Boulder, CO Climate & Monthly Averages

Colorado, United States 🇺🇸 · humid subtropical climate
Annual avg
48°
Hottest month
July
Coldest month
January
Rainy days / yr
94
Sunshine
10.4 h/day
Right now: 81° and sunny - see live conditions

The climate of Boulder

Located in Colorado, United States, Boulder experiences a humid subtropical climate with hot, humid summers and generally mild winters. Afternoon temperatures peak near 85°F (30°C) in July and dip to about 38°F (3°C) in January, with around 20.6 inches (524 mm) of precipitation falling across the year.

Climate quick facts

  • Hottest month: July - highs near 85°F (30°C)
  • Coldest month: January - highs near 38°F (3°C)
  • Record high: 98°F (37°C) · Record low: -24°F (-31°C) (2015–2024)
  • Wettest month: May (15 rainy days) · Sunniest: July (13.1 h sun/day)
  • Climate type: humid subtropical - hot, humid summers and generally mild winters
  • Snow: about 34 days a year

Temperatures through the year

The warmest stretch of the year centers on July. Highs average 85°F (30°C) and overnight lows stay near 59°F (15°C). The coolest month is January, with typical highs of 38°F (3°C) and lows around 17°F (-8°C). Based on 2015–2024 weather data, temperatures have reached as high as 98°F (37°C) and dropped as low as -24°F (-31°C).

Rain, sun and snow

May is usually the wettest month. It brings about 4.6 inches (116 mm) of rain over 15 days, while December is the driest. July brings the most sunshine, averaging 13.1 hours of sun a day. Snow falls on about 34 days in a typical year, mostly from October through May.

Monthly climate table

Monthly averages for Boulder based on 2015–2024 weather data.
MonthHighLow Rain daysPrecipitation SunshineHumidity
January 38° 17° 6 1.0 in 7.9 h/day 61%
February 39° 15° 7 1.4 in 9.1 h/day 61%
March 49° 24° 8 2.1 in 10.1 h/day 61%
April 57° 31° 10 2.3 in 10.9 h/day 58%
May 65° 41° 15 4.6 in 11.7 h/day 64%
June 80° 54° 8 1.9 in 13.0 h/day 52%
July 85° 59° 9 1.5 in 13.1 h/day 50%
August 83° 58° 8 1.4 in 12.3 h/day 50%
September 78° 52° 6 1.0 in 11.2 h/day 47%
October 63° 38° 6 1.3 in 9.7 h/day 53%
November 49° 27° 6 1.3 in 8.5 h/day 57%
December 42° 20° 5 0.9 in 7.8 h/day 56%

Boulder month by month

Boulder weather in January

January brings highs around 38°F (3°C), lows near 17°F (-8°C), about 6 wet days and roughly 5 snowy days - typically the coldest month of the year in Boulder.

Boulder weather in February

February brings highs around 39°F (4°C), lows near 15°F (-9°C), about 7 wet days and roughly 6 snowy days.

Boulder weather in March

March brings highs around 49°F (9°C), lows near 24°F (-5°C), about 8 wet days and roughly 5 snowy days.

Boulder weather in April

April brings highs around 57°F (14°C), lows near 31°F (0°C), about 10 wet days and roughly 5 snowy days.

Boulder weather in May

May brings highs around 65°F (18°C), lows near 41°F (5°C), about 15 wet days and roughly 2 snowy days - typically the wettest month of the year in Boulder.

Boulder weather in June

June brings highs around 80°F (26°C), lows near 54°F (12°C), about 8 wet days.

Boulder weather in July

July brings highs around 85°F (30°C), lows near 59°F (15°C), about 9 wet days - typically the hottest month and the sunniest month of the year in Boulder.

Boulder weather in August

August brings highs around 83°F (28°C), lows near 58°F (14°C), about 8 wet days.

Boulder weather in September

September brings highs around 78°F (26°C), lows near 52°F (11°C), about 6 wet days.

Boulder weather in October

October brings highs around 63°F (17°C), lows near 38°F (3°C), about 6 wet days and roughly 2 snowy days.

Boulder weather in November

November brings highs around 49°F (10°C), lows near 27°F (-3°C), about 6 wet days and roughly 4 snowy days.

Boulder weather in December

December brings highs around 42°F (5°C), lows near 20°F (-6°C), about 5 wet days and roughly 4 snowy days - typically the driest month of the year in Boulder.

Seasons in Boulder

Spring (March through May)

Spring in Boulder is mild, with daytime highs averaging 57°F (14°C) and nights around 32°F (0°C); expect showers on roughly 33 days across the season, plus around 13 snowy days.

Summer (June through August)

Summer in Boulder is hot, with daytime highs averaging 83°F (28°C) and nights around 57°F (14°C); expect showers on roughly 25 days across the season.

Fall (September through November)

Fall in Boulder stays on the cool side of mild, with daytime highs averaging 64°F (18°C) and nights around 39°F (4°C); expect showers on roughly 18 days across the season, plus around 7 snowy days.

Winter (December through February)

Winter in Boulder runs cold, with daytime highs averaging 40°F (4°C) and nights around 18°F (-8°C); expect showers on roughly 18 days across the season, plus around 14 snowy days.

Climate questions, answered

What is the average temperature in Boulder?
Averaged over all twelve months, Boulder sits at 48°F (9°C) - about 61°F (16°C) by day and 36°F (2°C) after dark.
Is Boulder hot in summer?
It gets properly warm: plan on 85°F (30°C) through July, with the occasional hotter spike.
Is Boulder cold in winter?
Yes - winters dip below freezing. January nights average 17°F (-8°C), so expect frost and occasional ice.
How many rainy days does Boulder get in a year?
About 94 days bring measurable precipitation, with May the wettest month and December the driest.

Best time to visit Boulder

The best time to visit Boulder is generally August to October and June, when warm days, manageable rainfall and plenty of daylight line up. Daytime temperatures in that window typically sit near 76°F (24°C).

Pack for Boulder with a heavy insulated coat, hat and gloves for winter; a compact umbrella or rain shell - showers are a regular feature. Evenings can feel noticeably cooler than afternoons - July nights average 59°F (15°C).

Boulder temperature records (2015-2024)

Highest recorded
98°
in June
Lowest recorded
-24°
in January
Annual precipitation
20.6"
Snowy days / yr
34

Derived from ERA5 reanalysis data, 2015–2024. Official station records may differ.