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Weather & Climate in Lafayette, CO
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Lafayette experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 52°F (11°C). Winters average 34°F in January while summers reach 75°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 14.5 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 5,276 feet.
Temperature
34°F Jan (1°C)
75°F Jul (24°C)
| Annual Average | 52.4°F |
| 3% below US avg | |
| January Average | 34°F (1°C) |
| July Average | 75°F (24°C) |
| Sunny Days | 330 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 5,276 ft (1,608 m) |
| Area | 9.5 sq mi (24.7 km²) |
| Population Density | 3,291/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 39.9948°N, 105.0997°W |
| Timezone | America/Denver |
| County | Broomfield County County |
| Nearest Airport | Denver International (DEN) 24 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 41.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 34.7 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 10.6 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 81.9 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Relatively High |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low |
| Drought | Very Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
| Volcano | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
17 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 | 82 km | 10 km |
| Dec 23, 1995 | 7 km WNW of Rock Creek Park, Colorado | M3.5 | 141 km | 5 km |
| Jan 18, 1997 | 8 km SE of Westcreek, Colorado | M3.3 | 100 km | 5 km |
| Jun 1, 2014 | 9 km NNW of Kersey, Colorado | M3.2 | 67 km | 1 km |
| Jul 22, 2001 | 6 km WNW of Woodland Park, Colorado | M3.1 | 108 km | 5 km |
| Feb 7, 2000 | 19 km NE of Steamboat Springs, Colorado | M3.0 | 149 km | 5 km |
| Sep 12, 1990 | 13 km NW of Silverthorne, Colorado | M3.0 | 100 km | 5 km |
| Feb 26, 2008 | 29 km WNW of Westcreek, Colorado | M2.9 | 86 km | 2 km |
| Jan 19, 1997 | 8 km SE of Westcreek, Colorado | M2.9 | 100 km | 5 km |
| Mar 30, 2019 | 7 km NE of Greeley, Colorado | M2.9 | 66 km | 6 km |
| Dec 31, 1995 | 6 km WNW of Rock Creek Park, Colorado | M2.8 | 143 km | 5 km |
| Jun 21, 2018 | 16 km SSW of Walden, Colorado | M2.7 | 127 km | 2 km |
| Jun 13, 2025 | 7 km SE of Erie, Colorado | M2.7 | 10 km | 9 km |
| Apr 18, 1998 | 8 km SE of Westcreek, Colorado | M2.7 | 100 km | 5 km |
| Jan 19, 1997 | 8 km SE of Westcreek, Colorado | M2.7 | 100 km | 5 km |
| Aug 23, 2016 | 2 km SSE of Eaton, Colorado | M2.6 | 66 km | 10 km |
| Jun 23, 2014 | 6 km NNE of Kersey, Colorado | M2.5 | 69 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
703 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 1 fatality, 159 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jun 4, 2015 | EF3 | 28 km | 6.7 mi | 0 |
| May 22, 2008 | EF3 | 40 km | 38.7 mi | 1 |
| Jun 15, 1988 | EF3 | 33 km | 2.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 12, 1982 | EF3 | 52 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| May 18, 1975 | EF3 | 38 km | 4.1 mi | 0 |
| May 15, 1952 | EF3 | 58 km | 7.4 mi | 0 |
| Jun 7, 2021 | EF2 | 23 km | 7.5 mi | 0 |
| May 7, 2016 | EF2 | 83 km | 8.8 mi | 0 |
| Jun 15, 2009 | EF2 | 93 km | 4.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 31, 1996 | EF2 | 70 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 13, 1996 | EF2 | 64 km | 12.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 9, 1990 | EF2 | 81 km | 23.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 15, 1988 | EF2 | 33 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 5, 1988 | EF2 | 6 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 5, 1988 | EF2 | 11 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 7, 1987 | EF2 | 77 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 2, 1987 | EF2 | 34 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 20, 1987 | EF2 | 48 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 8, 1986 | EF2 | 46 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 8, 1986 | EF2 | 35 km | 1.1 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: CAMERON PEAK (208,910 acres, 2020).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2020 | CAMERON PEAK | 208,910 | 79 km |
| 2020 | EAST TROUBLESOME | 188,924 | 81 km |
| 2002 | HAYMAN | 129,417 | 88 km |
| 2012 | HIGH PARK | 90,769 | 77 km |
| 2020 | WILLIAMS FORK | 14,679 | 78 km |
| 1996 | BUFFALO CREEK | 11,690 | 70 km |
| 2000 | BOBCAT | 10,444 | 56 km |
| 2020 | CALWOOD | 9,836 | 26 km |
| 2000 | HIGH MEADOWS | 9,607 | 70 km |
| 2004 | PICNIC ROCK | 9,014 | 81 km |
| 2001 | MVD PSFRXASST 4 | 7,375 | 85 km |
| 2021 | MARSHALL | 6,286 | 8 km |
| 2010 | FOURMILE CANYON | 5,865 | 25 km |
| 2002 | BIG ELK | 4,348 | 42 km |
| 2021 | BIJOU | 3,485 | 98 km |
| 2012 | LOWER NORTH FORK FIRE | 3,436 | 61 km |
| 2003 | OVERLAND | 3,232 | 26 km |
| 2009 | OLD STAGE | 3,160 | 19 km |
| 2011 | CRYSTAL FIRE | 2,855 | 65 km |
| 2002 | SCHOONOVER | 2,821 | 85 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 34°F (1°C) | 0.6 in | Driest |
| February | 35°F (1°C) | 0.6 in | |
| March | 40°F (5°C) | 1.7 in | |
| April | 47°F (9°C) | 2.3 in | |
| May | 57°F (14°C) | 2.7 in | Wettest |
| June | 67°F (19°C) | 1.9 in | |
| July | 75°F (24°C) | 1.9 in | Warmest |
| August | 71°F (22°C) | 1.6 in | |
| September | 62°F (17°C) | 1.5 in | |
| October | 51°F (11°C) | 1.1 in | |
| November | 38°F (4°C) | 1.2 in | |
| December | 32°F (0°C) | 0.7 in | Coldest |
Lafayette has a seasonal temperature swing of 43°F / from 32°F in December to 75°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 17.8 inches, with May being the wettest month (2.7") and January the driest (0.6").