Explain Denver weather to me (Evans, Evergreen: to live in, car, clothes)

[EastBoundandDownChick]

So I'm visiting next month and am excited. From Michigan. I've heard the nickname "State with 300 days of sunshine". But then I've heard others say that's not true? Also, it seems the weather is really volatile, changes quickly.

I am wondering if the people who live there like the weather, or how you feel about it?

[SkyDog77]

http://www.city-data.com/forum/42806901-post16.html

http://www.city-data.com/forum/43832037-post17.html

[EastBoundandDownChick]

I like the fact it's a drier climate, and that you don't have weeks of gray skies on end. Here in Michigan it's common not to see the sun for 2-3 weeks straight in the winter. Then, when we do see it (like today) it's here for one day, then gone for another 3 weeks lol.

[SkyDog77]

Just walked outside and took this picture. I would say this is a fairly common winter day.

[Quietude]

Ha ha ha. "Explain Denver weather." Hee hee hee...

It's at least as volatile as that of New England, but about a hundred times more pleasant. While the 300 days of sun claim has been challenged, it's true that dark days pass quickly. No weeks of gloom and cloud here.

[Quietude]

Originally Posted by SkyDog77

Just walked outside and took this picture. I would say this is a fairly common winter day.

I annoy the hell out of family back in CT with pictures like this.

[NCN]

Originally Posted by EastBoundandDownChick

So I'm visiting next month and am excited. From Michigan. I've heard the nickname "State with 300 days of sunshine". But then I've heard others say that's not true? Also, it seems the weather is really volatile, changes quickly.

I am wondering if the people who live there like the weather, or how you feel about it?

We spend about 9 months in Colorado in 1967. I have pictures in one day of my baby at the Denver Zoo in a diaper and diaper shirt then regular clothes to end up with a snow suit when we went to Pikes Peak. On the Fourth of July we visited Rocky Mountain National Park. My landlady told me to take a coat. I thought we had a language difference so we took sweaters as we usually do to visit The Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina. Got to the Continental Divide and it was snowing. She actually meant to take a coat. My daughter has a picture on her bedroom nightstand of her in every type cover we could find in the car that day in a stroller and her dad is in a sweater with a snowball in his hand.

Layer up!

[bluescreen73]

The whole "300 Days of Sunshine" angle is a marketing slogan. I personally love how it riles up touchy Arizonans who love to say "Yuma is way sunnier than Denver." Sure it is, but then you have to live in Yuma. No thanks.

Compared to the gloomy upper midwest it's sunnier (and balmier on average) here. Plus if it gets too hot in Denver just head west into the foothills 'til it's cool enough for ya.

[randomparent]

There is no way to describe Denver weather other than changing. Plan to dress in layers, and you'll be fine. Check the forecast immediately before you leave and tweak your trip wardrobe as necessary.

[Pilot1]

Denver has great weather in general, but like others said, always bring a few layers with you as the weather can change drastically, and quickly. Many winter days in Denver are relatively warm, and sunny, so 50F - 60F is not uncommon, but you can also get deep cold. If going up into the foothills, say Evergreen, etc or outside of Boudler, you will want to bring a sweater, jacket, and long pants, even in summer. If you go to higher elevations, Pikes Peak, Long's Peak (RMNP), or Mt. Evans and the like it will get colder as you go higher. Typically about 3.5 - 4F per thousand feet, (Adiabatic lapse rate).

I've said this before. When I first moved to Denver, I was cutting my lawn in May I think, and it began to snow, and accumulate! Coming from the northeast, that was a first for me. The northeast has way harsher, and longer winters than Denver, IMHO. Gray, damp, cloudy and cold. Yuck!