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Weather & Climate in Parachute, CO

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

Parachute experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 47°F (9°C). Winters average 25°F in January while summers reach 70°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 17.1 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 54.1 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 5,082 feet.

Temperature

25°F Jan (-4°C) 70°F Jul (21°C)
Annual Average47.3°F
12% below US avg
January Average25°F (-4°C)
July Average70°F (21°C)
Sunny Days330 days/yr

Geography

Elevation5,082 ft (1,549 m)
Area2.3 sq mi (5.9 km²)
Population Density661/sq mi
Coordinates39.4468°N, 108.0521°W
TimezoneAmerica/Denver
CountyMesa County County
Nearest AirportGrand Junction Regional (GJT)
34 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 17.1"
55% below US avg
Snowfall 54.1"
Wettest Month (Oct) 1.42"
Driest Month (Jan) 0.87"

Air Quality

AQI Median41.0
RatingGood

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskRelatively Low
Risk Score75.1 / 100
Social Vulnerability37.0 / 100
Community Resilience56.7 / 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

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

Mar 20, 1995 10 km NNW of Rangely, Colorado M4.5 106 km -3 km
Mar 4, 2019 29 km E of La Sal, Utah M4.5 150 km 1 km
Sep 13, 1994 17 km N of Sawpit, Colorado M4.4 144 km 10 km
May 27, 2000 29 km WNW of Naturita, Colorado M4.4 148 km 10 km
Jan 31, 2002 28 km SSW of Craig, Colorado M4.3 98 km 5 km
May 20, 1995 434km E of Wendover, Utah M4.1 114 km 4 km
Aug 9, 2001 11 km NNE of Chacra, Colorado M4.0 63 km 5 km
Apr 7, 1990 28 km WNW of Bonanza, Utah M4.0 143 km 11 km
Jan 24, 2013 22 km E of La Sal, Utah M3.9 149 km 1 km
Feb 10, 2006 1 km NNE of Chacra, Colorado M3.8 55 km 5 km
May 31, 2022 37 km ENE of Thompson Springs, Utah M3.8 115 km 7 km
Apr 22, 2017 4 km NW of Rangely, Colorado M3.8 100 km 7 km
Jul 6, 1999 27 km WNW of Naturita, Colorado M3.7 148 km 2 km
Nov 8, 1991 17 km WNW of Bonanza, Utah M3.7 133 km 4 km
Aug 18, 2009 19 km N of Craig, Colorado M3.7 144 km 5 km
Mar 2, 1991 27 km SSW of Jensen, Utah M3.7 143 km -3 km
Jun 3, 1999 28 km E of La Sal, Utah M3.7 149 km 1 km
Nov 11, 2000 14 km SE of Jensen, Utah M3.6 136 km -3 km
Jun 6, 2011 17 km NNW of Oak Creek, Colorado M3.5 139 km 5 km
Apr 20, 2017 24 km NE of Maybell, Colorado M3.5 137 km 13 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Tornado History

18 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2. Total: 1 injury.

Date Rating Distance Path Fatalities
Jun 20, 1975 EF2 77 km 0.5 mi 0
Jul 9, 2015 EF1 42 km 0.1 mi 0
Jun 21, 2006 EF1 65 km 1.0 mi 0
May 6, 2005 EF1 91 km 0.3 mi 0
May 13, 2004 EF1 98 km 0.7 mi 0
Sep 11, 2002 EF1 86 km 8.0 mi 0
Sep 8, 2000 EF1 61 km 0.4 mi 0
Jul 3, 1957 EF1 66 km 0.1 mi 0
May 19, 2009 EF0 37 km 0.3 mi 0
Aug 2, 2005 EF0 79 km 0.3 mi 0
May 29, 2005 EF0 65 km 1.0 mi 0
Oct 17, 2004 EF0 70 km 7.5 mi 0
Jun 3, 2002 EF0 76 km 0.5 mi 0
Apr 15, 2000 EF0 78 km 0.2 mi 0
Apr 11, 2000 EF0 52 km 0.1 mi 0
Aug 8, 1998 EF0 65 km 0.1 mi 0
Jul 31, 1994 EF0 85 km 0.1 mi 0
Aug 20, 1986 EF0 97 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: PINE GULCH (138,141 acres, 2020).

Year Name Acres Burned Distance
2020 PINE GULCH 138,141 42 km
2020 GRIZZLY CREEK 30,705 76 km
2012 WOLF DEN 19,419 99 km
2002 BIG FISH 17,273 92 km
2012 PINE RIDGE 13,862 32 km
2021 OIL SPRINGS 12,597 76 km
2018 LAKE CHRISTINE 12,506 87 km
2002 COAL SEAM 12,007 60 km
2002 SPRING CREEK 10,552 56 km
2004 GREASEWOOD WFU 6,963 61 km
2012 WOLF 6,748 96 km
2018 INDIAN VALLEY 6,376 85 km
1999 TOMS CYN 6,030 97 km
2018 CABIN LAKE 5,765 66 km
2018 RED CANYON 5,701 64 km
1996 HATCHET 5,685 52 km
2016 LOST SOLAR 5,141 73 km
1994 BITTCRCOMP 4,445 92 km
1994 TWO ROAD 4,240 87 km
2023 LITTLE MESA 4,048 94 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 25°F (-4°C) 0.9 in Coldest, Driest
February 30°F (-1°C) 0.9 in
March 38°F (3°C) 1.3 in
April 45°F (7°C) 1.3 in
May 55°F (13°C) 1.3 in
June 65°F (18°C) 0.9 in
July 70°F (21°C) 1.1 in Warmest
August 69°F (21°C) 1.3 in
September 60°F (16°C) 1.3 in
October 49°F (9°C) 1.4 in Wettest
November 35°F (2°C) 1.1 in
December 26°F (-4°C) 1.1 in

Parachute has a seasonal temperature swing of 46°F / from 25°F in January to 70°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 13.8 inches, with October being the wettest month (1.4") and January the driest (0.9").

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