What is winter weather like in Denver? In a word, changeable. Denver’s weather can change rapidly, especially in winter. It can be blisteringly cold one day and in the mid-50s the next. In fact, many of our worst late winter or early spring blizzards follow several hours of gentle rain. A rainstorm followed hours later by a howling, raging blizzard? Welcome to the vagaries of Front Range weather!
But don’t worry, a week later you’ll probably be enjoying a cup of coffee on the private balcony at your Station A apartment. We did mention that the weather is changeable, didn’t we? And don’t worry about those blizzards, either. Denver’s weather is actually relatively mild. We get snow and even occasional blizzards in Denver, but it varies widely year by year.
When Most of the Snow Falls
Most of Denver’s heaviest snowfalls happen in the months of October, November, and December, and then again in March and April. Snow can occur throughout the winter, of course, but these months are when the heaviest snowfalls tend to happen. Fortunately, the white stuff generally doesn’t stick around for long. Unlike in the Midwest and Northeast, you can usually see the ground in Denver between snowstorms.
The lack of lingering snow is due in part to our approximately 300 days of sunshine a year. Snow doesn’t stand much of a chance against our dazzling, high-altitude sun! The other reason for its quick departure is a Chinook wind. These warm, dry winds may cause temperatures to rise by 50 degrees or more. No wonder these winds are known as ‘snow eaters’!
Average Temperatures in Denver
Winter temperatures in the Mile High City can go from blisteringly cold to a balmy 50° F overnight, and vice-versa. Here’s a list of average Denver temperatures year-round. As you can see, our average temperatures are generally fairly moderate for the time of year.
January The average high is 44° while the average low is a cold17°.
February The average high is a bit warmer at 46° while the average low is still chilly at 20°.
March It’s starting to warm up. The average high is 54° and the average low is 26°.
April Still warming, with an average high of 61° while the average low is above freezing at 34°.
May Now it’s getting balmy! The average high is 71° while the average low is 44°.
June Now that summer has officially arrived, the average high is 81° while the average low is a fairly warm 53°.
July Whew! It’s really getting hot with an average high of 88° but an average low of a refreshing 59°.
August The average high is 86° while the average low is 57°.
September It’s starting to cool down with an average high of 77° and an average low of 47°.
October The average high is cooler at 65° while the average low is getting chilly at 36°
November The average high is a brisk 52° with an average low of a cold 25°.
December It’s definitely colder with an average high of 43° and an average low of just 17°.
According to the National Weather Service, 1.4″ of snow fell on September 21, 1994. One week later, on September 29th, the temperature was a scorching 91 °F. Such radical changes aren’t too uncommon in fall and spring, although they aren’t always quite so dramatic.
The biggest single-day change in temperature occurred on January 25, 1872. The high that day was 46°, then the temperature dropped… The low that night was -20°. That’s a 66° change in temperature in less than 24 hours!
Enjoy Denver’s Weather at Station A
Whenever the sun is out in the winter, you’re apt to see people in shirtsleeves or just a light jacket. You’ll probably even enjoy sitting out on the patio at Station A, enjoying the sunshine and the wonderful amenities available to residents here. If you aren’t a resident yet, what are you waiting for? Contact us to request a tour today!