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Weather & Climate in Rocky Ford, CO

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

Rocky Ford experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 54°F (12°C). Winters average 32°F in January while summers reach 77°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 12.6 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 24.8 inches of snow annually, a moderate snowfall amount. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41. The city sits at an elevation of 4,184 feet.

Temperature

32°F Jan (-0°C) 77°F Jul (25°C)
Annual Average53.8°F
0% below US avg
January Average32°F (-0°C)
July Average77°F (25°C)
Sunny Days330 days/yr

Geography

Elevation4,184 ft (1,275 m)
Area1.7 sq mi (4.3 km²)
Population Density2,288/sq mi
Coordinates38.0499°N, 103.7221°W
TimezoneAmerica/Denver
CountyCrowley County County
Nearest AirportSoutheast Colorado Regional (LAA)
56 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 12.6"
67% below US avg
Snowfall 24.8"
Wettest Month (Jul) 2.09"
Driest Month (Jan) 0.24"

Air Quality

AQI Median41.0
RatingGood

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskVery Low
Risk Score3.9 / 100
Social Vulnerability62.0 / 100
Community Resilience10.1 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

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

Earthquake History

135 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M5.3.

Aug 23, 2011 6 km S of Valdez, Colorado M5.3 140 km 4 km
Aug 22, 2011 9 km SSW of Starkville, Colorado M4.7 135 km 5 km
Sep 5, 2001 0 km SE of Cokedale, Colorado M4.5 128 km 5 km
Mar 10, 2023 6 km NNE of Segundo, Colorado M4.3 132 km 6 km
Jun 19, 2023 Colorado M4.1 106 km 6 km
Aug 23, 2011 7 km S of Valdez, Colorado M4.0 140 km 5 km
Sep 4, 2001 2 km W of Cokedale, Colorado M4.0 130 km 5 km
Aug 20, 2015 7 km WSW of Weston, Colorado M3.9 149 km 1 km
Aug 17, 2009 8 km E of Eads, Colorado M3.9 102 km 5 km
Mar 10, 2023 5 km N of Sequndo, Colorado M3.9 132 km 4 km
Aug 1, 1996 17 km NE of Hoehne, Colorado M3.8 86 km 5 km
Mar 19, 2023 4 km WNW of Hoehne, Colorado M3.8 105 km 6 km
May 11, 2011 4 km SE of Valdez, Colorado M3.8 134 km 5 km
Sep 5, 2001 3 km SSE of Cokedale, Colorado M3.7 130 km 5 km
May 9, 2011 11 km SSW of Segundo, Colorado M3.7 148 km 5 km
Sep 10, 2023 8 km NNW of Segundo, Colorado M3.6 133 km 2 km
Sep 6, 2001 3 km S of Cokedale, Colorado M3.6 132 km 5 km
Jan 22, 2014 9 km NNW of Cokedale, Colorado M3.6 122 km 4 km
Feb 22, 2015 5 km E of Stonewall Gap, Colorado M3.6 149 km 5 km
Aug 28, 2001 5 km SE of Valdez, Colorado M3.5 135 km 5 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Tornado History

242 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 21 injuries.

Date Rating Distance Path Fatalities
May 29, 2001 EF3 94 km 3.0 mi 0
Oct 17, 1971 EF3 71 km 5.6 mi 0
Oct 20, 1953 EF3 28 km 11.9 mi 0
Apr 27, 2012 EF2 84 km 6.2 mi 0
Apr 27, 2012 EF2 98 km 19.1 mi 0
Apr 27, 2012 EF2 90 km 2.0 mi 0
Jun 16, 2004 EF2 71 km 2.0 mi 0
Jun 6, 1990 EF2 92 km 2.0 mi 0
Aug 21, 1984 EF2 80 km 1.0 mi 0
May 18, 1982 EF2 82 km 2.0 mi 0
Jul 10, 1978 EF2 67 km 0.3 mi 0
Apr 13, 1977 EF2 21 km 5.1 mi 0
Jun 8, 1975 EF2 97 km 1.0 mi 0
May 22, 1975 EF2 39 km 2.0 mi 0
May 12, 1975 EF2 83 km 11.1 mi 0
May 23, 1965 EF2 58 km 4.6 mi 0
May 23, 1965 EF2 34 km 5.6 mi 0
Jun 29, 1962 EF2 50 km 0.1 mi 0
Jul 12, 1956 EF2 43 km 5.0 mi 0
Oct 20, 1953 EF2 50 km 2.0 mi 0
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: BRIDGER (46,612 acres, 2008).

Year Name Acres Burned Distance
2008 BRIDGER 46,612 55 km
2011 BEAR SPRINGS CALLIE MARIE 36,863 56 km
1986 UNNAMED 25,771 69 km
2011 SHELL COMPLEX 14,158 70 km
2011 FT. LYONS 12,310 57 km
2020 CHERRY CANYON 11,823 75 km
1996 CANYON 10,233 49 km
2011 CALLIE MARIE 9,393 52 km
2018 HWY 94 7,480 89 km
2011 PURGATOIRE FIRE 6,233 96 km
2011 SALT 6,078 40 km
2000 UNNAMED 5,555 61 km
2008 ORDWAY CROWLEY CO 5,339 21 km
2011 KARVAL 5,322 74 km
2018 TRINCHERA CREEK 5,173 94 km
2017 MILNE 5,113 97 km
2018 EDISON 5,109 60 km
2002 UNNAMED 4,911 92 km
2002 HANOVER 4,903 93 km
2023 GAGEBY CREEK 4,867 57 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 32°F (-0°C) 0.2 in Driest
February 35°F (2°C) 0.3 in
March 44°F (6°C) 0.8 in
April 52°F (11°C) 1.1 in
May 62°F (17°C) 1.7 in
June 72°F (22°C) 1.4 in
July 77°F (25°C) 2.1 in Warmest, Wettest
August 75°F (24°C) 1.7 in
September 66°F (19°C) 0.9 in
October 54°F (12°C) 0.7 in
November 39°F (4°C) 0.5 in
December 31°F (-1°C) 0.3 in Coldest

Rocky Ford has a seasonal temperature swing of 46°F / from 31°F in December to 77°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 11.6 inches, with July being the wettest month (2.1") and January the driest (0.2").

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