Hinsdale County Climate
Hinsdale County, Colorado
NOAA NCEI 1991-2020 Climate NormalsAvg Annual Temp
38.6°F
Annual Precip
16.9"
Annual Snowfall
107.7"
Extreme Heat Days
0
days >= 90°F/yr
Monthly Temperature
Precipitation Calendar
Growing Season & Gardening
5a
Minimum winter temperature range for plant survival
905
Limited to cold-tolerant varieties
Seasonal Overview
National Comparison
7-Day Outlook
Forecast
Current Conditions
Air Quality
Safety
Weather Alerts
Climate Advisory: Hinsdale County
Climate Verdict
Hinsdale County has a cold, with an average annual temperature of 38.6°F, semi-arid conditions with only 16.9 inches of annual precipitation, heavy winter snowfall averaging 107.7 inches per year. This climate profile shapes everything from energy costs to outdoor recreation opportunities.
Seasonal Breakdown
Winters are very cold — January averages 16.3°F. summers are pleasantly cool with July averaging 60.4°F. The 44°F seasonal variation provides noticeable but manageable change.
Outdoor & Gardening Guidance
Winter sports enthusiasts benefit from reliable snow cover for 3-4 months annually.
Regional Context
Hinsdale County is 7.3°F cooler than the Colorado statewide average of 45.9°F, the county experiences 26.616034265558067 fewer extreme heat days than the state average.
Climate Profile
About Hinsdale County Weather
Hinsdale's 38.6°F ranks among America's coldest
Hinsdale County sits 23 degrees below the U.S. annual temperature median of 61.7°F, with 38.6°F marking one of the nation's consistently frigid counties. Its 16.9 inches of annual precipitation slightly exceed the national average, but nearly all falls as snow in this high-mountain setting.
Third-coldest county in Colorado
At 38.6°F, Hinsdale ranks among Colorado's three coldest counties, roughly 7.4 degrees below the state average of 46.0°F. Only the highest peaks of mountain counties dip colder than Hinsdale's sustained alpine climate.
Snowiest of the mountain trio
Hinsdale (38.6°F) nestles between Gunnison County (36.8°F) and the slightly warmer La Plata County (45.2°F), but receives the heaviest snowfall at 107.7 inches annually. All three experience virtually zero extreme heat days, making them climate twins in the high peaks.
Extreme alpine cold, nearly no summer heat
Winter averages 17.8°F and January dips to 16.3°F, while July peaks at just 60.4°F, creating a 44-degree annual range with zero days above 90°F. Hinsdale receives 107.7 inches of snow yearly—the highest in this county cluster—meaning snow dominates eight months of the year.
Design for extreme snow and isolation
Hinsdale's residents require heavy-duty avalanche assessment for any construction, commercial-grade snow removal, and backup heating systems for extended winter outages. Summer recreation windows are compressed into July-August; outdoor activities, maintenance, and supply stockpiling must happen fast during the brief thaw.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Data sources: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020. Forecast and alert data from National Weather Service API. Air quality data from Open-Meteo.
Climate normals are 30-year averages of weather variables. Station data is aggregated to county level. Forecasts and alerts are fetched live and may change frequently. Data is informational only — not a substitute for official National Weather Service forecasts or emergency weather warnings.