Weather & Climate in Sterling, UT

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

Sterling experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 49°F (10°C). Winters average 28°F in January while summers reach 72°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 13.1 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 52.9 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 5,577 feet.

Temperature

28°F Jan (-2°C) 72°F Jul (22°C)

Annual Average	49.2°F
	9% below US avg
January Average	28°F (-2°C)
July Average	72°F (22°C)
Sunny Days	330 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	5,577 ft (1,700 m)
Area	0.3 sq mi (0.8 km²)
Population Density	947/sq mi
Coordinates	39.1933°N, 111.6904°W
Timezone	America/Denver
County	Sanpete County County
Nearest Airport	Carbon County Regional/Buck Davis Field (PUC) 58 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 13.1"

66% below US avg

Snowfall 52.9"

Wettest Month (Oct) 1.38"

Driest Month (Jun) 0.79"

Air Quality

AQI Median	41.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Very Low
Risk Score	38.6 / 100
Social Vulnerability	38.0 / 100
Community Resilience	52.6 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Very Low
Earthquake	Relatively Low
Wildfire	Relatively Moderate
Flood	Very Low
Hail	Very Low
Strong Wind	Very Low
Heat Wave	Relatively Low
Winter Weather	Relatively Moderate
Lightning	Relatively Moderate
Ice Storm	Very Low
Drought	Relatively Low
Cold Wave	No Rating
Landslide	Relatively Low
Volcano	Very Low
Avalanche	Very High

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

Earthquake History

769 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.6.

Jan 3, 2011	10 km NW of Circleville, Utah	M4.6	120 km	11 km
Jan 2, 1998	10 km ESE of Beaver, Utah	M4.4	128 km	12 km
Jun 24, 1992	30 km WSW of Emery, Utah	M4.3	47 km	5 km
Apr 17, 2003	6 km SSW of Levan, Utah	M4.2	39 km	1 km
Mar 16, 1992	6 km S of Herriman, Utah	M4.2	144 km	12 km
Jul 19, 2001	31 km NNE of Fremont, Utah	M4.2	52 km	7 km
Mar 7, 2000	7 km N of Helper, Utah	M4.2	96 km	-3 km
Jun 29, 2014	6 km SE of Spring City, Utah	M4.2	35 km	9 km
Apr 14, 2019	28 km W of Kanosh, Utah	M4.1	104 km	1 km
Feb 20, 2019	8 km SW of Kanosh, Utah	M4.0	86 km	8 km
Sep 6, 1994	12 km SSW of Circleville, Utah	M4.0	137 km	6 km
Feb 23, 2001	12 km SW of Kanosh, Utah	M4.0	91 km	2 km
May 1, 2025	4 km WNW of Independence, Utah	M3.9	129 km	14 km
Jan 6, 1996	15 km SE of Castle Dale, Utah	M3.9	71 km	6 km
Jan 17, 2020	10 km NNE of Minersville, Utah	M3.9	142 km	12 km
Apr 14, 2010	30 km ENE of Boulder Town, Utah	M3.9	140 km	13 km
Apr 10, 1998	3 km ENE of Milford, Utah	M3.9	141 km	2 km
May 6, 1990	10 km SSE of Beaver, Utah	M3.8	138 km	9 km
Oct 11, 1999	2 km W of Glenwood, Utah	M3.8	55 km	9 km
Feb 6, 1991	7 km WNW of Hiawatha, Utah	M3.8	63 km	5 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. Total: 1 injury.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Sep 8, 2002	EF2	10 km	2.7 mi	0
Nov 2, 1967	EF2	49 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 16, 1955	EF2	13 km	2.7 mi	0
Apr 19, 1970	EF1	64 km	1.5 mi	0
Aug 28, 1964	EF1	13 km	0.1 mi	0
Aug 7, 1957	EF1	31 km	1.5 mi	0
Jul 26, 2010	EF0	90 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 25, 2005	EF0	48 km	0.5 mi	0
Jun 9, 2003	EF0	95 km	0.1 mi	0
Sep 12, 2002	EF0	22 km	0.1 mi	0
Sep 8, 2002	EF0	13 km	0.2 mi	0
Aug 8, 2001	EF0	54 km	2.0 mi	0
Jul 25, 2001	EF0	87 km	0.5 mi	0
May 28, 1996	EF0	69 km	0.2 mi	0
Jun 7, 1989	EF0	77 km	0.2 mi	0
Aug 19, 1984	EF0	88 km	0.1 mi	0
Aug 15, 1984	EF0	5 km	0.1 mi	0
May 9, 1966	EF0	47 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 16, 1955	EF0	13 km	0.1 mi	0

Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).

Nearby Volcanoes

2 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Black Rock Desert (74 km).

Name	Type	Elevation	Last Eruption	Distance
Black Rock Desert	Volcanic field	1,800 m (5,906 ft)	1290	74 km
Markagunt Plateau	Volcanic field	2,840 m (9,318 ft)	1050	199 km

Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: LEAMINGTON COMPLEX (WASH) (161,203 acres, 1996).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
1996	LEAMINGTON COMPLEX (WASH)	161,203	77 km
2012	CLAY SPRINGS	107,391	56 km
2018	POLE CREEK	102,426	89 km
2020	CANAL	74,897	61 km
1999	RAILROAD	64,598	76 km
2012	WOOD HOLLOW	46,763	61 km
1996	SORENSON COMPLEX (SOUTH TWIN PEAKS)	46,576	97 km
2012	SEELEY	44,626	65 km
1986	TWINPEAKS	34,633	91 km
2018	COAL HOLLOW	30,239	88 km
2006	DOG VALLEY	28,992	94 km
2000	OLDROYD COMPLEX (MONA WEST)	28,774	75 km
1996	LEAMINGTON COMPLEX (LEAMINGTON)	28,159	54 km
2007	SALT CREEK	26,924	58 km
2018	BALD MOUNTAIN	21,016	81 km
1996	LEAMINGTON COMPLEX (EAST SAGE)	18,360	51 km
2018	TRAIL MOUNTAIN	18,342	51 km
2012	GREASE	16,155	67 km
1996	ADELAIDE COMPLEX (ADALAIDE)	15,638	72 km
2005	WEST GILSON	15,483	71 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	28°F (-2°C)	1.1 in
February	31°F (-0°C)	1.1 in
March	38°F (3°C)	1.3 in
April	45°F (7°C)	1.2 in
May	54°F (12°C)	1.3 in
June	64°F (18°C)	0.8 in	Driest
July	72°F (22°C)	0.9 in	Warmest
August	70°F (21°C)	1.0 in
September	61°F (16°C)	1.2 in
October	49°F (10°C)	1.4 in	Wettest
November	37°F (3°C)	1.1 in
December	28°F (-2°C)	1.0 in	Coldest

Sterling has a seasonal temperature swing of 45°F / from 28°F in December to 72°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 13.4 inches, with October being the wettest month (1.4") and June the driest (0.8").

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