Hinsdale County Climate

Hinsdale County, Colorado

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec38.6°AVG °F

Avg Annual Temp

38.6°F

Annual Precip

16.9"

Annual Snowfall

107.7"

Extreme Heat Days

0

days >= 90°F/yr

Monthly Temperature

54.4°F avgJFMAMJJASOND

Precipitation Calendar

Dry
Wet= snowfall
1.0"
1.0"
1.1"
1.2"
1.1"
0.8"
2.2"
2.7"
2.0"
1.7"
1.1"
1.1"
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

Seasonal Overview

Comfort ZoneSpring29°47°3.3"Summer55°60°5.6"Fall29°52°4.9"Winter16°20°3.1"20°40°60°80°100°

National Comparison

Warmer than 1% of US counties
Wetter than 10% of US counties
More seasonal variation than 50% of US counties

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

What is the average temperature in Hinsdale County?
The average annual temperature in Hinsdale County, CO is 38.6°F, based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991-2020).
How much rain does Hinsdale County get?
Hinsdale County receives an average of 16.9 inches of precipitation per year, including both rain and meltwater from snow. This is based on NOAA 30-year climate normals.
Does it snow in Hinsdale County?
Yes, Hinsdale County receives an average of 107.7 inches of snowfall per year according to NOAA climate normals.
How hot does Hinsdale County get in summer?
The average summer temperature (June-August) in Hinsdale County is 58.0°F. The county experiences an average of 0 days per year above 90°F.
How cold are winters in Hinsdale County?
The average winter temperature (December-February) in Hinsdale County is 17.8°F. January, typically the coldest month, averages 16.3°F.

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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.

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