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 46°F (8°C). Winters average 16°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. The area gets 322 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 8.3 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 19.0 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 5,875 feet.

Temperature

16°F Jan (-9°C) 72°F Jul (22°C)

Annual Average	46.0°F
	15% below US avg
January Average	16°F (-9°C)
July Average	72°F (22°C)
Sunny Days	322 days/yr

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

Annual Rainfall 8.3"

78% below US avg

Snowfall 19.0"

Wettest Month (Oct) 1.22"

Driest Month (Feb) 0.51"

Air Quality

AQI Median	41.0
Rating	Good

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	16°F (-9°C)	0.6 in	Coldest
February	26°F (-4°C)	0.5 in	Driest
March	37°F (3°C)	0.9 in
April	46°F (8°C)	1.0 in
May	56°F (14°C)	1.1 in
June	66°F (19°C)	0.9 in
July	72°F (22°C)	0.9 in	Warmest
August	72°F (22°C)	0.8 in
September	62°F (17°C)	1.1 in
October	49°F (10°C)	1.2 in	Wettest
November	34°F (1°C)	0.7 in
December	23°F (-5°C)	0.7 in

Dinosaur has a seasonal temperature swing of 56°F / from 16°F in January to 72°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 10.4 inches, with October being the wettest month (1.2") and February the driest (0.5").

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