Colorado weather poll (Denver: house, school, best time)

[nelumbo]

From Denvers Winter/Cold Season Statistics (Denver):

Spring Last Freeze Information

Earliest Date of Last Freeze: April 5, 1977
Latest Date of Last Freeze: June 8, 2007
Average Date of Last Freeze: May 5th
Latest Freeze for the past 8 Years:
May 10, 2006
May 12, 2005
May 14, 2004
May11, 2003
May 24, 2002
May 21, 2001
May 13, 2000
May 17, 1999


Spring Snow Information
Earliest Date of Last Snow: March 4, 1887
Latest Date of Last Snow: June 12, 1947
Average Date of Last Snow: April 27th
Date of Last Measurable Snow Last 8 Years:
April 14, 2007
May 10, 2006
May 2, 2005
April 30, 2004
May 10, 2003
May 24, 2002
April 21, 2001
April 16, 2000

for Boulder ESRL : PSD : Boulder,Colorado Climate and Weather Data
Last day of measurable snow (that is, greater than a trace) (1948-1995)

earliest day of last snow: Mar 22 (1992)
latest day: June 7 (1993)

average: April 25

first quartile April 14
median April 25
third quartile May 2


Last Day of Spring Frost in Boulder

Data from 1949-1996

Frost is defined here as the minimum temperature being less than or equal to 32 F. Frost may occur even when the official temperature is above 32F as the ground can be colder than where the thermometer is located (typically 3 meters above the surface). earliest day of last frost: Apr 10 (1956)
latest day: Jun 3 (1951)
average: May 3
median May 1
standard deviation 11.1 days

[NickMan7]

I'll concur with pretty much everything that's been said. Spring is virtually non-existent in Denver. It is common for weather to be cool and cloudy until mid-June (with the occasional hot and sunny day) and immediately turn hot and sunny for the rest of June into late August. It can also be very hot from late May through July and be unusually cool and damp in August. Every year brings its own bag of tricks and there is no way of knowing what this year may bring.

Here are the record high and low temperatures for March-August:

March - Record High = 84º; Record Low = -11º (95º difference)
April - Record High = 90º; Record Low = -2º (92º difference)
May - Record High = 95º; Record Low = 19º (76º difference)
June - Record High = 104º; Record Low = 30º (74º difference)
July - Record High = 105º; Record Low = 42º (63º difference)
August - Record High = 105º; Record Low = 40º (65º difference)

Note the following facts (temperatures constitute monthly mean):

March:

Warmest = 50.4º; Coldest = 26.4º
Driest = .11"; Wettest = 4.56"
Snowiest = 35.2"; Least snowiest = .3"

April:

Warmest = 56.4º; Coldest = 38.8º
Driest = .03"; Wettest = 8.24"
Snowiest = 33.8"; Least snowiest = 0.0"

May:

Warmest = 64.6º; Coldest = 48.7º
Driest = .06"; Wettest = 8.57"
Snowiest = 15.5"; Least snowiest = 0.0"

June:

Warmest = 73.5º; Coldest = 60.6º
Driest = T; Wettest = 4.96"
Snowiest = .4"; Least snowiest = 0.0"

July:

Warmest = 77.8º; Coldest = 67.4º
Driest = .01"; Wettest = 6.41"
Snowiest = No snow ever recorded in July

August:

Warmest = 76.8º; Coldest = 66.5º
Driest = .02"; Wettest = 5.85"
Snowiest = No snow ever recorded in August

This just goes to show that each year varies in what kind of weather patterns cross Denver (and most of the eastern half of the state). Some years bring searing heat while others bring cold drizzle. It's up to Mother Nature.

[Katarina Witt]

Interesting stats, Nick. What I also find interesting is that some of these warmest/coldest years follow one another. Great variablility from year to year.

[NickMan7]

Absolutely, Kat! Many of the years so far this century (2000-2007) have recorded at least one month in the top 10 lists for highest avg. temp, lowest avg. temp, most precip, least precip, etc. It has been a very interesting decade so far - VERY different from when I was growing up (in the late 80s-mid 90s). I still don't remember spring being all that noticeable, though - it's always been an extreme time of year.

Now autumn on the other hand - what a glorious time of year in Denver! That is one of the most beautiful seasons and is generally a good transition period from summer to winter (much more noticeable than winter to summer, imo).

[katmoney]

Originally Posted by Katiana

^^^ It will go on this way for the next 6 wks or so.

YAY!

As crazy as it may seem I love the unpredictability!

[denverian]

Originally Posted by NickMan7

Absolutely, Kat! Many of the years so far this century (2000-2007) have recorded at least one month in the top 10 lists for highest avg. temp, lowest avg. temp, most precip, least precip, etc. It has been a very interesting decade so far - VERY different from when I was growing up (in the late 80s-mid 90s). I still don't remember spring being all that noticeable, though - it's always been an extreme time of year.

Now autumn on the other hand - what a glorious time of year in Denver! That is one of the most beautiful seasons and is generally a good transition period from summer to winter (much more noticeable than winter to summer, imo).

I actually think autumn sucks in Denver. Mainly because the trees don't really turn very well here. I have a maple tree that's supposed to turn the color of fire (it's called a flame maple, I believe) and three years ago it did turn that color. But not the last two years. I think trees are just shocked here when it's summer weather and then one day, BAM! Snow. Then back to summer. Last Fall I thought the tree was going to turn after a couple perfect light frosts, but then about the third week of October it dropped to the low 20s, and all the leaves just turned brown and fell off.

I've noticed a lot of nice yellow colors in Denver, but not so much with reds and oranges. I think most years this climate just isn't conducive to beautiful fall color.

[WhereTheSidewalkEnds]

Originally Posted by blacksmith76

Don't plant anything until after Mother's Day, no matter how nice the weather seems, trust me!

Actually that would apply to roses or other more tender annuals. Perennials do really well and in fact, in my experience, need to be planted earlier to have time get established before it gets hot.

[NickMan7]

Originally Posted by denverian

I actually think autumn sucks in Denver. Mainly because the trees don't really turn very well here. I have a maple tree that's supposed to turn the color of fire (it's called a flame maple, I believe) and three years ago it did turn that color. But not the last two years. I think trees are just shocked here when it's summer weather and then one day, BAM! Snow. Then back to summer. Last Fall I thought the tree was going to turn after a couple perfect light frosts, but then about the third week of October it dropped to the low 20s, and all the leaves just turned brown and fell off.

I've noticed a lot of nice yellow colors in Denver, but not so much with reds and oranges. I think most years this climate just isn't conducive to beautiful fall color.

I definitely agree with you. Some years provide beautiful colors while other years don't. I was speaking more about the weather. I know it can go from hot one day to cold the next, but it's generally more consistent than spring time. Again, some years are one extreme to the other, but I notice that we have many more gradual changes during the autumn season than we do during the spring.

[denverian]

Originally Posted by NickMan7

I definitely agree with you. Some years provide beautiful colors while other years don't. I was speaking more about the weather. I know it can go from hot one day to cold the next, but it's generally more consistent than spring time. Again, some years are one extreme to the other, but I notice that we have many more gradual changes during the autumn season than we do during the spring.

That's true. Overall autumn is a more pleasant experience and this past autumn really didn't feel like winter until late November.

[jazzlover]

Most Colorado natives consider fall the prettiest season in Colorado. Not too hot, not too cold, with some variety in the weather. If you don't like fall in Colorado, then don't live here--it's usually about the best of the four seasons.