Ouray County Climate
Ouray County, Colorado
NOAA NCEI 1991-2020 Climate NormalsAvg Annual Temp
44.5°F
Annual Precip
21.3"
Annual Snowfall
126.9"
Extreme Heat Days
4
days >= 90°F/yr
Monthly Temperature
Precipitation Calendar
Growing Season & Gardening
5b
Minimum winter temperature range for plant survival
1,638
Favors cool-season crops
Seasonal Overview
National Comparison
7-Day Outlook
Forecast
Current Conditions
Air Quality
Safety
Weather Alerts
Climate Advisory: Ouray County
Climate Verdict
Ouray County has a cool, averaging 44.5°F annually, semi-arid conditions with only 21.3 inches of annual precipitation, rare extreme heat with only 3.6666666666666665 days above 90°F annually, heavy winter snowfall averaging 126.9 inches per year. This climate profile shapes everything from energy costs to outdoor recreation opportunities.
Seasonal Breakdown
Winters are very cold — January averages 24.7°F. summers are pleasantly cool with July averaging 65.9°F. The 41°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
Ouray County closely matches the Colorado statewide average temperature of 45.9°F, it is also noticeably wetter, receiving 5.1 inches more precipitation than the state average, the county experiences 22.9493675988914 fewer extreme heat days than the state average.
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 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.