Colorado Springs, CO: When to Go and Weather

Weather: Colorado Springs weather is characterized by warm, breezy summers and wet but mild winters. The city isn't hit by harsh winter weather due to its location: the Rocky Mountains shelter the city from western winds, while the Monument Divide protects Colorado Springs from the north.

Summer: Colorado Springs experiences a wonderfully comfortable summer. Temperatures can push into the 80s during the day, but mornings and evenings are cool. Occasional thunderstorms blow through in the afternoon. The average temperature is 70 degrees F and the average monthly rainfall is 2.8 inches.

Fall: Daytime is warm but nights cool off considerably during autumn in Colorado Springs. Approximately 4.5 inches of snow fall in Colorado Springs each month in autumn. The average temperature is 48 degrees F and the average monthly rainfall is 0.8 inches.

Winter: In winter, each month brings about 5 inches of snow, but warm chinook winds prevent the air from getting extremely cold, and warm sun heats up the afternoons. The average temperature is 30 degrees F and the average monthly rainfall is 0.4 inches.

Spring: Colorado Springs weather is slow to transition into spring. In April, the average snowfall is usually more than 6 inches, but May sees just an inch. Rain showers are likely throughout these months. The average temperature is 55 degrees F and the average monthly rainfall is 1.9 inches.

Looking for local weather reports? Try the Colorado Springs Gazette (www.gazette.com).

When to Go: Peak Season
Sunny summertime is Colorado Springs' peak season. Camping, hiking, swimming, and a whole host of outdoor activities are the main attraction for visitors who come to the area to beat the heat: the city never gets extremely hot, and the highs only extend into the 90s for a few days each season. Hotels, resorts, and campgrounds in the region are often fully booked on weekends, so be sure to reserve your accommodations ahead of time. Afternoon thunderstorms are common, so take care to get stuck out on the hiking trail amid the lightning and thunder. Such storms usually pass through in an hour or two.

When to Go: Off Season
Colorado Springs weather is comparatively mild in winter. The region receives significant snowfall starting in autumn and lasting into the first weeks of May, but daytime temperatures often warm up so much that the snow starts melting. Many avid skiers and snowboarders head elsewhere in the Rockies for outdoor diversion, so Colorado Springs receives fewer visitors than usual during the months of January, February, and March. Hotel rates are slightly discounted in the off season, but not much, as the city still sees a fair share of tourists in town for the museums and cultural scene. Winter gear is essential.

When to Go: Shoulder Season
Spring and fall are Colorado Springs' shoulder seasons. In March and into April, the region is blanketed in several inches of snow, and temperatures stay chilly, but early autumn is dry, sunny, and temperate. Hiking trails come alive with the changing colors of fall foliage, and although plenty of vacationing families arrive for weekends and short trips, the city isn't as busy in September or October as it is during summer. Snow is inevitable in later October and November: luckily, when the temperatures drop, Colorado Springs has no shortage of indoor entertainment (don't miss the World Figure Skating Museum.)

• Sun

   

  Snow Showers

  38  26

• Mon

   

  Mostly Sunny

  51  29

• Tue

   

  Sunny

  55  25

• Wed

   

  Partly Cloudy

  35  21

• Thu

   

  Rain and Snow

  37  23

• Fri

   

  Partly Cloudy

  38  25

• Sat

   

  Partly Cloudy

  30  21

Get more information on Colorado Springs weather.