |
| Jun 6, 2002 | 29 km E of La Sal, Utah | M3.0 | 115 km | -1 km |
| May 8, 1998 | 15 km E of La Sal, Utah | M3.0 | 118 km | 3 km |
| Apr 10, 1998 | 23 km WNW of Naturita, Colorado | M3.0 | 104 km | 5 km |
| Jul 15, 1992 | 26 km NNW of Mexican Hat, Utah | M3.0 | 124 km | 5 km |
| Feb 4, 1999 | 28 km E of La Sal, Utah | M3.0 | 108 km | 0 km |
| Sep 16, 1999 | Utah | M3.0 | 120 km | 6 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
17 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Apr 25, 1985 | EF2 | 0 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| May 10, 1957 | EF2 | 81 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Oct 5, 2004 | EF1 | 66 km | 2.5 mi | 0 |
| Aug 5, 1999 | EF1 | 50 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Jun 7, 1997 | EF1 | 84 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Sep 5, 1970 | EF1 | 22 km | 1.5 mi | 0 |
| Mar 21, 2020 | EF0 | 85 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 10, 2015 | EF0 | 96 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Sep 18, 2013 | EF0 | 84 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Sep 10, 2013 | EF0 | 61 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Jul 18, 2011 | EF0 | 18 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Aug 29, 2002 | EF0 | 57 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Oct 23, 2000 | EF0 | 59 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Oct 23, 2000 | EF0 | 59 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| May 30, 1992 | EF0 | 68 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Sep 28, 1990 | EF0 | 77 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| May 28, 1963 | EF0 | 87 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: MISSIONARY RIDGE (68,919 acres, 2002).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2002 | MISSIONARY RIDGE | 68,919 | 80 km |
| 2018 | 416 | 55,123 | 62 km |
| 2002 | BURN CANYON | 30,573 | 81 km |
| 2000 | BIRCHER | 23,317 | 21 km |
| 2018 | PLATEAU | 19,746 | 30 km |
| 1994 | UNNAMED | 13,234 | 58 km |
| 2012 | WEBER | 10,898 | 29 km |
| 2009 | NARRAGUINNEP | 7,798 | 38 km |
| 2019 | DOE CANYON | 7,388 | 46 km |
| 1986 | UNNAMED | 6,205 | 76 km |
| 1986 | WESTTOE | 5,397 | 45 km |
| 1986 | HOGAN | 5,298 | 37 km |
| 2018 | BURRO | 5,242 | 46 km |
| 2000 | PONY | 5,224 | 17 km |
| 1996 | CHAPIN 5 | 4,832 | 14 km |
| 1990 | HORESEFLY | 3,760 | 100 km |
| 2002 | CARRIZO 1 | 3,701 | 77 km |
| 1996 | DISAPPOINTMENT | 3,642 | 50 km |
| 1984 | FERNANDO | 3,419 | 35 km |
| 2020 | EAST CANYON | 3,031 | 32 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 30°F (-1°C) | 1.1 in | |
| February | 32°F (0°C) | 1.1 in | |
| March | 39°F (4°C) | 1.5 in | |
| April | 46°F (8°C) | 1.0 in | |
| May | 55°F (13°C) | 1.0 in | |
| June | 64°F (18°C) | 0.5 in | Driest |
| July | 74°F (23°C) | 1.4 in | Warmest |
| August | 69°F (20°C) | 1.7 in | Wettest |
| September | 61°F (16°C) | 1.5 in | |
| October | 50°F (10°C) | 1.7 in | |
| November | 37°F (3°C) | 1.4 in | |
| December | 29°F (-2°C) | 1.3 in | Coldest |
Cortez has a seasonal temperature swing of 45°F / from 29°F in December to 74°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 14.9 inches, with August being the wettest month (1.7") and June the driest (0.5").