Colorado Climate

Colorado State has a semi-arid climate, with hot summer days and cold winter nights. There is low humidity due to the high elevation of the state. Snowfall is common in the mountains, while temperatures during the summer months can reach 90 degrees Fahrenheit (32 degrees Celsius). Rainfall is light overall, although thunderstorms with heavy rainfall can occur during spring and summer months. The majority of precipitation occurs in April through September. The Front Range region experiences four distinct seasons, including warm summers and cold winters.

Colorado, Colorado gets 16 inches of rain, on average, per year. The US average is 38 inches of rain per year.

Colorado averages 63 inches of snow per year. The US average is 28 inches of snow per year.

On average, there are 253 sunny days per year in Colorado. The US average is 205 sunny days.

Colorado gets some kind of precipitation, on average, 82 days per year. Precipitation is rain, snow, sleet, or hail that falls to the ground. In order for precipitation to be counted you have to get at least .01 inches on the ground to measure.

Weather Highlights

Summer High: the July high is around 86 degrees
Winter Low: the January low is 13
Rain: averages 16 inches of rain a year
Snow: averages 63 inches of snow a year

Bestplaces Comfort Index

Colorado's annual BestPlaces Comfort Index of 6.9 (10=best) indicates it is less comfortable than most states in the United States.

8.6 Summer - 5.2 Winter

June, September and August are the most pleasant months in the state of Colorado, while December and January are the least comfortable months.

Climate	Colorado, Colorado	United States
	Unlock	38.1 in.
	63.3 in.	Unlock
	Unlock	106.2 days
	253 days	Unlock
	85.6°	85.8°
	Unlock	21.7°
	6.9	Unlock
	Unlock	4.3
	7178 ft.	Unlock

Climate

YOU SHOULD KNOW

Many people confuse weather and climate but they are different. Weather is the conditions of the atmosphere over a short period of time, and climate is how the atmosphere is over long periods of time.

Weather is how the atmosphere is behaving and its effects upon life and human activities. Weather can change from minute-to-minute. Most people think of weather in terms of temperature, humidity, precipitation, cloudiness, brightness, visibility, wind, and atmospheric pressure.

Climate is the description of the long-term pattern of weather in a place. Climate can mean the average weather for a particular region and time period taken over 30 years. Climate is the average of weather over time.

July is the hottest month for Colorado with an average high temperature of 85.6°, which ranks it as about average compared to other states. In Colorado, there are 3 comfortable months with high temperatures in the range of 70-85°. The most pleasant months of the year for Colorado are June, September and August.

Colorado has 25.0 days annually when the high temperature is over 90°, which is hotter than most states in the U.S.

January has the coldest nighttime temperatures for Colorado with an average of 13.2°. This is colder than most of the U.S. states.

Colorado has 178.3 days annually when the nighttime low temperature falls below freezing, which is one of the coldest states in the U.S.

Colorado averages 12.7 days annually when the nighttime low temperature falls below freezing, which is colder than most states in the U.S.

Humidity is low in the state of Colorado, and some people might find the dryness to be uncomfortable. Days with noticeable humidity are rare throughout the year. A very dry climate can lead to cracked, itchy skin and dry eyes.

August is the wettest month in Colorado with 2.2 inches of rain, and the driest month is January with 0.6 inches. The wettest season is Autumn with 37% of yearly precipitation and 12% occurs in Spring, which is the driest season. Colorado's average annual rainfall of 16.3 inches indicates that it is drier than most states in the United States.

August is the rainiest month in Colorado with 9.8 days of rain, and January is the driest month with only 4.9 rainy days. Colorado's annual average of 82.1 days with measurable rain is less rainy than most states in the United States. The rainiest season is Autumn when it rains 32% of the time and the driest is Spring with only a 19% chance of a rainy day.

Colorado's average annual snowfall of 63.3 inches indicates that it is one of the snowiest states in the United States. March is the snowiest month in Colorado with 11.5 inches of snow, and 9 months of the year have significant snowfall.

Reviews for Colorado

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Andrew · Colorado Springs, CO

Think Twice Please

Over 5 years ago

I've lived here since 1996 [when I was 9] and have to say it used to be a five-star state. Great views, fairly average cost of living.110.0 in Denver 12 years ago on More

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Joshua · Eufaula, OK

Colorado is Awedome

Over 6 years ago

I’m from Oklahoma and I absolutely love Colorado!!!! I plan on moving around the Castle Rock or Monument area once I retire from the military. Housing is expensive in More

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Jamie · Lafayette, CO

Outsiders ruined this state for me (A NATIVE)

Over 6 years ago

I am a colorado native. I was born here and have lived here 24 years. I used to love it here, 10 years ago i would have given it 4 stars, But ever since it was THE FIRST More