Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Rock Springs experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 50°F (10°C). Winters average 30°F in January while summers reach 72°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). The area receives 33.8 inches of snow annually, a moderate snowfall amount. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 37. The city sits at an elevation of 6,736 feet.
Temperature
30°F Jan (-1°C)72°F Jul (22°C)
Annual Average
49.5°F
8% below US avg
January Average
30°F (-1°C)
July Average
72°F (22°C)
Sunny Days
330 days/yr
Geography
Elevation
6,736 ft (2,053 m)
Area
5.8 sq mi (15.0 km²)
Population Density
93/sq mi
Coordinates
35.6188°N, 108.8345°W
Timezone
America/Denver
County
McKinley County County
Nearest Airport
Four Corners Regional (FMN) 85 miles away
Precipitation & Snow
Annual Rainfall10.7"
72% below US avg
Snowfall33.8"
Wettest Month (Aug)2.01"
Driest Month (May)0.39"
Air Quality
AQI Median
37.0
Rating
Good
Natural Hazard Risk
Overall Risk
Relatively Low
Risk Score
78.2 / 100
Social Vulnerability
99.8 / 100
Community Resilience
0.5 / 100
Hazard Breakdown
Tornado
Very Low
Hurricane
No Rating
Earthquake
Relatively Low
Wildfire
Relatively Low
Flood
Relatively Moderate
Hail
Very Low
Strong Wind
Very Low
Heat Wave
Relatively Low
Winter Weather
Relatively High
Lightning
Relatively High
Ice Storm
Very Low
Drought
No Rating
Cold Wave
Relatively Moderate
Landslide
Relatively Moderate
Volcano
Very Low
Avalanche
Very Low
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
16 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990.
Strongest on record: M3.8.
May 18, 2023
8 km ENE of San Mateo, New Mexico
M3.8
119 km
5 km
Oct 20, 2016
3 km NNW of Seboyeta, New Mexico
M3.5
136 km
5 km
Sep 23, 2019
22 km NNW of Saint Johns, Arizona
M3.1
115 km
5 km
Jul 4, 2021
24 km SW of Lake Valley, New Mexico
M3.1
56 km
5 km
Jun 10, 2020
5 km WNW of Tsaile, Arizona
M2.8
88 km
14 km
Aug 10, 2019
5 km E of Bluewater Village, New Mexico
M2.8
93 km
5 km
Jan 30, 2023
18 km WSW of Pueblo Pintado, New Mexico
M2.7
96 km
5 km
Sep 23, 1995
4 km E of Teec Nos Pos, Arizona
M2.7
146 km
8 km
Sep 7, 2014
4 km WSW of Sun Valley, Arizona
M2.6
136 km
5 km
Mar 6, 2023
17 km ENE of Chilchinbito, Arizona
M2.6
142 km
13 km
Aug 26, 2024
8 km S of Rough Rock, Arizona
M2.6
123 km
5 km
May 20, 2024
11 km WNW of Ramah, New Mexico
M2.6
55 km
11 km
May 8, 2025
44 km SSW of San Rafael, New Mexico
M2.6
124 km
8 km
Jul 16, 2022
11 km NW of Many Farms, Arizona
M2.5
119 km
5 km
Aug 25, 2024
13 km NNE of Round Rock, Arizona
M2.5
123 km
5 km
Jun 23, 2006
5 km NNW of Seboyeta, New Mexico
M2.5
135 km
5 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
6 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950.
Strongest on record: EF0.
Date
Rating
Distance
Path
Fatalities
Jun 17, 2021
EF0
68 km
0.1 mi
0
May 30, 2019
EF0
85 km
0.4 mi
0
Oct 20, 2015
EF0
85 km
6.9 mi
0
Jul 25, 2005
EF0
85 km
1.0 mi
0
Sep 9, 2003
EF0
64 km
1.0 mi
0
Oct 17, 1962
EF0
86 km
0.1 mi
0
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950-2024, US only).
Nearby Volcanoes
2 volcanoes within 200 km.
Closest: Zuni-Bandera (119 km).
Name
Type
Elevation
Last Eruption
Distance
Zuni-Bandera
Volcanic field
2,550 m (8,366 ft)
-1170
119 km
Red Hill
Volcanic field
2,300 m (7,546 ft)
-9450
152 km
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km.
Largest: WOOD SPRINGS 2 (13,208 acres, 2020).
Year
Name
Acres Burned
Distance
2020
WOOD SPRINGS 2
13,208
54 km
2014
ASSAYII LAKE
13,176
46 km
2018
DIENER CANYON
9,824
83 km
2004
SEDGWICK
9,241
83 km
2005
LITTLE WATER1
4,342
40 km
2018
BLUE WATER
3,663
80 km
2005
HOOK LAKE
3,609
63 km
2009
SAWMILL ROAD RX
3,411
42 km
2019
REDONDO RX
3,382
75 km
2004
TURKEY SPRING
3,017
63 km
2007
OAK RIDGE 3
2,959
53 km
2004
SANDSPRING
2,935
46 km
1996
ALLENTOWN5
2,653
55 km
2010
FLUTED ROCK LAKE RX
2,630
47 km
2006
KINLICHEE CANYON 1
2,283
37 km
1996
HDSCRABBLE
2,217
89 km
2018
UNNAMED
1,983
78 km
2005
KINLICHEE
1,949
35 km
2023
COPPERTAN RX 23 BLOCK 1 AND 2
1,850
78 km
2011
CATTAIL CANYON JACKPOT BURN
1,801
54 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
Month
Avg Temperature
Precipitation
Summary
January
30°F (-1°C)
0.8 in
Coldest
February
33°F (1°C)
0.7 in
March
39°F (4°C)
0.9 in
April
46°F (8°C)
0.4 in
May
55°F (13°C)
0.4 in
Driest
June
65°F (18°C)
0.4 in
July
72°F (22°C)
1.7 in
Warmest
August
69°F (20°C)
2.0 in
Wettest
September
62°F (17°C)
1.3 in
October
51°F (10°C)
1.2 in
November
38°F (4°C)
0.9 in
December
30°F (-1°C)
0.9 in
Rock Springs has a seasonal temperature swing of 42°F / from 30°F in January to 72°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 11.5 inches, with August being the wettest month (2.0") and May the driest (0.4").