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Weather & Climate in Sterling, CO
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Sterling experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 51°F (11°C). Winters average 29°F in January while summers reach 77°F in July. The area gets 316 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 15.2 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 3,933 feet.
Temperature
29°F Jan (-2°C)
77°F Jul (25°C)
| Annual Average | 51.4°F |
| 5% below US avg | |
| January Average | 29°F (-2°C) |
| July Average | 77°F (25°C) |
| Sunny Days | 316 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 3,933 ft (1,199 m) |
| Area | 7.6 sq mi (19.7 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,742/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 40.6205°N, 103.1926°W |
| Timezone | America/Denver |
| County | Logan County County |
| Nearest Airport | Colorado Plains Regional (AKO) 31 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 41.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 58.8 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 53.0 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 19.1 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Moderate |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Relatively High |
| Strong Wind | Relatively High |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | Relatively Moderate |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
4 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.2.
| Jun 1, 2014 | 9 km NNW of Kersey, Colorado | M3.2 | 121 km | 1 km |
| Mar 30, 2019 | 7 km NE of Greeley, Colorado | M2.9 | 123 km | 6 km |
| Aug 23, 2016 | 2 km SSE of Eaton, Colorado | M2.6 | 128 km | 10 km |
| Jun 23, 2014 | 6 km NNE of Kersey, Colorado | M2.5 | 116 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
689 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 2 fatalities, 32 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Aug 8, 2023 | EF3 | 58 km | 15.7 mi | 0 |
| Jul 5, 2000 | EF3 | 42 km | 6.0 mi | 0 |
| May 30, 1996 | EF3 | 78 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| May 10, 1975 | EF3 | 44 km | 8.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 15, 1974 | EF3 | 7 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 27, 1960 | EF3 | 68 km | 6.5 mi | 2 |
| Jun 27, 1960 | EF3 | 70 km | 15.2 mi | 0 |
| Jun 20, 1960 | EF3 | 86 km | 26.1 mi | 0 |
| May 19, 2024 | EF2 | 28 km | 1.6 mi | 0 |
| Jun 21, 2023 | EF2 | 84 km | 4.9 mi | 0 |
| Jun 21, 2023 | EF2 | 60 km | 4.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 21, 2023 | EF2 | 67 km | 1.9 mi | 0 |
| Sep 11, 2019 | EF2 | 20 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Sep 11, 2019 | EF2 | 23 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 29, 2018 | EF2 | 54 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 29, 2018 | EF2 | 53 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| May 7, 2016 | EF2 | 93 km | 8.8 mi | 0 |
| May 7, 2016 | EF2 | 99 km | 7.9 mi | 0 |
| Jul 30, 1996 | EF2 | 72 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 13, 1996 | EF2 | 40 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
18 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: LOGAN (30,076 acres, 2017).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2017 | LOGAN | 30,076 | 42 km |
| 2002 | UNNAMED | 8,688 | 55 km |
| 2002 | UNNAMED | 5,258 | 69 km |
| 2001 | UNNAMED | 3,760 | 53 km |
| 2021 | BIJOU | 3,485 | 82 km |
| 2002 | UNNAMED | 3,275 | 12 km |
| 2002 | UNNAMED | 2,261 | 50 km |
| 2002 | UNNAMED | 2,134 | 60 km |
| 2022 | COUNTY ROAD R | 2,080 | 81 km |
| 2018 | COUNTY ROAD 56 | 1,866 | 83 km |
| 1989 | UNNAMED | 1,782 | 62 km |
| 2024 | 104 | 1,745 | 48 km |
| 1994 | STABLE | 1,706 | 93 km |
| 2020 | SHAMROCK | 1,582 | 94 km |
| 2000 | UNNAMED | 1,337 | 94 km |
| 2019 | KEOTA | 1,146 | 68 km |
| 2002 | UNNAMED | 1,099 | 99 km |
| 2006 | I 76 | 1,033 | 6 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 29°F (-2°C) | 0.3 in | |
| February | 32°F (-0°C) | 0.3 in | Driest |
| March | 39°F (4°C) | 0.9 in | |
| April | 48°F (9°C) | 1.4 in | |
| May | 58°F (15°C) | 3.0 in | Wettest |
| June | 69°F (20°C) | 2.7 in | |
| July | 77°F (25°C) | 2.6 in | Warmest |
| August | 73°F (23°C) | 1.7 in | |
| September | 63°F (17°C) | 1.1 in | |
| October | 50°F (10°C) | 0.8 in | |
| November | 36°F (2°C) | 0.5 in | |
| December | 27°F (-3°C) | 0.3 in | Coldest |
Sterling has a seasonal temperature swing of 50°F / from 27°F in December to 77°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 15.6 inches, with May being the wettest month (3.0") and February the driest (0.3").