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Weather & Climate in Rafter J Ranch, WY
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Rafter J Ranch has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 38°F (3°C). Winters average 16°F in January while summers reach 60°F in July. The area gets 302 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 17.6 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 78.2 inches of snow annually, making winter weather a significant factor for residents. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 34. The city sits at an elevation of 6,070 feet.
Temperature
16°F Jan (-9°C)
60°F Jul (16°C)
| Annual Average | 38.0°F |
| 30% below US avg | |
| January Average | 16°F (-9°C) |
| July Average | 60°F (16°C) |
| Sunny Days | 302 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 6,070 ft (1,850 m) |
| Area | 0.7 sq mi (1.7 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,821/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 43.4305°N, 110.7915°W |
| Timezone | America/Denver |
| County | Teton County County |
| Nearest Airport | Jackson Hole (JAC) 13 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 34.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 29.5 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 13.4 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 23.1 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Moderate |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Very Low |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | Very Low |
| Drought | Very Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Relatively Low |
| Volcano | Very Low |
| Avalanche | Relatively High |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
1,765 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M5.8.
| Feb 3, 1994 | 4 km SSE of Auburn, Wyoming | M5.8 | 76 km | 8 km |
| Apr 21, 2001 | 29 km WSW of Freedom, Idaho | M5.3 | 75 km | 1 km |
| Sep 2, 2017 | 12 km E of Soda Springs, Idaho | M5.3 | 102 km | 10 km |
| Jan 7, 2004 | 20 km ESE of Kelly, Wyoming | M5.0 | 37 km | 3 km |
| Sep 10, 2017 | 9 km NNW of Georgetown, Idaho | M5.0 | 109 km | 10 km |
| Mar 30, 2014 | 22 km S of Mammoth, Wyoming | M4.8 | 149 km | 6 km |
| Feb 11, 1994 | 3 km SSE of Auburn, Wyoming | M4.8 | 76 km | 5 km |
| Sep 21, 2013 | 20 km W of Fort Washakie, Wyoming | M4.8 | 144 km | 76 km |
| Aug 5, 2010 | 19 km E of Kelly, Wyoming | M4.8 | 37 km | 5 km |
| Aug 27, 2016 | 4 km ENE of Bondurant, Wyoming | M4.8 | 42 km | 12 km |
| Sep 11, 2017 | 9 km NW of Georgetown, Idaho | M4.7 | 112 km | 8 km |
| Sep 3, 2017 | 15 km ESE of Soda Springs, Idaho | M4.7 | 105 km | 10 km |
| Sep 3, 2017 | 10 km E of Soda Springs, Idaho | M4.7 | 104 km | 8 km |
| Dec 28, 1993 | 38 km NE of Bondurant, Wyoming | M4.7 | 54 km | 8 km |
| Feb 4, 1994 | 4 km WNW of Fairview, Wyoming | M4.7 | 83 km | 5 km |
| Sep 10, 2017 | 12 km ESE of Soda Springs, Idaho | M4.7 | 107 km | 5 km |
| Sep 6, 2017 | 11 km NNW of Georgetown, Idaho | M4.6 | 109 km | 10 km |
| Feb 7, 1994 | 4 km SW of Fairview, Wyoming | M4.5 | 88 km | 5 km |
| Sep 4, 2017 | 13 km ESE of Soda Springs, Idaho | M4.5 | 105 km | 6 km |
| Feb 10, 1994 | 3 km WSW of Auburn, Wyoming | M4.4 | 75 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
25 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 1 injury.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jul 21, 1987 | EF4 | 64 km | 24.3 mi | 0 |
| Jun 12, 2022 | EF2 | 28 km | 2.1 mi | 0 |
| Sep 4, 2016 | EF1 | 59 km | 2.4 mi | 0 |
| Jun 4, 1991 | EF1 | 83 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Apr 17, 1988 | EF1 | 83 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| May 15, 1984 | EF1 | 87 km | 8.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 21, 1981 | EF1 | 99 km | 1.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 24, 1980 | EF1 | 79 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 8, 1980 | EF1 | 85 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 20, 1977 | EF1 | 74 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 30, 1975 | EF1 | 81 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 25, 1955 | EF1 | 100 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 2, 2019 | EF0 | 84 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Nov 17, 2017 | EF0 | 86 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| May 31, 2014 | EF0 | 64 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| May 28, 2008 | EF0 | 94 km | 0.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 5, 2007 | EF0 | 97 km | 7.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 2, 2004 | EF0 | 84 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Jun 8, 1995 | EF0 | 89 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 29, 1987 | EF0 | 83 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Nearby Volcanoes
2 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Yellowstone (112 km).
| Name | Type | Elevation | Last Eruption | Distance |
| Yellowstone | Caldera(s) | 2,805 m (9,203 ft) | -1350 | 112 km |
| Hell's Half Acre | Shield | 1,631 m (5,351 ft) | -3250 | 134 km |
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: MINK (135,433 acres, 1988).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 1988 | MINK | 135,433 | 98 km |
| 1988 | HUCK | 123,437 | 77 km |
| 1988 | SNAKE | 95,233 | 99 km |
| 2018 | ROOSEVELT | 55,330 | 53 km |
| 2016 | HENRYS CREEK | 52,988 | 79 km |
| 2016 | CLIFF CREEK | 36,131 | 36 km |
| 2012 | NORTH BUFFALO | 28,324 | 77 km |
| 1988 | RED | 21,341 | 99 km |
| 2016 | BERRY | 20,783 | 69 km |
| 2006 | PURDY | 18,653 | 62 km |
| 1988 | FALLS | 16,607 | 85 km |
| 2016 | LAVA MOUNTAIN | 14,652 | 75 km |
| 2008 | NEW FORK | 14,481 | 85 km |
| 2011 | RED ROCK COMPLEX | 10,046 | 39 km |
| 1994 | ROBINSON | 8,629 | 92 km |
| 2007 | HORSE CREEK | 8,149 | 64 km |
| 1988 | TRAIL CREEK | 7,965 | 52 km |
| 2000 | TETON COMPLEX (ENOS) | 7,961 | 72 km |
| 2000 | BLIND TRAIL | 7,758 | 46 km |
| 1991 | DRY COTTONWOOD | 6,996 | 50 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 16°F (-9°C) | 2.2 in | Wettest |
| February | 19°F (-7°C) | 1.5 in | |
| March | 27°F (-3°C) | 1.5 in | |
| April | 35°F (2°C) | 1.4 in | |
| May | 45°F (7°C) | 2.0 in | |
| June | 53°F (11°C) | 1.9 in | |
| July | 60°F (16°C) | 1.2 in | Warmest, Driest |
| August | 59°F (15°C) | 1.3 in | |
| September | 50°F (10°C) | 1.5 in | |
| October | 40°F (4°C) | 1.4 in | |
| November | 26°F (-3°C) | 1.9 in | |
| December | 15°F (-9°C) | 2.0 in | Coldest |
Rafter J Ranch has a seasonal temperature swing of 45°F / from 15°F in December to 60°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 19.7 inches, with January being the wettest month (2.2") and July the driest (1.2").