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Weather & Climate in La Junta, CO
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
La Junta experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 54°F (12°C). Winters average 31°F in January while summers reach 78°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 33.8 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 4,124 feet.
Temperature
31°F Jan (-0°C)
78°F Jul (25°C)
| Annual Average | 53.7°F |
| 1% below US avg | |
| January Average | 31°F (-0°C) |
| July Average | 78°F (25°C) |
| Sunny Days | 330 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 4,124 ft (1,257 m) |
| Area | 3.0 sq mi (7.8 km²) |
| Population Density | 2,253/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 37.9794°N, 103.5473°W |
| Timezone | America/Denver |
| County | Otero County County |
| Nearest Airport | Southeast Colorado Regional (LAA) 47 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 41.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 50.7 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 79.7 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 28.5 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Relatively High |
| 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
116 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 | 144 km | 4 km |
| Aug 22, 2011 | 9 km SSW of Starkville, Colorado | M4.7 | 138 km | 5 km |
| Sep 5, 2001 | 0 km SE of Cokedale, Colorado | M4.5 | 133 km | 5 km |
| Mar 10, 2023 | 6 km NNE of Segundo, Colorado | M4.3 | 138 km | 6 km |
| Jun 19, 2023 | Colorado | M4.1 | 111 km | 6 km |
| Aug 23, 2011 | 7 km S of Valdez, Colorado | M4.0 | 144 km | 5 km |
| Sep 4, 2001 | 2 km W of Cokedale, Colorado | M4.0 | 135 km | 5 km |
| Mar 10, 2023 | 5 km N of Sequndo, Colorado | M3.9 | 138 km | 4 km |
| Aug 17, 2009 | 8 km E of Eads, Colorado | M3.9 | 93 km | 5 km |
| Aug 1, 1996 | 17 km NE of Hoehne, Colorado | M3.8 | 89 km | 5 km |
| Mar 19, 2023 | 4 km WNW of Hoehne, Colorado | M3.8 | 109 km | 6 km |
| May 11, 2011 | 4 km SE of Valdez, Colorado | M3.8 | 139 km | 5 km |
| Sep 5, 2001 | 3 km SSE of Cokedale, Colorado | M3.7 | 135 km | 5 km |
| Jan 22, 2014 | 9 km NNW of Cokedale, Colorado | M3.6 | 128 km | 4 km |
| Sep 6, 2001 | 3 km S of Cokedale, Colorado | M3.6 | 136 km | 5 km |
| Sep 10, 2023 | 8 km NNW of Segundo, Colorado | M3.6 | 139 km | 2 km |
| Feb 25, 2018 | 12 km NNE of Weston, Colorado | M3.5 | 139 km | 5 km |
| Sep 1, 2019 | 16 km NNW of Weston, Colorado | M3.5 | 145 km | 5 km |
| Aug 23, 2011 | 4 km S of Cokedale, Colorado | M3.5 | 137 km | 5 km |
| Sep 6, 2001 | 3 km E of Cokedale, Colorado | M3.5 | 131 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
255 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 19 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| May 29, 2001 | EF3 | 79 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Oct 17, 1971 | EF3 | 63 km | 5.6 mi | 0 |
| Oct 20, 1953 | EF3 | 46 km | 11.9 mi | 0 |
| Apr 27, 2012 | EF2 | 70 km | 6.2 mi | 0 |
| Apr 27, 2012 | EF2 | 74 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 27, 2012 | EF2 | 83 km | 19.1 mi | 0 |
| May 31, 2010 | EF2 | 93 km | 2.8 mi | 0 |
| Jun 16, 2004 | EF2 | 54 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| May 15, 2003 | EF2 | 98 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 21, 1984 | EF2 | 97 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| May 18, 1982 | EF2 | 73 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 10, 1978 | EF2 | 74 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Apr 13, 1977 | EF2 | 30 km | 5.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 8, 1975 | EF2 | 82 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| May 22, 1975 | EF2 | 25 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| May 12, 1975 | EF2 | 77 km | 11.1 mi | 0 |
| May 23, 1965 | EF2 | 67 km | 4.6 mi | 0 |
| May 23, 1965 | EF2 | 43 km | 5.6 mi | 0 |
| Jun 29, 1962 | EF2 | 33 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 12, 1956 | EF2 | 29 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: BRIDGER (46,612 acres, 2008).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2008 | BRIDGER | 46,612 | 50 km |
| 2011 | BEAR SPRINGS CALLIE MARIE | 36,863 | 55 km |
| 1986 | UNNAMED | 25,771 | 86 km |
| 2011 | SHELL COMPLEX | 14,158 | 57 km |
| 2011 | FT. LYONS | 12,310 | 43 km |
| 2020 | CHERRY CANYON | 11,823 | 63 km |
| 1996 | CANYON | 10,233 | 40 km |
| 2011 | CALLIE MARIE | 9,393 | 45 km |
| 2018 | HWY 94 | 7,480 | 93 km |
| 2011 | PURGATOIRE FIRE | 6,233 | 94 km |
| 2011 | SALT | 6,078 | 24 km |
| 2000 | UNNAMED | 5,555 | 43 km |
| 2008 | ORDWAY CROWLEY CO | 5,339 | 34 km |
| 2011 | KARVAL | 5,322 | 81 km |
| 2018 | TRINCHERA CREEK | 5,173 | 91 km |
| 2018 | EDISON | 5,109 | 74 km |
| 2023 | GAGEBY CREEK | 4,867 | 43 km |
| 1989 | UNNAMED | 4,505 | 98 km |
| 1997 | UNNAMED | 3,728 | 89 km |
| 2008 | UNNAMED | 3,529 | 80 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 31°F (-0°C) | 0.3 in | Driest |
| February | 36°F (2°C) | 0.3 in | |
| March | 44°F (7°C) | 0.8 in | |
| April | 52°F (11°C) | 1.2 in | |
| May | 62°F (17°C) | 1.9 in | |
| June | 73°F (23°C) | 1.5 in | |
| July | 78°F (25°C) | 2.1 in | Warmest, Wettest |
| August | 76°F (24°C) | 1.7 in | |
| September | 67°F (20°C) | 1.0 in | |
| October | 54°F (12°C) | 0.7 in | |
| November | 40°F (4°C) | 0.6 in | |
| December | 31°F (-0°C) | 0.3 in | Coldest |
La Junta has a seasonal temperature swing of 47°F / from 31°F in December to 78°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 12.4 inches, with July being the wettest month (2.1") and January the driest (0.3").