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Weather & Climate in Vernal, UT
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Vernal experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 47°F (8°C). Winters average 20°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. The area gets 322 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 9.1 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 20.4 inches of snow annually, a moderate snowfall amount. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41. The city sits at an elevation of 5,358 feet.
Temperature
20°F Jan (-7°C)
73°F Jul (23°C)
| Annual Average | 46.9°F |
| 13% below US avg | |
| January Average | 20°F (-7°C) |
| July Average | 73°F (23°C) |
| Sunny Days | 322 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 5,358 ft (1,633 m) |
| Area | 4.6 sq mi (11.9 km²) |
| Population Density | 2,219/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 40.4517°N, 109.5380°W |
| Timezone | America/Denver |
| County | Uintah County County |
| Nearest Airport | Vernal Regional (VEL) 2 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 41.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 4.0 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 10.6 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 30.2 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Very Low |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Very Low |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | Very Low |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Very Low |
| Landslide | Relatively Low |
| Volcano | No Rating |
| Avalanche | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
152 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.5.
| Mar 20, 1995 | 10 km NNW of Rangely, Colorado | M4.5 | 65 km | -3 km |
| Jan 30, 2000 | 8 km ESE of Little America, Wyoming | M4.3 | 119 km | 5 km |
| Mar 7, 2000 | 7 km N of Helper, Utah | M4.2 | 136 km | -3 km |
| May 20, 1995 | 434km E of Wendover, Utah | M4.1 | 57 km | 4 km |
| May 25, 2016 | 15 km NNE of Tabiona, Utah | M4.0 | 94 km | 16 km |
| Apr 7, 1990 | 28 km WNW of Bonanza, Utah | M4.0 | 40 km | 11 km |
| Feb 5, 1998 | 7 km N of Helper, Utah | M3.8 | 136 km | -2 km |
| Apr 22, 2017 | 4 km NW of Rangely, Colorado | M3.8 | 70 km | 7 km |
| Nov 8, 1991 | 17 km WNW of Bonanza, Utah | M3.7 | 42 km | 4 km |
| Mar 2, 1991 | 27 km SSW of Jensen, Utah | M3.7 | 35 km | -3 km |
| Jun 9, 2021 | 17 km E of Independence, Utah | M3.7 | 130 km | 10 km |
| Nov 11, 2000 | 14 km SE of Jensen, Utah | M3.6 | 33 km | -3 km |
| Aug 11, 1992 | 4 km N of Sunnyside, Utah | M3.6 | 121 km | 6 km |
| Jun 25, 1994 | 12 km NE of Little America, Wyoming | M3.6 | 130 km | -3 km |
| Jan 21, 1993 | 17 km E of Kenilworth, Utah | M3.6 | 123 km | 1 km |
| Jul 2, 2016 | 7 km NNE of Granger, Wyoming | M3.5 | 138 km | -3 km |
| Mar 7, 2009 | 9 km NNE of Granger, Wyoming | M3.5 | 139 km | 1 km |
| Apr 20, 2017 | 24 km NE of Maybell, Colorado | M3.5 | 142 km | 13 km |
| May 13, 1993 | 10 km NW of Rangely, Colorado | M3.5 | 64 km | -3 km |
| Dec 10, 1999 | 11 km NE of Dinosaur, Colorado | M3.5 | 56 km | 8 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
18 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 1 injury.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Aug 11, 1993 | EF3 | 71 km | 17.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 26, 2006 | EF1 | 50 km | 8.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 3, 1999 | EF1 | 6 km | 4.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 1, 1955 | EF1 | 3 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 16, 2015 | EF0 | 40 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 15, 2009 | EF0 | 54 km | 2.9 mi | 0 |
| Aug 6, 2009 | EF0 | 33 km | 2.2 mi | 0 |
| Aug 6, 2009 | EF0 | 0 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 30, 2006 | EF0 | 92 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 23, 2005 | EF0 | 91 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Aug 21, 2001 | EF0 | 48 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 30, 1999 | EF0 | 63 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| May 5, 1999 | EF0 | 55 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| May 5, 1993 | EF0 | 47 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 8, 1990 | EF0 | 44 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Mar 23, 1990 | EF0 | 5 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| May 29, 1988 | EF0 | 23 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Sep 11, 1984 | EF0 | 56 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 FORK (106,432 acres, 2020).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2020 | EAST FORK | 106,432 | 92 km |
| 2007 | NEOLA NORTH | 46,909 | 41 km |
| 2000 | WLD HORSE | 41,881 | 92 km |
| 2000 | SHEEP MT | 31,393 | 92 km |
| 2002 | MUSTANG | 20,607 | 56 km |
| 2012 | WOLF DEN | 19,419 | 87 km |
| 1988 | WHITEROCKS | 18,885 | 31 km |
| 2017 | DEAD DOG | 17,821 | 68 km |
| 2021 | OIL SPRINGS | 12,597 | 98 km |
| 2017 | PEEKABOO | 11,985 | 73 km |
| 2018 | LANEY RIM | 11,589 | 96 km |
| 2000 | WINTER VALLEY | 8,726 | 99 km |
| 2018 | BOONE DRAW | 8,656 | 88 km |
| 2000 | BUSTERFLAT | 8,501 | 60 km |
| 2017 | WINTER VALLEY | 7,822 | 97 km |
| 2020 | RICHARD MTN | 7,802 | 65 km |
| 1989 | UINTA CANYON | 5,834 | 55 km |
| 1988 | ZENOBIA | 5,468 | 58 km |
| 1997 | RED CREEK | 5,381 | 76 km |
| 2005 | NORTH NEOLA | 5,195 | 40 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 20°F (-7°C) | 0.5 in | Coldest, Driest |
| February | 25°F (-4°C) | 0.5 in | |
| March | 37°F (3°C) | 0.7 in | |
| April | 46°F (8°C) | 0.9 in | |
| May | 56°F (13°C) | 1.1 in | Wettest |
| June | 65°F (18°C) | 0.8 in | |
| July | 73°F (23°C) | 0.8 in | Warmest |
| August | 70°F (21°C) | 0.8 in | |
| September | 61°F (16°C) | 0.9 in | |
| October | 48°F (9°C) | 1.1 in | |
| November | 33°F (1°C) | 0.6 in | |
| December | 22°F (-6°C) | 0.6 in |
Vernal has a seasonal temperature swing of 53°F / from 20°F in January to 73°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 9.4 inches, with May being the wettest month (1.1") and January the driest (0.5").