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Weather & Climate in Leadville, CO

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

Leadville has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 35°F (1°C). Winters average 17°F in January while summers reach 55°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 13.5 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 156.9 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 10,117 feet.

Temperature

17°F Jan (-8°C) 55°F Jul (13°C)
Annual Average34.6°F
36% below US avg
January Average17°F (-8°C)
July Average55°F (13°C)
Sunny Days330 days/yr

Geography

Elevation10,117 ft (3,084 m)
Area1.1 sq mi (2.8 km²)
Population Density2,251/sq mi
Coordinates39.2473°N, 106.2935°W
TimezoneAmerica/Denver
CountyLake County County
Nearest AirportEagle County Regional (EGE)
43 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 13.5"
64% below US avg
Snowfall 156.9"
Wettest Month (Jul) 2.36"
Driest Month (Oct) 1.34"

Air Quality

AQI Median41.0
RatingGood

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskVery Low
Risk Score5.7 / 100
Social Vulnerability10.6 / 100
Community Resilience18.1 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado Very Low
Earthquake Very Low
Wildfire Very Low
Flood Very Low
Hail Very Low
Strong Wind Very Low
Heat Wave No Rating
Winter Weather Very Low
Lightning Relatively Low
Ice Storm Very Low
Drought No Rating
Cold Wave Very Low
Landslide Relatively Moderate
Volcano Very Low
Avalanche Relatively High
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

54 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.0.

Aug 9, 2001 11 km NNE of Chacra, Colorado M4.0 104 km 5 km
Dec 25, 1994 9 km NE of Larkspur, Colorado M4.0 128 km 10 km
Feb 10, 2006 1 km NNE of Chacra, Colorado M3.8 106 km 5 km
Dec 23, 1995 7 km WNW of Rock Creek Park, Colorado M3.5 132 km 5 km
Jun 6, 2011 17 km NNW of Oak Creek, Colorado M3.5 145 km 5 km
Aug 21, 2012 12 km SSW of Gypsum, Colorado M3.4 67 km 5 km
Apr 10, 2011 12 km N of Oak Creek, Colorado M3.4 138 km 5 km
Jan 30, 2017 5 km SW of New Castle, Colorado M3.3 116 km 5 km
Jan 18, 1997 8 km SE of Westcreek, Colorado M3.3 104 km 5 km
Jul 22, 2001 6 km WNW of Woodland Park, Colorado M3.1 104 km 5 km
Feb 1, 2019 3 km NW of Glenwood Springs, Colorado M3.1 98 km 2 km
Jul 8, 1993 9 km ENE of Aspen, Colorado M3.1 36 km 5 km
Jan 26, 2008 12 km NE of Cotopaxi, Colorado M3.1 108 km 5 km
Sep 12, 1990 13 km NW of Silverthorne, Colorado M3.0 51 km 5 km
May 1, 2009 21 km NW of Dotsero, Colorado M2.9 100 km 5 km
Jan 19, 1997 8 km SE of Westcreek, Colorado M2.9 104 km 5 km
Dec 5, 2000 10 km NNW of Redstone, Colorado M2.9 86 km 5 km
Jan 1, 2003 6 km SE of Aspen, Colorado M2.9 41 km 5 km
Oct 18, 2024 6 km NNE of Chacra, Colorado M2.9 105 km 5 km
Feb 26, 2008 29 km WNW of Westcreek, Colorado M2.9 71 km 2 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Tornado History

19 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2.

Date Rating Distance Path Fatalities
Jun 8, 2014 EF2 79 km 6.0 mi 0
Jun 13, 1977 EF2 32 km 1.0 mi 0
Jun 20, 1975 EF2 81 km 0.5 mi 0
Jun 8, 2014 EF1 87 km 0.3 mi 0
Aug 18, 2009 EF1 74 km 9.3 mi 0
Aug 23, 2008 EF1 80 km 1.0 mi 0
Jun 27, 2007 EF1 100 km 0.9 mi 0
Jun 8, 1984 EF1 92 km 0.3 mi 0
Jun 28, 1983 EF1 96 km 3.0 mi 0
Apr 6, 1974 EF1 65 km 0.1 mi 0
Jun 30, 2023 EF0 100 km 3.0 mi 0
May 30, 2021 EF0 76 km 0.0 mi 0
Jul 23, 2018 EF0 50 km 0.0 mi 0
Jul 5, 2018 EF0 36 km 0.0 mi 0
May 25, 2014 EF0 95 km 0.1 mi 0
Jul 28, 2012 EF0 68 km 0.1 mi 0
Aug 18, 2007 EF0 86 km 0.1 mi 0
Jun 30, 2004 EF0 62 km 0.1 mi 0
May 5, 1991 EF0 84 km 0.2 mi 0
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: HAYMAN (129,417 acres, 2002).

Year Name Acres Burned Distance
2002 HAYMAN 129,417 87 km
2020 GRIZZLY CREEK 30,705 87 km
2020 WILLIAMS FORK 14,679 70 km
2018 WESTON PASS 13,169 33 km
2018 LAKE CHRISTINE 12,506 67 km
2002 COAL SEAM 12,007 99 km
1996 BUFFALO CREEK 11,690 91 km
2019 DECKER 9,875 93 km
2000 HIGH MEADOWS 9,607 82 km
2001 MVD PSFRXASST 4 7,375 99 km
2021 SYLVAN 3,480 44 km
2012 LOWER NORTH FORK FIRE 3,436 97 km
2002 SCHOONOVER 2,821 93 km
2002 SNAKING 2,080 71 km
2023 THREEMILE CREEK RX 1,863 63 km
2023 LOWLINE 1,855 89 km
2023 403 1,767 90 km
2012 SPRINGER 1,665 82 km
2018 CHATEAU 1,414 98 km
2002 WILEY RIDG 1,396 93 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 17°F (-8°C) 1.8 in
February 16°F (-9°C) 1.6 in Coldest
March 20°F (-7°C) 2.1 in
April 26°F (-4°C) 2.0 in
May 36°F (2°C) 1.7 in
June 46°F (8°C) 1.5 in
July 55°F (13°C) 2.4 in Warmest, Wettest
August 50°F (10°C) 2.4 in
September 44°F (7°C) 1.7 in
October 34°F (1°C) 1.3 in Driest
November 22°F (-5°C) 1.7 in
December 16°F (-9°C) 1.9 in

Leadville has a seasonal temperature swing of 39°F / from 16°F in February to 55°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 22.0 inches, with July being the wettest month (2.4") and October the driest (1.3").

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