Weather & Climate in Lakewood, CO

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

Lakewood experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 48°F (9°C). Winters average 23°F in January while summers reach 71°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 25.1 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 41.8 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 5,673 feet.

Temperature

23°F Jan (-5°C) 71°F Jul (22°C)

Annual Average	47.6°F
	12% below US avg
January Average	23°F (-5°C)
July Average	71°F (22°C)
Sunny Days	330 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	5,673 ft (1,729 m)
Area	44.1 sq mi (114.1 km²)
Population Density	3,595/sq mi
Coordinates	39.6989°N, 105.1176°W
Timezone	America/Denver
County	Jefferson County County
Nearest Airport	Denver International (DEN) 26 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 25.1"

34% below US avg

Snowfall 41.8"

Wettest Month (May) 2.68"

Driest Month (Jan) 0.55"

Air Quality

AQI Median	41.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively High
Risk Score	94.9 / 100
Social Vulnerability	11.4 / 100
Community Resilience	66.9 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

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

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

Earthquake History

26 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	53 km	10 km
Dec 23, 1995	7 km WNW of Rock Creek Park, Colorado	M3.5	109 km	5 km
Jan 18, 1997	8 km SE of Westcreek, Colorado	M3.3	67 km	5 km
Jun 1, 2014	9 km NNW of Kersey, Colorado	M3.2	96 km	1 km
Jul 8, 1993	9 km ENE of Aspen, Colorado	M3.1	147 km	5 km
Jul 22, 2001	6 km WNW of Woodland Park, Colorado	M3.1	75 km	5 km
Jan 26, 2008	12 km NE of Cotopaxi, Colorado	M3.1	145 km	5 km
Sep 12, 1990	13 km NW of Silverthorne, Colorado	M3.0	93 km	5 km
Jan 19, 1997	8 km SE of Westcreek, Colorado	M2.9	67 km	5 km
Mar 30, 2019	7 km NE of Greeley, Colorado	M2.9	95 km	6 km
Feb 26, 2008	29 km WNW of Westcreek, Colorado	M2.9	56 km	2 km
Dec 31, 1995	6 km WNW of Rock Creek Park, Colorado	M2.8	111 km	5 km
Apr 11, 2021	9 km E of Woody Creek, Colorado	M2.8	150 km	2 km
Oct 13, 2002	13 km S of Norrie, Colorado	M2.8	143 km	5 km
Jun 21, 2018	16 km SSW of Walden, Colorado	M2.7	146 km	2 km
Jan 19, 1997	8 km SE of Westcreek, Colorado	M2.7	67 km	5 km
Apr 18, 1998	8 km SE of Westcreek, Colorado	M2.7	67 km	5 km
Jun 13, 2025	7 km SE of Erie, Colorado	M2.7	36 km	9 km
Sep 24, 2013	6 km NNE of Cotopaxi, Colorado	M2.6	150 km	5 km
Aug 23, 2016	2 km SSE of Eaton, Colorado	M2.6	96 km	10 km

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

Tornado History

663 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 1 fatality, 162 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Jun 4, 2015	EF3	61 km	6.7 mi	0
May 22, 2008	EF3	67 km	38.7 mi	1
Jun 15, 1988	EF3	16 km	2.5 mi	0
Jun 12, 1982	EF3	52 km	3.0 mi	0
Jun 24, 1979	EF3	96 km	4.3 mi	0
Jun 13, 1977	EF3	86 km	4.9 mi	0
May 18, 1975	EF3	35 km	4.1 mi	0
May 15, 1952	EF3	84 km	7.4 mi	0
Jun 7, 2021	EF2	52 km	7.5 mi	0
May 7, 2016	EF2	100 km	8.8 mi	0
Jun 8, 2014	EF2	85 km	6.0 mi	0
Jun 7, 2012	EF2	96 km	7.5 mi	0
Jun 15, 2009	EF2	66 km	4.0 mi	0
Jul 31, 1996	EF2	97 km	5.0 mi	0
Jul 13, 1996	EF2	62 km	12.0 mi	0
Jun 15, 1988	EF2	16 km	0.5 mi	0
Jun 5, 1988	EF2	36 km	2.0 mi	0
Jun 5, 1988	EF2	28 km	0.5 mi	0
Jul 2, 1987	EF2	39 km	1.0 mi	0
Jun 20, 1987	EF2	43 km	1.0 mi	0

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

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: EAST TROUBLESOME (188,924 acres, 2020).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2020	EAST TROUBLESOME	188,924	95 km
2002	HAYMAN	129,417	55 km
2012	WALDO CANYON	20,112	87 km
2020	WILLIAMS FORK	14,679	76 km
2013	BLACK FOREST	11,885	82 km
1996	BUFFALO CREEK	11,690	38 km
2000	BOBCAT	10,444	87 km
2020	CALWOOD	9,836	54 km
2000	HIGH MEADOWS	9,607	39 km
2001	MVD PSFRXASST 4	7,375	52 km
2021	MARSHALL	6,286	29 km
2010	FOURMILE CANYON	5,865	45 km
2002	BIG ELK	4,348	70 km
2012	LOWER NORTH FORK FIRE	3,436	28 km
2003	OVERLAND	3,232	52 km
2009	OLD STAGE	3,160	46 km
2011	CRYSTAL FIRE	2,855	97 km
2002	SCHOONOVER	2,821	52 km
2012	FERN LAKE	2,549	87 km
2020	SUNDAY FIRE	2,204	70 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	23°F (-5°C)	0.6 in	Coldest, Driest
February	35°F (2°C)	0.6 in
March	40°F (5°C)	1.6 in
April	47°F (9°C)	2.2 in
May	57°F (14°C)	2.7 in	Wettest
June	67°F (19°C)	1.9 in
July	71°F (22°C)	2.0 in
August	71°F (22°C)	1.7 in	Warmest
September	62°F (17°C)	1.5 in
October	51°F (11°C)	1.2 in
November	39°F (4°C)	1.2 in
December	32°F (0°C)	0.8 in

Lakewood has a seasonal temperature swing of 48°F / from 23°F in January to 71°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 17.7 inches, with May being the wettest month (2.7") and January the driest (0.6").

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