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Weather & Climate in Rye, CO
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Rye experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 50°F (10°C). Winters average 33°F in January while summers reach 70°F in July. The area gets 323 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 25.4 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 130.2 inches of snow annually, making winter weather a significant factor for residents. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41. The city sits at an elevation of 6,827 feet.
Temperature
33°F Jan (1°C)
70°F Jul (21°C)
| Annual Average | 50.0°F |
| 7% below US avg | |
| January Average | 33°F (1°C) |
| July Average | 70°F (21°C) |
| Sunny Days | 323 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 6,827 ft (2,081 m) |
| Area | 0.1 sq mi (0.3 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,611/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 37.9213°N, 104.9319°W |
| Timezone | America/Denver |
| County | Huerfano County County |
| Nearest Airport | San Luis Valley Regional/Bergman Field (ALS) 61 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 41.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 24.2 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 83.5 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 16.6 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | Very Low |
| Drought | Very Low |
| Cold Wave | Very Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
| Volcano | No Rating |
| Avalanche | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
342 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 | 98 km | 4 km |
| Aug 10, 2005 | 20 km S of Weston, Colorado | M5.0 | 109 km | 5 km |
| Aug 22, 2011 | 9 km SSW of Starkville, Colorado | M4.7 | 104 km | 5 km |
| Sep 5, 2001 | 0 km SE of Cokedale, Colorado | M4.5 | 91 km | 5 km |
| Jan 3, 2007 | 8 km SSW of Weston, Colorado | M4.4 | 95 km | 5 km |
| Mar 22, 2004 | 30 km S of Weston, Colorado | M4.4 | 119 km | 5 km |
| Mar 10, 2023 | 6 km NNE of Segundo, Colorado | M4.3 | 85 km | 6 km |
| Aug 1, 2004 | 31 km S of Stonewall Gap, Colorado | M4.3 | 117 km | 5 km |
| Jul 29, 2009 | 32 km NNE of Cimarron, New Mexico | M4.1 | 125 km | 5 km |
| Jun 19, 2023 | Colorado | M4.1 | 79 km | 6 km |
| Aug 10, 2005 | 20 km SSW of Segundo, Colorado | M4.1 | 108 km | 5 km |
| Sep 13, 2011 | 20 km S of Sequndo, Colorado | M4.0 | 111 km | 5 km |
| Sep 4, 2001 | 2 km W of Cokedale, Colorado | M4.0 | 90 km | 5 km |
| Aug 26, 2023 | 19 km SSW of Weston, Colorado | M4.0 | 106 km | 4 km |
| Aug 23, 2011 | 7 km S of Valdez, Colorado | M4.0 | 99 km | 5 km |
| Feb 6, 2016 | Colorado | M4.0 | 93 km | 2 km |
| Aug 23, 2016 | 18 km SSW of Weston, CO | M3.9 | 104 km | 4 km |
| Mar 10, 2023 | 5 km N of Sequndo, Colorado | M3.9 | 86 km | 4 km |
| Aug 20, 2015 | 7 km WSW of Weston, Colorado | M3.9 | 91 km | 1 km |
| Sep 16, 2011 | 26 km S of Sequndo, Colorado | M3.9 | 117 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
100 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 4 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jul 31, 1955 | EF3 | 70 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Oct 20, 1953 | EF3 | 82 km | 11.9 mi | 0 |
| Aug 21, 1984 | EF2 | 47 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 10, 1978 | EF2 | 69 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Apr 11, 1977 | EF2 | 84 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 4, 1960 | EF2 | 49 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 10, 1955 | EF2 | 98 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 18, 1951 | EF2 | 88 km | 29.9 mi | 0 |
| Aug 9, 2024 | EF1 | 99 km | 0.9 mi | 0 |
| May 8, 2017 | EF1 | 10 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Jun 6, 2014 | EF1 | 97 km | 8.6 mi | 0 |
| Aug 16, 2008 | EF1 | 78 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Jul 9, 2006 | EF1 | 48 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 19, 1995 | EF1 | 100 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| May 25, 1993 | EF1 | 50 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 13, 1989 | EF1 | 56 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Apr 21, 1988 | EF1 | 56 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Jul 22, 1985 | EF1 | 62 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Jul 19, 1985 | EF1 | 57 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Jun 10, 1983 | EF1 | 63 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: SPRING CREEK (107,108 acres, 2018).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2018 | SPRING CREEK | 107,108 | 46 km |
| 2011 | BEAR SPRINGS CALLIE MARIE | 36,863 | 100 km |
| 1986 | UNNAMED | 25,771 | 79 km |
| 2016 | IMPACT AREA | 19,918 | 75 km |
| 2016 | JUNKINS | 19,023 | 30 km |
| 1998 | UNNAMED | 18,218 | 75 km |
| 2016 | HAYDEN PASS | 17,977 | 84 km |
| 2006 | MATO VEGA | 13,126 | 46 km |
| 2005 | MASON | 11,630 | 28 km |
| 2013 | EAST PEAK | 10,082 | 55 km |
| 2008 | TA-25 | 8,253 | 77 km |
| 2024 | RANGE 135 | 7,766 | 76 km |
| 2002 | MILNE/SQUIRREL | 6,568 | 96 km |
| 2016 | BEULAH HILL | 5,769 | 17 km |
| 2018 | APACHE COMPLEX | 5,182 | 65 km |
| 2009 | QUARRY | 5,141 | 84 km |
| 2017 | MILNE | 5,113 | 98 km |
| 2002 | HANOVER | 4,903 | 78 km |
| 2010 | MEDANO | 4,887 | 48 km |
| 2018 | CARSON MIDWAY | 4,773 | 70 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 33°F (1°C) | 0.4 in | Driest |
| February | 31°F (-1°C) | 0.4 in | |
| March | 37°F (3°C) | 1.1 in | |
| April | 44°F (7°C) | 1.2 in | |
| May | 53°F (12°C) | 1.7 in | |
| June | 62°F (17°C) | 1.4 in | |
| July | 70°F (21°C) | 2.4 in | Warmest |
| August | 65°F (18°C) | 2.5 in | Wettest |
| September | 58°F (14°C) | 1.3 in | |
| October | 48°F (9°C) | 0.9 in | |
| November | 36°F (2°C) | 0.7 in | |
| December | 29°F (-2°C) | 0.6 in | Coldest |
Rye has a seasonal temperature swing of 41°F / from 29°F in December to 70°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 14.6 inches, with August being the wettest month (2.5") and January the driest (0.4").