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Weather & Climate in Ophir, CO
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Ophir has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 38°F (3°C). Winters average 18°F in January while summers reach 59°F in July. The area gets 323 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 20.4 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 130.8 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 9,723 feet.
Temperature
18°F Jan (-8°C)
59°F Jul (15°C)
| Annual Average | 38.1°F |
| 29% below US avg | |
| January Average | 18°F (-8°C) |
| July Average | 59°F (15°C) |
| Sunny Days | 323 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 9,723 ft (2,964 m) |
| Area | 0.2 sq mi (0.5 km²) |
| Population Density | 600/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 37.8568°N, 107.8312°W |
| Timezone | America/Denver |
| County | San Juan County County |
| Nearest Airport | Telluride Regional (TEX) 8 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 41.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 10.7 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 10.6 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 47.3 / 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 | No Rating |
| Landslide | Relatively Low |
| Avalanche | Very High |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
45 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 | 106 km | 1 km |
| May 27, 2000 | 29 km WNW of Naturita, Colorado | M4.4 | 104 km | 10 km |
| Sep 13, 1994 | 17 km N of Sawpit, Colorado | M4.4 | 35 km | 10 km |
| Jan 24, 2013 | 22 km E of La Sal, Utah | M3.9 | 114 km | 1 km |
| Jul 6, 1999 | 27 km WNW of Naturita, Colorado | M3.7 | 103 km | 2 km |
| Jun 3, 1999 | 28 km E of La Sal, Utah | M3.7 | 107 km | 1 km |
| Mar 10, 2023 | 16 km S of Ophir, Colorado | M3.6 | 16 km | 7 km |
| May 10, 1991 | 24 km SSE of South Fork, Colorado | M3.4 | 119 km | 5 km |
| Apr 3, 2025 | 34 km W of Delta, Colorado | M3.2 | 109 km | 5 km |
| Dec 15, 1997 | 7 km ENE of La Sal, Utah | M3.2 | 128 km | 6 km |
| Feb 24, 1993 | 16 km SSE of Monticello, Utah | M3.1 | 130 km | -1 km |
| May 13, 1993 | 19 km SSE of Monticello, Utah | M3.1 | 127 km | -3 km |
| Mar 15, 2000 | Colorado | M3.1 | 107 km | -1 km |
| Jun 6, 2002 | 29 km E of La Sal, Utah | M3.0 | 110 km | -1 km |
| May 8, 1998 | 15 km E of La Sal, Utah | M3.0 | 121 km | 3 km |
| Apr 10, 1998 | 23 km WNW of Naturita, Colorado | M3.0 | 98 km | 5 km |
| Sep 16, 1999 | Utah | M3.0 | 126 km | 6 km |
| Feb 4, 1999 | 28 km E of La Sal, Utah | M3.0 | 107 km | 0 km |
| Nov 17, 2009 | 30 km WNW of Nucla, Colorado | M2.9 | 107 km | 7 km |
| May 2, 2013 | 2 km E of Loghill Village, Colorado | M2.9 | 39 km | 4 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
12 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2. Total: 1 injury.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Oct 10, 1997 | EF2 | 83 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 25, 1985 | EF2 | 87 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| May 6, 2005 | EF1 | 87 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Oct 5, 2004 | EF1 | 79 km | 2.5 mi | 0 |
| May 13, 2004 | EF1 | 91 km | 0.7 mi | 0 |
| Sep 11, 2002 | EF1 | 96 km | 8.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 5, 1999 | EF1 | 91 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Jun 7, 1997 | EF1 | 51 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Aug 29, 2002 | EF0 | 68 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 25, 1999 | EF0 | 98 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Jul 31, 1994 | EF0 | 94 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| May 30, 1992 | 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: MISSIONARY RIDGE (68,919 acres, 2002).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2002 | MISSIONARY RIDGE | 68,919 | 47 km |
| 2018 | 416 | 55,123 | 41 km |
| 2013 | PAPOOSE | 46,991 | 63 km |
| 2013 | WEST FORK COMPLEX - EAST ZONE | 34,441 | 91 km |
| 2002 | BURN CANYON | 30,573 | 59 km |
| 2012 | LITTLE SAND | 26,240 | 68 km |
| 2000 | BIRCHER | 23,317 | 87 km |
| 2018 | PLATEAU | 19,746 | 63 km |
| 2013 | WEST FORK COMPLEX | 18,775 | 87 km |
| 1994 | UNNAMED | 13,234 | 82 km |
| 2012 | WEBER | 10,898 | 73 km |
| 2009 | NARRAGUINNEP | 7,798 | 75 km |
| 2019 | DOE CANYON | 7,388 | 75 km |
| 2001 | SANDOVAL | 6,773 | 98 km |
| 1986 | UNNAMED | 6,205 | 79 km |
| 2017 | EIGHT FOUR TWO | 5,954 | 81 km |
| 2018 | BURRO | 5,242 | 45 km |
| 2000 | PONY | 5,224 | 97 km |
| 1996 | CHAPIN 5 | 4,832 | 89 km |
| 2004 | CAMPBELL | 4,429 | 90 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 18°F (-8°C) | 2.4 in | |
| February | 16°F (-9°C) | 2.4 in | Coldest |
| March | 19°F (-8°C) | 3.1 in | |
| April | 24°F (-4°C) | 2.3 in | |
| May | 34°F (1°C) | 1.9 in | |
| June | 43°F (6°C) | 1.5 in | Driest |
| July | 59°F (15°C) | 3.2 in | Warmest |
| August | 51°F (10°C) | 3.5 in | Wettest |
| September | 46°F (8°C) | 2.8 in | |
| October | 36°F (2°C) | 2.7 in | |
| November | 25°F (-4°C) | 2.6 in | |
| December | 16°F (-9°C) | 2.7 in |
Ophir has a seasonal temperature swing of 43°F / from 16°F in February to 59°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 31.2 inches, with August being the wettest month (3.5") and June the driest (1.5").