Weather & Climate in Erie, CO

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

Erie experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 50°F (10°C). Winters average 29°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. The area gets 316 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 15.2 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41. The city sits at an elevation of 5,082 feet.

Temperature

29°F Jan (-1°C) 73°F Jul (23°C)

Annual Average	50.0°F
	7% below US avg
January Average	29°F (-1°C)
July Average	73°F (23°C)
Sunny Days	316 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	5,082 ft (1,549 m)
Area	17.3 sq mi (44.8 km²)
Population Density	1,494/sq mi
Coordinates	40.0403°N, 105.0383°W
Timezone	America/Denver
County	Boulder County County
Nearest Airport	Denver International (DEN) 23 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 15.2"

60% below US avg

Wettest Month (May) 2.68"

Driest Month (Jan) 0.55"

Air Quality

AQI Median	41.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Moderate
Risk Score	90.7 / 100
Social Vulnerability	11.4 / 100
Community Resilience	91.2 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Relatively High
Earthquake	Relatively Low
Wildfire	Relatively High
Flood	Relatively Moderate
Hail	Relatively High
Strong Wind	Relatively High
Heat Wave	Relatively Low
Winter Weather	Relatively High
Lightning	Very High
Ice Storm	Relatively Moderate
Drought	Relatively Low
Cold Wave	Relatively Moderate
Landslide	Relatively Moderate
Volcano	Very Low
Avalanche	Relatively High

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	86 km	10 km
Dec 23, 1995	7 km WNW of Rock Creek Park, Colorado	M3.5	146 km	5 km
Jan 18, 1997	8 km SE of Westcreek, Colorado	M3.3	105 km	5 km
Jun 1, 2014	9 km NNW of Kersey, Colorado	M3.2	60 km	1 km
Jul 22, 2001	6 km WNW of Woodland Park, Colorado	M3.1	114 km	5 km
Sep 12, 1990	13 km NW of Silverthorne, Colorado	M3.0	107 km	5 km
Feb 26, 2008	29 km WNW of Westcreek, Colorado	M2.9	93 km	2 km
Jan 19, 1997	8 km SE of Westcreek, Colorado	M2.9	105 km	5 km
Mar 30, 2019	7 km NE of Greeley, Colorado	M2.9	58 km	6 km
Dec 31, 1995	6 km WNW of Rock Creek Park, Colorado	M2.8	148 km	5 km
Jun 21, 2018	16 km SSW of Walden, Colorado	M2.7	129 km	2 km
Jan 19, 1997	8 km SE of Westcreek, Colorado	M2.7	105 km	5 km
Apr 18, 1998	8 km SE of Westcreek, Colorado	M2.7	105 km	5 km
Jun 13, 2025	7 km SE of Erie, Colorado	M2.7	6 km	9 km
Aug 23, 2016	2 km SSE of Eaton, Colorado	M2.6	59 km	10 km
Jun 23, 2014	6 km NNE of Kersey, Colorado	M2.5	62 km	5 km

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

Tornado History

710 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 1 fatality, 159 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Jun 4, 2015	EF3	24 km	6.7 mi	0
May 22, 2008	EF3	32 km	38.7 mi	1
Jun 15, 1988	EF3	36 km	2.5 mi	0
Jun 12, 1982	EF3	50 km	3.0 mi	0
May 18, 1975	EF3	38 km	4.1 mi	0
May 15, 1952	EF3	51 km	7.4 mi	0
Jun 7, 2021	EF2	16 km	7.5 mi	0
May 7, 2016	EF2	77 km	8.8 mi	0
Jun 15, 2009	EF2	96 km	4.0 mi	0
Jul 31, 1996	EF2	63 km	5.0 mi	0
Jul 30, 1996	EF2	97 km	0.5 mi	0
Jul 13, 1996	EF2	61 km	12.0 mi	0
Jun 9, 1990	EF2	76 km	23.0 mi	0
Jun 15, 1988	EF2	36 km	0.5 mi	0
Jun 5, 1988	EF2	7 km	2.0 mi	0
Jun 5, 1988	EF2	10 km	0.5 mi	0
Jul 7, 1987	EF2	69 km	5.0 mi	0
Jul 2, 1987	EF2	32 km	1.0 mi	0
Jun 20, 1987	EF2	47 km	1.0 mi	0
Jun 8, 1986	EF2	38 km	1.1 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	78 km
2020	EAST TROUBLESOME	188,924	84 km
2002	HAYMAN	129,417	94 km
2012	HIGH PARK	90,769	74 km
2020	WILLIAMS FORK	14,679	84 km
1996	BUFFALO CREEK	11,690	76 km
2000	BOBCAT	10,444	53 km
2020	CALWOOD	9,836	28 km
2000	HIGH MEADOWS	9,607	76 km
2004	PICNIC ROCK	9,014	77 km
2001	MVD PSFRXASST 4	7,375	91 km
2021	MARSHALL	6,286	15 km
2010	FOURMILE CANYON	5,865	30 km
2002	BIG ELK	4,348	42 km
2021	BIJOU	3,485	92 km
2012	LOWER NORTH FORK FIRE	3,436	67 km
2003	OVERLAND	3,232	29 km
2009	OLD STAGE	3,160	21 km
2011	CRYSTAL FIRE	2,855	62 km
2002	SCHOONOVER	2,821	91 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	29°F (-1°C)	0.6 in	Coldest, Driest
February	33°F (1°C)	0.6 in
March	40°F (5°C)	1.6 in
April	48°F (9°C)	2.2 in
May	57°F (14°C)	2.7 in	Wettest
June	67°F (19°C)	1.9 in
July	73°F (23°C)	1.8 in	Warmest
August	71°F (21°C)	1.5 in
September	62°F (16°C)	1.5 in
October	50°F (10°C)	1.1 in
November	38°F (3°C)	1.1 in
December	30°F (-1°C)	0.6 in

Erie has a seasonal temperature swing of 44°F / from 29°F in January to 73°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 17.0 inches, with May being the wettest month (2.7") and January the driest (0.6").

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