Jackson County Climate
Jackson County, Colorado
NOAA NCEI 1991-2020 Climate NormalsAvg Annual Temp
36.0°F
Annual Precip
17.2"
Annual Snowfall
67.1"
Extreme Heat Days
0
days >= 90°F/yr
Monthly Temperature
Precipitation Calendar
Growing Season & Gardening
4b
Minimum winter temperature range for plant survival
609
Limited to cold-tolerant varieties
Seasonal Overview
National Comparison
7-Day Outlook
Forecast
Current Conditions
Air Quality
Safety
Weather Alerts
Climate Advisory: Jackson County
Climate Verdict
Jackson County has a cold, with an average annual temperature of 36.0°F, semi-arid conditions with only 17.2 inches of annual precipitation, rare extreme heat with only 0.3333333333333333 days above 90°F annually, heavy winter snowfall averaging 67.1 inches per year. This climate profile shapes everything from energy costs to outdoor recreation opportunities.
Seasonal Breakdown
Winters are very cold — January averages 16.0°F. summers are cool, with July averaging only 57.6°F. The 42°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
Jackson County is 9.8°F cooler than the Colorado statewide average of 45.9°F, the county experiences 26.282700932224735 fewer extreme heat days than the state average.
Climate Profile
About Jackson County Weather
Jackson ranks among America's coldest counties
Jackson County's 36.0°F annual average runs 25.7 degrees below the U.S. median of 61.7°F, making it one of the nation's perpetually frigid regions. With 17.2 inches of annual precipitation and zero extreme heat days, Jackson maintains a high-altitude alpine climate year-round.
Colorado's coldest county climate
At 36.0°F, Jackson County ranks as Colorado's coldest, running 10 degrees below the state average of 46.0°F. No other Colorado county sustains such consistently frigid temperatures across all seasons.
Colder than Gunnison and Hinsdale alike
Jackson (36.0°F) edges out Gunnison (36.8°F) as the state's coldest, though both sit in the same extreme-cold tier with zero summer extreme heat days. Jackson's 67.1 inches of annual snow is slightly less than Gunnison's 88.1, suggesting higher elevation with less moisture.
Perpetual winter conditions, no summer heat
Jackson's January averages 16.0°F while July peaks at just 57.6°F, creating a modest 41-degree annual range with zero days above 90°F. The county receives 67.1 inches of snow annually, establishing a permanent winter landscape for much of the calendar year.
Winter survival is the baseline requirement
Jackson residents must commit to commercial-grade snow removal, backup generators, and heating systems rated for sustained sub-zero conditions. Summer recreation windows compress into July-August; all outdoor projects, resupply, and maintenance must front-load into this brief window to avoid winter delays.
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.