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Weather & Climate in Portland, CO

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

Portland has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 45°F (7°C). Winters average 26°F in January while summers reach 66°F in July. The area gets 326 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 24.1 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 173.4 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 8,125 feet.

Temperature

26°F Jan (-3°C) 66°F Jul (19°C)
Annual Average45.1°F
16% below US avg
January Average26°F (-3°C)
July Average66°F (19°C)
Sunny Days326 days/yr

Geography

Elevation8,125 ft (2,477 m)
Area3.2 sq mi (8.3 km²)
Population Density37/sq mi
Coordinates38.0892°N, 107.6952°W
TimezoneAmerica/Denver
CountyOuray County County
Nearest AirportTelluride Regional (TEX)
15 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 24.1"
37% below US avg
Snowfall 173.4"
Wettest Month (Aug) 2.48"
Driest Month (Jun) 1.10"

Air Quality

AQI Median41.0
RatingGood

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskVery Low
Risk Score17.7 / 100
Social Vulnerability10.6 / 100
Community Resilience47.5 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado Very Low
Earthquake Very Low
Wildfire Relatively Low
Flood Very Low
Hail Very Low
Strong Wind Very Low
Heat Wave Very Low
Winter Weather Very Low
Lightning Relatively Moderate
Ice Storm Very Low
Drought Very Low
Cold Wave Very Low
Landslide Relatively High
Avalanche Relatively High
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

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

Mar 4, 2019 29 km E of La Sal, Utah M4.5 108 km 1 km
May 27, 2000 29 km WNW of Naturita, Colorado M4.4 107 km 10 km
Sep 13, 1994 17 km N of Sawpit, Colorado M4.4 26 km 10 km
Jan 24, 2013 22 km E of La Sal, Utah M3.9 116 km 1 km
Jul 6, 1999 27 km WNW of Naturita, Colorado M3.7 105 km 2 km
Jun 3, 1999 28 km E of La Sal, Utah M3.7 110 km 1 km
Mar 10, 2023 16 km S of Ophir, Colorado M3.6 44 km 7 km
May 10, 1991 24 km SSE of South Fork, Colorado M3.4 121 km 5 km
Apr 3, 2025 34 km W of Delta, Colorado M3.2 96 km 5 km
Dec 15, 1997 7 km ENE of La Sal, Utah M3.2 131 km 6 km
Feb 24, 1993 16 km SSE of Monticello, Utah M3.1 147 km -1 km
May 13, 1993 19 km SSE of Monticello, Utah M3.1 144 km -3 km
Mar 15, 2000 Colorado M3.1 110 km -1 km
Jun 6, 2002 29 km E of La Sal, Utah M3.0 111 km -1 km
May 8, 1998 15 km E of La Sal, Utah M3.0 124 km 3 km
Apr 10, 1998 23 km WNW of Naturita, Colorado M3.0 101 km 5 km
Sep 16, 1999 Utah M3.0 129 km 6 km
Feb 4, 1999 28 km E of La Sal, Utah M3.0 110 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 13 km 4 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Tornado History

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

Date Rating Distance Path Fatalities
Oct 10, 1997 EF2 82 km 3.0 mi 0
May 6, 2005 EF1 65 km 0.3 mi 0
May 13, 2004 EF1 63 km 0.7 mi 0
Sep 11, 2002 EF1 77 km 8.0 mi 0
Jun 7, 1997 EF1 74 km 0.5 mi 0
Aug 29, 2002 EF0 96 km 0.1 mi 0
Jul 31, 1994 EF0 74 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: MISSIONARY RIDGE (68,919 acres, 2002).

Year Name Acres Burned Distance
2002 MISSIONARY RIDGE 68,919 71 km
2018 416 55,123 69 km
2013 PAPOOSE 46,991 66 km
2018 BULL DRAW 37,178 96 km
2013 WEST FORK COMPLEX - EAST ZONE 34,441 91 km
2002 BURN CANYON 30,573 66 km
2012 LITTLE SAND 26,240 82 km
2018 PLATEAU 19,746 87 km
2013 WEST FORK COMPLEX 18,775 92 km
2009 NARRAGUINNEP 7,798 96 km
2019 DOE CANYON 7,388 94 km
1986 UNNAMED 6,205 89 km
2018 BURRO 5,242 73 km
2004 CAMPBELL 4,429 84 km
2023 LITTLE MESA 4,048 82 km
1994 WAKE 3,834 86 km
1990 HORESEFLY 3,760 50 km
1996 DISAPPOINTMENT 3,642 83 km
2020 EAST CANYON 3,031 100 km
2004 MCGRUDER 2,998 97 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 26°F (-3°C) 1.5 in
February 23°F (-5°C) 1.3 in
March 28°F (-2°C) 1.8 in
April 35°F (2°C) 1.5 in
May 45°F (7°C) 1.5 in
June 54°F (12°C) 1.1 in Driest
July 66°F (19°C) 2.3 in Warmest
August 59°F (15°C) 2.5 in Wettest
September 53°F (11°C) 2.1 in
October 43°F (6°C) 1.8 in
November 31°F (-1°C) 1.7 in
December 22°F (-5°C) 1.5 in Coldest

Portland has a seasonal temperature swing of 44°F / from 22°F in December to 66°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 20.5 inches, with August being the wettest month (2.5") and June the driest (1.1").

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