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Weather & Climate in Westcliffe, CO
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Westcliffe has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 43°F (6°C). Winters average 24°F in January while summers reach 63°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 13.6 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 84.3 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 7,872 feet.
Temperature
24°F Jan (-5°C)
63°F Jul (17°C)
| Annual Average | 42.8°F |
| 21% below US avg | |
| January Average | 24°F (-5°C) |
| July Average | 63°F (17°C) |
| Sunny Days | 330 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 7,872 ft (2,399 m) |
| Area | 1.2 sq mi (3.2 km²) |
| Population Density | 370/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 38.1342°N, 105.4653°W |
| Timezone | America/Denver |
| County | Custer County County |
| Nearest Airport | San Luis Valley Regional/Bergman Field (ALS) 53 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 41.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 3.9 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 10.6 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 66.8 / 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 | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | Very Low |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Very Low |
| Landslide | Relatively Low |
| Avalanche | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
303 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M5.3.
| Aug 23, 2011 | 6 km S of Valdez, Colorado | M5.3 | 137 km | 4 km |
| Aug 10, 2005 | 20 km S of Weston, Colorado | M5.0 | 143 km | 5 km |
| Aug 22, 2011 | 9 km SSW of Starkville, Colorado | M4.7 | 147 km | 5 km |
| Sep 5, 2001 | 0 km SE of Cokedale, Colorado | M4.5 | 133 km | 5 km |
| Jan 3, 2007 | 8 km SSW of Weston, Colorado | M4.4 | 129 km | 5 km |
| Mar 10, 2023 | 6 km NNE of Segundo, Colorado | M4.3 | 125 km | 6 km |
| Aug 1, 2004 | 31 km S of Stonewall Gap, Colorado | M4.3 | 144 km | 5 km |
| Jun 19, 2023 | Colorado | M4.1 | 126 km | 6 km |
| Aug 10, 2005 | 20 km SSW of Segundo, Colorado | M4.1 | 143 km | 5 km |
| Sep 4, 2001 | 2 km W of Cokedale, Colorado | M4.0 | 132 km | 5 km |
| Aug 23, 2011 | 7 km S of Valdez, Colorado | M4.0 | 138 km | 5 km |
| Aug 26, 2023 | 19 km SSW of Weston, Colorado | M4.0 | 138 km | 4 km |
| Feb 6, 2016 | Colorado | M4.0 | 125 km | 2 km |
| Sep 13, 2011 | 20 km S of Sequndo, Colorado | M4.0 | 148 km | 5 km |
| Dec 25, 1994 | 9 km NE of Larkspur, Colorado | M4.0 | 141 km | 10 km |
| Aug 20, 2015 | 7 km WSW of Weston, Colorado | M3.9 | 125 km | 1 km |
| Aug 23, 2016 | 18 km SSW of Weston, CO | M3.9 | 136 km | 4 km |
| Mar 10, 2023 | 5 km N of Sequndo, Colorado | M3.9 | 125 km | 4 km |
| May 11, 2011 | 4 km SE of Valdez, Colorado | M3.8 | 135 km | 5 km |
| May 19, 2019 | 15 km SSE of Stonewall Gap, Colorado | M3.8 | 131 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
96 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 2 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jun 24, 1979 | EF3 | 93 km | 4.3 mi | 0 |
| Jun 13, 1977 | EF3 | 97 km | 4.9 mi | 0 |
| Jul 31, 1955 | EF3 | 78 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 8, 2014 | EF2 | 94 km | 6.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 21, 1984 | EF2 | 77 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 11, 1977 | EF2 | 82 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 4, 1960 | EF2 | 12 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 10, 1955 | EF2 | 84 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 9, 2024 | EF1 | 79 km | 0.9 mi | 0 |
| Jul 20, 2023 | EF1 | 94 km | 1.5 mi | 0 |
| May 8, 2017 | EF1 | 45 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Jun 8, 2014 | EF1 | 99 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Aug 18, 2009 | EF1 | 92 km | 9.3 mi | 0 |
| Aug 23, 2008 | EF1 | 85 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 16, 2008 | EF1 | 61 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Jul 9, 2006 | EF1 | 66 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 12, 1996 | EF1 | 97 km | 0.7 mi | 0 |
| Mar 19, 1995 | EF1 | 86 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| May 25, 1993 | EF1 | 82 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 16, 1991 | EF1 | 63 km | 6.5 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: SPRING CREEK (107,108 acres, 2018).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2018 | SPRING CREEK | 107,108 | 72 km |
| 2012 | WALDO CANYON | 20,112 | 99 km |
| 2016 | IMPACT AREA | 19,918 | 79 km |
| 2016 | JUNKINS | 19,023 | 29 km |
| 1998 | UNNAMED | 18,218 | 79 km |
| 2016 | HAYDEN PASS | 17,977 | 32 km |
| 2006 | MATO VEGA | 13,126 | 60 km |
| 2005 | MASON | 11,630 | 37 km |
| 2013 | EAST PEAK | 10,082 | 94 km |
| 2019 | DECKER | 9,875 | 58 km |
| 2008 | TA-25 | 8,253 | 75 km |
| 2024 | RANGE 135 | 7,766 | 79 km |
| 2016 | BEULAH HILL | 5,769 | 48 km |
| 2018 | APACHE COMPLEX | 5,182 | 69 km |
| 2009 | QUARRY | 5,141 | 84 km |
| 2002 | HANOVER | 4,903 | 91 km |
| 2010 | MEDANO | 4,887 | 36 km |
| 2018 | CARSON MIDWAY | 4,773 | 79 km |
| 2011 | DUCKETT | 4,705 | 22 km |
| 1997 | UNNAMED | 4,380 | 89 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 24°F (-5°C) | 0.5 in | Driest |
| February | 25°F (-4°C) | 0.6 in | |
| March | 32°F (0°C) | 1.1 in | |
| April | 39°F (4°C) | 1.1 in | |
| May | 49°F (9°C) | 1.4 in | |
| June | 58°F (14°C) | 1.2 in | |
| July | 63°F (17°C) | 2.3 in | Warmest |
| August | 61°F (16°C) | 2.6 in | Wettest |
| September | 54°F (12°C) | 1.4 in | |
| October | 44°F (6°C) | 1.0 in | |
| November | 31°F (-0°C) | 0.8 in | |
| December | 23°F (-5°C) | 0.7 in | Coldest |
Westcliffe has a seasonal temperature swing of 40°F / from 23°F in December to 63°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 14.6 inches, with August being the wettest month (2.6") and January the driest (0.5").