Weather & Climate in Joseph, UT

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

Joseph experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 47°F (8°C). Winters average 27°F in January while summers reach 70°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 12.1 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 44.8 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 5,446 feet.

Temperature

27°F Jan (-3°C) 70°F Jul (21°C)

Annual Average	47.1°F
	13% below US avg
January Average	27°F (-3°C)
July Average	70°F (21°C)
Sunny Days	330 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	5,446 ft (1,660 m)
Area	0.9 sq mi (2.4 km²)
Population Density	628/sq mi
Coordinates	38.6248°N, 112.2198°W
Timezone	America/Denver
County	Piute County County
Nearest Airport	Cedar City Regional (CDC) 80 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 12.1"

68% below US avg

Snowfall 44.8"

Wettest Month (Aug) 1.26"

Driest Month (Jun) 0.67"

Air Quality

AQI Median	41.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Very Low
Risk Score	0.9 / 100
Social Vulnerability	31.0 / 100
Community Resilience	12.1 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Very Low
Earthquake	Very Low
Wildfire	Very Low
Flood	Very Low
Hail	Very Low
Strong Wind	Very Low
Heat Wave	Very Low
Winter Weather	Relatively Low
Lightning	Relatively Low
Ice Storm	Very Low
Drought	Relatively Low
Cold Wave	No Rating
Landslide	Relatively Moderate
Volcano	Very Low
Avalanche	Very Low

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

Earthquake History

866 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.6.

Apr 20, 1991	19 km SE of Minersville, Utah	M4.6	79 km	10 km
Jan 3, 2011	10 km NW of Circleville, Utah	M4.6	43 km	11 km
Jul 29, 2024	24 km S of Brian Head, Utah	M4.5	140 km	20 km
Jan 2, 1998	10 km ESE of Beaver, Utah	M4.4	50 km	12 km
Jun 24, 1992	30 km WSW of Emery, Utah	M4.3	61 km	5 km
Apr 17, 2003	6 km SSW of Levan, Utah	M4.2	102 km	1 km
Jun 29, 1992	12 km WNW of Cedar City, Utah	M4.2	131 km	-3 km
Apr 12, 2012	16 km NNE of Bryce Canyon City, Utah	M4.2	90 km	15 km
Jun 29, 1992	12 km WNW of Cedar City, Utah	M4.2	134 km	7 km
Jul 19, 2001	31 km NNE of Fremont, Utah	M4.2	60 km	7 km
Jun 29, 2014	6 km SE of Spring City, Utah	M4.2	113 km	9 km
Jan 4, 2010	8 km S of Cedar City, Utah	M4.1	135 km	9 km
Oct 22, 1999	20 km SE of Minersville, Utah	M4.1	75 km	6 km
Jul 4, 2015	Utah	M4.1	89 km	3 km
Apr 14, 2019	28 km W of Kanosh, Utah	M4.1	50 km	1 km
Feb 20, 2019	8 km SW of Kanosh, Utah	M4.0	27 km	8 km
Sep 6, 1994	12 km SSW of Circleville, Utah	M4.0	63 km	6 km
Jan 26, 1991	22 km SE of Escalante, Utah	M4.0	131 km	22 km
Feb 23, 2001	12 km SW of Kanosh, Utah	M4.0	30 km	2 km
Jan 30, 1998	19 km NNW of Panguitch, Utah	M4.0	76 km	7 km

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

Tornado History

24 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2. Total: 1 injury.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Sep 8, 2002	EF2	88 km	2.7 mi	0
Nov 2, 1967	EF2	90 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 16, 1955	EF2	75 km	2.7 mi	0
Sep 22, 2016	EF1	90 km	0.8 mi	0
Mar 31, 1978	EF1	77 km	0.5 mi	0
Apr 19, 1970	EF1	16 km	1.5 mi	0
Aug 28, 1964	EF1	67 km	0.1 mi	0
Aug 7, 1957	EF1	47 km	1.5 mi	0
Aug 26, 2016	EF0	93 km	0.3 mi	0
May 24, 2009	EF0	82 km	0.1 mi	0
Sep 12, 2002	EF0	100 km	0.1 mi	0
Sep 8, 2002	EF0	66 km	0.2 mi	0
Sep 4, 2001	EF0	74 km	5.0 mi	0
Sep 8, 2000	EF0	91 km	2.0 mi	0
May 28, 1996	EF0	75 km	0.2 mi	0
May 21, 1992	EF0	67 km	0.3 mi	0
Sep 7, 1991	EF0	47 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 7, 1989	EF0	69 km	0.2 mi	0
Aug 19, 1984	EF0	35 km	0.1 mi	0
Aug 15, 1984	EF0	80 km	0.1 mi	0

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

Nearby Volcanoes

2 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Black Rock Desert (45 km).

Name	Type	Elevation	Last Eruption	Distance
Black Rock Desert	Volcanic field	1,800 m (5,906 ft)	1290	45 km
Markagunt Plateau	Volcanic field	2,840 m (9,318 ft)	1050	123 km

Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: MILFORD FLAT (348,772 acres, 2007).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2007	MILFORD FLAT	348,772	46 km
2012	CLAY SPRINGS	107,391	90 km
2002	SANFORD	81,854	77 km
1996	SORENSON COMPLEX (SOUTH TWIN PEAKS)	46,576	32 km
2010	TWITCHELL CANYON	42,956	28 km
1986	TWINPEAKS	34,633	44 km
2006	DOG VALLEY	28,992	31 km
1996	LEAMINGTON COMPLEX (LEAMINGTON)	28,159	96 km
2020	ANTELOPE	20,624	82 km
2012	BABOON	20,453	91 km
2012	GREASE	16,155	89 km
1996	ADELAIDE COMPLEX (ADALAIDE)	15,638	17 km
1996	CUNNINGHAM	14,866	44 km
2006	DEVILS DEN	13,680	87 km
2007	GREENVILLE	13,043	68 km
1995	LAVA RIDGE	12,391	42 km
2022	HALFWAY HILL	12,145	31 km
1996	HONEY BOY	11,113	64 km
1987	NEGRO MAG	10,608	62 km
1994	BLACK WILLOW	10,586	88 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	27°F (-3°C)	0.8 in	Coldest
February	30°F (-1°C)	0.8 in
March	36°F (2°C)	1.0 in
April	43°F (6°C)	0.9 in
May	51°F (11°C)	1.1 in
June	60°F (16°C)	0.7 in	Driest
July	70°F (21°C)	1.0 in	Warmest
August	67°F (19°C)	1.3 in	Wettest
September	60°F (15°C)	1.2 in
October	49°F (9°C)	1.0 in
November	37°F (3°C)	0.9 in
December	29°F (-2°C)	0.8 in

Joseph has a seasonal temperature swing of 43°F / from 27°F in January to 70°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 11.3 inches, with August being the wettest month (1.3") and June the driest (0.7").

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