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Weather & Climate in Watkins, CO
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Watkins experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 51°F (11°C). Winters average 32°F in January while summers reach 75°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 14.5 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 5,653 feet.
Temperature
32°F Jan (-0°C)
75°F Jul (24°C)
| Annual Average | 51.2°F |
| 5% below US avg | |
| January Average | 32°F (-0°C) |
| July Average | 75°F (24°C) |
| Sunny Days | 330 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 5,653 ft (1,723 m) |
| Area | 27.1 sq mi (70.2 km²) |
| Population Density | 44/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 39.6984°N, 104.5772°W |
| Timezone | America/Denver |
| County | Arapahoe County County |
| Nearest Airport | Denver International (DEN) 12 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 41.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Moderate |
| Risk Score | 93.8 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 18.5 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 49.4 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively High |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Very High |
| Strong Wind | Relatively High |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively High |
| Lightning | Very High |
| Ice Storm | Very Low |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively High |
| Landslide | Very Low |
| Volcano | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
15 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 | 50 km | 10 km |
| Dec 23, 1995 | 7 km WNW of Rock Creek Park, Colorado | M3.5 | 111 km | 5 km |
| Jan 18, 1997 | 8 km SE of Westcreek, Colorado | M3.3 | 80 km | 5 km |
| Jun 1, 2014 | 9 km NNW of Kersey, Colorado | M3.2 | 86 km | 1 km |
| Jul 22, 2001 | 6 km WNW of Woodland Park, Colorado | M3.1 | 89 km | 5 km |
| Sep 12, 1990 | 13 km NW of Silverthorne, Colorado | M3.0 | 139 km | 5 km |
| Feb 26, 2008 | 29 km WNW of Westcreek, Colorado | M2.9 | 90 km | 2 km |
| Jan 19, 1997 | 8 km SE of Westcreek, Colorado | M2.9 | 80 km | 5 km |
| Mar 30, 2019 | 7 km NE of Greeley, Colorado | M2.9 | 85 km | 6 km |
| Dec 31, 1995 | 6 km WNW of Rock Creek Park, Colorado | M2.8 | 113 km | 5 km |
| Jan 19, 1997 | 8 km SE of Westcreek, Colorado | M2.7 | 80 km | 5 km |
| Apr 18, 1998 | 8 km SE of Westcreek, Colorado | M2.7 | 80 km | 5 km |
| Jun 13, 2025 | 7 km SE of Erie, Colorado | M2.7 | 49 km | 9 km |
| Aug 23, 2016 | 2 km SSE of Eaton, Colorado | M2.6 | 90 km | 10 km |
| Jun 23, 2014 | 6 km NNE of Kersey, Colorado | M2.5 | 83 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
919 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 1 fatality, 189 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jun 4, 2015 | EF3 | 75 km | 6.7 mi | 0 |
| May 22, 2008 | EF3 | 61 km | 38.7 mi | 1 |
| May 31, 1999 | EF3 | 94 km | 7.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 6, 1990 | EF3 | 96 km | 7.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 6, 1990 | EF3 | 87 km | 7.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 15, 1988 | EF3 | 30 km | 2.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 12, 1982 | EF3 | 14 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 24, 1979 | EF3 | 99 km | 4.3 mi | 0 |
| Jun 13, 1977 | EF3 | 94 km | 4.9 mi | 0 |
| May 18, 1975 | EF3 | 17 km | 4.1 mi | 0 |
| May 15, 1952 | EF3 | 70 km | 7.4 mi | 0 |
| Jun 7, 2021 | EF2 | 57 km | 7.5 mi | 0 |
| May 7, 2016 | EF2 | 69 km | 8.8 mi | 0 |
| Jun 7, 2012 | EF2 | 64 km | 7.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 15, 2009 | EF2 | 51 km | 4.0 mi | 0 |
| May 10, 2004 | EF2 | 65 km | 6.0 mi | 0 |
| May 28, 2001 | EF2 | 98 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| May 28, 2001 | EF2 | 99 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| May 31, 1999 | EF2 | 99 km | 7.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 31, 1996 | 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: HAYMAN (129,417 acres, 2002).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2002 | HAYMAN | 129,417 | 81 km |
| 2012 | WALDO CANYON | 20,112 | 91 km |
| 2012 | LAST CHANCE | 17,958 | 83 km |
| 2013 | BLACK FOREST | 11,885 | 73 km |
| 1996 | BUFFALO CREEK | 11,690 | 68 km |
| 2020 | CALWOOD | 9,836 | 82 km |
| 2000 | HIGH MEADOWS | 9,607 | 75 km |
| 2001 | MVD PSFRXASST 4 | 7,375 | 71 km |
| 2021 | MARSHALL | 6,286 | 59 km |
| 2010 | FOURMILE CANYON | 5,865 | 79 km |
| 2002 | BIG ELK | 4,348 | 97 km |
| 2021 | BIJOU | 3,485 | 75 km |
| 2012 | LOWER NORTH FORK FIRE | 3,436 | 59 km |
| 2003 | OVERLAND | 3,232 | 82 km |
| 2009 | OLD STAGE | 3,160 | 74 km |
| 2002 | SCHOONOVER | 2,821 | 75 km |
| 2020 | SUNDAY FIRE | 2,204 | 52 km |
| 2002 | SNAKING | 2,080 | 85 km |
| 2011 | INDIAN GULCH FIRE | 1,640 | 59 km |
| 2002 | UNNAMED | 1,612 | 99 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 32°F (-0°C) | 0.4 in | Driest |
| February | 33°F (0°C) | 0.4 in | |
| March | 39°F (4°C) | 1.1 in | |
| April | 46°F (8°C) | 1.6 in | |
| May | 56°F (13°C) | 2.5 in | Wettest |
| June | 66°F (19°C) | 2.0 in | |
| July | 75°F (24°C) | 2.2 in | Warmest |
| August | 71°F (21°C) | 1.8 in | |
| September | 62°F (17°C) | 1.3 in | |
| October | 51°F (10°C) | 0.9 in | |
| November | 37°F (3°C) | 0.8 in | |
| December | 30°F (-1°C) | 0.5 in | Coldest |
Watkins has a seasonal temperature swing of 45°F / from 30°F in December to 75°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 15.3 inches, with May being the wettest month (2.5") and January the driest (0.4").