Weather & Climate in Fairplay, CO

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

Fairplay has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 37°F (3°C). Winters average 20°F in January while summers reach 57°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 15.1 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 9,933 feet.

Temperature

20°F Jan (-7°C) 57°F Jul (14°C)

Annual Average	36.6°F
	32% below US avg
January Average	20°F (-7°C)
July Average	57°F (14°C)
Sunny Days	330 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	9,933 ft (3,028 m)
Area	1.2 sq mi (3.0 km²)
Population Density	740/sq mi
Coordinates	39.2243°N, 105.9984°W
Timezone	America/Denver
County	Park County County
Nearest Airport	Eagle County Regional (EGE) 57 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 15.1"

60% below US avg

Wettest Month (Aug) 2.28"

Driest Month (Jan) 0.83"

Air Quality

AQI Median	41.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Very Low
Risk Score	22.2 / 100
Social Vulnerability	10.6 / 100
Community Resilience	49.7 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Very Low
Earthquake	Very Low
Wildfire	Relatively Moderate
Flood	Very Low
Hail	Relatively Moderate
Strong Wind	Very Low
Heat Wave	Very Low
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	Relatively Low

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

Earthquake History

42 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	103 km	10 km
Aug 9, 2001	11 km NNE of Chacra, Colorado	M4.0	128 km	5 km
Feb 10, 2006	1 km NNE of Chacra, Colorado	M3.8	130 km	5 km
Dec 23, 1995	7 km WNW of Rock Creek Park, Colorado	M3.5	108 km	5 km
Aug 21, 2012	12 km SSW of Gypsum, Colorado	M3.4	91 km	5 km
Jan 18, 1997	8 km SE of Westcreek, Colorado	M3.3	79 km	5 km
Jan 30, 2017	5 km SW of New Castle, Colorado	M3.3	141 km	5 km
Jul 22, 2001	6 km WNW of Woodland Park, Colorado	M3.1	78 km	5 km
Feb 1, 2019	3 km NW of Glenwood Springs, Colorado	M3.1	123 km	2 km
Jul 8, 1993	9 km ENE of Aspen, Colorado	M3.1	62 km	5 km
Jan 26, 2008	12 km NE of Cotopaxi, Colorado	M3.1	94 km	5 km
Sep 12, 1990	13 km NW of Silverthorne, Colorado	M3.0	56 km	5 km
Oct 18, 2024	6 km NNE of Chacra, Colorado	M2.9	129 km	5 km
Dec 5, 2000	10 km NNW of Redstone, Colorado	M2.9	111 km	5 km
May 1, 2009	21 km NW of Dotsero, Colorado	M2.9	123 km	5 km
Feb 26, 2008	29 km WNW of Westcreek, Colorado	M2.9	46 km	2 km
Jan 1, 2003	6 km SE of Aspen, Colorado	M2.9	66 km	5 km
Jan 19, 1997	8 km SE of Westcreek, Colorado	M2.9	79 km	5 km
Mar 30, 2010	24 km N of Chacra, Colorado	M2.8	139 km	5 km
Jan 20, 2017	4 km NW of Redstone, Colorado	M2.8	110 km	5 km

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

Tornado History

68 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 4 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Jun 13, 1977	EF3	91 km	4.9 mi	0
Jun 8, 2014	EF2	55 km	6.0 mi	0
Jun 3, 1981	EF2	98 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 13, 1977	EF2	7 km	1.0 mi	0
Jun 13, 1977	EF2	90 km	1.0 mi	0
May 20, 1961	EF2	99 km	2.0 mi	0
Aug 9, 2024	EF1	88 km	0.9 mi	0
Jul 20, 2023	EF1	88 km	1.5 mi	0
Jun 22, 2023	EF1	92 km	6.3 mi	0
Jul 21, 2015	EF1	77 km	0.3 mi	0
Jun 8, 2014	EF1	82 km	0.3 mi	0
Jun 8, 2014	EF1	62 km	0.3 mi	0
Aug 18, 2009	EF1	50 km	9.3 mi	0
Aug 23, 2008	EF1	77 km	0.3 mi	0
Aug 23, 2008	EF1	58 km	1.0 mi	0
Aug 23, 2008	EF1	79 km	0.6 mi	0
Jun 27, 2007	EF1	74 km	0.9 mi	0
Jul 12, 1996	EF1	76 km	0.7 mi	0
Jun 16, 1996	EF1	95 km	1.5 mi	0
Jun 29, 1992	EF1	88 km	3.0 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	61 km
2012	WALDO CANYON	20,112	97 km
2020	WILLIAMS FORK	14,679	68 km
2018	WESTON PASS	13,169	22 km
2018	LAKE CHRISTINE	12,506	92 km
1996	BUFFALO CREEK	11,690	66 km
2019	DECKER	9,875	87 km
2000	HIGH MEADOWS	9,607	58 km
2001	MVD PSFRXASST 4	7,375	74 km
2021	SYLVAN	3,480	68 km
2012	LOWER NORTH FORK FIRE	3,436	74 km
2002	SCHOONOVER	2,821	67 km
2002	SNAKING	2,080	48 km
2023	THREEMILE CREEK RX	1,863	61 km
2023	403	1,767	67 km
2012	SPRINGER	1,665	58 km
2011	INDIAN GULCH FIRE	1,640	86 km
2022	HIGH PARK	1,605	84 km
2018	CHATEAU	1,414	76 km
2003	DOTSERO CRATER	1,322	100 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	20°F (-7°C)	0.8 in	Driest
February	20°F (-7°C)	0.8 in
March	25°F (-4°C)	1.1 in
April	32°F (-0°C)	1.1 in
May	42°F (6°C)	1.4 in
June	51°F (11°C)	1.4 in
July	57°F (14°C)	2.2 in	Warmest
August	55°F (13°C)	2.3 in	Wettest
September	48°F (9°C)	1.4 in
October	39°F (4°C)	1.0 in
November	27°F (-3°C)	0.9 in
December	20°F (-7°C)	1.0 in	Coldest

Fairplay has a seasonal temperature swing of 37°F / from 20°F in December to 57°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 15.4 inches, with August being the wettest month (2.3") and January the driest (0.8").

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