Weather & Climate in Howard, CO

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

Howard experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 46°F (8°C). Winters average 27°F in January while summers reach 67°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 8.8 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 36.7 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 7,403 feet.

Temperature

27°F Jan (-3°C) 67°F Jul (20°C)

Annual Average	46.3°F
	14% below US avg
January Average	27°F (-3°C)
July Average	67°F (20°C)
Sunny Days	330 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	7,403 ft (2,256 m)
Area	16.7 sq mi (43.4 km²)
Population Density	69/sq mi
Coordinates	38.4098°N, 105.8424°W
Timezone	America/Denver
County	Fremont County County
Nearest Airport	Gunnison-Crested Butte Regional (GUC) 60 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 8.8"

77% below US avg

Snowfall 36.7"

Wettest Month (Aug) 2.44"

Driest Month (Jan) 0.75"

Air Quality

AQI Median	41.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Low
Risk Score	68.6 / 100
Social Vulnerability	66.3 / 100
Community Resilience	40.7 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

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

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

Earthquake History

40 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	133 km	10 km
Dec 23, 1995	7 km WNW of Rock Creek Park, Colorado	M3.5	88 km	5 km
May 10, 1991	24 km SSE of South Fork, Colorado	M3.4	124 km	5 km
Feb 28, 2019	22 km NNW of Blanca, Colorado	M3.4	90 km	5 km
Jan 18, 1997	8 km SE of Westcreek, Colorado	M3.3	100 km	5 km
Feb 28, 2019	22 km N of Blanca, Colorado	M3.3	91 km	6 km
Jul 8, 1993	9 km ENE of Aspen, Colorado	M3.1	118 km	5 km
Jan 26, 2008	12 km NE of Cotopaxi, Colorado	M3.1	23 km	5 km
Jul 22, 2001	6 km WNW of Woodland Park, Colorado	M3.1	92 km	5 km
Sep 12, 1990	13 km NW of Silverthorne, Colorado	M3.0	147 km	5 km
Feb 26, 2008	29 km WNW of Westcreek, Colorado	M2.9	102 km	2 km
Jan 1, 2003	6 km SE of Aspen, Colorado	M2.9	115 km	5 km
Jan 13, 2018	18 km N of Weston, Colorado	M2.9	150 km	8 km
May 2, 1992	11 km WSW of Aguilar, Colorado	M2.9	148 km	5 km
Jan 19, 1997	8 km SE of Westcreek, Colorado	M2.9	100 km	5 km
Jan 11, 2018	19 km NNW of Weston, Colorado	M2.9	148 km	5 km
Aug 24, 2016	16 km ENE of Beulah Valley, Colorado	M2.9	95 km	3 km
Mar 5, 2016	14 km NNE of Stonewall Gap, Colorado	M2.9	147 km	5 km
Dec 31, 1995	6 km WNW of Rock Creek Park, Colorado	M2.8	88 km	5 km
Apr 11, 2021	9 km E of Woody Creek, Colorado	M2.8	127 km	2 km

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

Tornado History

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

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Jun 24, 1979	EF3	94 km	4.3 mi	0
Jun 13, 1977	EF3	92 km	4.9 mi	0
Jun 8, 2014	EF2	72 km	6.0 mi	0
Jun 13, 1977	EF2	94 km	1.0 mi	0
Jun 13, 1977	EF2	98 km	1.0 mi	0
Apr 11, 1977	EF2	94 km	1.0 mi	0
Jul 4, 1960	EF2	53 km	0.1 mi	0
Aug 9, 2024	EF1	75 km	0.9 mi	0
Jul 20, 2023	EF1	88 km	1.5 mi	0
May 8, 2017	EF1	90 km	0.2 mi	0
Jun 8, 2014	EF1	81 km	0.3 mi	0
Aug 18, 2009	EF1	68 km	9.3 mi	0
Aug 23, 2008	EF1	63 km	1.0 mi	0
Aug 16, 2008	EF1	87 km	0.3 mi	0
Jun 27, 2007	EF1	94 km	0.9 mi	0
Jul 9, 2006	EF1	96 km	2.0 mi	0
Jul 12, 1996	EF1	86 km	0.7 mi	0
Jun 16, 1991	EF1	44 km	6.5 mi	0
Jul 13, 1989	EF1	72 km	0.3 mi	0
Apr 21, 1988	EF1	72 km	0.3 mi	0

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

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: WALDO CANYON (20,112 acres, 2012).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2012	WALDO CANYON	20,112	97 km
2016	IMPACT AREA	19,918	96 km
2016	JUNKINS	19,023	69 km
1998	UNNAMED	18,218	96 km
2016	HAYDEN PASS	17,977	14 km
2018	WESTON PASS	13,169	71 km
2005	MASON	11,630	76 km
2019	DECKER	9,875	14 km
2008	TA-25	8,253	89 km
2024	RANGE 135	7,766	96 km
2016	BEULAH HILL	5,769	88 km
2018	APACHE COMPLEX	5,182	90 km
2009	QUARRY	5,141	97 km
2010	MEDANO	4,887	74 km
2018	CARSON MIDWAY	4,773	99 km
2011	DUCKETT	4,705	23 km
2002	IRON MOUNTAIN	3,955	33 km
2022	UNNAMED	3,643	77 km
2013	ROYAL GORGE	3,290	46 km
2000	PSFRXASST1	2,747	75 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	27°F (-3°C)	0.8 in	Driest
February	22°F (-5°C)	0.8 in
March	28°F (-2°C)	1.1 in
April	35°F (2°C)	1.0 in
May	44°F (7°C)	1.2 in
June	54°F (12°C)	1.1 in
July	67°F (20°C)	2.2 in	Warmest
August	57°F (14°C)	2.4 in	Wettest
September	50°F (10°C)	1.5 in
October	41°F (5°C)	1.1 in
November	29°F (-2°C)	0.9 in
December	22°F (-6°C)	1.0 in	Coldest

Howard has a seasonal temperature swing of 46°F / from 22°F in December to 67°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 15.1 inches, with August being the wettest month (2.4") and January the driest (0.8").

View full profile of Howard, CO →