Brighton has chilly, snowy winters and warm summers, with very little rain
A typical July afternoon reaches 90°, a January night drops to 16°, and about 35 inches of snow falls in a normal winter.
A year in Brighton at a glance
Each month’s typical high and low, and what it brings.
What stands out about Brighton’s climate
Read from where Brighton sits among Colorado’s towns. The page puts what stands out first.
35 inches of snow, 14 of rain and melt
May is the wettest month and December the driest. Rain or snow falls on about 67 days a year.
Rain + melted snow by month
Inches of water
Snowfall by month
Inches of snow
What a year in Brighton feels like
Typical highs and lows by season and by month, from NOAA’s 30-year normals.
About 155 frost-free days a year
In half of years the last 32° night comes by May 3 and the first by October 7.
Freezing nights by month
Average nights at or below 32°
90° days by month
Average days at 90° or more
Living with Brighton’s climate
What the numbers mean for a garden, a driveway, a furnace and a free afternoon.
155 frost-free days. The last frost comes by May 3 in half of years, so many gardeners wait a week or two past that to set out tomatoes. The first fall frost comes by Oct 7.
About 35" a winter over 12 days with an inch or more, most in March. Snow covers the ground about 37 days a year.
Months averaging under 55° run from October through April. Heating is 89% of the year’s heating-and-cooling load.
About 49 days a year reach 90°, and July afternoons average 90°.
The nicest months are May and September. 24 miles of trails are waiting.
Parks & trails →Normals are averages. Ice storms, nor’easters, floods and heat waves are on the natural hazards page.
Natural hazards →Brighton and its neighbors
Fort Lupton has the coldest January nights next door (16°) and Fort Lupton the hottest July afternoons (91°). Tap a town to see its climate.
Temperatures and rain come from NOAA’s 5 km grid, so each town gets its own value. Snow and frost-free days come from the nearest weather station, so neighbors often share them.
Warmer than it used to be
The last 30 years in Brighton averaged 1.6° warmer than the 1900s. The biggest change is in March (+3.5°).
A bigger shift than in 78% of U.S. towns.
Change by month
How Brighton compares
Against every U.S. town on TownTapestry, each counted once, with its place in Colorado.
Brighton weather by month
Average highs, lows, rain and snow for every month, from NOAA’s 1991–2020 normals.
| Month | High | Low | Rain + melt | Snow | Wet days | Snow on ground | 30-yr range |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 45° | 16° | 0.4" | 5.2" | 4 | 9 | 20° – 37° |
| February | 47° | 19° | 0.5" | 5.3" | 4 | 7 | 27° – 41° |
| March | 57° | 27° | 0.9" | 6.0" | 6 | 3 | 35° – 49° |
| April | 63° | 33° | 1.8" | 3.1" | 7 | 2 | 42° – 54° |
| May | 72° | 43° | 2.3" | 0.5" | 8 | 0 | 52° – 62° |
| June | 85° | 52° | 1.6" | 0 | 7 | 0 | 64° – 74° |
| July | 90° | 59° | 1.7" | 0 | 7 | 0 | 71° – 78° |
| August | 88° | 56° | 1.5" | 0 | 6 | 0 | 68° – 76° |
| September | 80° | 48° | 1.2" | 0.2" | 5 | 0 | 59° – 68° |
| October | 66° | 35° | 0.9" | 3.2" | 5 | 1 | 43° – 57° |
| November | 54° | 25° | 0.7" | 5.8" | 4 | 5 | 31° – 46° |
| December | 45° | 17° | 0.4" | 5.2" | 4 | 9 | 24° – 35° |
| Year | 66° | 36° | 13.8" | 34.5" | 67 | 37 |
Heating and cooling a home in Brighton
89% of the work is heating, so the furnace matters far more than the air conditioner.
Degree days add up how far each day’s average falls below (heating) or rises above (cooling) 65° over a year. Source: NOAA station normals.
How much a month can swing
A normal is an average. January swings the most: from 1991 to 2020 its average ranged from 20° to 37°. July is the most reliable, staying within 7°.
Common questions about Brighton’s climate
What is the coldest month in Brighton?
January, with a typical high of 45° and a low of 16°.
What is the hottest month in Brighton?
July, with a typical high of 90° and a low of 59°. About 49 days a year reach 90°.
How much snow does Brighton get?
About 35 inches in a normal winter, most of it in March.
When is the first frost in Brighton?
In half of years the first 32° night comes by October 7, and the last spring frost by May 3.
What is the rainiest month in Brighton?
May, with 2.3 inches of rain and melted snow. The year totals 14 inches.
Neighbors talk weather
Gardens, snow, and the best days of the year in Brighton.
Your answer becomes a post in Town Square.
Temperatures and rainfall come from NOAA’s gridded climate normals for Brighton itself (about a 3-mile square). Snow, frost dates and day counts come from NOAA’s weather station at Brighton 3 Se, CO (3 mi) away. Normals are 30-year averages, not a forecast. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020 and 1901–2000. Today’s forecast: National Weather Service.