Weather & Climate in Sterling Ranch, CO

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

Sterling Ranch experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 50°F (10°C). Winters average 32°F in January while summers reach 73°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 18.2 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 62.2 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 5,710 feet.

Temperature

32°F Jan (-0°C) 73°F Jul (23°C)

Annual Average	50.2°F
	7% below US avg
January Average	32°F (-0°C)
July Average	73°F (23°C)
Sunny Days	330 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	5,710 ft (1,740 m)
Area	5.5 sq mi (14.3 km²)
Population Density	458/sq mi
Coordinates	39.4932°N, 105.0475°W
Timezone	America/Denver
County	Jefferson County County
Nearest Airport	Denver International (DEN) 32 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 18.2"

52% below US avg

Snowfall 62.2"

Wettest Month (May) 2.48"

Driest Month (Jan) 0.47"

Air Quality

AQI Median	41.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively High
Risk Score	94.9 / 100
Social Vulnerability	11.4 / 100
Community Resilience	66.9 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

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

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

Earthquake History

24 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.0.

Dec 25, 1994	9 km NE of Larkspur, Colorado	M4.0	30 km	10 km
Dec 23, 1995	7 km WNW of Rock Creek Park, Colorado	M3.5	85 km	5 km
Jan 18, 1997	8 km SE of Westcreek, Colorado	M3.3	44 km	5 km
Jun 1, 2014	9 km NNW of Kersey, Colorado	M3.2	115 km	1 km
Jul 8, 1993	9 km ENE of Aspen, Colorado	M3.1	146 km	5 km
Jan 26, 2008	12 km NE of Cotopaxi, Colorado	M3.1	125 km	5 km
Jul 22, 2001	6 km WNW of Woodland Park, Colorado	M3.1	53 km	5 km
Sep 12, 1990	13 km NW of Silverthorne, Colorado	M3.0	102 km	5 km
Mar 30, 2019	7 km NE of Greeley, Colorado	M2.9	114 km	6 km
Jan 19, 1997	8 km SE of Westcreek, Colorado	M2.9	44 km	5 km
Feb 26, 2008	29 km WNW of Westcreek, Colorado	M2.9	44 km	2 km
Oct 13, 2002	13 km S of Norrie, Colorado	M2.8	142 km	5 km
Dec 31, 1995	6 km WNW of Rock Creek Park, Colorado	M2.8	87 km	5 km
Jan 19, 1997	8 km SE of Westcreek, Colorado	M2.7	44 km	5 km
Apr 18, 1998	8 km SE of Westcreek, Colorado	M2.7	44 km	5 km
Jun 13, 2025	7 km SE of Erie, Colorado	M2.7	57 km	9 km
Jul 8, 1993	9 km ENE of Aspen, Colorado	M2.6	147 km	5 km
Sep 24, 2013	6 km NNE of Cotopaxi, Colorado	M2.6	131 km	5 km
Aug 23, 2016	2 km SSE of Eaton, Colorado	M2.6	116 km	10 km
Jan 11, 1995	15 km SSE of Norrie, Colorado	M2.5	139 km	5 km

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

Tornado History

665 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 1 fatality, 169 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Jun 4, 2015	EF3	84 km	6.7 mi	0
May 22, 2008	EF3	86 km	38.7 mi	1
Jun 15, 1988	EF3	28 km	2.5 mi	0
Jun 12, 1982	EF3	57 km	3.0 mi	0
Jun 24, 1979	EF3	72 km	4.3 mi	0
Jun 13, 1977	EF3	63 km	4.9 mi	0
May 18, 1975	EF3	44 km	4.1 mi	0
Jun 7, 2021	EF2	73 km	7.5 mi	0
Jun 8, 2014	EF2	67 km	6.0 mi	0
Jun 7, 2012	EF2	80 km	7.5 mi	0
Jun 15, 2009	EF2	45 km	4.0 mi	0
May 10, 2004	EF2	90 km	6.0 mi	0
May 28, 2001	EF2	93 km	0.3 mi	0
May 28, 2001	EF2	94 km	0.5 mi	0
Jul 13, 1996	EF2	65 km	12.0 mi	0
Jun 15, 1988	EF2	28 km	0.5 mi	0
Jun 5, 1988	EF2	51 km	0.5 mi	0
Jun 5, 1988	EF2	57 km	2.0 mi	0
Jul 2, 1987	EF2	51 km	1.0 mi	0
Jun 20, 1987	EF2	48 km	1.0 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	37 km
2012	WALDO CANYON	20,112	64 km
2020	WILLIAMS FORK	14,679	89 km
2018	WESTON PASS	13,169	99 km
2013	BLACK FOREST	11,885	59 km
1996	BUFFALO CREEK	11,690	22 km
2020	CALWOOD	9,836	77 km
2000	HIGH MEADOWS	9,607	29 km
2008	TA-25	8,253	99 km
2001	MVD PSFRXASST 4	7,375	31 km
2002	MILNE/SQUIRREL	6,568	96 km
2021	MARSHALL	6,286	53 km
2010	FOURMILE CANYON	5,865	68 km
2009	QUARRY	5,141	95 km
1997	UNNAMED	4,380	92 km
2002	BIG ELK	4,348	94 km
2012	LOWER NORTH FORK FIRE	3,436	13 km
2003	OVERLAND	3,232	76 km
1998	UNNAMED	3,188	92 km
2009	OLD STAGE	3,160	69 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	32°F (-0°C)	0.5 in	Driest
February	31°F (-1°C)	0.6 in
March	36°F (2°C)	1.4 in
April	43°F (6°C)	1.8 in
May	52°F (11°C)	2.5 in	Wettest
June	61°F (16°C)	2.0 in
July	73°F (23°C)	2.4 in	Warmest
August	65°F (18°C)	2.2 in
September	57°F (14°C)	1.4 in
October	47°F (8°C)	1.1 in
November	35°F (2°C)	1.0 in
December	29°F (-2°C)	0.7 in	Coldest

Sterling Ranch has a seasonal temperature swing of 44°F / from 29°F in December to 73°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 17.7 inches, with May being the wettest month (2.5") and January the driest (0.5").

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