CLIMATE
Durango enjoys an ideal four season climate with moderate temperatures year-round.
Winters are mostly mild and sunny. Winter snowfall is an average of 71" a year, but because of low elevation and great solar exposure (300 days of sunshine per year) snow removal is only an occasional chore of manageable size. At higher elevations, like Durango Mountain Resort, snowfall averages 250" per year.
Springtime brings warmer weather with rain (annual precipitation of 19" per year) to brighten up greening lawns and high country meadows.
During summer, temperatures seldom reach more than the high 80s and then just for a week or two. Rivers and reservoirs stay relatively full in summer, due to deep snow accumulation in the surrounding mountains.
Fall days are cool and dry, perfect for a mountain hike or drive to see the golden aspen and red-orange scrub oak.
Month |
Low (F) |
High (F) |
Snow (inches) |
Rain
(inches) |
January |
10.5 |
39.5 |
16.9" |
1.62 |
February |
16.0 |
44.7 |
14.2" |
1.49" |
March
|
22.6
|
51.8
|
10.5"
|
1.68"
|
April
|
29.2
|
61.2
|
3.4"
|
1.35"
|
May
|
35.5
|
70.2
|
0.5"
|
1.12"
|
June
|
42.0
|
80.6
|
0.0"
|
.80"
|
July
|
50.0
|
85.0
|
0.0"
|
1.95"
|
August
|
49.0
|
83.1
|
0.0"
|
0.0"
|
September
|
41.0
|
83.1
|
0.0"
|
0.0"
|
October
|
31.3
|
65.5
|
1.1"
|
1.92"
|
November
|
21.5
|
52.1
|
5.5"
|
1.33"
|
December
|
13.0
|
41.3
|
16.3"
|
1.74"
|
LOCATION
Durango is located in La Plata County in the southwest corner of Colorado. Located in the Animas River Valley and surrounded by the San Juan Mountains, Durango is close to the Four Corners area, where Utah, New Mexico, Colorado and Arizona meet. The city of Durango comprises 4.37 square miles, while La Plata County is 1,700 square miles.
Distance to Major Cities (in miles)
ALTITUDE
Our high altitude affects each individual differently. Avoid altitude sickness by drinking plenty of water, eating light meals that are high in carbohydrates and going easy on the strenuous exercise for the first couple of days. Common symptoms of altitude sickness are headaches, nausea and dizziness. Your body will gradually adjust to the altitude and these symptoms will eventually disappear.
Photo of Columbine © Lisa Mackey
