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Weather & Climate in Rifle, CO
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Rifle experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 49°F (10°C). Winters average 25°F in January while summers reach 74°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 10.7 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41. The city sits at an elevation of 5,554 feet.
Temperature
25°F Jan (-4°C)
74°F Jul (23°C)
| Annual Average | 49.1°F |
| 9% below US avg | |
| January Average | 25°F (-4°C) |
| July Average | 74°F (23°C) |
| Sunny Days | 330 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 5,554 ft (1,693 m) |
| Area | 5.7 sq mi (14.7 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,493/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 39.5376°N, 107.7703°W |
| Timezone | America/Denver |
| County | Garfield County County |
| Nearest Airport | Eagle County Regional (EGE) 46 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 41.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 64.5 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 15.4 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 12.3 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Moderate |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Very Low |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Very Low |
| Lightning | Relatively High |
| Ice Storm | Very Low |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Very Low |
| Landslide | Relatively High |
| Volcano | Very Low |
| Avalanche | Relatively High |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
85 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 | 117 km | -3 km |
| Jan 31, 2002 | 28 km SSW of Craig, Colorado | M4.3 | 84 km | 5 km |
| May 20, 1995 | 434km E of Wendover, Utah | M4.1 | 125 km | 4 km |
| Aug 9, 2001 | 11 km NNE of Chacra, Colorado | M4.0 | 36 km | 5 km |
| Feb 10, 2006 | 1 km NNE of Chacra, Colorado | M3.8 | 29 km | 5 km |
| May 31, 2022 | 37 km ENE of Thompson Springs, Utah | M3.8 | 142 km | 7 km |
| Apr 22, 2017 | 4 km NW of Rangely, Colorado | M3.8 | 112 km | 7 km |
| Nov 8, 1991 | 17 km WNW of Bonanza, Utah | M3.7 | 149 km | 4 km |
| Aug 18, 2009 | 19 km N of Craig, Colorado | M3.7 | 129 km | 5 km |
| Nov 11, 2000 | 14 km SE of Jensen, Utah | M3.6 | 149 km | -3 km |
| Apr 20, 2017 | 24 km NE of Maybell, Colorado | M3.5 | 127 km | 13 km |
| Jun 6, 2011 | 17 km NNW of Oak Creek, Colorado | M3.5 | 117 km | 5 km |
| May 13, 1993 | 10 km NW of Rangely, Colorado | M3.5 | 118 km | -3 km |
| Dec 10, 1999 | 11 km NE of Dinosaur, Colorado | M3.5 | 129 km | 8 km |
| Nov 3, 1994 | 30 km W of Meeker, Colorado | M3.4 | 70 km | 5 km |
| Apr 10, 2011 | 12 km N of Oak Creek, Colorado | M3.4 | 118 km | 5 km |
| Aug 21, 2012 | 12 km SSW of Gypsum, Colorado | M3.4 | 67 km | 5 km |
| Jan 30, 2017 | 5 km SW of New Castle, Colorado | M3.3 | 16 km | 5 km |
| May 3, 2017 | 4 km NW of Rangely, Colorado | M3.3 | 112 km | 7 km |
| Apr 3, 2025 | 34 km W of Delta, Colorado | M3.2 | 110 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
14 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jun 20, 1975 | EF2 | 61 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 9, 2015 | EF1 | 59 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 21, 2006 | EF1 | 62 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 8, 2000 | EF1 | 81 km | 0.4 mi | 0 |
| Apr 6, 1974 | EF1 | 83 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 3, 1957 | EF1 | 56 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| May 19, 2009 | EF0 | 62 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| May 29, 2005 | EF0 | 90 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Oct 17, 2004 | EF0 | 97 km | 7.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 30, 2004 | EF0 | 84 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 11, 2000 | EF0 | 76 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 8, 1998 | EF0 | 90 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 31, 1994 | EF0 | 99 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 20, 1986 | EF0 | 85 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 | 67 km |
| 2020 | GRIZZLY CREEK | 30,705 | 50 km |
| 2002 | BIG FISH | 17,273 | 68 km |
| 2012 | PINE RIDGE | 13,862 | 57 km |
| 2021 | OIL SPRINGS | 12,597 | 95 km |
| 2018 | LAKE CHRISTINE | 12,506 | 64 km |
| 2002 | COAL SEAM | 12,007 | 35 km |
| 2002 | SPRING CREEK | 10,552 | 31 km |
| 2004 | GREASEWOOD WFU | 6,963 | 61 km |
| 2012 | WOLF | 6,748 | 97 km |
| 2018 | INDIAN VALLEY | 6,376 | 82 km |
| 2002 | LOST LAKES | 5,888 | 79 km |
| 2018 | CABIN LAKE | 5,765 | 45 km |
| 2018 | RED CANYON | 5,701 | 84 km |
| 1996 | HATCHET | 5,685 | 77 km |
| 2016 | LOST SOLAR | 5,141 | 50 km |
| 2017 | PINE TREE | 4,694 | 99 km |
| 1989 | BURNED OUT | 4,046 | 88 km |
| 2002 | NORTH BARCUS | 4,042 | 83 km |
| 1987 | BATTLEMENT | 3,839 | 24 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 25°F (-4°C) | 1.0 in | |
| February | 29°F (-2°C) | 0.9 in | Driest |
| March | 37°F (3°C) | 1.1 in | |
| April | 45°F (7°C) | 1.2 in | |
| May | 54°F (12°C) | 1.3 in | |
| June | 63°F (17°C) | 1.1 in | |
| July | 74°F (23°C) | 1.2 in | Warmest |
| August | 67°F (20°C) | 1.3 in | |
| September | 59°F (15°C) | 1.3 in | |
| October | 48°F (9°C) | 1.5 in | Wettest |
| November | 35°F (1°C) | 1.1 in | |
| December | 25°F (-4°C) | 1.3 in | Coldest |
Rifle has a seasonal temperature swing of 49°F / from 25°F in December to 74°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 14.3 inches, with October being the wettest month (1.5") and February the driest (0.9").