80304 Weather -- Boulder, CO
Overview
80304 -- North Boulder, Boulder CO
Zip code 80304 covers North Boulder, one of Boulder's most desirable and outdoors-oriented neighborhoods, including the Newlands and Wonderland Hills areas. The area runs from the base of the Flatirons foothills east toward 28th Street, and from Iris Avenue north to the city limits.
At roughly 5,430 feet elevation, 80304 experiences slightly cooler temperatures and heavier snowfall than lower-elevation zip codes in central and east Boulder. Residents have direct trailhead access to the NCAR Mesa Lab trail, Wonderland Lake, and Boulder Open Space, making this zip code a hub for hikers, trail runners, and mountain bikers year-round.
Fire Risk and History
80304 has a high wildfire risk. The western portions of the zip -- including Wonderland Hills and the neighborhoods adjacent to Foothills Community Park -- border Boulder Open Space directly and are classified within the wildland-urban interface zone. The steep slopes above North Boulder channel downslope Chinook winds and dry out fuels rapidly, creating heightened fire conditions during autumn and spring wind events. The area north of Wonderland Lake and along the open-space boundary has the highest exposure. Residents should consult the City of Boulder's Wildfire Mitigation Program for defensible-space guidance specific to this zip.
Elevation and Microclimate
| Elevation | 5430 ft |
| Zip Code | 80304 |
| County | Boulder County, CO |
| Wildfire Risk | High |
| FEMA Flood Zone | Zone X |
At 5,430 feet, 80304 sits slightly higher than central Boulder, with the western foothills neighborhoods reaching above 5,500 feet. The position at the northern end of the Flatirons creates strong Chinook wind exposure along the foothills edge, particularly in Wonderland Hills and the upper Newlands area. Snowfall here is heavier than in eastern zip codes, and the foothills proximity means rapid weather changes -- storms building over the Divide can arrive with little warning. UV radiation at this elevation is approximately 20 percent stronger than at sea level.
Flood Zone Information
80304 is classified FEMA Flood Zone X with minimal flood risk. The north Boulder terrain drains primarily eastward through engineered stormwater channels, and there is no major creek floodplain within the residential areas of the zip. Wonderland Lake is a flood-control impoundment maintained by the city. The September 2013 regional flood event did not produce significant impacts within 80304 residential neighborhoods. Property owners near any drainage feature should verify their specific parcel designation at FEMA's Flood Map Service Center.