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Weather & Climate in Denver, CO
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Denver experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 49°F (9°C). Winters average 21°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. The area gets 323 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 24.4 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 30.8 inches of snow annually, a moderate snowfall amount. Air quality is rated Moderate with a median AQI of 55. 35% of days have good air quality. The city sits at an elevation of 5,292 feet.
Temperature
21°F Jan (-6°C)
73°F Jul (23°C)
| Annual Average | 48.6°F |
| 10% below US avg | |
| January Average | 21°F (-6°C) |
| July Average | 73°F (23°C) |
| Sunny Days | 323 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 5,292 ft (1,613 m) |
| Area | 155.0 sq mi (401.4 km²) |
| Population Density | 4,663/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 39.7619°N, 104.8811°W |
| Timezone | America/Denver |
| County | Denver County County |
| Nearest Airport | Denver International (DEN) 13 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 55.0 |
| Rating | Moderate |
| Good Days % | 35.3% |
| Unhealthy Days | 29 |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively High |
| Risk Score | 95.2 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 17.8 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 68.5 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively High |
| Earthquake | Relatively Moderate |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively High |
| Hail | Very High |
| Strong Wind | Relatively High |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively High |
| Lightning | Very High |
| Ice Storm | Very Low |
| Drought | Very Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively High |
| Landslide | Relatively Moderate |
| Volcano | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
16 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.0.
| Dec 25, 1994 | 9 km NE of Larkspur, Colorado | M4.0 | 53 km | 10 km |
| Dec 23, 1995 | 7 km WNW of Rock Creek Park, Colorado | M3.5 | 115 km | 5 km |
| Jan 18, 1997 | 8 km SE of Westcreek, Colorado | M3.3 | 76 km | 5 km |
| Jun 1, 2014 | 9 km NNW of Kersey, Colorado | M3.2 | 82 km | 1 km |
| Jul 22, 2001 | 6 km WNW of Woodland Park, Colorado | M3.1 | 85 km | 5 km |
| Sep 12, 1990 | 13 km NW of Silverthorne, Colorado | M3.0 | 114 km | 5 km |
| Feb 26, 2008 | 29 km WNW of Westcreek, Colorado | M2.9 | 74 km | 2 km |
| Jan 19, 1997 | 8 km SE of Westcreek, Colorado | M2.9 | 76 km | 5 km |
| Mar 30, 2019 | 7 km NE of Greeley, Colorado | M2.9 | 81 km | 6 km |
| Dec 31, 1995 | 6 km WNW of Rock Creek Park, Colorado | M2.8 | 116 km | 5 km |
| Jan 19, 1997 | 8 km SE of Westcreek, Colorado | M2.7 | 76 km | 5 km |
| Apr 18, 1998 | 8 km SE of Westcreek, Colorado | M2.7 | 76 km | 5 km |
| Jun 13, 2025 | 7 km SE of Erie, Colorado | M2.7 | 28 km | 9 km |
| Aug 23, 2016 | 2 km SSE of Eaton, Colorado | M2.6 | 84 km | 10 km |
| Jun 26, 2021 | 19 km WNW of Cañon City, Colorado | M2.5 | 146 km | 8 km |
| Jun 23, 2014 | 6 km NNE of Kersey, Colorado | M2.5 | 81 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
765 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 1 fatality, 161 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jun 4, 2015 | EF3 | 57 km | 6.7 mi | 0 |
| May 22, 2008 | EF3 | 53 km | 38.7 mi | 1 |
| Jun 15, 1988 | EF3 | 6 km | 2.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 12, 1982 | EF3 | 31 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 13, 1977 | EF3 | 93 km | 4.9 mi | 0 |
| May 18, 1975 | EF3 | 14 km | 4.1 mi | 0 |
| May 15, 1952 | EF3 | 69 km | 7.4 mi | 0 |
| Jun 7, 2021 | EF2 | 42 km | 7.5 mi | 0 |
| May 7, 2016 | EF2 | 80 km | 8.8 mi | 0 |
| Jun 8, 2014 | EF2 | 100 km | 6.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 7, 2012 | EF2 | 86 km | 7.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 15, 2009 | EF2 | 62 km | 4.0 mi | 0 |
| May 10, 2004 | EF2 | 89 km | 6.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 31, 1996 | EF2 | 82 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 13, 1996 | EF2 | 41 km | 12.0 mi | 0 |
| May 30, 1996 | EF2 | 99 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 15, 1988 | EF2 | 6 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 5, 1988 | EF2 | 26 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 5, 1988 | EF2 | 28 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 7, 1987 | EF2 | 83 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950-2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: HAYMAN (129,417 acres, 2002).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2002 | HAYMAN | 129,417 | 70 km |
| 2012 | WALDO CANYON | 20,112 | 93 km |
| 2020 | WILLIAMS FORK | 14,679 | 95 km |
| 2013 | BLACK FOREST | 11,885 | 81 km |
| 1996 | BUFFALO CREEK | 11,690 | 54 km |
| 2000 | BOBCAT | 10,444 | 87 km |
| 2020 | CALWOOD | 9,836 | 58 km |
| 2000 | HIGH MEADOWS | 9,607 | 58 km |
| 2001 | MVD PSFRXASST 4 | 7,375 | 63 km |
| 2021 | MARSHALL | 6,286 | 34 km |
| 2010 | FOURMILE CANYON | 5,865 | 54 km |
| 2002 | BIG ELK | 4,348 | 74 km |
| 2021 | BIJOU | 3,485 | 90 km |
| 2012 | LOWER NORTH FORK FIRE | 3,436 | 44 km |
| 2003 | OVERLAND | 3,232 | 57 km |
| 2009 | OLD STAGE | 3,160 | 50 km |
| 2011 | CRYSTAL FIRE | 2,855 | 96 km |
| 2002 | SCHOONOVER | 2,821 | 65 km |
| 2012 | FERN LAKE | 2,549 | 94 km |
| 2020 | SUNDAY FIRE | 2,204 | 52 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 21°F (-6°C) | 0.5 in | Coldest, Driest |
| February | 35°F (2°C) | 0.5 in | |
| March | 41°F (5°C) | 1.4 in | |
| April | 48°F (9°C) | 2.0 in | |
| May | 58°F (14°C) | 2.5 in | Wettest |
| June | 68°F (20°C) | 1.8 in | |
| July | 73°F (23°C) | 2.0 in | Warmest |
| August | 72°F (22°C) | 1.7 in | |
| September | 63°F (17°C) | 1.3 in | |
| October | 51°F (11°C) | 1.1 in | |
| November | 39°F (4°C) | 1.0 in | |
| December | 32°F (-0°C) | 0.6 in |
Denver has a seasonal temperature swing of 52°F / from 21°F in January to 73°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 16.4 inches, with May being the wettest month (2.5") and January the driest (0.5").