Chaffee County Climate
Chaffee County, Colorado
Avg Annual Temp
45.5°F
Annual Precip
9.3"
Annual Snowfall
43.0"
Extreme Heat Days
9.75
days >= 90°F/yr
Monthly Temperature
Precipitation Calendar
Seasonal Overview
National Comparison
Climate Profile
About Chaffee County Weather
Chaffee: High alpine chill and dryness
Chaffee County averages 45.5°F annually, running 0.5 degrees cooler than the U.S. median of 46°F. Despite receiving only 9.3 inches of precipitation yearly, the county's 43 inches of annual snowfall reflects how elevation transforms modest moisture into significant winter precipitation.
Cooler mountain interior
At 45.5°F, Chaffee ranks slightly below Colorado's state average of 46°F, reflecting its Arkansas Valley location and elevation. The county represents the state's mountain-interior cool zone, warmer than high peaks but cooler than front-range lowlands.
Valley position creates temperate middle
Chaffee (45.5°F) sits between Alamosa County's alpine cold (42.5°F) and the Front Range warmth of Adams County (50.7°F). Its Arkansas Valley location provides moderation between extremes.
Extreme cold, sparse rainfall
January averages 26.6°F while July peaks at 66.8°F, with just 10 days per year reaching 90°F. Annual snowfall of 43 inches proves that elevation transforms low precipitation (9.3 inches) into meaningful snow accumulation.
Alpine heating, snow management
Residents need heavy-duty heating systems for sustained cold and winter months lasting September through May. The 43 inches of annual snowfall requires robust removal equipment and seasonal planning; cooling needs are minimal with only 10 annual heat days.
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Data source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020.
Climate normals are 30-year averages of weather variables computed from 1991 to 2020. Station data is aggregated to county level using spatial averaging. Data is informational only — not a substitute for official National Weather Service forecasts or emergency weather warnings.