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Weather & Climate in Crested Butte, CO
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Crested Butte has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 34°F (1°C). Winters average 10°F in January while summers reach 58°F in July. The area gets 326 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 23.8 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 203.0 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 8,865 feet.
Temperature
10°F Jan (-12°C)
58°F Jul (14°C)
| Annual Average | 34.2°F |
| 37% below US avg | |
| January Average | 10°F (-12°C) |
| July Average | 58°F (14°C) |
| Sunny Days | 326 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 8,865 ft (2,702 m) |
| Area | 0.3 sq mi (0.8 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,651/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 38.8678°N, 106.9773°W |
| Timezone | America/Denver |
| County | Chaffee County County |
| Nearest Airport | Gunnison-Crested Butte Regional (GUC) 23 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 41.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 51.1 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 18.1 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 54.8 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Very Low |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Relatively High |
| Ice Storm | Very Low |
| Drought | Very Low |
| Cold Wave | Very Low |
| Landslide | Relatively Moderate |
| Volcano | Very Low |
| Avalanche | Very High |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
46 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.4.
| Sep 13, 1994 | 17 km N of Sawpit, Colorado | M4.4 | 118 km | 10 km |
| Aug 9, 2001 | 11 km NNE of Chacra, Colorado | M4.0 | 95 km | 5 km |
| Feb 10, 2006 | 1 km NNE of Chacra, Colorado | M3.8 | 90 km | 5 km |
| Mar 10, 2023 | 16 km S of Ophir, Colorado | M3.6 | 149 km | 7 km |
| Aug 21, 2012 | 12 km SSW of Gypsum, Colorado | M3.4 | 74 km | 5 km |
| Jan 30, 2017 | 5 km SW of New Castle, Colorado | M3.3 | 92 km | 5 km |
| Apr 3, 2025 | 34 km W of Delta, Colorado | M3.2 | 130 km | 5 km |
| Jan 26, 2008 | 12 km NE of Cotopaxi, Colorado | M3.1 | 130 km | 5 km |
| Feb 1, 2019 | 3 km NW of Glenwood Springs, Colorado | M3.1 | 85 km | 2 km |
| Jul 8, 1993 | 9 km ENE of Aspen, Colorado | M3.1 | 46 km | 5 km |
| Sep 12, 1990 | 13 km NW of Silverthorne, Colorado | M3.0 | 114 km | 5 km |
| May 2, 2013 | 2 km E of Loghill Village, Colorado | M2.9 | 100 km | 4 km |
| Jan 1, 2003 | 6 km SE of Aspen, Colorado | M2.9 | 37 km | 5 km |
| Jun 18, 2002 | 39 km SW of Creede, Colorado | M2.9 | 144 km | 5 km |
| Feb 26, 2008 | 29 km WNW of Westcreek, Colorado | M2.9 | 138 km | 2 km |
| Oct 18, 2024 | 6 km NNE of Chacra, Colorado | M2.9 | 92 km | 5 km |
| Dec 5, 2000 | 10 km NNW of Redstone, Colorado | M2.9 | 52 km | 5 km |
| May 1, 2009 | 21 km NW of Dotsero, Colorado | M2.9 | 105 km | 5 km |
| Sep 14, 1994 | 20 km ENE of Norwood, Colorado | M2.8 | 121 km | 10 km |
| Jan 20, 2017 | 4 km NW of Redstone, Colorado | M2.8 | 46 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
8 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2. Total: 1 injury.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jun 20, 1975 | EF2 | 41 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| May 6, 2005 | EF1 | 91 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| May 13, 2004 | EF1 | 57 km | 0.7 mi | 0 |
| Apr 6, 1974 | EF1 | 90 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 5, 2018 | EF0 | 84 km | 0.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 30, 2004 | EF0 | 88 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 31, 1994 | EF0 | 98 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| May 5, 1991 | EF0 | 93 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: GRIZZLY CREEK (30,705 acres, 2020).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2020 | GRIZZLY CREEK | 30,705 | 84 km |
| 2018 | WESTON PASS | 13,169 | 84 km |
| 2018 | LAKE CHRISTINE | 12,506 | 62 km |
| 2002 | COAL SEAM | 12,007 | 85 km |
| 2019 | DECKER | 9,875 | 98 km |
| 1994 | WAKE | 3,834 | 60 km |
| 2021 | SYLVAN | 3,480 | 69 km |
| 2004 | MCGRUDER | 2,998 | 76 km |
| 2018 | CACHE CREEK | 2,690 | 99 km |
| 1994 | SO. CANYON | 2,014 | 87 km |
| 2023 | THREEMILE CREEK RX | 1,863 | 74 km |
| 2023 | LOWLINE | 1,855 | 18 km |
| 1988 | FLAT IRON | 1,679 | 98 km |
| 2001 | BATTLEMENT | 1,401 | 93 km |
| 2002 | WILEY RIDG | 1,396 | 29 km |
| 2003 | DOTSERO CRATER | 1,322 | 89 km |
| 2007 | NEWCASTLE | 1,269 | 91 km |
| 2019 | MIDDLE MAMM | 1,247 | 91 km |
| 2002 | UNNAMED | 1,236 | 66 km |
| 1989 | CENTER MTN | 1,226 | 80 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 10°F (-12°C) | 1.9 in | Coldest |
| February | 14°F (-10°C) | 1.7 in | |
| March | 19°F (-7°C) | 2.1 in | |
| April | 27°F (-3°C) | 1.6 in | |
| May | 38°F (3°C) | 1.5 in | |
| June | 47°F (8°C) | 1.3 in | Driest |
| July | 58°F (14°C) | 2.1 in | Warmest |
| August | 53°F (11°C) | 2.2 in | Wettest |
| September | 46°F (8°C) | 1.8 in | |
| October | 36°F (2°C) | 1.5 in | |
| November | 23°F (-5°C) | 1.7 in | |
| December | 13°F (-11°C) | 2.2 in |
Crested Butte has a seasonal temperature swing of 48°F / from 10°F in January to 58°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 21.5 inches, with August being the wettest month (2.2") and June the driest (1.3").