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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 Average52.4°F
3% below US avg
January Average34°F (1°C)
July Average75°F (24°C)
Sunny Days330 days/yr

Geography

Elevation5,276 ft (1,608 m)
Area9.5 sq mi (24.7 km²)
Population Density3,291/sq mi
Coordinates39.9948°N, 105.0997°W
TimezoneAmerica/Denver
CountyBroomfield County County
Nearest AirportDenver International (DEN)
24 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 14.5"
62% below US avg
Snowfall 44.8"
Wettest Month (May) 2.72"
Driest Month (Jan) 0.59"

Air Quality

AQI Median41.0
RatingGood

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskVery Low
Risk Score34.7 / 100
Social Vulnerability10.6 / 100
Community Resilience81.9 / 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").

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