Weather & Climate in Vilas, CO

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

Vilas experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 54°F (12°C). Winters average 33°F in January while summers reach 78°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 19.5 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 23.0 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 4,157 feet.

Temperature

33°F Jan (0°C) 78°F Jul (25°C)

Annual Average	54.2°F
	0% below US avg
January Average	33°F (0°C)
July Average	78°F (25°C)
Sunny Days	330 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	4,157 ft (1,267 m)
Area	0.1 sq mi (0.3 km²)
Population Density	1,469/sq mi
Coordinates	37.3737°N, 102.4474°W
Timezone	America/Denver
County	Baca County County
Nearest Airport	Southeast Colorado Regional (LAA) 50 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 19.5"

49% below US avg

Snowfall 23.0"

Wettest Month (Jul) 2.60"

Driest Month (Jan) 0.31"

Air Quality

AQI Median	41.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Very Low
Risk Score	23.2 / 100
Social Vulnerability	95.8 / 100
Community Resilience	11.4 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Relatively Low
Earthquake	Very Low
Wildfire	Relatively Low
Flood	Very Low
Hail	Relatively Low
Strong Wind	Relatively Moderate
Heat Wave	Very Low
Winter Weather	Relatively Low
Lightning	Relatively Moderate
Ice Storm	Very Low
Drought	Relatively High
Cold Wave	Relatively Low
Landslide	Very Low

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

Earthquake History

11 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.9.

Aug 17, 2009	8 km E of Eads, Colorado	M3.9	124 km	5 km
Mar 17, 2022	13 km SSW of Clayton, New Mexico	M3.8	135 km	5 km
Jun 19, 2002	19 km NE of Clayton, New Mexico	M3.7	103 km	5 km
Jan 2, 1998	21 km SE of La Junta, Colorado	M3.4	99 km	5 km
Mar 31, 2022	8 km S of Clayton, New Mexico	M3.4	129 km	5 km
Jul 15, 2014	23 km NNE of Haswell, Colorado	M3.0	150 km	5 km
Jan 10, 2003	14 km NE of Wiley, Colorado	M2.9	99 km	5 km
Nov 16, 2013	33 km ENE of Grenville, New Mexico	M2.7	102 km	5 km
Apr 6, 2020	14 km WNW of Pritchett, Colorado	M2.7	50 km	5 km
Aug 7, 2021	23 km NE of Sugar City, Colorado	M2.5	147 km	5 km
Aug 6, 2016	13 km NNE of Wiley, Colorado	M2.5	102 km	6 km

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

Tornado History

360 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 4 fatalities, 39 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
May 18, 1977	EF4	81 km	38.6 mi	0
Jun 23, 2023	EF3	58 km	13.1 mi	0
Mar 28, 2007	EF3	77 km	28.0 mi	2
May 29, 2001	EF3	80 km	3.0 mi	0
May 9, 1972	EF3	49 km	2.7 mi	0
Jun 6, 1951	EF3	98 km	44.8 mi	0
Apr 27, 2012	EF2	72 km	2.0 mi	0
Apr 27, 2012	EF2	74 km	19.1 mi	0
Apr 27, 2012	EF2	88 km	6.2 mi	0
May 31, 2010	EF2	37 km	9.2 mi	0
May 31, 2010	EF2	44 km	2.8 mi	0
May 11, 2005	EF2	100 km	13.2 mi	0
Jun 16, 2004	EF2	64 km	2.0 mi	0
May 15, 2003	EF2	29 km	5.0 mi	0
Apr 6, 2001	EF2	77 km	6.6 mi	0
Jun 19, 1990	EF2	85 km	1.5 mi	0
Jun 19, 1990	EF2	86 km	1.5 mi	0
Jun 19, 1990	EF2	93 km	20.0 mi	0
May 18, 1977	EF2	57 km	117.2 mi	0
May 18, 1977	EF2	65 km	16.1 mi	0

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

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: BADGER HOLE (49,146 acres, 2018).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2018	BADGER HOLE	49,146	32 km
2018	STATELINE	28,533	72 km
2011	TUNNER	17,774	63 km
2011	SHELL COMPLEX	14,158	82 km
2011	FT. LYONS	12,310	94 km
2020	CHERRY CANYON	11,823	86 km
2018	RABBIT 22	10,393	48 km
2002	FURNISH	8,862	73 km
2006	WINDY	6,882	87 km
2011	SALT	6,078	95 km
2000	UNNAMED	5,555	75 km
2002	KENTON	5,400	86 km
2023	GAGEBY CREEK	4,867	97 km
2006	MOUNT CARMEL	4,061	49 km
2019	C34	3,883	36 km
2018	APPLE NM	3,779	74 km
2006	UNNAMED	3,539	93 km
2020	DEER CANYON	3,414	90 km
2017	WINDSPLITTER	3,299	51 km
2006	UNNAMED	3,162	72 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	33°F (0°C)	0.3 in	Coldest, Driest
February	36°F (2°C)	0.4 in
March	43°F (6°C)	0.9 in
April	52°F (11°C)	1.2 in
May	62°F (16°C)	2.4 in
June	72°F (22°C)	2.4 in
July	78°F (25°C)	2.6 in	Warmest, Wettest
August	75°F (24°C)	2.0 in
September	67°F (19°C)	1.5 in
October	55°F (13°C)	0.8 in
November	41°F (5°C)	0.6 in
December	33°F (1°C)	0.3 in

Vilas has a seasonal temperature swing of 45°F / from 33°F in January to 78°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 15.4 inches, with July being the wettest month (2.6") and January the driest (0.3").

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