Weather & Climate in Southern Ute, CO

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

Southern Ute experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 47°F (8°C). Winters average 25°F in January while summers reach 69°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 13.5 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 41. The city sits at an elevation of 6,564 feet.

Temperature

25°F Jan (-4°C) 69°F Jul (21°C)

Annual Average	46.5°F
	14% below US avg
January Average	25°F (-4°C)
July Average	69°F (21°C)
Sunny Days	330 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	6,564 ft (2,001 m)
Area	16.0 sq mi (41.3 km²)
Population Density	8/sq mi
Coordinates	37.0749°N, 107.5933°W
Timezone	America/Denver
County	La Plata County County
Nearest Airport	Four Corners Regional (FMN) 42 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 13.5"

64% below US avg

Snowfall 33.8"

Wettest Month (Aug) 2.13"

Driest Month (Jun) 0.63"

Air Quality

AQI Median	41.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Low
Risk Score	75.2 / 100
Social Vulnerability	21.0 / 100
Community Resilience	48.4 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

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

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

Earthquake History

30 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	124 km	10 km
Jul 12, 2021	5 km E of Capulin, New Mexico	M4.2	121 km	13 km
Jun 4, 2008	8 km ENE of Canjilon, New Mexico	M3.7	127 km	5 km
Jul 12, 2021	3 km E of Capulin, New Mexico	M3.7	119 km	10 km
Mar 10, 2023	16 km S of Ophir, Colorado	M3.6	74 km	7 km
Sep 14, 2009	7 km NNW of Canjilon, New Mexico	M3.5	117 km	5 km
May 10, 1991	24 km SSE of South Fork, Colorado	M3.4	100 km	5 km
Apr 9, 2021	2 km NNE of Capulin, New Mexico	M3.3	116 km	5 km
Jul 4, 2021	24 km SW of Lake Valley, New Mexico	M3.1	143 km	5 km
Jul 12, 2021	4 km NNE of Capulin, New Mexico	M3.0	115 km	10 km
Jun 14, 2018	0 km NW of Regina, New Mexico	M3.0	113 km	5 km
Jun 26, 2018	3 km ESE of Regina, New Mexico	M3.0	117 km	3 km
Feb 8, 2021	3 km ENE of Capulin, New Mexico	M2.9	118 km	6 km
Sep 1, 2024	7 km ENE of Capulin, New Mexico	M2.9	118 km	10 km
Jun 18, 2002	39 km SW of Creede, Colorado	M2.9	65 km	5 km
May 2, 2013	2 km E of Loghill Village, Colorado	M2.9	126 km	4 km
Jun 17, 2022	4 km NNW of Regina, New Mexico	M2.8	109 km	3 km
Jan 17, 1994	6 km ENE of Loghill Village, Colorado	M2.8	128 km	5 km
Jan 17, 2009	11 km NNW of Cañones, New Mexico	M2.8	133 km	5 km
Sep 14, 1994	20 km ENE of Norwood, Colorado	M2.8	133 km	10 km

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

Tornado History

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

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Oct 10, 1997	EF2	90 km	3.0 mi	0
Apr 25, 1985	EF2	93 km	0.5 mi	0
May 10, 1957	EF2	71 km	0.1 mi	0
Sep 29, 2014	EF1	72 km	2.3 mi	0
Oct 5, 2004	EF1	27 km	2.5 mi	0
Aug 5, 1999	EF1	48 km	0.3 mi	0
Jun 7, 1997	EF1	40 km	0.5 mi	0
Aug 30, 1966	EF1	31 km	1.5 mi	0
Mar 21, 2020	EF0	79 km	0.5 mi	0
Jun 10, 2015	EF0	69 km	0.2 mi	0
Sep 18, 2013	EF0	72 km	0.2 mi	0
Jul 18, 2011	EF0	100 km	0.3 mi	0
Aug 29, 2002	EF0	37 km	0.1 mi	0
Oct 23, 2000	EF0	55 km	0.1 mi	0
Oct 23, 2000	EF0	55 km	0.1 mi	0
Apr 25, 1999	EF0	54 km	0.3 mi	0
May 30, 1992	EF0	26 km	0.2 mi	0
Sep 28, 1990	EF0	66 km	0.2 mi	0
May 28, 1963	EF0	54 km	0.1 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	42 km
2018	416	55,123	54 km
2013	PAPOOSE	46,991	79 km
2013	WEST FORK COMPLEX - EAST ZONE	34,441	91 km
2012	LITTLE SAND	26,240	48 km
2000	BIRCHER	23,317	74 km
2018	PLATEAU	19,746	98 km
2013	WEST FORK COMPLEX	18,775	75 km
1996	ARCHULETA	15,613	53 km
1994	UNNAMED	13,234	35 km
2012	WEBER	10,898	64 km
2001	SANDOVAL	6,773	26 km
2017	EIGHT FOUR TWO	5,954	22 km
2018	BURRO	5,242	66 km
2000	PONY	5,224	87 km
1996	CHAPIN 5	4,832	81 km
2016	GREATER GRACIA RX	3,960	32 km
2020	EAST CANYON	3,031	60 km
1999	UNNAMED	2,852	66 km
2012	VALLECITO	2,764	38 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	25°F (-4°C)	1.3 in	Coldest
February	31°F (-1°C)	1.1 in
March	38°F (4°C)	1.5 in
April	45°F (7°C)	0.9 in
May	54°F (12°C)	0.9 in
June	64°F (18°C)	0.6 in	Driest
July	69°F (21°C)	1.5 in	Warmest
August	68°F (20°C)	2.1 in	Wettest
September	60°F (16°C)	1.7 in
October	49°F (10°C)	1.7 in
November	37°F (3°C)	1.4 in
December	28°F (-2°C)	1.5 in

Southern Ute has a seasonal temperature swing of 44°F / from 25°F in January to 69°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 16.4 inches, with August being the wettest month (2.1") and June the driest (0.6").

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