Weather & Climate in Gardner, CO

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

Gardner experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 46°F (8°C). Winters average 29°F in January while summers reach 66°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 13.6 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 51.2 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 7,021 feet.

Temperature

29°F Jan (-2°C) 66°F Jul (19°C)

Annual Average	45.9°F
	15% below US avg
January Average	29°F (-2°C)
July Average	66°F (19°C)
Sunny Days	330 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	7,021 ft (2,140 m)
Area	2.5 sq mi (6.4 km²)
Population Density	24/sq mi
Coordinates	37.7889°N, 105.1645°W
Timezone	America/Denver
County	Alamosa County County
Nearest Airport	San Luis Valley Regional/Bergman Field (ALS) 46 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 13.6"

64% below US avg

Snowfall 51.2"

Wettest Month (Aug) 2.36"

Driest Month (Jan) 0.35"

Air Quality

AQI Median	41.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Very Low
Risk Score	40.4 / 100
Social Vulnerability	93.3 / 100
Community Resilience	26.8 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

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

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

Earthquake History

341 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M5.3.

Aug 23, 2011	6 km S of Valdez, Colorado	M5.3	91 km	4 km
Aug 10, 2005	20 km S of Weston, Colorado	M5.0	98 km	5 km
Aug 22, 2011	9 km SSW of Starkville, Colorado	M4.7	100 km	5 km
Sep 5, 2001	0 km SE of Cokedale, Colorado	M4.5	87 km	5 km
Jan 3, 2007	8 km SSW of Weston, Colorado	M4.4	84 km	5 km
Mar 22, 2004	30 km S of Weston, Colorado	M4.4	108 km	5 km
Aug 1, 2004	31 km S of Stonewall Gap, Colorado	M4.3	102 km	5 km
Mar 10, 2023	6 km NNE of Segundo, Colorado	M4.3	78 km	6 km
Aug 10, 2005	20 km SSW of Segundo, Colorado	M4.1	98 km	5 km
Jun 19, 2023	Colorado	M4.1	80 km	6 km
Jul 29, 2009	32 km NNE of Cimarron, New Mexico	M4.1	114 km	5 km
Sep 13, 2011	20 km S of Sequndo, Colorado	M4.0	102 km	5 km
Aug 26, 2023	19 km SSW of Weston, Colorado	M4.0	93 km	4 km
Aug 23, 2011	7 km S of Valdez, Colorado	M4.0	92 km	5 km
Sep 4, 2001	2 km W of Cokedale, Colorado	M4.0	85 km	5 km
Feb 6, 2016	Colorado	M4.0	80 km	2 km
Aug 23, 2016	18 km SSW of Weston, CO	M3.9	91 km	4 km
Aug 20, 2015	7 km WSW of Weston, Colorado	M3.9	80 km	1 km
Sep 16, 2011	26 km S of Sequndo, Colorado	M3.9	107 km	5 km
Mar 10, 2023	5 km N of Sequndo, Colorado	M3.9	79 km	4 km

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

Tornado History

84 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 3 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Jul 31, 1955	EF3	46 km	0.5 mi	0
Aug 21, 1984	EF2	71 km	1.0 mi	0
Jul 10, 1978	EF2	83 km	0.3 mi	0
Jul 4, 1960	EF2	38 km	0.1 mi	0
Jul 10, 1955	EF2	73 km	0.1 mi	0
May 8, 2017	EF1	17 km	0.2 mi	0
Jun 6, 2014	EF1	97 km	8.6 mi	0
Aug 16, 2008	EF1	54 km	0.3 mi	0
Jul 9, 2006	EF1	70 km	2.0 mi	0
Mar 19, 1995	EF1	75 km	0.1 mi	0
May 25, 1993	EF1	36 km	1.0 mi	0
Jun 16, 1991	EF1	96 km	6.5 mi	0
Jul 13, 1989	EF1	71 km	0.3 mi	0
Apr 21, 1988	EF1	71 km	0.3 mi	0
Jul 22, 1985	EF1	72 km	0.2 mi	0
Jul 19, 1985	EF1	73 km	0.2 mi	0
Jun 22, 1983	EF1	80 km	1.5 mi	0
Jun 10, 1983	EF1	58 km	0.5 mi	0
Jun 10, 1983	EF1	97 km	0.5 mi	0
Sep 13, 1982	EF1	44 km	1.0 mi	0

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

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: SPRING CREEK (107,108 acres, 2018).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2018	SPRING CREEK	107,108	27 km
2002	SPRING	24,044	88 km
2016	IMPACT AREA	19,918	95 km
2016	JUNKINS	19,023	39 km
1998	UNNAMED	18,218	95 km
2016	HAYDEN PASS	17,977	77 km
2006	MATO VEGA	13,126	22 km
2005	MASON	11,630	42 km
2013	EAST PEAK	10,082	47 km
2008	TA-25	8,253	96 km
2024	RANGE 135	7,766	96 km
2016	BEULAH HILL	5,769	38 km
2018	APACHE COMPLEX	5,182	84 km
2010	MEDANO	4,887	26 km
2018	CARSON MIDWAY	4,773	91 km
2011	DUCKETT	4,705	68 km
2010	H12	4,393	92 km
2006	MAURICIO CANYON	4,370	54 km
2002	IRON MOUNTAIN	3,955	66 km
2022	UNNAMED	3,643	15 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	29°F (-2°C)	0.4 in	Driest
February	31°F (-1°C)	0.4 in
March	37°F (3°C)	0.8 in
April	44°F (7°C)	1.0 in
May	53°F (12°C)	1.4 in
June	62°F (17°C)	1.3 in
July	66°F (19°C)	2.2 in	Warmest
August	65°F (18°C)	2.4 in	Wettest
September	58°F (14°C)	1.2 in
October	48°F (9°C)	0.9 in
November	36°F (2°C)	0.7 in
December	29°F (-2°C)	0.5 in	Coldest

Gardner has a seasonal temperature swing of 37°F / from 29°F in December to 66°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 13.1 inches, with August being the wettest month (2.4") and January the driest (0.4").

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