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Weather & Climate in Vail, CO
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Vail has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 38°F (3°C). Winters average 18°F in January while summers reach 59°F in July. The area gets 326 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 22.4 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 189.2 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 8,242 feet.
Temperature
18°F Jan (-8°C)
59°F Jul (15°C)
| Annual Average | 37.9°F |
| 30% below US avg | |
| January Average | 18°F (-8°C) |
| July Average | 59°F (15°C) |
| Sunny Days | 326 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 8,242 ft (2,512 m) |
| Area | 4.7 sq mi (12.1 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,004/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 39.6378°N, 106.3625°W |
| Timezone | America/Denver |
| County | Summit County County |
| Nearest Airport | Eagle County Regional (EGE) 29 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 41.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 60.2 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 10.6 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 44.3 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | No Rating |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | Very Low |
| Drought | No Rating |
| Cold Wave | Very Low |
| Landslide | Relatively Moderate |
| Volcano | Very Low |
| Avalanche | Very High |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
60 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.3.
| Jan 31, 2002 | 28 km SSW of Craig, Colorado | M4.3 | 134 km | 5 km |
| Dec 25, 1994 | 9 km NE of Larkspur, Colorado | M4.0 | 139 km | 10 km |
| Aug 9, 2001 | 11 km NNE of Chacra, Colorado | M4.0 | 87 km | 5 km |
| Feb 10, 2006 | 1 km NNE of Chacra, Colorado | M3.8 | 92 km | 5 km |
| Jun 6, 2011 | 17 km NNW of Oak Creek, Colorado | M3.5 | 104 km | 5 km |
| Aug 21, 2012 | 12 km SSW of Gypsum, Colorado | M3.4 | 55 km | 5 km |
| Apr 10, 2011 | 12 km N of Oak Creek, Colorado | M3.4 | 96 km | 5 km |
| Jan 18, 1997 | 8 km SE of Westcreek, Colorado | M3.3 | 124 km | 5 km |
| Jan 30, 2017 | 5 km SW of New Castle, Colorado | M3.3 | 106 km | 5 km |
| Sep 2, 2024 | 21 km NW of Steamboat Springs, Colorado | M3.1 | 122 km | 2 km |
| Feb 1, 2019 | 3 km NW of Glenwood Springs, Colorado | M3.1 | 85 km | 2 km |
| Jul 8, 1993 | 9 km ENE of Aspen, Colorado | M3.1 | 55 km | 5 km |
| Jan 26, 2008 | 12 km NE of Cotopaxi, Colorado | M3.1 | 149 km | 5 km |
| Jul 22, 2001 | 6 km WNW of Woodland Park, Colorado | M3.1 | 126 km | 5 km |
| Sep 12, 1990 | 13 km NW of Silverthorne, Colorado | M3.0 | 15 km | 5 km |
| Feb 7, 2000 | 19 km NE of Steamboat Springs, Colorado | M3.0 | 110 km | 5 km |
| Oct 18, 2024 | 6 km NNE of Chacra, Colorado | M2.9 | 89 km | 5 km |
| Jan 1, 2003 | 6 km SE of Aspen, Colorado | M2.9 | 64 km | 5 km |
| Dec 5, 2000 | 10 km NNW of Redstone, Colorado | M2.9 | 90 km | 5 km |
| May 1, 2009 | 21 km NW of Dotsero, Colorado | M2.9 | 76 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
13 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jun 13, 1977 | EF2 | 58 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 20, 1975 | EF2 | 90 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 16, 1996 | EF1 | 85 km | 1.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 8, 1984 | EF1 | 48 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| May 10, 1974 | EF1 | 84 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Apr 6, 1974 | EF1 | 39 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 23, 2018 | EF0 | 84 km | 0.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 5, 2018 | EF0 | 77 km | 0.0 mi | 0 |
| May 18, 2018 | EF0 | 97 km | 0.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 28, 2012 | EF0 | 63 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 18, 2007 | EF0 | 69 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 30, 2004 | EF0 | 38 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 15, 1995 | EF0 | 93 km | 0.1 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 | 73 km |
| 2020 | GRIZZLY CREEK | 30,705 | 71 km |
| 2018 | SILVER CREEK | 20,725 | 69 km |
| 2002 | BIG FISH | 17,273 | 86 km |
| 2020 | WILLIAMS FORK | 14,679 | 39 km |
| 2018 | WESTON PASS | 13,169 | 73 km |
| 2018 | LAKE CHRISTINE | 12,506 | 63 km |
| 2002 | COAL SEAM | 12,007 | 87 km |
| 1996 | BUFFALO CREEK | 11,690 | 99 km |
| 2002 | SPRING CREEK | 10,552 | 96 km |
| 2000 | HIGH MEADOWS | 9,607 | 90 km |
| 2002 | LOST LAKES | 5,888 | 87 km |
| 2010 | FOURMILE CANYON | 5,865 | 95 km |
| 2016 | LOST SOLAR | 5,141 | 95 km |
| 2021 | MUDDY SLIDE | 4,372 | 65 km |
| 2002 | GREEN CREEK | 4,342 | 78 km |
| 2021 | SYLVAN | 3,480 | 38 km |
| 2012 | FERN LAKE | 2,549 | 100 km |
| 2002 | SNAKING | 2,080 | 77 km |
| 1994 | SO. CANYON | 2,014 | 90 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 18°F (-8°C) | 1.5 in | Coldest |
| February | 19°F (-7°C) | 1.3 in | |
| March | 24°F (-4°C) | 1.5 in | |
| April | 31°F (-1°C) | 1.5 in | |
| May | 41°F (5°C) | 1.5 in | |
| June | 50°F (10°C) | 1.3 in | |
| July | 59°F (15°C) | 1.9 in | Warmest |
| August | 55°F (13°C) | 1.9 in | Wettest |
| September | 48°F (9°C) | 1.5 in | |
| October | 39°F (4°C) | 1.1 in | Driest |
| November | 27°F (-3°C) | 1.4 in | |
| December | 19°F (-7°C) | 1.5 in |
Vail has a seasonal temperature swing of 42°F / from 18°F in January to 59°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 17.9 inches, with August being the wettest month (1.9") and October the driest (1.1").