Weather & Climate in Poncha Springs, CO

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

Poncha Springs experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 46°F (8°C). Winters average 27°F in January while summers reach 67°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 8.8 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 36.7 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 7,472 feet.

Temperature

27°F Jan (-3°C) 67°F Jul (20°C)

Annual Average	46.3°F
	14% below US avg
January Average	27°F (-3°C)
July Average	67°F (20°C)
Sunny Days	330 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	7,472 ft (2,277 m)
Area	3.1 sq mi (8.0 km²)
Population Density	273/sq mi
Coordinates	38.5211°N, 106.0726°W
Timezone	America/Denver
County	Chaffee County County
Nearest Airport	Gunnison-Crested Butte Regional (GUC) 46 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 8.8"

77% below US avg

Snowfall 36.7"

Wettest Month (Aug) 2.05"

Driest Month (Jan) 0.39"

Air Quality

AQI Median	41.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Low
Risk Score	51.1 / 100
Social Vulnerability	18.1 / 100
Community Resilience	54.8 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

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

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

Earthquake History

39 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	139 km	10 km
Dec 23, 1995	7 km WNW of Rock Creek Park, Colorado	M3.5	103 km	5 km
May 10, 1991	24 km SSE of South Fork, Colorado	M3.4	126 km	5 km
Feb 28, 2019	22 km NNW of Blanca, Colorado	M3.4	108 km	5 km
Aug 21, 2012	12 km SSW of Gypsum, Colorado	M3.4	137 km	5 km
Jan 18, 1997	8 km SE of Westcreek, Colorado	M3.3	106 km	5 km
Feb 28, 2019	22 km N of Blanca, Colorado	M3.3	110 km	6 km
Jul 22, 2001	6 km WNW of Woodland Park, Colorado	M3.1	99 km	5 km
Jan 26, 2008	12 km NE of Cotopaxi, Colorado	M3.1	44 km	5 km
Jul 8, 1993	9 km ENE of Aspen, Colorado	M3.1	96 km	5 km
Sep 12, 1990	13 km NW of Silverthorne, Colorado	M3.0	132 km	5 km
Jan 1, 2003	6 km SE of Aspen, Colorado	M2.9	92 km	5 km
Feb 26, 2008	29 km WNW of Westcreek, Colorado	M2.9	99 km	2 km
Jan 19, 1997	8 km SE of Westcreek, Colorado	M2.9	106 km	5 km
Aug 24, 2016	16 km ENE of Beulah Valley, Colorado	M2.9	118 km	3 km
Jun 18, 2002	39 km SW of Creede, Colorado	M2.9	145 km	5 km
Dec 5, 2000	10 km NNW of Redstone, Colorado	M2.9	134 km	5 km
Apr 12, 2015	5 km NE of Aspen, Colorado	M2.8	99 km	5 km
Apr 11, 2021	9 km E of Woody Creek, Colorado	M2.8	105 km	2 km
Jan 20, 2017	Colorado	M2.8	121 km	5 km

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

Tornado History

42 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Jun 8, 2014	EF2	75 km	6.0 mi	0
Jun 13, 1977	EF2	82 km	1.0 mi	0
Jul 4, 1960	EF2	76 km	0.1 mi	0
Aug 9, 2024	EF1	87 km	0.9 mi	0
Jul 20, 2023	EF1	98 km	1.5 mi	0
Jun 8, 2014	EF1	85 km	0.3 mi	0
Aug 18, 2009	EF1	69 km	9.3 mi	0
Aug 23, 2008	EF1	67 km	1.0 mi	0
Jun 27, 2007	EF1	100 km	0.9 mi	0
Jul 12, 1996	EF1	93 km	0.7 mi	0
Jun 16, 1991	EF1	46 km	6.5 mi	0
Jul 13, 1989	EF1	92 km	0.3 mi	0
Apr 21, 1988	EF1	92 km	0.3 mi	0
Jul 22, 1985	EF1	74 km	0.2 mi	0
Jul 19, 1985	EF1	94 km	0.2 mi	0
Jun 28, 1983	EF1	86 km	3.0 mi	0
Jun 10, 1980	EF1	72 km	19.9 mi	0
Feb 13, 1954	EF1	68 km	0.5 mi	0
Jun 30, 2023	EF0	71 km	3.0 mi	0
May 30, 2021	EF0	67 km	0.0 mi	0

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

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: JUNKINS (19,023 acres, 2016).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2016	JUNKINS	19,023	92 km
2016	HAYDEN PASS	17,977	37 km
2018	WESTON PASS	13,169	57 km
2005	MASON	11,630	99 km
2019	DECKER	9,875	11 km
2010	MEDANO	4,887	95 km
2011	DUCKETT	4,705	47 km
2002	IRON MOUNTAIN	3,955	56 km
2013	ROYAL GORGE	3,290	67 km
2000	PSFRXASST1	2,747	98 km
2012	WETMORE	2,293	94 km
1988	DINOSAUR	2,147	78 km
2023	THREEMILE CREEK RX	1,863	21 km
2023	LOWLINE	1,855	89 km
2023	403	1,767	75 km
2012	SPRINGER	1,665	73 km
2022	HIGH PARK	1,605	74 km
2018	CHATEAU	1,414	75 km
2002	WILEY RIDG	1,396	81 km
2008	NASH RANCH	1,107	67 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	27°F (-3°C)	0.4 in	Driest
February	26°F (-3°C)	0.4 in
March	33°F (0°C)	0.7 in
April	40°F (4°C)	0.7 in
May	49°F (10°C)	0.9 in
June	58°F (15°C)	0.9 in
July	67°F (20°C)	1.8 in	Warmest
August	62°F (16°C)	2.1 in	Wettest
September	54°F (12°C)	1.2 in
October	44°F (7°C)	0.8 in
November	32°F (0°C)	0.6 in
December	24°F (-4°C)	0.6 in	Coldest

Poncha Springs has a seasonal temperature swing of 43°F / from 24°F in December to 67°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 11.0 inches, with August being the wettest month (2.1") and January the driest (0.4").

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