Colorado Weather

Colorado Weather And Climate

Colorado weather is complicated. The words cool and dry describe the Colorado climate, but the combination of the elevation and air currents created by the Rocky Mountains cause a fairly wide variation in climate throughout the state. The movements of hot and warm air masses through the state mean that temperatures aren't simply dictated by elevation and distance north or south. Yes, typically higher elevations are colder and wetter, but a closer look is needed when trying to describe the climate in Colorado. When looking at Colorado weather it's easier to divide the state into east and west, and then to describe those two areas.

The Eastern Plains of Colorado are dry and sunny, with low humidity and low amounts of precipitation. Summer high temperatures can often hit over 90 °F, and temperatures over 100°F are not unheard of, even in elevations above 5000ft. Most precipitation there is falls between April and September, but the area is generally dry and prone to long periods of drought. When the rain does fall it's typically in the form of thunderstorms. Winters are dry, and snow usually doesn't arrive until late winter and spring. The warmest cities are those near the mountains, Chinook winds can bring high winter temperatures in the winter in the 60s. The Eastern Plains are more susceptible to tornados and thunderstorms than the west.

The weather in the western part of Colorado is more variable. Winters here are typically wet, and the summer temperatures at higher elevations are cool and pleasant. Summer nights are cool, and snow is a possibility 12 months a year. Heavy winter snows are the rule, but warmer weather is possible on the slopes of the mountains.