Weather & Climate in Orchard, CO

Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.

Orchard experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 50°F (10°C). Winters average 27°F in January while summers reach 75°F in July. The area gets 316 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 14.3 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 22.7 inches of snow annually, a moderate snowfall amount. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41. The city sits at an elevation of 4,408 feet.

Temperature

27°F Jan (-3°C) 75°F Jul (24°C)

Annual Average	49.8°F
	8% below US avg
January Average	27°F (-3°C)
July Average	75°F (24°C)
Sunny Days	316 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	4,408 ft (1,344 m)
Area	0.2 sq mi (0.4 km²)
Population Density	544/sq mi
Coordinates	40.3320°N, 104.1178°W
Timezone	America/Denver
County	Weld County County
Nearest Airport	Denver International (DEN) 44 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 14.3"

62% below US avg

Snowfall 22.7"

Wettest Month (May) 2.44"

Driest Month (Feb) 0.20"

Air Quality

AQI Median	41.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Moderate
Risk Score	89.2 / 100
Social Vulnerability	11.4 / 100
Community Resilience	56.2 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Relatively High
Earthquake	Relatively Low
Wildfire	Relatively Low
Flood	Relatively Moderate
Hail	Relatively High
Strong Wind	Relatively High
Heat Wave	Relatively Low
Winter Weather	Relatively High
Lightning	Relatively High
Ice Storm	Relatively Moderate
Drought	Relatively Low
Cold Wave	Relatively High
Landslide	Very Low
Volcano	Very Low

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

6 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.0.

Dec 25, 1994	9 km NE of Larkspur, Colorado	M4.0	130 km	10 km
Jun 1, 2014	9 km NNW of Kersey, Colorado	M3.2	44 km	1 km
Mar 30, 2019	7 km NE of Greeley, Colorado	M2.9	46 km	6 km
Jun 13, 2025	7 km SE of Erie, Colorado	M2.7	82 km	9 km
Aug 23, 2016	2 km SSE of Eaton, Colorado	M2.6	53 km	10 km
Jun 23, 2014	6 km NNE of Kersey, Colorado	M2.5	38 km	5 km

Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Tornado History

975 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 1 fatality, 159 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Jun 4, 2015	EF3	82 km	6.7 mi	0
May 22, 2008	EF3	55 km	38.7 mi	1
May 30, 1996	EF3	92 km	0.5 mi	0
Jun 15, 1988	EF3	96 km	2.5 mi	0
Jun 12, 1982	EF3	67 km	3.0 mi	0
May 18, 1975	EF3	79 km	4.1 mi	0
May 10, 1975	EF3	64 km	8.0 mi	0
Aug 15, 1974	EF3	89 km	2.0 mi	0
May 15, 1952	EF3	38 km	7.4 mi	0
Jun 21, 2023	EF2	85 km	1.9 mi	0
Jun 21, 2023	EF2	70 km	4.5 mi	0
Jun 21, 2023	EF2	92 km	4.9 mi	0
Jun 7, 2021	EF2	70 km	7.5 mi	0
Jul 29, 2018	EF2	45 km	0.1 mi	0
Jul 29, 2018	EF2	43 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 12, 2017	EF2	66 km	15.0 mi	0
May 7, 2016	EF2	12 km	8.8 mi	0
May 18, 2010	EF2	97 km	1.5 mi	0
Jul 31, 1996	EF2	37 km	5.0 mi	0
Jul 30, 1996	EF2	13 km	0.5 mi	0

Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: LAST CHANCE (17,958 acres, 2012).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2012	LAST CHANCE	17,958	75 km
2002	UNNAMED	8,688	62 km
2021	MARSHALL	6,286	100 km
2002	UNNAMED	5,258	35 km
2001	UNNAMED	3,760	56 km
2021	BIJOU	3,485	20 km
2002	UNNAMED	3,275	84 km
2004	ROSETTA LANE	3,164	88 km
2002	UNNAMED	2,261	60 km
2020	SUNDAY FIRE	2,204	43 km
2017	CATTLE DRIVE	2,200	99 km
2002	UNNAMED	2,134	67 km
2016	CO RD 128	1,867	70 km
2024	104	1,745	60 km
2020	SHAMROCK	1,582	53 km
2001	SPRING	1,380	60 km
2000	UNNAMED	1,337	17 km
2013	GALENA FIRE	1,319	93 km
2024	QUAIL HOLLOW	1,267	77 km
2024	WILDHORSE 5	1,232	52 km

Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	27°F (-3°C)	0.3 in	Coldest
February	32°F (-0°C)	0.2 in	Driest
March	40°F (4°C)	0.9 in
April	48°F (9°C)	1.3 in
May	58°F (15°C)	2.4 in	Wettest
June	68°F (20°C)	2.1 in
July	75°F (24°C)	2.1 in	Warmest
August	72°F (22°C)	1.6 in
September	63°F (17°C)	1.3 in
October	50°F (10°C)	0.8 in
November	36°F (2°C)	0.5 in
December	27°F (-3°C)	0.3 in

Orchard has a seasonal temperature swing of 48°F / from 27°F in January to 75°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 13.7 inches, with May being the wettest month (2.4") and February the driest (0.2").

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