Weather & Climate in Fort Collins, CO

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

Fort Collins experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 47°F (9°C). Winters average 23°F in January while summers reach 70°F in July. The area gets 323 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 19.3 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 36.1 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 5,000 feet.

Temperature

23°F Jan (-5°C) 70°F Jul (21°C)

Annual Average	47.4°F
	12% below US avg
January Average	23°F (-5°C)
July Average	70°F (21°C)
Sunny Days	323 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	5,000 ft (1,524 m)
Area	57.2 sq mi (148.3 km²)
Population Density	2,965/sq mi
Coordinates	40.5482°N, 105.0648°W
Timezone	America/Denver
County	Larimer County County
Nearest Airport	Northern Colorado Regional (FNL) 7 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 19.3"

49% below US avg

Snowfall 36.1"

Wettest Month (May) 2.56"

Driest Month (Feb) 0.39"

Air Quality

AQI Median	41.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Moderate
Risk Score	90.1 / 100
Social Vulnerability	10.6 / 100
Community Resilience	71.3 / 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	Very High
Lightning	Very High
Ice Storm	Relatively Low
Drought	Relatively Low
Cold Wave	Relatively High
Landslide	Relatively Moderate
Volcano	Very Low
Avalanche	Relatively High

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

Earthquake History

11 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	142 km	10 km
Jun 1, 2014	9 km NNW of Kersey, Colorado	M3.2	40 km	1 km
Feb 7, 2000	19 km NE of Steamboat Springs, Colorado	M3.0	135 km	5 km
Sep 12, 1990	13 km NW of Silverthorne, Colorado	M3.0	135 km	5 km
Feb 26, 2008	29 km WNW of Westcreek, Colorado	M2.9	146 km	2 km
Mar 30, 2019	7 km NE of Greeley, Colorado	M2.9	38 km	6 km
Jun 21, 2018	16 km SSW of Walden, Colorado	M2.7	110 km	2 km
Jun 13, 2025	7 km SE of Erie, Colorado	M2.7	61 km	9 km
Aug 23, 2016	2 km SSE of Eaton, Colorado	M2.6	31 km	10 km
Feb 9, 2000	21 km NNE of Steamboat Springs, Colorado	M2.5	141 km	5 km
Jun 23, 2014	6 km NNE of Kersey, Colorado	M2.5	46 km	5 km

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

Tornado History

574 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 2 fatalities, 191 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Jun 4, 2015	EF3	33 km	6.7 mi	0
May 22, 2008	EF3	44 km	38.7 mi	1
Jun 15, 1988	EF3	92 km	2.5 mi	0
Jun 12, 1982	EF3	93 km	3.0 mi	0
Jul 16, 1979	EF3	72 km	8.8 mi	1
May 18, 1975	EF3	88 km	4.1 mi	0
Apr 23, 1960	EF3	55 km	17.2 mi	0
May 15, 1952	EF3	48 km	7.4 mi	0
Jun 7, 2021	EF2	47 km	7.5 mi	0
May 27, 2018	EF2	81 km	1.0 mi	0
Jun 12, 2017	EF2	73 km	15.0 mi	0
May 7, 2016	EF2	84 km	8.8 mi	0
May 18, 2010	EF2	91 km	1.5 mi	0
May 22, 2008	EF2	53 km	25.1 mi	0
Jul 31, 1996	EF2	47 km	5.0 mi	0
Jul 30, 1996	EF2	95 km	0.5 mi	0
Jun 9, 1990	EF2	21 km	23.0 mi	0
Jun 15, 1988	EF2	92 km	0.5 mi	0
Jun 5, 1988	EF2	62 km	2.0 mi	0
Jun 5, 1988	EF2	67 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	42 km
2020	EAST TROUBLESOME	188,924	86 km
2012	HIGH PARK	90,769	28 km
2000	BOBCAT	10,444	22 km
2020	CALWOOD	9,836	49 km
2004	PICNIC ROCK	9,014	24 km
2024	HAPPY JACK	6,585	72 km
2021	MARSHALL	6,286	66 km
2010	FOURMILE CANYON	5,865	62 km
2002	UNNAMED	5,258	90 km
2002	BIG ELK	4,348	42 km
2003	OVERLAND	3,232	52 km
2004	ROSETTA LANE	3,164	61 km
2009	OLD STAGE	3,160	54 km
2011	CRYSTAL FIRE	2,855	21 km
2012	FERN LAKE	2,549	55 km
2020	SUNDAY FIRE	2,204	59 km
2017	CATTLE DRIVE	2,200	39 km
2018	RED FEATHER RX	2,129	55 km
2016	CO RD 128	1,867	76 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	23°F (-5°C)	0.4 in	Coldest
February	33°F (0°C)	0.4 in	Driest
March	39°F (4°C)	1.4 in
April	47°F (8°C)	2.0 in
May	56°F (13°C)	2.6 in	Wettest
June	66°F (19°C)	2.0 in
July	70°F (21°C)	1.9 in	Warmest
August	69°F (21°C)	1.4 in
September	60°F (16°C)	1.4 in
October	49°F (10°C)	0.9 in
November	37°F (3°C)	0.8 in
December	29°F (-2°C)	0.5 in

Fort Collins has a seasonal temperature swing of 47°F / from 23°F in January to 70°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 15.6 inches, with May being the wettest month (2.6") and February the driest (0.4").

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