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 Average	34.6°F
	36% below US avg
January Average	17°F (-8°C)
July Average	55°F (13°C)
Sunny Days	330 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	10,117 ft (3,084 m)
Area	1.1 sq mi (2.8 km²)
Population Density	2,251/sq mi
Coordinates	39.2473°N, 106.2935°W
Timezone	America/Denver
County	Lake County County
Nearest Airport	Eagle 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 Median	41.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Very Low
Risk Score	5.7 / 100
Social Vulnerability	10.6 / 100
Community Resilience	18.1 / 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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