Weather & Climate in Empire, CO

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

Empire has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 42°F (6°C). Winters average 26°F in January while summers reach 63°F in July. The area gets 330 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 18.3 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 105.9 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 8,580 feet.

Temperature

26°F Jan (-3°C) 63°F Jul (17°C)

Annual Average	42.2°F
	22% below US avg
January Average	26°F (-3°C)
July Average	63°F (17°C)
Sunny Days	330 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	8,580 ft (2,615 m)
Area	0.3 sq mi (0.6 km²)
Population Density	1,893/sq mi
Coordinates	39.7594°N, 105.6817°W
Timezone	America/Denver
County	Clear Creek County County
Nearest Airport	Denver International (DEN) 54 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 18.3"

52% below US avg

Snowfall 105.9"

Wettest Month (Apr) 2.64"

Driest Month (Oct) 1.46"

Air Quality

AQI Median	41.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Low
Risk Score	46.7 / 100
Social Vulnerability	10.6 / 100
Community Resilience	51.5 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

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

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

Earthquake History

53 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.0.

Aug 9, 2001	11 km NNE of Chacra, Colorado	M4.0	146 km	5 km
Dec 25, 1994	9 km NE of Larkspur, Colorado	M4.0	91 km	10 km
Dec 23, 1995	7 km WNW of Rock Creek Park, Colorado	M3.5	132 km	5 km
Jun 6, 2011	17 km NNW of Oak Creek, Colorado	M3.5	136 km	5 km
Apr 10, 2011	12 km N of Oak Creek, Colorado	M3.4	128 km	5 km
Aug 21, 2012	12 km SSW of Gypsum, Colorado	M3.4	114 km	5 km
Jan 18, 1997	8 km SE of Westcreek, Colorado	M3.3	89 km	5 km
Jun 1, 2014	9 km NNW of Kersey, Colorado	M3.2	121 km	1 km
Feb 1, 2019	3 km NW of Glenwood Springs, Colorado	M3.1	145 km	2 km
Jul 22, 2001	6 km WNW of Woodland Park, Colorado	M3.1	95 km	5 km
Sep 2, 2024	21 km NW of Steamboat Springs, Colorado	M3.1	148 km	2 km
Jan 26, 2008	12 km NE of Cotopaxi, Colorado	M3.1	146 km	5 km
Jul 8, 1993	9 km ENE of Aspen, Colorado	M3.1	107 km	5 km
Feb 7, 2000	19 km NE of Steamboat Springs, Colorado	M3.0	126 km	5 km
Sep 12, 1990	13 km NW of Silverthorne, Colorado	M3.0	45 km	5 km
Jan 1, 2003	6 km SE of Aspen, Colorado	M2.9	114 km	5 km
Jan 19, 1997	8 km SE of Westcreek, Colorado	M2.9	89 km	5 km
May 1, 2009	21 km NW of Dotsero, Colorado	M2.9	132 km	5 km
Feb 26, 2008	29 km WNW of Westcreek, Colorado	M2.9	57 km	2 km
Oct 18, 2024	6 km NNE of Chacra, Colorado	M2.9	148 km	5 km

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

Tornado History

339 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 1 fatality, 150 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Jun 4, 2015	EF3	75 km	6.7 mi	0
May 22, 2008	EF3	95 km	38.7 mi	1
Jun 15, 1988	EF3	64 km	2.5 mi	0
Jun 12, 1982	EF3	99 km	3.0 mi	0
May 18, 1975	EF3	81 km	4.1 mi	0
Jun 7, 2021	EF2	79 km	7.5 mi	0
Jun 8, 2014	EF2	89 km	6.0 mi	0
Jun 15, 1988	EF2	64 km	0.5 mi	0
Jun 5, 1988	EF2	66 km	2.0 mi	0
Jun 5, 1988	EF2	56 km	0.5 mi	0
Jul 2, 1987	EF2	82 km	1.0 mi	0
Jun 20, 1987	EF2	91 km	1.0 mi	0
Jun 8, 1986	EF2	93 km	2.0 mi	0
Jun 8, 1986	EF2	67 km	1.1 mi	0
Jul 19, 1985	EF2	74 km	0.5 mi	0
May 18, 1984	EF2	95 km	5.0 mi	0
Jun 3, 1981	EF2	54 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 3, 1981	EF2	61 km	2.3 mi	0
Oct 15, 1980	EF2	49 km	1.5 mi	0
May 17, 1978	EF2	81 km	0.5 mi	0

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

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: CAMERON PEAK (208,910 acres, 2020).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2020	CAMERON PEAK	208,910	96 km
2020	EAST TROUBLESOME	188,924	59 km
2002	HAYMAN	129,417	69 km
2018	SILVER CREEK	20,725	93 km
2020	WILLIAMS FORK	14,679	27 km
2018	WESTON PASS	13,169	86 km
1996	BUFFALO CREEK	11,690	56 km
2000	BOBCAT	10,444	86 km
2020	CALWOOD	9,836	53 km
2000	HIGH MEADOWS	9,607	48 km
2001	MVD PSFRXASST 4	7,375	75 km
2021	MARSHALL	6,286	48 km
2010	FOURMILE CANYON	5,865	41 km
2002	BIG ELK	4,348	63 km
2021	SYLVAN	3,480	96 km
2012	LOWER NORTH FORK FIRE	3,436	54 km
2003	OVERLAND	3,232	50 km
2009	OLD STAGE	3,160	50 km
2011	CRYSTAL FIRE	2,855	94 km
2002	SCHOONOVER	2,821	70 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	26°F (-3°C)	2.1 in
February	19°F (-7°C)	1.8 in	Coldest
March	22°F (-6°C)	2.4 in
April	27°F (-3°C)	2.6 in	Wettest
May	37°F (3°C)	2.4 in
June	46°F (8°C)	1.9 in
July	63°F (17°C)	2.4 in	Warmest
August	51°F (11°C)	2.3 in
September	44°F (7°C)	1.8 in
October	35°F (2°C)	1.5 in	Driest
November	24°F (-4°C)	1.9 in
December	19°F (-7°C)	2.1 in

Empire has a seasonal temperature swing of 44°F / from 19°F in February to 63°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 25.1 inches, with April being the wettest month (2.6") and October the driest (1.5").

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