Weather & Climate in Kit Carson, CO

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

Kit Carson experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 51°F (11°C). Winters average 29°F in January while summers reach 76°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 15.4 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 15.9 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 4,287 feet.

Temperature

29°F Jan (-2°C) 76°F Jul (24°C)

Annual Average	50.9°F
	6% below US avg
January Average	29°F (-2°C)
July Average	76°F (24°C)
Sunny Days	330 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	4,287 ft (1,307 m)
Area	0.6 sq mi (1.5 km²)
Population Density	356/sq mi
Coordinates	38.7628°N, 102.7955°W
Timezone	America/Denver
County	Cheyenne County County
Nearest Airport	Southeast Colorado Regional (LAA) 48 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 15.4"

59% below US avg

Snowfall 15.9"

Wettest Month (May) 2.64"

Driest Month (Jan) 0.24"

Air Quality

AQI Median	41.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Very Low
Risk Score	3.0 / 100
Social Vulnerability	18.5 / 100
Community Resilience	19.9 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

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

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

Earthquake History

6 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.9.

Aug 17, 2009	8 km E of Eads, Colorado	M3.9	34 km	5 km
Jan 2, 1998	21 km SE of La Junta, Colorado	M3.4	117 km	5 km
Jul 15, 2014	23 km NNE of Haswell, Colorado	M3.0	25 km	5 km
Jan 10, 2003	14 km NE of Wiley, Colorado	M2.9	58 km	5 km
Aug 7, 2021	23 km NE of Sugar City, Colorado	M2.5	74 km	5 km
Aug 6, 2016	13 km NNE of Wiley, Colorado	M2.5	56 km	6 km

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

Tornado History

585 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 55 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
May 29, 2001	EF3	78 km	3.0 mi	0
May 31, 1999	EF3	94 km	7.0 mi	0
Jul 7, 1993	EF3	59 km	9.0 mi	0
Jun 6, 1990	EF3	90 km	7.0 mi	0
May 19, 1982	EF3	99 km	2.0 mi	0
Oct 17, 1971	EF3	49 km	5.6 mi	0
Jul 20, 1958	EF3	76 km	3.3 mi	0
Jun 5, 2015	EF2	86 km	1.5 mi	0
Apr 27, 2012	EF2	86 km	2.0 mi	0
Apr 27, 2012	EF2	83 km	19.1 mi	0
Apr 27, 2012	EF2	72 km	6.2 mi	0
Apr 27, 2012	EF2	41 km	0.7 mi	0
Oct 31, 2000	EF2	70 km	12.0 mi	0
May 31, 1999	EF2	89 km	7.0 mi	0
Oct 5, 1994	EF2	55 km	6.3 mi	0
Jul 7, 1993	EF2	90 km	2.0 mi	0
May 30, 1988	EF2	61 km	1.0 mi	0
May 18, 1982	EF2	44 km	2.0 mi	0
Jun 16, 1979	EF2	35 km	3.0 mi	0
Apr 13, 1977	EF2	96 km	5.1 mi	0

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

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: FT. LYONS (12,310 acres, 2011).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2011	FT. LYONS	12,310	81 km
2018	HWY 94	7,480	56 km
2011	KARVAL	5,322	71 km
2022	SHERIDAN LAKE	5,310	47 km
1996	UNNAMED	4,928	75 km
2023	GAGEBY CREEK	4,867	79 km
2022	FORT LYONS	2,647	83 km
2000	UNNAMED	2,535	81 km
2003	UNNAMED	2,530	25 km
2022	FF	2,463	43 km
2016	PUMKIN CENTER	2,451	79 km
2022	HASWELL	2,101	59 km
1994	UNNAMED	2,039	58 km
2023	MANVEL	2,038	80 km
2022	BENTS FORT	1,704	96 km
2019	BLACK BRIDGE	1,689	84 km
1999	UNNAMED	1,623	98 km
2021	FT. LYONS	1,541	80 km
2020	BENT FORT	1,437	94 km
2020	COUNTY RD T	1,371	29 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	29°F (-2°C)	0.2 in	Coldest, Driest
February	33°F (0°C)	0.3 in
March	41°F (5°C)	0.8 in
April	49°F (10°C)	0.9 in
May	59°F (15°C)	2.6 in	Wettest
June	70°F (21°C)	2.1 in
July	76°F (24°C)	2.6 in	Warmest
August	74°F (23°C)	2.0 in
September	65°F (18°C)	1.3 in
October	52°F (11°C)	0.8 in
November	38°F (3°C)	0.4 in
December	29°F (-2°C)	0.3 in

Kit Carson has a seasonal temperature swing of 47°F / from 29°F in January to 76°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 14.4 inches, with May being the wettest month (2.6") and January the driest (0.2").

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