Weather & Climate in Purple Sage, WY

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

Purple Sage has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 45°F (7°C). Winters average 24°F in January while summers reach 69°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 10.5 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 31.3 inches of snow annually, a moderate snowfall amount. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 34. The city sits at an elevation of 6,229 feet.

Temperature

24°F Jan (-5°C) 69°F Jul (21°C)

Annual Average	45.0°F
	17% below US avg
January Average	24°F (-5°C)
July Average	69°F (21°C)
Sunny Days	316 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	6,229 ft (1,899 m)
Area	0.3 sq mi (0.9 km²)
Population Density	1,988/sq mi
Coordinates	41.5514°N, 109.3202°W
Timezone	America/Denver
County	Sweetwater County County
Nearest Airport	Southwest Wyoming Regional (RKS) 14 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 10.5"

73% below US avg

Snowfall 31.3"

Wettest Month (May) 1.14"

Driest Month (Feb) 0.39"

Air Quality

AQI Median	34.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Very Low
Risk Score	30.6 / 100
Social Vulnerability	19.3 / 100
Community Resilience	16.4 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Very Low
Earthquake	Relatively Low
Wildfire	Relatively Low
Flood	Relatively Low
Hail	Very Low
Strong Wind	Very Low
Heat Wave	No Rating
Winter Weather	Relatively High
Lightning	Relatively Low
Ice Storm	Very Low
Drought	Very Low
Cold Wave	Relatively Low
Landslide	Relatively Moderate
Avalanche	Very Low

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

Earthquake History

93 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.9.

Apr 15, 2010	9 km NE of Randolph, Utah	M4.9	149 km	10 km
Apr 6, 1999	31 km SE of Wamsutter, Wyoming	M4.3	132 km	10 km
Jan 30, 2000	8 km ESE of Little America, Wyoming	M4.3	37 km	5 km
May 17, 2009	24 km WNW of Jeffrey City, Wyoming	M3.7	148 km	5 km
Oct 21, 1996	42 km ESE of Boulder, Wyoming	M3.7	111 km	5 km
Nov 11, 2000	14 km SE of Jensen, Utah	M3.6	143 km	-3 km
Jun 30, 1998	8 km NNW of Point of Rocks, Wyoming	M3.6	47 km	6 km
Jun 25, 1994	12 km NE of Little America, Wyoming	M3.6	35 km	-3 km
Mar 7, 2009	9 km NNE of Granger, Wyoming	M3.5	52 km	1 km
Jul 2, 2016	7 km NNE of Granger, Wyoming	M3.5	53 km	-3 km
Feb 9, 2015	11 km NNE of Granger, Wyoming	M3.5	50 km	-2 km
Dec 10, 1999	11 km NE of Dinosaur, Colorado	M3.5	143 km	8 km
Apr 23, 2025	2 km NNW of Little America, Wyoming	M3.5	45 km	-2 km
Aug 10, 2025	3 km NNW of Little America, Wyoming	M3.5	46 km	-2 km
Oct 15, 2013	14 km NNE of Granger, Wyoming	M3.4	52 km	-3 km
Jul 1, 2016	20 km NE of Granger, Wyoming	M3.4	47 km	3 km
Jun 5, 2007	15 km NNW of Granger, Wyoming	M3.4	63 km	-3 km
Feb 9, 2008	9 km NE of Granger, Wyoming	M3.3	49 km	5 km
May 18, 2005	7 km NW of Bear River, Wyoming	M3.3	149 km	-3 km
Feb 20, 2025	2 km N of Little America, Wyoming	M3.3	45 km	-3 km

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

Tornado History

27 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF1.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Jul 10, 2001	EF1	71 km	5.0 mi	0
Apr 20, 2001	EF1	21 km	0.2 mi	0
Apr 14, 2000	EF1	21 km	0.5 mi	0
Jul 31, 1978	EF1	14 km	1.0 mi	0
Jun 27, 1974	EF1	14 km	0.1 mi	0
Sep 9, 1973	EF1	18 km	0.1 mi	0
May 28, 2018	EF0	99 km	0.5 mi	0
May 28, 2018	EF0	52 km	3.5 mi	0
May 26, 2017	EF0	75 km	11.4 mi	0
Jul 7, 2015	EF0	98 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 16, 2015	EF0	86 km	1.0 mi	0
May 7, 2014	EF0	40 km	0.5 mi	0
Sep 15, 2013	EF0	46 km	0.1 mi	0
Aug 21, 2001	EF0	78 km	2.0 mi	0
May 5, 1999	EF0	76 km	1.0 mi	0
Jun 10, 1997	EF0	17 km	0.1 mi	0
May 25, 1995	EF0	94 km	0.5 mi	0
May 15, 1992	EF0	67 km	0.1 mi	0
Sep 9, 1991	EF0	75 km	0.4 mi	0
Aug 4, 1990	EF0	72 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: WLD HORSE (41,881 acres, 2000).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2000	WLD HORSE	41,881	32 km
2000	SHEEP MT	31,393	34 km
2002	MUSTANG	20,607	69 km
2017	PEEKABOO	11,985	94 km
2018	LANEY RIM	11,589	49 km
2000	BUSTERFLAT	8,501	98 km
2020	RICHARD MTN	7,802	62 km
1997	RED CREEK	5,381	63 km
1985	WEYMAN	5,058	87 km
2006	SALT WELLS BASIN	4,581	50 km
2005	SHEEP CREEK WFU	4,128	90 km
2018	BENDER MOUNTAIN	3,797	69 km
2021	WEST	3,588	70 km
2018	BLACK BUTTE	3,124	44 km
2007	MARSHALL PHASE II	2,834	88 km
2004	MAIL DRAW	2,601	87 km
1986	BIG JOE	2,536	91 km
2015	BITTER CREEK	2,372	32 km
2000	SAGE CREEK 3	2,228	44 km
1994	SUBSTATION	2,018	52 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	24°F (-5°C)	0.4 in
February	23°F (-5°C)	0.4 in	Driest
March	31°F (-0°C)	0.6 in
April	40°F (4°C)	0.8 in
May	49°F (10°C)	1.1 in	Wettest
June	59°F (15°C)	0.9 in
July	69°F (21°C)	0.8 in	Warmest
August	65°F (18°C)	0.7 in
September	55°F (13°C)	0.8 in
October	43°F (6°C)	0.8 in
November	29°F (-2°C)	0.5 in
December	20°F (-7°C)	0.4 in	Coldest

Purple Sage has a seasonal temperature swing of 50°F / from 20°F in December to 69°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 8.2 inches, with May being the wettest month (1.1") and February the driest (0.4").

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