Weather & Climate in Upper Bear Creek, CO

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

Upper Bear Creek has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 45°F (7°C). Winters average 28°F in January while summers reach 65°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 18.6 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 80.8 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 7,700 feet.

Temperature

28°F Jan (-2°C) 65°F Jul (18°C)

Annual Average	44.7°F
	17% below US avg
January Average	28°F (-2°C)
July Average	65°F (18°C)
Sunny Days	330 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	7,700 ft (2,347 m)
Area	3.8 sq mi (9.8 km²)
Population Density	259/sq mi
Coordinates	39.6269°N, 105.4097°W
Timezone	America/Denver
County	Jefferson County County
Nearest Airport	Denver International (DEN) 42 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 18.6"

51% below US avg

Snowfall 80.8"

Wettest Month (Jul) 2.52"

Driest Month (Jan) 0.79"

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

32 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	64 km	10 km
Dec 23, 1995	7 km WNW of Rock Creek Park, Colorado	M3.5	108 km	5 km
Aug 21, 2012	12 km SSW of Gypsum, Colorado	M3.4	135 km	5 km
Jan 18, 1997	8 km SE of Westcreek, Colorado	M3.3	64 km	5 km
Jun 1, 2014	9 km NNW of Kersey, Colorado	M3.2	116 km	1 km
Jul 8, 1993	9 km ENE of Aspen, Colorado	M3.1	121 km	5 km
Jul 22, 2001	6 km WNW of Woodland Park, Colorado	M3.1	72 km	5 km
Jan 26, 2008	12 km NE of Cotopaxi, Colorado	M3.1	132 km	5 km
Sep 12, 1990	13 km NW of Silverthorne, Colorado	M3.0	69 km	5 km
Jan 1, 2003	6 km SE of Aspen, Colorado	M2.9	127 km	5 km
Jan 19, 1997	8 km SE of Westcreek, Colorado	M2.9	64 km	5 km
Mar 30, 2019	7 km NE of Greeley, Colorado	M2.9	114 km	6 km
Feb 26, 2008	29 km WNW of Westcreek, Colorado	M2.9	40 km	2 km
Apr 12, 2015	5 km NE of Aspen, Colorado	M2.8	125 km	5 km
Dec 31, 1995	6 km WNW of Rock Creek Park, Colorado	M2.8	110 km	5 km
Oct 13, 2002	13 km S of Norrie, Colorado	M2.8	117 km	5 km
Apr 11, 2021	9 km E of Woody Creek, Colorado	M2.8	123 km	2 km
Apr 18, 1998	8 km SE of Westcreek, Colorado	M2.7	64 km	5 km
Jun 21, 2018	16 km SSW of Walden, Colorado	M2.7	135 km	2 km
Jun 13, 2025	7 km SE of Erie, Colorado	M2.7	56 km	9 km

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

Tornado History

487 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 1 fatality, 154 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Jun 4, 2015	EF3	75 km	6.7 mi	0
May 22, 2008	EF3	88 km	38.7 mi	1
Jun 15, 1988	EF3	43 km	2.5 mi	0
Jun 12, 1982	EF3	78 km	3.0 mi	0
Jun 24, 1979	EF3	96 km	4.3 mi	0
Jun 13, 1977	EF3	84 km	4.9 mi	0
May 18, 1975	EF3	61 km	4.1 mi	0
Jun 7, 2021	EF2	72 km	7.5 mi	0
Jun 8, 2014	EF2	72 km	6.0 mi	0
Jun 15, 2009	EF2	79 km	4.0 mi	0
Jul 13, 1996	EF2	89 km	12.0 mi	0
Jun 15, 1988	EF2	43 km	0.5 mi	0
Jun 5, 1988	EF2	46 km	0.5 mi	0
Jun 5, 1988	EF2	56 km	2.0 mi	0
Jul 2, 1987	EF2	65 km	1.0 mi	0
Jun 20, 1987	EF2	69 km	1.0 mi	0
Jun 8, 1986	EF2	45 km	1.1 mi	0
Jun 8, 1986	EF2	73 km	2.0 mi	0
Jul 19, 1985	EF2	48 km	0.5 mi	0
May 18, 1984	EF2	84 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: EAST TROUBLESOME (188,924 acres, 2020).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2020	EAST TROUBLESOME	188,924	84 km
2002	HAYMAN	129,417	47 km
2012	WALDO CANYON	20,112	88 km
2020	WILLIAMS FORK	14,679	54 km
2018	WESTON PASS	13,169	85 km
2013	BLACK FOREST	11,885	89 km
1996	BUFFALO CREEK	11,690	31 km
2000	BOBCAT	10,444	95 km
2020	CALWOOD	9,836	59 km
2000	HIGH MEADOWS	9,607	26 km
2001	MVD PSFRXASST 4	7,375	50 km
2021	MARSHALL	6,286	42 km
2010	FOURMILE CANYON	5,865	47 km
2002	BIG ELK	4,348	73 km
2012	LOWER NORTH FORK FIRE	3,436	27 km
2003	OVERLAND	3,232	56 km
2009	OLD STAGE	3,160	53 km
2002	SCHOONOVER	2,821	46 km
2012	FERN LAKE	2,549	84 km
2020	SUNDAY FIRE	2,204	93 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	28°F (-2°C)	0.8 in	Driest
February	25°F (-4°C)	0.8 in
March	29°F (-2°C)	1.3 in
April	35°F (2°C)	1.8 in
May	45°F (7°C)	2.1 in
June	54°F (12°C)	1.9 in
July	65°F (18°C)	2.5 in	Warmest, Wettest
August	57°F (14°C)	2.4 in
September	50°F (10°C)	1.5 in
October	41°F (5°C)	1.2 in
November	30°F (-1°C)	1.0 in
December	25°F (-4°C)	1.0 in	Coldest

Upper Bear Creek has a seasonal temperature swing of 40°F / from 25°F in December to 65°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 18.3 inches, with July being the wettest month (2.5") and January the driest (0.8").

View full profile of Upper Bear Creek, CO →