Denver Humidity (Colorado Springs: how much, clothes, complaints)

[justsomeguy]

Is it true that the low humidity in Denver means the winters aren't quite so cold, and in the summers all you have to do is find some shade and you can be pretty comfortable?

[EscapeCalifornia]

According to the 965 Denver weather threads I've seen, yes.

[justsomeguy]

I hear a lot of complaints on these boards about "SoCal traffic" but is that mostly confined to LA or what? I've been in San Diego a while and have yet to encounter any seriously bad traffic. However - I do see a lot of traffic the opposite direction that I am going. In the mornings I drive South and East, in the afternoons I drive home, North and West. I don't experience too much traffic, but it does look like a logjam going on for the people on the other side of the freeway going South and East in the afternoons. What am I missing here? When people say "SoCal bad traffic", is that what they mean? Do they mean mostly LA traffic? And finally - how does Denver's traffic compare to San Diego's, for the people that have transplanted there?

[justsomeguy]

Sorry, the above post was supposed to be on a new thread, and I don't know how to delete it.

[Charles]

Originally Posted by justsomeguy

Is it true that the low humidity in Denver means the winters aren't quite so cold, and in the summers all you have to do is find some shade and you can be pretty comfortable?

Yes and Yes.

[BSL63087]

How much of a difference is it between a dry cold like in Denver and a more humid cold like the Northeast or Midwest?

[Charles]

Originally Posted by BSL63087

How much of a difference is it between a dry cold like in Denver and a more humid cold like the Northeast or Midwest?

What units do you want your answer in?

Here's a comparative data point:

Anywhere (Colorado) 48F, sunny, dry, no wind feels like Anywhere else (Midwest) 61F, cloudy, humid, no wind.

(And 48F is about a normal winter high in Denver & Colorado Springs.)

No way?

Way.

[BSL63087]

Originally Posted by Charles

What units do you want your answer in?

Here's a comparative data point:

Anywhere (Colorado) 48F, sunny, dry, no wind feels like Anywhere else (Midwest) 61F, cloudy, humid, no wind.

(And 48F is about a normal winter high in Denver & Colorado Springs.)

No way?

Way.

Wow...

I know you haven't been there for too long but from what you've experienced, how ofted do you think it would be necessary to totally bundle up (I'm talking heavy thick winter coat, taboggan, gloves, etc.) in Denver? I like wearing hooded sweatshirts and some pretty light Adidas jogging pants or whatever and I am usually fine here. In fact, I rarely wear anything other than that. Will it be similar in Denver or would I have to adjust my wardrobe and wear warmer clothes more often? How often would I be able to just wear a t-shirt in the winter months? (I know we're talking about Denver and not Miami but I'm just wanting to know how often it does warm up in winter)

Thanks for taking the time to answer my questons.

[Charles]

Originally Posted by BSL63087

Wow...

I know you haven't been there for too long but from what you've experienced, how ofted do you think it would be necessary to totally bundle up (I'm talking heavy thick winter coat, taboggan, gloves, etc.) in Denver?

Taboggan?

Most winter mornings (I leave for work at 5AM), you need gloves and hat.

I'd say four to six times per month for one or two days when the wind is blowing you need to wear heavier clothing.

Three to four times per year are big winter storms that you need everything and must drive cautiously.

Most of the time 65% or so, a think sweat shirt and long pants are fine.

A couple times in the winter you can wear shorts comfortably. Some people wear shorts when it's in the 40s - if it is sunny and not windy. Too cold for me though even with my fat lipid legs.

[BSL63087]

Originally Posted by Charles

Taboggan?

Most winter mornings (I leave for work at 5AM), you need gloves and hat.

I'd say four to six times per month for one or two days when the wind is blowing you need to wear heavier clothing.

Three to four times per year are big winter storms that you need everything and must drive cautiously.

Most of the time 65% or so, a think sweat shirt and long pants are fine.

A couple times in the winter you can wear shorts comfortably. Some people wear shorts when it's in the 40s - if it is sunny and not windy. Too cold for me though even with my fat lipid legs.

I guess taboggan must be a term us hicks from Southern Indiana use I don't know... I've also heard them called beanies.

Anyways, I'm still thinking Denver might be a little too cold for my liking. I'm still considering it though.