Historic Facts About the Weather in Colorado

Colorado is known for unpredictable weather conditions

As the old saying goes, if you don't like the weather, wait a few minutes...it will change! Colorado has the highest average elevation in the United States and a history of unpredictable weather.

Summer Facts

Average summer highs range from 49 to 88 degrees Fahrenheit.

Average temperatures range from 49 to 88 degrees Fahrenheit. Colorado experienced its record high of 118 degrees Fahrenheit on July 11, 1888 in Bennett.

Winter Facts

Winter lows average 2 to 36 degrees Fahrenheit.

The lowest temperature was recorded on February 1, 1985 in Maybell at -61 degrees Fahrenheit. In December of 1990 a cold wave held temperatures below zero degrees for 85.5 hours.

Thunderstorm Facts

Since 1959, Colorado has had 139 lightning fatalities.

Thunderstorms caused Colorado's worst natural disaster; the Big Thompson Canyon Flood, on July 31, 1976. Since 1959, there have been 139 lightning-related fatalities.

Hailstorm Facts

Colorado experiences frequent hailstorms.

Coloradans have reported hailstones up to 4 1/2 inches. A storm on July 11, 1999 caused softball-sized hail to fall in Denver, causing $625 million in damage.

Blizzard Facts

A 2003 blizzard left 20-foot drifts in parts of Colorado.

The blizzards of March 2003 and December 2006 resulted in 12- to 20-foot drifts. The president declared a national emergency for both blizzards. During the blizzard of October 1997, snowfall totaled 21.9 inches, setting a new 24-hour record.

Tornado Facts

An average of 40 tornadoes a year hit Colorado.

On average, 40 confirmed tornadoes occur yearly. In August 1924, 10 people were killed in Washington County. On May 22, 2008, a tornado struck Windsor, killing one. Winds measured 136 to 165 miles per hour.

References

• Colorado: Winter Storm Facts
• Colorado Climate Center: Climate of Colorado
• CoCoRahs: Community Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow Network
• Library:Thinkquest; Blizzards
• The United State's Worst Tornadoes