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Weather & Climate in Salida, CO
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Salida has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 35°F (2°C). Winters average 14°F in January while summers reach 58°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 10.6 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 49.2 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 7,093 feet.
Temperature
14°F Jan (-10°C)
58°F Jul (15°C)
| Annual Average | 35.4°F |
| 34% below US avg | |
| January Average | 14°F (-10°C) |
| July Average | 58°F (15°C) |
| Sunny Days | 330 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 7,093 ft (2,162 m) |
| Area | 2.6 sq mi (6.7 km²) |
| Population Density | 2,059/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 38.5299°N, 105.9979°W |
| Timezone | America/Denver |
| County | Fremont County County |
| Nearest Airport | Gunnison-Crested Butte Regional (GUC) 50 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 41.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 68.6 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 66.3 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 40.7 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Moderate |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Relatively High |
| Ice Storm | Very Low |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Very Low |
| Landslide | Relatively Moderate |
| Volcano | Very Low |
| Avalanche | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
36 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.0.
| Dec 25, 1994 | 9 km NE of Larkspur, Colorado | M4.0 | 133 km | 10 km |
| Dec 23, 1995 | 7 km WNW of Rock Creek Park, Colorado | M3.5 | 97 km | 5 km |
| Feb 28, 2019 | 22 km NNW of Blanca, Colorado | M3.4 | 107 km | 5 km |
| May 10, 1991 | 24 km SSE of South Fork, Colorado | M3.4 | 130 km | 5 km |
| Aug 21, 2012 | 12 km SSW of Gypsum, Colorado | M3.4 | 140 km | 5 km |
| Feb 28, 2019 | 22 km N of Blanca, Colorado | M3.3 | 108 km | 6 km |
| Jan 18, 1997 | 8 km SE of Westcreek, Colorado | M3.3 | 100 km | 5 km |
| Jan 26, 2008 | 12 km NE of Cotopaxi, Colorado | M3.1 | 38 km | 5 km |
| Jul 22, 2001 | 6 km WNW of Woodland Park, Colorado | M3.1 | 93 km | 5 km |
| Jul 8, 1993 | 9 km ENE of Aspen, Colorado | M3.1 | 99 km | 5 km |
| Sep 12, 1990 | 13 km NW of Silverthorne, Colorado | M3.0 | 132 km | 5 km |
| Jan 1, 2003 | 6 km SE of Aspen, Colorado | M2.9 | 96 km | 5 km |
| Aug 24, 2016 | 16 km ENE of Beulah Valley, Colorado | M2.9 | 112 km | 3 km |
| Jan 19, 1997 | 8 km SE of Westcreek, Colorado | M2.9 | 100 km | 5 km |
| Feb 26, 2008 | 29 km WNW of Westcreek, Colorado | M2.9 | 95 km | 2 km |
| Dec 5, 2000 | 10 km NNW of Redstone, Colorado | M2.9 | 139 km | 5 km |
| Apr 11, 2021 | 9 km E of Woody Creek, Colorado | M2.8 | 108 km | 2 km |
| Oct 13, 2002 | 13 km S of Norrie, Colorado | M2.8 | 94 km | 5 km |
| Jan 20, 2017 | Colorado | M2.8 | 126 km | 5 km |
| Jul 24, 2019 | 24 km N of Blanca, Colorado | M2.8 | 106 km | 6 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
44 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jun 13, 1977 | EF3 | 96 km | 4.9 mi | 0 |
| Jun 8, 2014 | EF2 | 69 km | 6.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 13, 1977 | EF2 | 80 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 4, 1960 | EF2 | 72 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 9, 2024 | EF1 | 80 km | 0.9 mi | 0 |
| Jul 20, 2023 | EF1 | 92 km | 1.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 8, 2014 | EF1 | 80 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Aug 18, 2009 | EF1 | 63 km | 9.3 mi | 0 |
| Aug 23, 2008 | EF1 | 61 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 27, 2007 | EF1 | 94 km | 0.9 mi | 0 |
| Jul 12, 1996 | EF1 | 87 km | 0.7 mi | 0 |
| Jun 16, 1991 | EF1 | 48 km | 6.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 13, 1989 | EF1 | 86 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Apr 21, 1988 | EF1 | 86 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Jul 22, 1985 | EF1 | 68 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Jul 19, 1985 | EF1 | 88 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Jun 28, 1983 | EF1 | 80 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 10, 1980 | EF1 | 75 km | 19.9 mi | 0 |
| Feb 13, 1954 | EF1 | 64 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 30, 2023 | EF0 | 65 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950-2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: HAYMAN (129,417 acres, 2002).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2002 | HAYMAN | 129,417 | 98 km |
| 2016 | JUNKINS | 19,023 | 87 km |
| 2016 | HAYDEN PASS | 17,977 | 33 km |
| 2018 | WESTON PASS | 13,169 | 56 km |
| 2005 | MASON | 11,630 | 93 km |
| 2019 | DECKER | 9,875 | 10 km |
| 2008 | TA-25 | 8,253 | 100 km |
| 2010 | MEDANO | 4,887 | 93 km |
| 2011 | DUCKETT | 4,705 | 42 km |
| 2002 | IRON MOUNTAIN | 3,955 | 51 km |
| 2022 | UNNAMED | 3,643 | 96 km |
| 2013 | ROYAL GORGE | 3,290 | 60 km |
| 2000 | PSFRXASST1 | 2,747 | 93 km |
| 2012 | WETMORE | 2,293 | 89 km |
| 1988 | DINOSAUR | 2,147 | 71 km |
| 2000 | SAND | 1,911 | 100 km |
| 2016 | SULLIVAN PARK | 1,873 | 97 km |
| 2023 | THREEMILE CREEK RX | 1,863 | 23 km |
| 2023 | LOWLINE | 1,855 | 95 km |
| 2023 | 403 | 1,767 | 69 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 14°F (-10°C) | 0.5 in | Coldest, Driest |
| February | 23°F (-5°C) | 0.6 in | |
| March | 29°F (-2°C) | 0.9 in | |
| April | 36°F (2°C) | 0.8 in | |
| May | 46°F (8°C) | 1.1 in | |
| June | 55°F (13°C) | 1.1 in | |
| July | 58°F (15°C) | 2.1 in | |
| August | 58°F (15°C) | 2.4 in | Warmest, Wettest |
| September | 52°F (11°C) | 1.3 in | |
| October | 41°F (5°C) | 0.9 in | |
| November | 30°F (-1°C) | 0.7 in | |
| December | 22°F (-6°C) | 0.7 in |
Salida has a seasonal temperature swing of 45°F / from 14°F in January to 58°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 13.1 inches, with August being the wettest month (2.4") and January the driest (0.5").