Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Mesa Verde has a warm climate with an average annual temperature of 74°F (24°C). Winters average 56°F in January while summers reach 95°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 3.6 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48. The city sits at an elevation of 388 feet.
Temperature
56°F Jan (13°C)95°F Jul (35°C)
Annual Average
74.4°F
38% above US avg
January Average
56°F (13°C)
July Average
95°F (35°C)
Sunny Days
330 days/yr
Geography
Elevation
388 ft (118 m)
Area
4.3 sq mi (11.1 km²)
Population Density
238/sq mi
Coordinates
33.5957°N, 114.7316°W
Timezone
America/Los_Angeles
County
La Paz County County
Nearest Airport
Yuma Mcas/Yuma International (YUM) 65 miles away
Precipitation & Snow
Annual Rainfall3.6"
91% below US avg
Wettest Month (Aug)0.63"
Driest Month (May)0.04"
Air Quality
AQI Median
48.0
Rating
Good
Natural Hazard Risk
Overall Risk
Relatively Moderate
Risk Score
83.5 / 100
Social Vulnerability
94.6 / 100
Community Resilience
0.2 / 100
Hazard Breakdown
Tornado
Very Low
Hurricane
Very Low
Earthquake
Relatively Low
Wildfire
Relatively Low
Flood
Relatively Moderate
Hail
Very Low
Strong Wind
Relatively Low
Heat Wave
Relatively Moderate
Winter Weather
Very Low
Lightning
Very Low
Drought
Relatively Moderate
Cold Wave
No Rating
Landslide
Very Low
Volcano
Very Low
Avalanche
Very Low
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
5,091 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990.
Strongest on record: M5.8.
Dec 30, 2009
12km N of Delta, B.C., MX
M5.8
133 km
6 km
Jun 15, 2010
8km ESE of Ocotillo, CA
M5.7
148 km
9 km
Aug 26, 2012
4km NNW of Brawley, CA
M5.4
99 km
8 km
Aug 26, 2012
5km NNW of Brawley, CA
M5.3
100 km
8 km
Jun 5, 2021
11km W of Calipatria, CA
M5.3
98 km
6 km
Feb 11, 2008
7km WSW of Delta, B.C., MX
M5.1
149 km
6 km
Feb 9, 2008
8km W of Delta, B.C., MX
M5.1
147 km
6 km
Sep 19, 2009
7km WNW of Delta, B.C., MX
M5.1
145 km
10 km
Feb 19, 2008
14km NW of Delta, B.C., MX
M5.0
140 km
6 km
Feb 12, 2008
13km SSE of Puebla, B.C., MX
M5.0
139 km
6 km
Apr 5, 2010
20km ESE of Ocotillo, CA
M5.0
145 km
1 km
Jul 24, 1992
13km NE of Thousand Palms, California
M5.0
148 km
7 km
Aug 27, 2012
5km NNE of Brawley, CA
M4.9
97 km
4 km
Apr 5, 2010
19km ESE of Ocotillo, CA
M4.9
144 km
14 km
Jun 1, 1999
5km WNW of Delta, B.C., MX
M4.9
144 km
6 km
May 22, 2010
17km WNW of Progreso, B.C., MX
M4.9
145 km
8 km
Aug 26, 2012
5km NW of Brawley, CA
M4.9
101 km
4 km
May 12, 2024
9 km NNW of Delta, B.C., MX
M4.9
139 km
8 km
Jun 29, 1992
13km ENE of Thousand Palms, CA
M4.8
145 km
1 km
Feb 20, 2008
13km NW of Delta, B.C., MX
M4.8
141 km
6 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
16 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950.
Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 6 injuries.
Date
Rating
Distance
Path
Fatalities
Feb 9, 1978
EF3
97 km
2.0 mi
0
Aug 16, 1973
EF3
10 km
0.1 mi
0
Sep 22, 1987
EF1
91 km
0.5 mi
0
Jul 31, 1983
EF1
47 km
0.2 mi
0
Sep 18, 1972
EF1
89 km
0.1 mi
0
Sep 13, 1966
EF1
100 km
0.1 mi
0
Jul 5, 1965
EF1
97 km
2.0 mi
0
Oct 13, 2018
EF0
89 km
0.1 mi
0
Oct 13, 2018
EF0
53 km
0.0 mi
0
Apr 21, 2015
EF0
66 km
10.0 mi
0
Jan 21, 2010
EF0
10 km
14.3 mi
0
Aug 10, 2006
EF0
88 km
10.0 mi
0
Aug 30, 2000
EF0
73 km
3.0 mi
0
Sep 22, 1987
EF0
88 km
0.5 mi
0
Jun 7, 1972
EF0
44 km
0.1 mi
0
Jul 5, 1965
EF0
89 km
0.1 mi
0
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Nearby Volcanoes
1 volcano within 200 km.
Closest: Salton Buttes (93 km).
Name
Type
Elevation
Last Eruption
Distance
Salton Buttes
Lava dome(s)
-40 m (-131 ft)
210
93 km
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).
Wildfire History
17 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km.
Largest: LOST LAKE (5,455 acres, 2022).
Year
Name
Acres Burned
Distance
2022
LOST LAKE
5,455
53 km
2006
CIBOLA
4,703
30 km
2011
THREE SLASHES
4,581
36 km
2005
BOSQUE
3,381
24 km
1989
LAGUNA II
3,042
86 km
1995
LOST LAKE
2,846
53 km
1989
FERGUSON
2,284
69 km
1992
WALTERS
2,170
37 km
2013
ISLAND LAKE
2,021
61 km
1987
FERGUSONLK
1,692
70 km
1986
COLORADO 2
1,403
49 km
2021
CLIP
1,295
53 km
2021
PLANET RANCH
1,250
98 km
2019
BERMUDA
1,175
87 km
2003
MITTRY
1,066
87 km
1990
YOCUM
1,006
78 km
1987
IMPERIAL
1,006
73 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
Month
Avg Temperature
Precipitation
Summary
January
56°F (13°C)
0.5 in
February
60°F (15°C)
0.5 in
March
64°F (18°C)
0.4 in
April
71°F (22°C)
0.1 in
May
80°F (27°C)
0.0 in
Driest
June
89°F (32°C)
0.0 in
July
95°F (35°C)
0.2 in
Warmest
August
93°F (34°C)
0.6 in
Wettest
September
87°F (30°C)
0.5 in
October
75°F (24°C)
0.2 in
November
62°F (17°C)
0.2 in
December
54°F (12°C)
0.5 in
Coldest
Mesa Verde has a seasonal temperature swing of 41°F / from 54°F in December to 95°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 3.7 inches, with August being the wettest month (0.6") and May the driest (0.0").