University of Colorado - BoulderWeather Summary

Written by Sara K. Jordan

Sara K. Jordan

Hometown

Littleton, CO

Major

International Affairs

View all previous student authors

Despite the state's association with snow and dreary weather, Colorado is recorded as hosting more than 300 days of sunshine a year. Though it is almost impossible to avoid the occasional patch of ice while walking through the streets, there is one crucial difference between a Colorado winter as opposed to one on the East Coast-the sun. Regardless of the amount of snow that falls in the winter months, you can almost guarantee that you will wake up to sunshine the majority of your mornings.

Still, temperatures do drop considerably in the winter, and it forces many students to purchase additional clothes. You will need a variety of beanies to keep your head warm, because they are an essential item. Gloves are also important, as well as long underwear, a good pair of snow boots, and a warm jacket. A great place to find all these things would be at the North Face store, which is located conveniently close to campus. Yet, when you first arrive in August, expect temperatures to be in the 90s. These first few months into the semester require shorts and sleeveless shirts, though they will not be needed long. By November, the temperature is already dropping considerably.