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Weather & Climate in Orchard Mesa, CO
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Orchard Mesa experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 55°F (13°C). Winters average 29°F in January while summers reach 80°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 11.4 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41. The city sits at an elevation of 4,668 feet.
Temperature
29°F Jan (-2°C)
80°F Jul (27°C)
| Annual Average | 54.6°F |
| 1% above US avg | |
| January Average | 29°F (-2°C) |
| July Average | 80°F (27°C) |
| Sunny Days | 330 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 4,668 ft (1,423 m) |
| Area | 3.9 sq mi (10.0 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,812/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 39.0374°N, 108.5228°W |
| Timezone | America/Denver |
| County | Mesa County County |
| Nearest Airport | Grand Junction Regional (GJT) 6 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 41.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 75.1 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 37.0 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 56.7 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Moderate |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Very Low |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Very High |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low |
| Drought | Relatively Moderate |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Relatively High |
| Volcano | Very Low |
| Avalanche | Relatively High |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
90 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.5.
| Mar 20, 1995 | 10 km NNW of Rangely, Colorado | M4.5 | 129 km | -3 km |
| Mar 4, 2019 | 29 km E of La Sal, Utah | M4.5 | 91 km | 1 km |
| Sep 13, 1994 | 17 km N of Sawpit, Colorado | M4.4 | 109 km | 10 km |
| May 27, 2000 | 29 km WNW of Naturita, Colorado | M4.4 | 90 km | 10 km |
| May 20, 1995 | 434km E of Wendover, Utah | M4.1 | 134 km | 4 km |
| Aug 9, 2001 | 11 km NNE of Chacra, Colorado | M4.0 | 120 km | 5 km |
| Apr 7, 1990 | 28 km WNW of Bonanza, Utah | M4.0 | 144 km | 11 km |
| Jan 24, 2013 | 22 km E of La Sal, Utah | M3.9 | 89 km | 1 km |
| Feb 10, 2006 | 1 km NNE of Chacra, Colorado | M3.8 | 112 km | 5 km |
| May 31, 2022 | 37 km ENE of Thompson Springs, Utah | M3.8 | 67 km | 7 km |
| Apr 22, 2017 | 4 km NW of Rangely, Colorado | M3.8 | 123 km | 7 km |
| Jul 6, 1999 | 27 km WNW of Naturita, Colorado | M3.7 | 90 km | 2 km |
| Nov 8, 1991 | 17 km WNW of Bonanza, Utah | M3.7 | 138 km | 4 km |
| Mar 2, 1991 | 27 km SSW of Jensen, Utah | M3.7 | 147 km | -3 km |
| Jun 3, 1999 | 28 km E of La Sal, Utah | M3.7 | 90 km | 1 km |
| Nov 11, 2000 | 14 km SE of Jensen, Utah | M3.6 | 150 km | -3 km |
| Oct 14, 1993 | 36 km SW of Spanish Valley, Utah | M3.6 | 137 km | 5 km |
| May 13, 1993 | 10 km NW of Rangely, Colorado | M3.5 | 128 km | -3 km |
| Dec 10, 1999 | 11 km NE of Dinosaur, Colorado | M3.5 | 145 km | 8 km |
| Nov 3, 1994 | 30 km W of Meeker, Colorado | M3.4 | 114 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
15 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF1. Total: 1 injury.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jul 9, 2015 | EF1 | 36 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Oct 4, 2005 | EF1 | 85 km | 0.7 mi | 0 |
| May 6, 2005 | EF1 | 65 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| May 13, 2004 | EF1 | 93 km | 0.7 mi | 0 |
| Sep 11, 2002 | EF1 | 51 km | 8.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 8, 2000 | EF1 | 24 km | 0.4 mi | 0 |
| May 19, 2009 | EF0 | 24 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Aug 2, 2005 | EF0 | 46 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| May 29, 2005 | EF0 | 5 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Oct 17, 2004 | EF0 | 33 km | 7.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 3, 2002 | EF0 | 47 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Apr 15, 2000 | EF0 | 44 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Apr 11, 2000 | EF0 | 9 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 8, 1998 | EF0 | 7 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 31, 1994 | EF0 | 55 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: PINE GULCH (138,141 acres, 2020).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2020 | PINE GULCH | 138,141 | 41 km |
| 2002 | RATTLE COMPLEX (RATTLE) | 87,396 | 92 km |
| 2018 | BULL DRAW | 37,178 | 60 km |
| 2012 | WOLF DEN | 19,419 | 94 km |
| 1989 | DIAMONDPK | 15,685 | 86 km |
| 2012 | PINE RIDGE | 13,862 | 30 km |
| 2001 | INDIAN SPR | 13,458 | 82 km |
| 2021 | OIL SPRINGS | 12,597 | 84 km |
| 2021 | PACK CREEK | 8,859 | 93 km |
| 1999 | TOMS CYN | 6,030 | 44 km |
| 2012 | SUNRISE MINE | 5,905 | 76 km |
| 2018 | RED CANYON | 5,701 | 74 km |
| 1995 | TRIANGLE | 5,688 | 50 km |
| 1996 | HATCHET | 5,685 | 40 km |
| 2002 | CANYONS COMPLEX (HANG DOG) | 5,668 | 88 km |
| 2000 | CONE MOUNTAIN | 4,708 | 63 km |
| 1994 | BITTCRCOMP | 4,445 | 60 km |
| 2004 | CAMPBELL | 4,429 | 69 km |
| 1994 | TWO ROAD | 4,240 | 47 km |
| 2023 | COWCREEKRXNORTH | 4,147 | 46 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 29°F (-2°C) | 0.6 in | Coldest |
| February | 35°F (2°C) | 0.5 in | Driest |
| March | 44°F (7°C) | 0.9 in | |
| April | 51°F (11°C) | 0.8 in | |
| May | 61°F (16°C) | 0.9 in | |
| June | 71°F (22°C) | 0.5 in | |
| July | 80°F (27°C) | 0.8 in | Warmest |
| August | 75°F (24°C) | 0.9 in | |
| September | 66°F (19°C) | 0.9 in | |
| October | 53°F (12°C) | 1.1 in | Wettest |
| November | 39°F (4°C) | 0.8 in | |
| December | 29°F (-1°C) | 0.6 in |
Orchard Mesa has a seasonal temperature swing of 51°F / from 29°F in January to 80°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 9.4 inches, with October being the wettest month (1.1") and February the driest (0.5").