Weather & Climate in Opal, WY
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Opal has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 38°F (4°C). Winters average 17°F in January while summers reach 63°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 9.4 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 49.7 inches of snow annually, making winter weather a significant factor for residents. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 7 / among the cleanest air in the country. 100% of days have good air quality. The city sits at an elevation of 6,662 feet.
Temperature
17°F Jan (-9°C)
63°F Jul (17°C)
| Annual Average | 38.4°F |
| 29% below US avg | |
| January Average | 17°F (-9°C) |
| July Average | 63°F (17°C) |
Geography
| Elevation | 6,662 ft (2,031 m) |
| Area | 0.4 sq mi (1.0 km²) |
| Population Density | 139/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 41.7681°N, 110.3241°W |
| Timezone | America/Denver |
| County | Uinta County County |
| Nearest Airport | Southwest Wyoming Regional (RKS) 66 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 7.0 |
| Rating | Good |
| Good Days % | 100.0% |
| Unhealthy Days | 0 |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 16.7 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 15.0 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 12.5 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | No Rating |
| Winter Weather | Relatively High |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | Very Low |
| Drought | Very Low |
| Cold Wave | Very Low |
| Landslide | Relatively Low |
| Avalanche | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
1,148 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M5.8.
| Feb 3, 1994 | 4 km SSE of Auburn, Wyoming | M5.8 | 123 km | 8 km |
| Sep 2, 2017 | 12 km E of Soda Springs, Idaho | M5.3 | 135 km | 10 km |
| Sep 10, 2017 | 9 km NNW of Georgetown, Idaho | M5.0 | 126 km | 10 km |
| Apr 15, 2010 | 9 km NE of Randolph, Utah | M4.9 | 64 km | 10 km |
| Feb 11, 1994 | 3 km SSE of Auburn, Wyoming | M4.8 | 124 km | 5 km |
| Sep 11, 2017 | 9 km NW of Georgetown, Idaho | M4.7 | 126 km | 8 km |
| Feb 4, 1994 | 4 km WNW of Fairview, Wyoming | M4.7 | 120 km | 5 km |
| Sep 10, 2017 | 12 km ESE of Soda Springs, Idaho | M4.7 | 133 km | 5 km |
| Sep 3, 2017 | 15 km ESE of Soda Springs, Idaho | M4.7 | 131 km | 10 km |
| Sep 3, 2017 | 10 km E of Soda Springs, Idaho | M4.7 | 135 km | 8 km |
| Sep 6, 2017 | 11 km NNW of Georgetown, Idaho | M4.6 | 129 km | 10 km |
| Sep 4, 2017 | 13 km ESE of Soda Springs, Idaho | M4.5 | 133 km | 6 km |
| Feb 7, 1994 | 4 km SW of Fairview, Wyoming | M4.5 | 114 km | 5 km |
| Feb 3, 1994 | 0 km NNE of Auburn, Wyoming | M4.4 | 128 km | 5 km |
| Feb 3, 1994 | 13 km WSW of Auburn, Wyoming | M4.4 | 126 km | 5 km |
| Jan 26, 2018 | 5 km NNW of Georgetown, Idaho | M4.4 | 122 km | 10 km |
| Feb 10, 1994 | 3 km WSW of Auburn, Wyoming | M4.4 | 128 km | 5 km |
| Feb 3, 1994 | 2 km SW of Auburn, Wyoming | M4.4 | 126 km | 5 km |
| Sep 5, 2017 | 12 km NNW of Georgetown, Idaho | M4.3 | 130 km | 3 km |
| Sep 5, 2017 | 13 km NNW of Georgetown, Idaho | M4.3 | 130 km | 6 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
28 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| May 10, 1950 | EF2 | 66 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 10, 2001 | EF1 | 17 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 20, 2001 | EF1 | 69 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Apr 14, 2000 | EF1 | 69 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 31, 1978 | EF1 | 98 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 27, 1974 | EF1 | 75 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Sep 9, 1973 | EF1 | 69 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 23, 1965 | EF1 | 75 km | 0.6 mi | 0 |
| May 25, 1954 | EF1 | 83 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Apr 26, 2019 | EF0 | 90 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| May 28, 2018 | EF0 | 37 km | 3.5 mi | 0 |
| May 7, 2014 | EF0 | 79 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Sep 15, 2013 | EF0 | 55 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 7, 2013 | EF0 | 98 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 19, 1997 | EF0 | 97 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 14, 1997 | EF0 | 63 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 10, 1997 | EF0 | 92 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Sep 9, 1991 | EF0 | 50 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Sep 9, 1991 | EF0 | 54 km | 0.4 mi | 0 |
| May 2, 1991 | EF0 | 46 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: FONTENELLE (58,125 acres, 2012).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2012 | FONTENELLE | 58,125 | 87 km |
| 2000 | WLD HORSE | 41,881 | 96 km |
| 1999 | BRIDGER BA | 15,227 | 50 km |
| 2000 | FONTENELLE | 14,894 | 56 km |
| 2018 | NORTH EDEN | 14,398 | 65 km |
| 2007 | RED CANYON RX BURN-H | 13,464 | 37 km |
| 1994 | DRY CANYON 2 | 10,927 | 80 km |
| 2010 | POLE CREEK STANDS | 6,900 | 51 km |
| 2010 | WINDMILL | 5,935 | 63 km |
| 1988 | LITTLEBRYN | 5,300 | 61 km |
| 2012 | HELLS HOLLOW | 4,758 | 98 km |
| 2005 | ROCK CREEK RX | 4,302 | 42 km |
| 1994 | EDGAR CANYON | 4,260 | 91 km |
| 1992 | DESERET/SPRING CANYON | 3,861 | 94 km |
| 2002 | COMMISARY | 3,840 | 43 km |
| 2017 | POLE CREEK | 3,395 | 54 km |
| 1988 | SIESMIC | 2,969 | 29 km |
| 2007 | SWEETWATER | 2,942 | 69 km |
| 1985 | BOUNDARY | 2,550 | 72 km |
| 1997 | COAL CREEK | 2,447 | 61 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 17°F (-9°C) | 0.7 in | Coldest |
| February | 19°F (-8°C) | 0.6 in | |
| March | 28°F (-2°C) | 0.7 in | |
| April | 37°F (3°C) | 0.7 in | |
| May | 47°F (8°C) | 1.4 in | Wettest |
| June | 55°F (13°C) | 0.9 in | |
| July | 63°F (17°C) | 0.5 in | Warmest, Driest |
| August | 61°F (16°C) | 0.9 in | |
| September | 52°F (11°C) | 1.0 in | |
| October | 40°F (4°C) | 0.8 in | |
| November | 27°F (-3°C) | 0.7 in | |
| December | 17°F (-8°C) | 0.7 in |
Opal has a seasonal temperature swing of 46°F / from 17°F in January to 63°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 9.4 inches, with May being the wettest month (1.4") and July the driest (0.5").