Weather in Denver: What to Wear & Expect During Your Stay

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The weather in Denver is sunny and beautiful most of the year. We have all four seasons. The sun shines almost 300 days a year, with some rainy and snowy days.

The snow usually starts to fall sometime in late October. It will last until around March or April. We typically get around 60 inches of snow yearly, but it doesn’t accumulate much as it usually melts away quickly from the sun.

Some years, you might see snow as early as September or as late as May. During my first year here, it snowed almost an inch the week before Memorial Day Weekend.

The summers are warm, with just a few inches of rain each month. On the days it rains, the clouds usually roll in over the mountains late afternoon and clear up within an hour or two. Before and after the rain, you will find clear blue skies.

The Denver, CO, weather is warmest in July, with the average highs in the mid-80s. The coldest month is January, with average highs in the mid-40s and lows around 15 daily.

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Spring in Denver

The springtime in Denver is gorgeous, with the weather forecast often including snowy and rainy days. Most of the time, though, you will find clear blue skies.

March is one of our snowier months, but it’s mostly cleared off when spring officially hits on the 20th. Temperatures in the spring range from around the mid-50s in March to 80 in early June.

Early spring is a great time to head up to the mountains for some last-minute skiing. Spring is also when the outdoor festivals begin.

In the spring, you will find fewer crowds around town, so it’s easy to see quite a bit during your stay.

Things to Do: Denver Botanic Gardens

©Denver Botanic Gardens. Photograph by Scott Dressel-Martin.

ALSO SEE: Denver Weather in April & Denver Weather in May.

Summer in Denver

Summer in Denver officially kicks off around June 21 or 22. This is the longest day of the year and a fun time in Denver.

Weather in Denver at the start of summer offers highs around 80 degrees. July warms up to the high 80s, and August cools off with highs around the mid-80s. Each summer month gets about 2 inches of rain.

Summer is when you have weekend outdoor festivals (usually two or three!). It’s the perfect time to head outside for hiking, biking, or exploring Denver.

Stay hydrated, as the altitude and intense sun can dehydrate you quickly.

ALSO SEE: Denver Weather in June, Denver Weather in July, & Denver Weather in August.

Fall in Denver

“Mile High Stadium” by Kayak The Rockies is licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0

Fall officially runs from late September until the Winter Solstice in late December. You will find both rainy and snowy days throughout the fall months.

In September, temperatures stay mild, with highs in the upper 70s. By December, you will find highs reaching into the mid-40s.

Ski season typically starts anywhere from late October to mid-December. The mountain ski resorts are always racing to be the first to open, and most try to open by Thanksgiving Weekend (as long as Mother Nature cooperates).

ALSO SEE: Denver Weather in September, Denver Weather in October, and Denver Weather in November

Winter in Denver

“Denver – Civic Center: Denver City and County Building” by wallyg is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

The Denver weather in winter is cool and snowy, with highs in the mid to upper 40s. The lows dip down into the mid-teens most days. It’s the heart of the ski season and a fun time to visit Denver.

Most months also average around 6 to 11 inches of snow. It will typically snow one day and then be sunny and warmer the next. The snow usually melts away in a few days, making it easy to get around and even spend some time outdoors.

SEE ALSO: Denver Weather in December, Denver Weather in January, Denver Weather in February, and Denver Weather in March