Just a warning to be prepared if you are heading to the Colorado high country later this week. Up to a foot of snow on Friday is predicted for Trail Ridge Road in Rocky Mtn National Park, Mt. Evans and Berthoud Pass. The high in Denver will be in the low 60's. Dress for the weather and enjoy Colorful Colorado!

It's supposed to be cold in Wyoming too, I bet the Yellowstone area will get a few flakes too.

But that was nice of you to let people know...

Went to Denver on a business trip some years ago - and I remember the date since it was my birthday - Sept 8.

Leaving NYC it was 85 - when we landed in Denver there was 7" of snow on the ground. The next day it warmed up to the 50's - but very weird if you're not used to it. (One of my companions had only peep-toe shoes and a very thin suit blazer.)

This is not what i wanted to hear, SNOW, god forbid, I am coming to Colorado this 3rd Sept from UK and even though i know weather is unpredictable I don't want SNOW!!!

Have enough iffy weather in UK, if we hit Denver and it looks like bad weather is going to be the normal for our trip - then this will make a difference to us.

Might have to high tail it over to Utah...

I live in Austin, Texas, where we've had way too many 100 degree days.

I just heard on the evening news that we're expecting some big changes next week. A huge cold front is headed our way.

Maybe we're going to be getting next week what Colorado is getting this Friday.

From your lips to God's ears!

Annriley, it won't be that bad, I bet by the time you get here it will be all warmed up again. it's not unusal for us to get a cold snap this time of the year then heat for another few months. it will be fine and you will enjoy your trip....trust me!!! Utah will probably get the same front as CO and WY.

And if it DOES snow, it won't be that bad, it will melt fast.

Ann,

Don't worry.

It's probably because I've been taking the bus to work lately.

I'll take my SUV for the rest of the month and increase my carbon footprint.

That should warm things up just fine by the time you get here.

AnnRiley, please don't worry. I didn't start this thread to scare anyone away, but I wanted to make sure that visitors this weekend bring more than shorts and t-shirts. September and October are my favorite months in Colorado. If we do get snow it is usually followed by a warm, sunny day. It never hurts to bring layers, though, so you are prepared for any weather event.

Would a SW Colorado trip be too late to take beginning Oct 19? We have a late vacation, want to see Mesa Verde, Durango, Telluride, etc, and maybe Moab and Arches. Is it doable that time of year in a rental car? Will road closures make us miss the best drives?

You get yourself out here, Bayou!

It will be excellent!

Deb

September has the best color and is beautiful, as is October but be aware that there's always a big snowstorm in October. In my experience it clears up after a day or so and goes back to beautiful but just be prepared with a good vehicle with front wheel or four wheel drive and just drive slowly and take it easy if you get some snow. Have a good time!

Ann, don't panic. Lets get a little perspective. First, wtm003's snow is for the high mountain passes. Doubt if you will see any snow below 10,000 feet (Ann, 3000 meters) and more likely closer to 11,000 ft. And there is a vast difference between Denver and the mountains weather wise. The warning about being prepared for very cool weather is more important.

The earliest recorded snow in Denver was Sept 3rd, 1961. The latest first snow is Nov 1, 1998. The average first snow is Oct 19. The odds for snow substantially increase towards the end of Sept.

1995 - Sept 21
1996 Sept 25
1999 Sept 28
2000 Sept 23
2001 Oct 5
2005 Oct 10
2006 Oct 9

Prior to that the mountain area will have received more snow and it can be pretty heavy by the end of Sept but unlikely. The ski areas will try to open my mid October by making snow in early October so that the real snow on the man made base will give decent conditions by end of October.

Just need to be prepared for very changable weather. Probably will not see any snow.

It's all a bit confusing really, as a woman at my hubby's work has a daughter who lives in Denver and she said its been really hot.

Though weather forecasts are near the mark we have to temper them with a bit of 'wait and see'

Am hopefull all will be nice and warm mid 70's would be lovely.

Only 3 weeks to go....

Ann, there is really nothing confusing at all. The climate conditions in Denver and the mountains is vastly different. Denver is basically high desert (technically semi-arid) with low humidity and thin air leads to great temperature swings. Yesterday we were trying to get the heat out of the house. Today it is 50 (11C) and we are trying to keep the heat in the house. We have just come off of a string of nearly 30 days over 90. Only one day over a 100 so it has been a fairly normal summer. During the 30 day run we frequently had nighttime temps into the 50s and 60s and one morning was 49. We are expecting a cool weekend but a return next week to the 80s. The reports from the high country (our reference to mountains) is an earlier turning of the Aspen leaves which may forecast an early winter. So it is must a matter of being prepared for a wide range of weather.

After all, what is a vacation without some sense of adventure.

Snow in Moab in October is not too likely as it is at a much lower altitude.

In SW CO, October is a wonderous month. There can be some snow in the very high elevations of Tellurides mountains etc, but if there is any on the ground, it is gone quickly. IT is usually light, dry and powdery.

Rent a SUV to be sure.

Deb

We are visiting here in Colorado from Pennsylvania and can confirm that the weather has varied quite a bit. We enjoyed warm weather in Boulder and Denver. We have had some lovely days in Breckenridge (higher elevation) and were glad to have brought sweatshirts or fleece jackets for the evenings. Although we haven't had snow yet, there was some hail. We may see some snow tomorrow as we drive to our next destination in the mountains, but it should warm up next week.

Bringing clothes you can layer is a great way to be prepared for changing weather or a drive to higher elevations. And if the weather is cooler than expected, you can always buy a sweatshirt or fleece along the way. My daughter bought a hooded sweatshirt today to give her one more layer for this cold snap....

Colorado is a beautiful place to visit, whatever the weather!