All Countries
Weather & Climate in Kiowa, CO
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Kiowa experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 48°F (9°C). Winters average 31°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 19.3 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 74.8 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 6,419 feet.
Temperature
31°F Jan (-1°C)
70°F Jul (21°C)
| Annual Average | 48.2°F |
| 11% below US avg | |
| January Average | 31°F (-1°C) |
| July Average | 70°F (21°C) |
| Sunny Days | 330 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 6,419 ft (1,957 m) |
| Area | 0.9 sq mi (2.3 km²) |
| Population Density | 819/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 39.3437°N, 104.4579°W |
| Timezone | America/Denver |
| County | Elbert County County |
| Nearest Airport | Denver International (DEN) 38 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 41.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 36.6 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 10.6 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 60.2 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Moderate |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | Very Low |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
| Volcano | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
20 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 | 31 km | 10 km |
| Dec 23, 1995 | 7 km WNW of Rock Creek Park, Colorado | M3.5 | 79 km | 5 km |
| Jan 18, 1997 | 8 km SE of Westcreek, Colorado | M3.3 | 62 km | 5 km |
| Jun 1, 2014 | 9 km NNW of Kersey, Colorado | M3.2 | 126 km | 1 km |
| Jan 26, 2008 | 12 km NE of Cotopaxi, Colorado | M3.1 | 139 km | 5 km |
| Jul 22, 2001 | 6 km WNW of Woodland Park, Colorado | M3.1 | 68 km | 5 km |
| Jul 15, 2014 | 23 km NNE of Haswell, Colorado | M3.0 | 146 km | 5 km |
| Jan 19, 1997 | 8 km SE of Westcreek, Colorado | M2.9 | 62 km | 5 km |
| Feb 26, 2008 | 29 km WNW of Westcreek, Colorado | M2.9 | 87 km | 2 km |
| Aug 24, 2016 | 16 km ENE of Beulah Valley, Colorado | M2.9 | 136 km | 3 km |
| Mar 30, 2019 | 7 km NE of Greeley, Colorado | M2.9 | 125 km | 6 km |
| Dec 31, 1995 | 6 km WNW of Rock Creek Park, Colorado | M2.8 | 80 km | 5 km |
| Jan 19, 1997 | 8 km SE of Westcreek, Colorado | M2.7 | 62 km | 5 km |
| Apr 18, 1998 | 8 km SE of Westcreek, Colorado | M2.7 | 62 km | 5 km |
| Jun 13, 2025 | 7 km SE of Erie, Colorado | M2.7 | 86 km | 9 km |
| Aug 23, 2016 | 2 km SSE of Eaton, Colorado | M2.6 | 131 km | 10 km |
| Sep 24, 2013 | 6 km NNE of Cotopaxi, Colorado | M2.6 | 146 km | 5 km |
| Jun 26, 2021 | 19 km WNW of Cañon City, Colorado | M2.5 | 125 km | 8 km |
| Jun 23, 2014 | 6 km NNE of Kersey, Colorado | M2.5 | 122 km | 5 km |
| Aug 7, 2021 | 23 km NE of Sugar City, Colorado | M2.5 | 133 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
807 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 106 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| May 31, 1999 | EF3 | 76 km | 7.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 6, 1990 | EF3 | 55 km | 7.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 6, 1990 | EF3 | 68 km | 7.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 15, 1988 | EF3 | 59 km | 2.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 12, 1982 | EF3 | 53 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 24, 1979 | EF3 | 68 km | 4.3 mi | 0 |
| Jun 13, 1977 | EF3 | 67 km | 4.9 mi | 0 |
| May 18, 1975 | EF3 | 56 km | 4.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 7, 2021 | EF2 | 96 km | 7.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 8, 2014 | EF2 | 94 km | 6.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 7, 2012 | EF2 | 27 km | 7.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 15, 2009 | EF2 | 19 km | 4.0 mi | 0 |
| May 10, 2004 | EF2 | 37 km | 6.0 mi | 0 |
| May 28, 2001 | EF2 | 57 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| May 28, 2001 | EF2 | 59 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| May 31, 1999 | EF2 | 80 km | 7.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 13, 1996 | EF2 | 51 km | 12.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 6, 1990 | EF2 | 66 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 15, 1988 | EF2 | 59 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 5, 1988 | EF2 | 85 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: HAYMAN (129,417 acres, 2002).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2002 | HAYMAN | 129,417 | 73 km |
| 2012 | WALDO CANYON | 20,112 | 62 km |
| 2016 | IMPACT AREA | 19,918 | 89 km |
| 1998 | UNNAMED | 18,218 | 89 km |
| 2012 | LAST CHANCE | 17,958 | 87 km |
| 2013 | BLACK FOREST | 11,885 | 39 km |
| 1996 | BUFFALO CREEK | 11,690 | 69 km |
| 2000 | HIGH MEADOWS | 9,607 | 78 km |
| 2008 | TA-25 | 8,253 | 88 km |
| 2024 | RANGE 135 | 7,766 | 88 km |
| 2001 | MVD PSFRXASST 4 | 7,375 | 60 km |
| 2002 | MILNE/SQUIRREL | 6,568 | 69 km |
| 2021 | MARSHALL | 6,286 | 92 km |
| 2018 | APACHE COMPLEX | 5,182 | 99 km |
| 2009 | QUARRY | 5,141 | 81 km |
| 2017 | MILNE | 5,113 | 70 km |
| 2018 | EDISON | 5,109 | 97 km |
| 1996 | UNNAMED | 4,928 | 89 km |
| 2002 | UNNAMED | 4,911 | 70 km |
| 2002 | HANOVER | 4,903 | 88 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 31°F (-1°C) | 0.3 in | Driest |
| February | 31°F (-0°C) | 0.4 in | |
| March | 37°F (3°C) | 0.9 in | |
| April | 45°F (7°C) | 1.4 in | |
| May | 54°F (12°C) | 2.5 in | Wettest |
| June | 64°F (18°C) | 2.1 in | |
| July | 70°F (21°C) | 2.4 in | Warmest |
| August | 68°F (20°C) | 2.1 in | |
| September | 60°F (16°C) | 1.3 in | |
| October | 49°F (10°C) | 0.8 in | |
| November | 36°F (2°C) | 0.7 in | |
| December | 29°F (-2°C) | 0.4 in | Coldest |
Kiowa has a seasonal temperature swing of 41°F / from 29°F in December to 70°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 15.3 inches, with May being the wettest month (2.5") and January the driest (0.3").