Ouray County Climate
Ouray County, Colorado
Avg Annual Temp
44.5°F
Annual Precip
21.3"
Annual Snowfall
126.9"
Extreme Heat Days
3.6666666666666665
days >= 90°F/yr
Monthly Temperature
Precipitation Calendar
Seasonal Overview
National Comparison
Climate Profile
About Ouray County Weather
Ouray chills well below US average temperatures
Ouray County's 44.5°F annual temperature sits 3.0°F below the U.S. median of 47.5°F, confirming its alpine mountain character. Its 21.3 inches of annual precipitation exceed the national average substantially, making it Colorado's wettest mountain enclave.
Coldest tier in Colorado's coldest counties
At 44.5°F, Ouray ranks among Colorado's coldest counties, running 1.5°F below the state average of 46.0°F. Only Park County and Pitkin County run significantly colder, all high-elevation mountain bastions.
Mountain fortress amid warm plains counties
Ouray (44.5°F) sits 4.3°F cooler than Montezuma (48.8°F) and 8.0°F colder than Otero (53.5°F), its dramatic elevation advantage creating a true alpine climate. Its 126.9 inches of annual snowfall dwarf neighboring lowland counties' totals, reflecting extreme precipitation captured at altitude.
Freezing winters, cool summers, extreme snow
Ouray's summer average of just 63.4°F includes only 4 days reaching 90°F—among the lowest in the state. Winters plummet to 26.1°F average with 126.9 inches of snow annually, making it one of America's snowiest inhabited counties and a true mountain winter destination.
Heavy snow removal and extreme cold gear
Residents face 127 inches of annual snowfall, requiring industrial snow removal equipment, reinforced roofing, and year-round avalanche awareness. Winter gear investment is non-negotiable; heating systems must run continuously, and outdoor planning requires either summer-only scheduling or specialized alpine equipment.
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.