Denver sits a mile high on the western edge of the Great Plains, which gives it a climate of extremes: hot summer afternoons, cold winter nights, and dramatic day-to-day swings that catch visitors off guard. Snowfall is common from October through May, but the Chinook winds off the Rockies can erase a foot of snow in 24 hours when conditions line up. The dry air keeps summer heat tolerable even at 95°F, and the city averages 300+ days a year with measurable sunshine. Severe thunderstorms — and the hailstorms that come with them — are a defining feature of June and July.
Climate and Average Weather Year Round in Denver
Year-round temperature
In Denver, the warmest months are June through September, with average daily highs between 82°F and 91°F. The coldest stretch runs December through February, with highs between 47°F and 49°F and overnight lows reaching 21°F.
Rainfall through the year
Rainfall in Denver averages 1.3 in per month over the long run. May is the wettest at 2.6 in, while January is the driest at 0.4 in.
Days at 90 °F or hotter
Denver averages 61.4 days per year at 90 °F or hotter. The hottest year on record saw 85 such days (2000); the coolest just 3 (2026).
Precipitation this year
As of May 28, Denver has received 3.7 in of precipitation this year — 43% below the long-term normal for this point in the year (6.5 in).