Weather & Climate in Cottonwood Heights, UT

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

Cottonwood Heights experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 53°F (12°C). Winters average 30°F in January while summers reach 79°F in July. The area gets 308 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 24.3 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 81.9 inches of snow annually, making winter weather a significant factor for residents. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41. The city sits at an elevation of 4,816 feet.

Temperature

30°F Jan (-1°C) 79°F Jul (26°C)

Annual Average	53.2°F
	1% below US avg
January Average	30°F (-1°C)
July Average	79°F (26°C)
Sunny Days	308 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	4,816 ft (1,468 m)
Area	8.8 sq mi (22.9 km²)
Population Density	3,577/sq mi
Coordinates	40.6137°N, 111.8146°W
Timezone	America/Denver
County	Salt Lake County County
Nearest Airport	Salt Lake City International (SLC) 15 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 24.3"

36% below US avg

Snowfall 81.9"

Wettest Month (Mar) 2.09"

Driest Month (Jun) 1.26"

Air Quality

AQI Median	41.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively High
Risk Score	98.6 / 100
Social Vulnerability	10.6 / 100
Community Resilience	66.4 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Relatively Moderate
Earthquake	Relatively High
Wildfire	Relatively High
Flood	Relatively Moderate
Hail	Relatively Low
Strong Wind	Relatively Moderate
Heat Wave	Relatively Moderate
Winter Weather	Very High
Lightning	Relatively High
Ice Storm	Very Low
Drought	Relatively Low
Cold Wave	Relatively Low
Landslide	Relatively Low
Coastal Flood	No Rating
Volcano	Very Low
Avalanche	Very High

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

Earthquake History

490 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M5.7.

Mar 18, 2020	5 km NNE of Magna, Utah	M5.7	27 km	12 km
Apr 15, 2010	9 km NE of Randolph, Utah	M4.9	136 km	10 km
Mar 18, 2020	6 km NNE of Magna, Utah	M4.6	27 km	9 km
Mar 18, 2020	5 km NE of Magna, Utah	M4.6	26 km	11 km
May 5, 2024	16 km SW of Thatcher, Utah	M4.4	119 km	7 km
Apr 17, 2003	6 km SSW of Levan, Utah	M4.2	123 km	1 km
Apr 16, 2020	4 km NE of Magna, Utah	M4.2	25 km	10 km
Mar 18, 2020	1 km NNW of Magna, Utah	M4.2	28 km	9 km
Mar 16, 1992	6 km S of Herriman, Utah	M4.2	26 km	12 km
Apr 15, 2020	4 km NE of Magna, Utah	M4.2	25 km	9 km
Mar 7, 2000	7 km N of Helper, Utah	M4.2	126 km	-3 km
Jun 29, 2014	6 km SE of Spring City, Utah	M4.2	134 km	9 km
May 25, 2016	15 km NNE of Tabiona, Utah	M4.0	99 km	16 km
Mar 18, 2020	4 km NNE of Magna, Utah	M4.0	27 km	7 km
Jun 3, 2009	5 km WNW of Riverside, Utah	M4.0	137 km	9 km
Mar 18, 2020	4 km NNE of Magna, Utah	M3.9	27 km	9 km
Mar 23, 2020	8 km NNE of Magna, Utah	M3.9	27 km	10 km
May 1, 2025	4 km WNW of Independence, Utah	M3.9	54 km	14 km
May 4, 2024	16 km SW of Thatcher, Utah	M3.9	119 km	6 km
Sep 24, 2019	5 km ENE of Howell, Utah	M3.9	142 km	7 km

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

Tornado History

47 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2. Total: 1 fatality, 96 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Aug 11, 1999	EF2	14 km	4.3 mi	1
Aug 14, 1968	EF2	74 km	1.5 mi	0
Feb 9, 1965	EF2	27 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 3, 1963	EF2	30 km	2.0 mi	0
Sep 2, 2021	EF1	29 km	2.1 mi	0
Sep 22, 2016	EF1	63 km	2.9 mi	0
Aug 20, 1998	EF1	73 km	0.1 mi	0
May 29, 1996	EF1	77 km	1.3 mi	0
Jun 2, 1993	EF1	26 km	1.0 mi	0
May 3, 1993	EF1	41 km	0.1 mi	0
Sep 23, 1992	EF1	56 km	2.0 mi	0
Jul 25, 1991	EF1	37 km	10.0 mi	0
Jul 8, 1989	EF1	7 km	0.2 mi	0
Mar 2, 1989	EF1	26 km	0.2 mi	0
Jan 10, 1989	EF1	7 km	0.2 mi	0
Dec 2, 1970	EF1	31 km	1.0 mi	0
Aug 14, 1968	EF1	18 km	0.1 mi	0
Apr 17, 1966	EF1	55 km	0.1 mi	0
Jul 9, 1965	EF1	34 km	0.4 mi	0
May 28, 2018	EF0	78 km	0.3 mi	0

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

Nearby Volcanoes

1 volcano within 200 km. Closest: Black Rock Desert (192 km).

Name	Type	Elevation	Last Eruption	Distance
Black Rock Desert	Volcanic field	1,800 m (5,906 ft)	1290	192 km

Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: POLE CREEK (102,426 acres, 2018).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2018	POLE CREEK	102,426	74 km
2018	DOLLAR RIDGE	69,817	97 km
2012	DALLAS CANYON	43,386	96 km
2009	BIG POLE	41,579	71 km
2000	SALT LAKE DESERT COMPLEX (ARAGONITE)	39,825	95 km
1994	SIMPSON BT	36,917	99 km
1995	REDLAM	35,405	93 km
2017	DAVIS	35,071	82 km
1996	DAVIS KNOLL COMPLEX (DAVIS KNOLL)	34,843	84 km
1995	PUDDLE VALLEY	31,249	95 km
2018	COAL HOLLOW	30,239	88 km
2013	PATCH SPRINGS	29,562	73 km
2000	OLDROYD COMPLEX (MONA WEST)	28,774	88 km
2007	MONARCH	25,046	94 km
2012	FAUST	22,155	82 km
2017	CEDAR MOUNTAIN	21,388	96 km
2018	BALD MOUNTAIN	21,016	77 km
1998	TEKOI	19,933	91 km
1994	POSTHOLLOW	18,234	89 km
1996	SILVER HILL	17,137	87 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	30°F (-1°C)	1.9 in
February	27°F (-3°C)	1.9 in
March	32°F (-0°C)	2.1 in	Wettest
April	38°F (3°C)	1.9 in
May	47°F (8°C)	1.9 in
June	56°F (13°C)	1.3 in	Driest
July	79°F (26°C)	1.3 in	Warmest
August	64°F (18°C)	1.4 in
September	55°F (13°C)	1.7 in
October	44°F (7°C)	1.9 in
November	32°F (0°C)	2.0 in
December	25°F (-4°C)	2.0 in	Coldest

Cottonwood Heights has a seasonal temperature swing of 54°F / from 25°F in December to 79°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 21.2 inches, with March being the wettest month (2.1") and June the driest (1.3").

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