Weather & Climate in Fruitvale, CO

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

Fruitvale experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 54°F (12°C). Winters average 29°F in January while summers reach 79°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 8.9 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 12.6 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41. The city sits at an elevation of 4,722 feet.

Temperature

29°F Jan (-2°C) 79°F Jul (26°C)

Annual Average	54.0°F
	0% below US avg
January Average	29°F (-2°C)
July Average	79°F (26°C)
Sunny Days	330 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	4,722 ft (1,439 m)
Area	2.9 sq mi (7.5 km²)
Population Density	2,826/sq mi
Coordinates	39.0933°N, 108.4788°W
Timezone	America/Denver
County	Mesa County County
Nearest Airport	Grand Junction Regional (GJT) 3 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 8.9"

77% below US avg

Snowfall 12.6"

Wettest Month (Oct) 1.14"

Driest Month (Feb) 0.55"

Air Quality

AQI Median	41.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Low
Risk Score	75.1 / 100
Social Vulnerability	37.0 / 100
Community Resilience	56.7 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

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

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

Earthquake History

96 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	124 km	-3 km
Mar 4, 2019	29 km E of La Sal, Utah	M4.5	98 km	1 km
Sep 13, 1994	17 km N of Sawpit, Colorado	M4.4	114 km	10 km
May 27, 2000	29 km WNW of Naturita, Colorado	M4.4	97 km	10 km
Jan 31, 2002	28 km SSW of Craig, Colorado	M4.3	149 km	5 km
May 20, 1995	434km E of Wendover, Utah	M4.1	129 km	4 km
Aug 9, 2001	11 km NNE of Chacra, Colorado	M4.0	114 km	5 km
Apr 7, 1990	28 km WNW of Bonanza, Utah	M4.0	141 km	11 km
Jan 24, 2013	22 km E of La Sal, Utah	M3.9	96 km	1 km
Feb 10, 2006	1 km NNE of Chacra, Colorado	M3.8	105 km	5 km
May 31, 2022	37 km ENE of Thompson Springs, Utah	M3.8	71 km	7 km
Apr 22, 2017	4 km NW of Rangely, Colorado	M3.8	118 km	7 km
Jul 6, 1999	27 km WNW of Naturita, Colorado	M3.7	97 km	2 km
Nov 8, 1991	17 km WNW of Bonanza, Utah	M3.7	135 km	4 km
Mar 2, 1991	27 km SSW of Jensen, Utah	M3.7	144 km	-3 km
Jun 3, 1999	28 km E of La Sal, Utah	M3.7	98 km	1 km
Nov 11, 2000	14 km SE of Jensen, Utah	M3.6	146 km	-3 km
Oct 14, 1993	36 km SW of Spanish Valley, Utah	M3.6	144 km	5 km
May 13, 1993	10 km NW of Rangely, Colorado	M3.5	123 km	-3 km
Dec 10, 1999	11 km NE of Dinosaur, Colorado	M3.5	140 km	8 km

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

Tornado History

15 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF1. Total: 1 injury.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Jul 9, 2015	EF1	32 km	0.1 mi	0
Oct 4, 2005	EF1	92 km	0.7 mi	0
May 6, 2005	EF1	67 km	0.3 mi	0
May 13, 2004	EF1	93 km	0.7 mi	0
Sep 11, 2002	EF1	54 km	8.0 mi	0
Sep 8, 2000	EF1	25 km	0.4 mi	0
May 19, 2009	EF0	17 km	0.3 mi	0
Aug 2, 2005	EF0	46 km	0.3 mi	0
May 29, 2005	EF0	11 km	1.0 mi	0
Oct 17, 2004	EF0	33 km	7.5 mi	0
Jun 3, 2002	EF0	46 km	0.5 mi	0
Apr 15, 2000	EF0	44 km	0.2 mi	0
Apr 11, 2000	EF0	3 km	0.1 mi	0
Aug 8, 1998	EF0	12 km	0.1 mi	0
Jul 31, 1994	EF0	58 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: PINE GULCH (138,141 acres, 2020).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2020	PINE GULCH	138,141	36 km
2002	RATTLE COMPLEX (RATTLE)	87,396	95 km
2018	BULL DRAW	37,178	67 km
2012	WOLF DEN	19,419	91 km
1989	DIAMONDPK	15,685	87 km
2012	PINE RIDGE	13,862	22 km
2001	INDIAN SPR	13,458	82 km
2021	OIL SPRINGS	12,597	80 km
1999	TOMS CYN	6,030	48 km
2012	SUNRISE MINE	5,905	84 km
2018	RED CANYON	5,701	69 km
1995	TRIANGLE	5,688	55 km
1996	HATCHET	5,685	36 km
2002	CANYONS COMPLEX (HANG DOG)	5,668	95 km
2000	CONE MOUNTAIN	4,708	70 km
1994	BITTCRCOMP	4,445	60 km
2004	CAMPBELL	4,429	75 km
1994	TWO ROAD	4,240	48 km
2023	COWCREEKRXNORTH	4,147	54 km
2023	LITTLE MESA	4,048	53 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	29°F (-2°C)	0.6 in	Coldest
February	35°F (2°C)	0.6 in	Driest
March	44°F (6°C)	0.9 in
April	51°F (11°C)	0.8 in
May	61°F (16°C)	0.9 in
June	71°F (22°C)	0.6 in
July	79°F (26°C)	0.8 in	Warmest
August	76°F (24°C)	1.0 in
September	66°F (19°C)	1.0 in
October	54°F (12°C)	1.1 in	Wettest
November	40°F (4°C)	0.8 in
December	30°F (-1°C)	0.6 in

Fruitvale has a seasonal temperature swing of 50°F / from 29°F in January to 79°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 9.9 inches, with October being the wettest month (1.1") and February the driest (0.6").

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