The climate of Denver, CO
Denver has a semi-arid, continental type of climate (Köppen climate classification BSk) with hot summers and cold winters. Denver, the capital of
Colorado, lies in the South Platte River Valley, east of the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. The nearby mountain areas influence the climate and produce microclimates of subtropical and humid continental nature in the adjacent regions of Denver.
Denver, the High Mile City, stands on the High Plains at an average elevation of one mile above sea level and consists of open areas in the city's center, while hills surround the west, north, and south regions. The difference between the daily high and low temperatures is extreme due to high elevation and aridness. Sunshine is plenty and registers almost 3100 hours over the year. Denver is a dry area with humidity rarely going above 57% at any time of the year.
Summers are hot and the high temperatures in the peak of
July register above 90°F (32.2°C) for many days, some of which even touch 100°F (37.8°C). Annual precipitation is low to the tune of 14" (356mm), with 70% occurring during the summer.
Winters are cold with plenty of snow; snowfall registers to 54" (1372mm) in Denver, usually from
October to
April.
December has the lowest temperatures during the year that average 17°F (-8.3°C) but a few nights may quickly plummet below -10°F (-23.3°C). Winter days average 42°F (5.6°C), but occasional cold fronts may see them go below 32°F (0°C) and even close to 0°F (-17.8°C). Chinook winds bring warmness during the winter. Tornadoes occur on the eastern side of Denver during spring and summer.
The best time to visit Denver, CO
April and
May in spring and
September and
October in autumn are the best times to visit
Denver with comfortable temperatures - the daily highs are warm 60°F (15.6°C) to 78°F (25.6°C), while the nightly lows are between 34°F (1.1°C) to 48°F (8.9°C).
The summer season is hot, while the winters are cold. Summer attracts tourists in large numbers and competition for campsites along the popular trails. Thunderstorms and tornadoes also invade Denver during the summer.
The worst time to visit Denver, CO
November to
February is the worst time to visit
Denver, as the winter is severe with heavy snow accumulation.
The plains bear the grunt of the chilly gusts of wind in the cold season. Frost is a regular guest even though the days rarely lack sunshine. Freezing nights are not a welcome proposal to the tourists, even though a few visitors endure them in the hope of the open ski season on the mountain slopes. Winter has discounted rates the majority of the time due to the inclement weather.
Weather hazards
Denver is prone to wildfires, thunderstorms, tornadoes, and hailstorms during summer and snowstorms during the winter. The scorching heat makes the area susceptible to wildfires such as the Hayman Fire of 2002. Thunderstorms with lightning are frequent during the summer, especially in the surrounding high mountainous regions, while tornadoes strike mostly the areas near the eastern suburbs of Denver. Blizzards are occasional in the rough winter weather, deposit large amounts of snow that poses difficulty for vehicular movement, and generally, stall daily life.
Weather in January
January, like
December, in
Denver,
Colorado, is another cold winter month, with temperature in the range of an average high of 40.5°F (4.7°C) and an average low of 21.6°F (-5.8°C). In Denver, Colorado, the average high-temperature in January is essentially the same as in December - a still wintry 40.5°F (4.7°C).
Weather in January » Weather in February
February, the last month of the winter in
Denver, is also a wintry month, with an average temperature fluctuating between 20.8°F (-6.2°C) and 40.5°F (4.7°C). In February, the average high-temperature remains the same as in
January - a still wintry 40.5°F (4.7°C).
Weather in February » Weather in March
March, the first month of the spring in
Denver, is a fresh month, with an average temperature varying between 51.4°F (10.8°C) and 29.7°F (-1.3°C). In Denver, the average high-temperature in March increases from a wintry 40.5°F (4.7°C) in
February to a cool 51.4°F (10.8°C).
Weather in March »
Weather in April
April in
Denver,
Colorado, is a mild spring month, with an average temperature ranging between max 57.2°F (14°C) and min 34.3°F (1.3°C). In April, the average high-temperature slightly increases from a cool 51.4°F (10.8°C) in
March to a mild 57.2°F (14°C).
Weather in April » Weather in May
May, the last month of the spring in
Denver, is a comfortable month, with an average temperature fluctuating between 65.8°F (18.8°C) and 42.4°F (5.8°C). In May, the average high-temperature slightly increases from a mild 57.2°F (14°C) in
April to a comfortable 65.8°F (18.8°C).
Weather in May » Weather in June
The first month of the summer,
June, is a warm month in
Denver,
Colorado, with an average temperature fluctuating between 81°F (27.2°C) and 54.5°F (12.5°C). In June, the average high-temperature soars, from an enjoyable 65.8°F (18.8°C) in
May, to a warm 81°F (27.2°C).
Weather in June »
Weather in July
July, like
June, in
Denver,
Colorado, is a moderately hot summer month, with temperature in the range of an average high of 84.4°F (29.1°C) and an average low of 59.2°F (15.1°C). The warmest month is July, with an average high-temperature of 84.4°F (29.1°C) and an average low-temperature of 59.2°F (15.1°C). The average heat index in July is calculated to be 84.2°F (29°C).
Weather in July » Weather in August
The last month of the summer,
August, is another warm month in
Denver,
Colorado, with an average temperature fluctuating between 83.1°F (28.4°C) and 58.3°F (14.6°C). In Denver, the average high-temperature in August is almost the same as in
July - a still moderately hot 83.1°F (28.4°C).
Weather in August »Weather in September
The first month of the autumn,
September, is still a warm month in
Denver,
Colorado, with temperature in the range of an average high of 76.6°F (24.8°C) and an average low of 51.4°F (10.8°C). In Denver, the average high-temperature in September marginally drops from 83.1°F (28.4°C) in
August to a still warm 76.6°F (24.8°C).
Weather in September »
Weather in October
October, the same as
September, is another comfortable autumn month in
Denver,
Colorado, with an average temperature ranging between min 38.3°F (3.5°C) and max 61.3°F (16.3°C). In October, the average high-temperature plummets from a moderately hot 76.6°F (24.8°C) in September to an enjoyable 61.3°F (16.3°C).
Weather in October » Weather in November
The last month of the autumn,
November, is also a fresh month in
Denver,
Colorado, with temperature in the range of an average high of 50.7°F (10.4°C) and an average low of 29.1°F (-1.6°C). In Denver, the average high-temperature in November drops from an enjoyable 61.3°F (16.3°C) in
October to a fresh 50.7°F (10.4°C).
Weather in November »Weather in December
December, the first month of the winter in
Denver, is also a wintry month, with an average temperature fluctuating between 39.9°F (4.4°C) and 20.7°F (-6.3°C). The coldest month is December, with an average high-temperature of 39.9°F (4.4°C) and an average low-temperature of 20.7°F (-6.3°C).
Weather in December » [Resources]