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Weather & Climate in Nucla, CO
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Nucla experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 54°F (12°C). Winters average 31°F in January while summers reach 79°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 11.9 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 11.1 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41. The city sits at an elevation of 5,751 feet.
Temperature
31°F Jan (-1°C)
79°F Jul (26°C)
| Annual Average | 54.4°F |
| 1% above US avg | |
| January Average | 31°F (-1°C) |
| July Average | 79°F (26°C) |
| Sunny Days | 330 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 5,751 ft (1,753 m) |
| Area | 0.7 sq mi (1.9 km²) |
| Population Density | 919/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 38.2667°N, 108.5487°W |
| Timezone | America/Denver |
| County | Montrose County County |
| Nearest Airport | Montrose Regional (MTJ) 39 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 41.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 49.0 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 37.5 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 20.2 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Very Low |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Relatively High |
| Ice Storm | Very Low |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Very Low |
| Landslide | Relatively Low |
| Avalanche | Relatively Moderate |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
59 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.5.
| Mar 4, 2019 | 29 km E of La Sal, Utah | M4.5 | 32 km | 1 km |
| Sep 13, 1994 | 17 km N of Sawpit, Colorado | M4.4 | 52 km | 10 km |
| May 27, 2000 | 29 km WNW of Naturita, Colorado | M4.4 | 30 km | 10 km |
| Jan 24, 2013 | 22 km E of La Sal, Utah | M3.9 | 39 km | 1 km |
| May 31, 2022 | 37 km ENE of Thompson Springs, Utah | M3.8 | 110 km | 7 km |
| Jul 6, 1999 | 27 km WNW of Naturita, Colorado | M3.7 | 29 km | 2 km |
| Apr 22, 2017 | 4 km SSW of Bluff, Utah | M3.7 | 145 km | 9 km |
| Jun 3, 1999 | 28 km E of La Sal, Utah | M3.7 | 33 km | 1 km |
| Jun 6, 2008 | 10 km NE of Bluff, Utah | M3.6 | 130 km | 12 km |
| Mar 10, 2023 | 16 km S of Ophir, Colorado | M3.6 | 87 km | 7 km |
| Oct 14, 1993 | 36 km SW of Spanish Valley, Utah | M3.6 | 109 km | 5 km |
| Aug 2, 1991 | 59 km WNW of Blanding, Utah | M3.4 | 146 km | 6 km |
| Apr 3, 2025 | 34 km W of Delta, Colorado | M3.2 | 49 km | 5 km |
| Dec 15, 1997 | 7 km ENE of La Sal, Utah | M3.2 | 54 km | 6 km |
| Feb 24, 1993 | 16 km SSE of Monticello, Utah | M3.1 | 89 km | -1 km |
| May 13, 1993 | 19 km SSE of Monticello, Utah | M3.1 | 89 km | -3 km |
| Mar 15, 2000 | Colorado | M3.1 | 33 km | -1 km |
| Jun 6, 2002 | 29 km E of La Sal, Utah | M3.0 | 33 km | -1 km |
| May 8, 1998 | 15 km E of La Sal, Utah | M3.0 | 47 km | 3 km |
| Apr 10, 1998 | 23 km WNW of Naturita, Colorado | M3.0 | 24 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
11 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF1. Total: 1 injury.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jul 9, 2015 | EF1 | 98 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Oct 4, 2005 | EF1 | 30 km | 0.7 mi | 0 |
| May 6, 2005 | EF1 | 64 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| May 13, 2004 | EF1 | 95 km | 0.7 mi | 0 |
| Sep 11, 2002 | EF1 | 58 km | 8.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 8, 2000 | EF1 | 77 km | 0.4 mi | 0 |
| May 29, 2005 | EF0 | 84 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 18, 2000 | EF0 | 96 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Apr 11, 2000 | EF0 | 93 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 8, 1998 | EF0 | 87 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 31, 1994 | EF0 | 62 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: BULL DRAW (37,178 acres, 2018).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2018 | BULL DRAW | 37,178 | 29 km |
| 2002 | BURN CANYON | 30,573 | 24 km |
| 2018 | PLATEAU | 19,746 | 74 km |
| 2021 | PACK CREEK | 8,859 | 70 km |
| 2009 | NARRAGUINNEP | 7,798 | 65 km |
| 2019 | DOE CANYON | 7,388 | 58 km |
| 1986 | UNNAMED | 6,205 | 30 km |
| 1999 | TOMS CYN | 6,030 | 92 km |
| 2012 | SUNRISE MINE | 5,905 | 45 km |
| 1995 | TRIANGLE | 5,688 | 87 km |
| 2002 | CANYONS COMPLEX (HANG DOG) | 5,668 | 49 km |
| 2018 | BURRO | 5,242 | 93 km |
| 2000 | CONE MOUNTAIN | 4,708 | 54 km |
| 2004 | CAMPBELL | 4,429 | 17 km |
| 2023 | COWCREEKRXNORTH | 4,147 | 50 km |
| 2023 | LITTLE MESA | 4,048 | 45 km |
| 1989 | RYAN CREEK | 3,843 | 82 km |
| 2008 | PORCUPINE RANCH | 3,768 | 73 km |
| 1990 | HORESEFLY | 3,760 | 27 km |
| 1996 | DISAPPOINTMENT | 3,642 | 52 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 31°F (-1°C) | 0.8 in | |
| February | 34°F (1°C) | 0.7 in | |
| March | 41°F (5°C) | 1.0 in | |
| April | 48°F (9°C) | 0.9 in | |
| May | 58°F (14°C) | 1.0 in | |
| June | 68°F (20°C) | 0.6 in | Driest |
| July | 79°F (26°C) | 1.4 in | Warmest |
| August | 72°F (22°C) | 1.4 in | |
| September | 63°F (17°C) | 1.4 in | |
| October | 51°F (11°C) | 1.5 in | Wettest |
| November | 38°F (3°C) | 1.1 in | |
| December | 29°F (-2°C) | 0.9 in | Coldest |
Nucla has a seasonal temperature swing of 50°F / from 29°F in December to 79°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 12.6 inches, with October being the wettest month (1.5") and June the driest (0.6").