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Weather & Climate in Sunshine, CO

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

Sunshine experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 50°F (10°C). Winters average 29°F in January while summers reach 73°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 7,344 feet.

Temperature

29°F Jan (-1°C) 73°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average50.0°F
7% below US avg
January Average29°F (-1°C)
July Average73°F (23°C)
Sunny Days316 days/yr

Geography

Elevation7,344 ft (2,238 m)
Area1.7 sq mi (4.5 km²)
Population Density139/sq mi
Coordinates40.0637°N, 105.3696°W
TimezoneAmerica/Denver
CountyBoulder County County
Nearest AirportNorthern Colorado Regional (FNL)
33 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 15.2"
60% below US avg
Wettest Month (May) 2.17"
Driest Month (Feb) 0.87"

Air Quality

AQI Median41.0
RatingGood

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskRelatively Moderate
Risk Score90.7 / 100
Social Vulnerability11.4 / 100
Community Resilience91.2 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado Relatively High
Earthquake Relatively Low
Wildfire Relatively High
Flood Relatively Moderate
Hail Relatively High
Strong Wind Relatively High
Heat Wave Relatively Low
Winter Weather Relatively High
Lightning Very High
Ice Storm Relatively Moderate
Drought Relatively Low
Cold Wave Relatively Moderate
Landslide Relatively Moderate
Volcano Very Low
Avalanche Relatively High
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

35 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 98 km 10 km
Jun 6, 2011 17 km NNW of Oak Creek, Colorado M3.5 146 km 5 km
Aug 21, 2012 12 km SSW of Gypsum, Colorado M3.4 150 km 5 km
Apr 10, 2011 12 km N of Oak Creek, Colorado M3.4 138 km 5 km
Jan 18, 1997 8 km SE of Westcreek, Colorado M3.3 110 km 5 km
Jun 1, 2014 9 km NNW of Kersey, Colorado M3.2 79 km 1 km
Jul 22, 2001 6 km WNW of Woodland Park, Colorado M3.1 118 km 5 km
Jul 8, 1993 9 km ENE of Aspen, Colorado M3.1 148 km 5 km
Feb 7, 2000 19 km NE of Steamboat Springs, Colorado M3.0 125 km 5 km
Sep 12, 1990 13 km NW of Silverthorne, Colorado M3.0 82 km 5 km
Jan 19, 1997 8 km SE of Westcreek, Colorado M2.9 110 km 5 km
Feb 26, 2008 29 km WNW of Westcreek, Colorado M2.9 88 km 2 km
Mar 30, 2019 7 km NE of Greeley, Colorado M2.9 77 km 6 km
Oct 13, 2002 13 km S of Norrie, Colorado M2.8 146 km 5 km
Apr 11, 2021 9 km E of Woody Creek, Colorado M2.8 148 km 2 km
Apr 30, 2008 3 km SW of Steamboat Springs, Colorado M2.8 134 km 5 km
Jul 30, 2000 7 km SW of Steamboat Springs, Colorado M2.8 136 km 5 km
Oct 27, 2013 17 km NNW of Oak Creek, Colorado M2.8 146 km 1 km
Feb 8, 2007 6 km S of Steamboat Springs, Colorado M2.7 132 km 5 km
Jun 13, 2025 7 km SE of Erie, Colorado M2.7 34 km 9 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Tornado History

570 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 1 fatality, 158 injuries.

Date Rating Distance Path Fatalities
Jun 4, 2015 EF3 32 km 6.7 mi 0
May 22, 2008 EF3 56 km 38.7 mi 1
Jun 15, 1988 EF3 53 km 2.5 mi 0
Jun 12, 1982 EF3 77 km 3.0 mi 0
May 18, 1975 EF3 62 km 4.1 mi 0
May 15, 1952 EF3 74 km 7.4 mi 0
Jun 7, 2021 EF2 41 km 7.5 mi 0
Jul 31, 1996 EF2 83 km 5.0 mi 0
Jul 13, 1996 EF2 88 km 12.0 mi 0
Jun 9, 1990 EF2 80 km 23.0 mi 0
Jun 15, 1988 EF2 53 km 0.5 mi 0
Jun 5, 1988 EF2 29 km 0.5 mi 0
Jun 5, 1988 EF2 35 km 2.0 mi 0
Jul 7, 1987 EF2 93 km 5.0 mi 0
Jul 2, 1987 EF2 58 km 1.0 mi 0
Jun 20, 1987 EF2 72 km 1.0 mi 0
Jun 8, 1986 EF2 55 km 1.1 mi 0
Jun 8, 1986 EF2 71 km 2.0 mi 0
Jul 19, 1985 EF2 73 km 0.5 mi 0
May 18, 1984 EF2 69 km 5.0 mi 0
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: CAMERON PEAK (208,910 acres, 2020).

Year Name Acres Burned Distance
2020 CAMERON PEAK 208,910 64 km
2020 EAST TROUBLESOME 188,924 56 km
2002 HAYMAN 129,417 94 km
2012 HIGH PARK 90,769 66 km
2020 WILLIAMS FORK 14,679 59 km
1996 BUFFALO CREEK 11,690 77 km
2000 BOBCAT 10,444 46 km
2020 CALWOOD 9,836 11 km
2000 HIGH MEADOWS 9,607 74 km
2004 PICNIC ROCK 9,014 74 km
2001 MVD PSFRXASST 4 7,375 95 km
2021 MARSHALL 6,286 20 km
2010 FOURMILE CANYON 5,865 2 km
2002 BIG ELK 4,348 25 km
2012 LOWER NORTH FORK FIRE 3,436 70 km
2003 OVERLAND 3,232 8 km
2009 OLD STAGE 3,160 8 km
2011 CRYSTAL FIRE 2,855 55 km
2002 SCHOONOVER 2,821 93 km
2012 FERN LAKE 2,549 41 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 29°F (-1°C) 0.9 in
February 27°F (-3°C) 0.9 in Coldest, Driest
March 31°F (-1°C) 1.3 in
April 37°F (3°C) 1.7 in
May 47°F (8°C) 2.2 in Wettest
June 56°F (13°C) 1.9 in
July 73°F (23°C) 2.2 in Warmest
August 60°F (16°C) 2.1 in
September 52°F (11°C) 1.5 in
October 43°F (6°C) 1.1 in
November 32°F (-0°C) 1.0 in
December 27°F (-3°C) 1.1 in

Sunshine has a seasonal temperature swing of 46°F / from 27°F in February to 73°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 17.9 inches, with May being the wettest month (2.2") and February the driest (0.9").

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