Weather & Climate in Dinosaur, CO
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Dinosaur experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 49°F (9°C). Winters average 22°F in January while summers reach 76°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 11.1 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 26.1 inches of snow annually, a moderate snowfall amount. The city sits at an elevation of 5,875 feet.
Temperature
22°F Jan (-5°C)
76°F Jul (24°C)
| Annual Average | 48.8°F |
| 10% below US avg | |
| January Average | 22°F (-5°C) |
| July Average | 76°F (24°C) |
Geography
| Elevation | 5,875 ft (1,791 m) |
| Area | 0.8 sq mi (2.0 km²) |
| Population Density | 660/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 40.2399°N, 109.0068°W |
| Timezone | America/Denver |
| County | Uintah County County |
| Nearest Airport | Vernal Regional (VEL) 30 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 4.0 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 10.6 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 30.2 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Very Low |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Very Low |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | Very Low |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Very Low |
| Landslide | Relatively Low |
| Volcano | No Rating |
| Avalanche | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
92 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.5.
| Mar 20, 1995 | 10 km NNW of Rangely, Colorado | M4.5 | 14 km | -3 km |
| Jan 31, 2002 | 28 km SSW of Craig, Colorado | M4.3 | 112 km | 5 km |
| May 20, 1995 | 434km E of Wendover, Utah | M4.1 | 6 km | 4 km |
| May 25, 2016 | 15 km NNE of Tabiona, Utah | M4.0 | 142 km | 16 km |
| Apr 7, 1990 | 28 km WNW of Bonanza, Utah | M4.0 | 45 km | 11 km |
| May 31, 2022 | 37 km ENE of Thompson Springs, Utah | M3.8 | 133 km | 7 km |
| Apr 22, 2017 | 4 km NW of Rangely, Colorado | M3.8 | 20 km | 7 km |
| Nov 8, 1991 | 17 km WNW of Bonanza, Utah | M3.7 | 33 km | 4 km |
| Aug 18, 2009 | 19 km N of Craig, Colorado | M3.7 | 131 km | 5 km |
| Mar 2, 1991 | 27 km SSW of Jensen, Utah | M3.7 | 40 km | -3 km |
| Nov 11, 2000 | 14 km SE of Jensen, Utah | M3.6 | 20 km | -3 km |
| Aug 11, 1992 | 4 km N of Sunnyside, Utah | M3.6 | 139 km | 6 km |
| Jan 21, 1993 | 17 km E of Kenilworth, Utah | M3.6 | 149 km | 1 km |
| Apr 20, 2017 | 24 km NE of Maybell, Colorado | M3.5 | 107 km | 13 km |
| May 13, 1993 | 10 km NW of Rangely, Colorado | M3.5 | 14 km | -3 km |
| Dec 10, 1999 | 11 km NE of Dinosaur, Colorado | M3.5 | 11 km | 8 km |
| Nov 3, 1994 | 30 km W of Meeker, Colorado | M3.4 | 67 km | 5 km |
| Jan 30, 2017 | 5 km SW of New Castle, Colorado | M3.3 | 144 km | 5 km |
| May 3, 2017 | 4 km NW of Rangely, Colorado | M3.3 | 20 km | 7 km |
| Apr 1, 1995 | 13 km S of Dinosaur, Colorado | M3.2 | 13 km | 0 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
19 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF1. Total: 1 injury.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Aug 26, 2006 | EF1 | 3 km | 8.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 21, 2006 | EF1 | 81 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 3, 1999 | EF1 | 48 km | 4.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 3, 1957 | EF1 | 95 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 1, 1955 | EF1 | 54 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 16, 2015 | EF0 | 67 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 15, 2009 | EF0 | 4 km | 2.9 mi | 0 |
| Aug 6, 2009 | EF0 | 59 km | 2.2 mi | 0 |
| Aug 6, 2009 | EF0 | 51 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 30, 2006 | EF0 | 53 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 21, 2001 | EF0 | 87 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 30, 1999 | EF0 | 13 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| May 5, 1999 | EF0 | 72 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| May 5, 1993 | EF0 | 50 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 8, 1990 | EF0 | 84 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Mar 23, 1990 | EF0 | 46 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| May 30, 1989 | EF0 | 98 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| May 29, 1988 | EF0 | 70 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Sep 11, 1984 | EF0 | 91 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: NEOLA NORTH (46,909 acres, 2007).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2007 | NEOLA NORTH | 46,909 | 92 km |
| 1993 | WAPATI PEAK | 20,857 | 70 km |
| 2002 | MUSTANG | 20,607 | 83 km |
| 2012 | WOLF DEN | 19,419 | 58 km |
| 1988 | WHITEROCKS | 18,885 | 82 km |
| 2017 | DEAD DOG | 17,821 | 17 km |
| 1988 | I DO | 16,253 | 71 km |
| 1996 | OPINION | 15,613 | 60 km |
| 2001 | INDIAN SPR | 13,458 | 84 km |
| 2021 | OIL SPRINGS | 12,597 | 56 km |
| 2017 | PEEKABOO | 11,985 | 65 km |
| 2000 | WINTER VALLEY | 8,726 | 55 km |
| 2018 | BOONE DRAW | 8,656 | 63 km |
| 2000 | BUSTERFLAT | 8,501 | 54 km |
| 2010 | ALKALI | 8,094 | 94 km |
| 2017 | WINTER VALLEY | 7,822 | 54 km |
| 2020 | RICHARD MTN | 7,802 | 87 km |
| 2004 | GREASEWOOD WFU | 6,963 | 77 km |
| 2012 | WOLF | 6,748 | 54 km |
| 2018 | INDIAN VALLEY | 6,376 | 72 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 22°F (-5°C) | 0.8 in | Coldest |
| February | 29°F (-2°C) | 0.8 in | |
| March | 39°F (4°C) | 0.9 in | |
| April | 48°F (9°C) | 1.1 in | |
| May | 57°F (14°C) | 1.2 in | |
| June | 68°F (20°C) | 0.8 in | |
| July | 76°F (24°C) | 0.7 in | Warmest, Driest |
| August | 73°F (23°C) | 0.9 in | |
| September | 64°F (18°C) | 1.3 in | Wettest |
| October | 50°F (10°C) | 1.3 in | |
| November | 36°F (2°C) | 0.8 in | |
| December | 24°F (-5°C) | 0.8 in |
Dinosaur has a seasonal temperature swing of 54°F / from 22°F in January to 76°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 11.2 inches, with September being the wettest month (1.3") and July the driest (0.7").