Denver, Colorado Weather
Pikas hayfeeding in granite peaks. Day 76 of spring. Read this microseason across nine climate regions →
Denver weather forecast — hour by hour, 7-day outlook, NOAA radar
- TodayJun 3Overcast16%—85°54°—
- ThursdayJun 4Overcast——91°53°+6°
- FridayJun 5Overcast——88°63°-3°
- SaturdayJun 6Heavy Drizzle11%0.05″94°63°+6°
- SundayJun 7Overcast20%—94°63°0°
- MondayJun 8Overcast41%—94°69°0°
- TuesdayJun 9Overcast41%—98°66°+4°
Ozone at AQI 40. AQI flat over the last 6 hours (within ±4 points). Overcast through the UV peak window (cloud cover ~100%) — afternoon ozone should stay flat.
OK No precautions needed for the general population; unusually sensitive individuals may consider limiting prolonged outdoor exertion during the projected peak around 10 PM.
What's driving it
Ozone × UV × Sky
Ozone at AQI 40. Overcast through the UV peak window (cloud cover ~100%) — afternoon ozone should stay flat.
- Present
- AQI 40
- UV peak
- 8.5 at 1 PM
- Sky at peak
- overcast
- Projected peak
- AQI 23
PM × Wind × Precip
PM2.5/PM10 ratio 0.68 with 9 mph wind — characteristic of long-range haze transport rather than a local source.
- PM2.5/PM10
- 0.68
- Wind
- light
- Recent rain
- 0h in last 6h
- Pattern
- transport
Trends
Seven days of AQI and PM2.5.
Hourly air-quality data from the Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service, charted across the past and next several days. Dashed lines mark the AQI breakpoints at 50 (Good → Moderate) and 100 (Moderate → Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups).
The higher the clouds, the finer the weather.
- Moonrise
- 4:52 AM
- Moonset
- 2:02 PM
- In sign
- ♑︎ Capricorn
Pikas hayfeeding in granite peaks
Denver at a glance
- Today vs. normal: 4°F below the seasonal normal for this latitude
- Last frost: April 15 (climatological average for this latitude)
- Microseason: Jun 1–5
- Planting window: Harvest spring lettuce before it bolts. Sow heat-tolerant greens.
Right now in the garden
Warm-season window is open
As of June 3, the last spring frost has passed for most years. Transplant tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, basil, and cucurbits (cucumbers, squash, melons) now. Direct-sow beans and corn into warm soil.
SPC Convective Outlook
Storm Prediction Center — Denver
SPC has placed Denver in the General Thunderstorms category for severe thunderstorms today.
- TODAYTSTMGeneral Thunderstorms
- TOMORROWTSTMGeneral Thunderstorms
- DAY 3NONENo severe risk
Thunderstorms possible. Not severe, but capable of producing lightning and brief heavy rain.
Source: NOAA / NWS Storm Prediction Center categorical convective outlook. Outlooks are re-issued multiple times per day; this page reflects the most recent SPC polygons covering the city’s coordinates.
Planting calendar
| Month | Plant | Harvest |
|---|---|---|
| January | — | — |
| February | — | — |
| March | — | — |
| April | lettuce, peas, spinach, radishes | — |
| May | lettuce, peas, spinach, radishes, tomatoes, peppers, beans, squash | lettuce, peas, radishes |
| June | tomatoes, peppers, beans, squash | lettuce, peas, radishes |
| July | tomatoes, peppers, beans, squash | tomatoes, beans, summer squash |
| August | — | tomatoes, beans, summer squash |
| September | fall brassicas, garlic (overwinter), carrots | tomatoes, beans, summer squash |
| October | fall brassicas, garlic (overwinter), carrots | winter squash, tomatoes (last) |
| November | — | — |
| December | — | — |
A year in weather
July brings Denver's peak warmth with average temperatures around 75°F, while December marks the coldest period at roughly 32°F. Precipitation follows a different pattern, with May receiving the most rainfall at 2.3 inches and January seeing just 0.5 inches.
| Month | Mean temp | Precip | Rainy days |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 32° | 0.5″ | 2 |
| February | 33° | 0.5″ | 2 |
| March | 42° | 1.1″ | 3 |
| April | 48° | 1.7″ | 4 |
| May | 58° | 2.3″ | 5 |
| June | 69° | 1.7″ | 4 |
| July | 75° | 2.1″ | 4 |
| August | 73° | 1.8″ | 4 |
| September | 64° | 1.5″ | 3 |
| October | 51° | 1.0″ | 3 |
| November | 40° | 0.7″ | 2 |
| December | 32° | 0.5″ | 2 |
Regional context
As part of the hot desert climate region, Denver shares temperature ranges, seasonal cycles, and growing conditions with other cities in this climatic zone.
Similar climates: Colorado Springs, CO, Aurora, CO, Lakewood, CO, Thornton, CO, Grand Junction, CO.
Naturalist notes
Late May brings the emergence of Rocky Mountain penstemon blooms across Denver's foothills and urban landscapes.
American robins typically begin their second nesting cycle around mid-June as daylight hours reach their peak.
Frequently asked
- When does it freeze in Denver?
- Spring's final frost usually occurs around mid-April in Denver, while the first fall frost typically arrives around mid-November.
- What is the rainy season in Denver?
- May receives the most precipitation with approximately 2.3 inches on average, contributing to Denver's annual total of roughly 15 inches.
- What is the warmest month in Denver?
- July typically records the highest temperatures, with averages around 75°F.
- What is the coldest month in Denver?
- December usually brings the coldest weather, averaging approximately 32°F.
- When can I start a vegetable garden in Denver?
- Cool-season vegetables like peas and lettuce can be planted around the last spring frost in mid-April, while warm-season crops such as tomatoes and peppers should wait 1–2 weeks after that date.
- How many rainy days does Denver get?
- Denver experiences approximately 38 rainy days annually.
- What hardiness zone is Denver?
- Denver's USDA hardiness zone depends on average minimum winter temperatures; the USDA's online zone lookup tool provides current designations when you enter the city's ZIP code.
Climate
Denver, Colorado experiences a hot desert climate zone. Winter temperatures in January typically hover near 32°F, while July averages climb to 75°F, creating a 43°F seasonal swing.
Annual precipitation totals about 15 inches across roughly 38 rainy days throughout the year.
Several factors determine Denver's weather patterns: its latitude at 39.8°N, proximity to large water bodies, and elevation. These elements influence local plant growth, frost timing, and daily weather conditions.