Weather & Climate in South Fork, CO

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

South Fork has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 37°F (3°C). Winters average 12°F in January while summers reach 60°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 15.1 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 8,215 feet.

Temperature

12°F Jan (-11°C) 60°F Jul (15°C)

Annual Average	36.7°F
	32% below US avg
January Average	12°F (-11°C)
July Average	60°F (15°C)
Sunny Days	330 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	8,215 ft (2,504 m)
Area	2.5 sq mi (6.4 km²)
Population Density	242/sq mi
Coordinates	37.6692°N, 106.6429°W
Timezone	America/Denver
County	Rio Grande County County
Nearest Airport	San Luis Valley Regional/Bergman Field (ALS) 45 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 15.1"

60% below US avg

Wettest Month (Aug) 2.72"

Driest Month (Jun) 1.10"

Air Quality

AQI Median	41.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Low
Risk Score	45.8 / 100
Social Vulnerability	91.5 / 100
Community Resilience	7.4 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Very Low
Earthquake	Relatively Low
Wildfire	Relatively Low
Flood	Relatively Low
Hail	Very Low
Strong Wind	Very Low
Heat Wave	Very Low
Winter Weather	Relatively Low
Lightning	Relatively High
Ice Storm	Very Low
Drought	Relatively High
Cold Wave	Relatively Low
Landslide	Relatively Moderate
Avalanche	Relatively High

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

24 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.4.

Sep 13, 1994	17 km N of Sawpit, Colorado	M4.4	129 km	10 km
Jun 4, 2008	8 km ENE of Canjilon, New Mexico	M3.7	131 km	5 km
Mar 10, 2023	16 km S of Ophir, Colorado	M3.6	106 km	7 km
Sep 14, 2009	7 km NNW of Canjilon, New Mexico	M3.5	126 km	5 km
May 10, 1991	24 km SSE of South Fork, Colorado	M3.4	24 km	5 km
Feb 28, 2019	22 km NNW of Blanca, Colorado	M3.4	95 km	5 km
Feb 28, 2019	22 km N of Blanca, Colorado	M3.3	101 km	6 km
Jan 26, 2008	12 km NE of Cotopaxi, Colorado	M3.1	127 km	5 km
May 2, 2013	2 km E of Loghill Village, Colorado	M2.9	113 km	4 km
Jun 18, 2002	39 km SW of Creede, Colorado	M2.9	53 km	5 km
Feb 11, 2006	13 km NE of Costilla, New Mexico	M2.9	125 km	5 km
Jan 17, 1994	6 km ENE of Loghill Village, Colorado	M2.8	112 km	5 km
Jul 24, 2019	24 km N of Blanca, Colorado	M2.8	101 km	6 km
Sep 14, 1994	20 km ENE of Norwood, Colorado	M2.8	140 km	10 km
May 15, 1992	7 km SE of Olathe, Colorado	M2.8	149 km	5 km
Mar 26, 2014	20 km N of Blanca, Colorado	M2.7	102 km	3 km
Apr 7, 2012	27 km SSE of Gerrard, Colorado	M2.7	28 km	5 km
May 2, 2013	5 km NE of Ridgway, Colorado	M2.7	110 km	5 km
Sep 24, 2013	6 km NNE of Cotopaxi, Colorado	M2.6	120 km	5 km
Aug 21, 2013	15 km ENE of Canjilon, New Mexico	M2.6	131 km	5 km

Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Tornado History

34 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Oct 10, 1997	EF2	24 km	3.0 mi	0
Jul 10, 1955	EF2	72 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 17, 1953	EF2	79 km	1.0 mi	0
Sep 29, 2014	EF1	87 km	2.3 mi	0
Aug 16, 2008	EF1	80 km	0.3 mi	0
Jun 7, 1997	EF1	91 km	0.5 mi	0
Mar 19, 1995	EF1	72 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 16, 1991	EF1	65 km	6.5 mi	0
Jun 22, 1983	EF1	63 km	1.5 mi	0
Jun 19, 1982	EF1	54 km	2.0 mi	0
Jun 10, 1980	EF1	37 km	19.9 mi	0
Jun 25, 1956	EF1	73 km	0.1 mi	0
May 31, 2021	EF0	75 km	3.5 mi	0
May 22, 2014	EF0	91 km	0.3 mi	0
May 20, 2013	EF0	56 km	0.1 mi	0
Sep 25, 2012	EF0	26 km	1.4 mi	0
Jul 9, 2006	EF0	64 km	0.5 mi	0
Jun 26, 2006	EF0	86 km	5.0 mi	0
Apr 24, 2005	EF0	92 km	0.5 mi	0
Apr 17, 2005	EF0	84 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: MISSIONARY RIDGE (68,919 acres, 2002).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2002	MISSIONARY RIDGE	68,919	94 km
2013	PAPOOSE	46,991	44 km
2013	WEST FORK COMPLEX - EAST ZONE	34,441	18 km
2012	LITTLE SAND	26,240	63 km
2013	WEST FORK COMPLEX	18,775	32 km
1996	ARCHULETA	15,613	81 km
2002	MILLION	7,923	5 km
2001	SANDOVAL	6,773	88 km
2017	EIGHT FOUR TWO	5,954	85 km
2016	GREATER GRACIA RX	3,960	81 km
2012	VALLECITO	2,764	88 km
2023	QUARTZ RIDGE	2,584	35 km
2003	BOLT	2,392	78 km
2019	G18	2,264	90 km
2000	SAND	1,911	98 km
2003	BEAR CREEK WFU	1,866	79 km
1995	BLACK HORSE	1,855	94 km
2015	NAVAJO RIVER	1,679	85 km
1989	MV BROWN	1,476	53 km
2023	TRAIL SPRINGS	1,388	66 km

Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	12°F (-11°C)	1.4 in	Coldest
February	20°F (-7°C)	1.3 in
March	26°F (-3°C)	1.9 in
April	33°F (0°C)	1.3 in
May	43°F (6°C)	1.3 in
June	52°F (11°C)	1.1 in	Driest
July	60°F (15°C)	2.4 in	Warmest
August	56°F (13°C)	2.7 in	Wettest
September	50°F (10°C)	2.1 in
October	41°F (5°C)	1.8 in
November	28°F (-2°C)	1.6 in
December	19°F (-7°C)	1.7 in

South Fork has a seasonal temperature swing of 48°F / from 12°F in January to 60°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 20.6 inches, with August being the wettest month (2.7") and June the driest (1.1").

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