Southern Ute has cold, snowy winters and warm summers, with very little rain
A typical July afternoon reaches 90°, a January night drops to 14°, and about 34 inches of snow falls in a normal winter.
A year in Southern Ute at a glance
Each month’s typical high and low, and what it brings.
What stands out about Southern Ute’s climate
Read from where Southern Ute sits among Colorado’s towns. The page puts what stands out first.
34 inches of snow, 13 of rain and melt
August is the wettest month and June the driest. Rain or snow falls on about 78 days a year.
Rain + melted snow by month
Inches of water
Snowfall by month
Inches of snow
What a year in Southern Ute feels like
Typical highs and lows by season and by month, from NOAA’s 30-year normals.
About 128 frost-free days a year
In half of years the last 32° night comes by May 23 and the first by September 29.
Freezing nights by month
Average nights at or below 32°
90° days by month
Average days at 90° or more
Living with Southern Ute’s climate
What the numbers mean for a garden, a driveway, a furnace and a free afternoon.
128 frost-free days. The last frost comes by May 23 in half of years, so many gardeners wait a week or two past that to set out tomatoes. The first fall frost comes by Sep 29.
About 34" a winter over 10 days with an inch or more, most in February. Snow covers the ground about 56 days a year.
Months averaging under 55° run from October through April. Heating is 96% of the year’s heating-and-cooling load.
About 21 days a year reach 90°, and July afternoons average 90°.
The nicest months are September.
Parks & trails →Normals are averages. Ice storms, nor’easters, floods and heat waves are on the natural hazards page.
Natural hazards →Warmer than it used to be
The last 30 years in Southern Ute averaged 1.7° warmer than the 1900s. The biggest change is in January (+2.9°).
A bigger shift than in 81% of U.S. towns.
Change by month
How Southern Ute compares
Against every U.S. town on TownTapestry, each counted once, with its place in Colorado.
Southern Ute 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 | 42° | 14° | 1.0" | 8.9" | 7 | 21 | 21° – 35° |
| February | 47° | 19° | 1.0" | 9.8" | 6 | 15 | 27° – 40° |
| March | 57° | 26° | 0.9" | 3.0" | 6 | 5 | 36° – 47° |
| April | 65° | 32° | 0.9" | 0.8" | 5 | 1 | 43° – 53° |
| May | 74° | 39° | 0.8" | 0.2" | 5 | 0 | 51° – 61° |
| June | 86° | 47° | 0.4" | 0 | 3 | 0 | 61° – 71° |
| July | 90° | 55° | 1.4" | 0 | 10 | 0 | 68° – 76° |
| August | 87° | 53° | 1.7" | 0 | 10 | 0 | 67° – 75° |
| September | 80° | 45° | 1.6" | 0 | 8 | 0 | 57° – 66° |
| October | 67° | 34° | 1.2" | 0 | 7 | 0 | 45° – 55° |
| November | 53° | 24° | 1.0" | 2.0" | 5 | 2 | 31° – 45° |
| December | 42° | 16° | 0.9" | 9.1" | 7 | 13 | 21° – 35° |
| Year | 66° | 34° | 12.7" | 33.8" | 78 | 56 |
Heating and cooling a home in Southern Ute
96% 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. December swings the most: from 1991 to 2020 its average ranged from 21° to 35°. July is the most reliable, staying within 8°.
Common questions about Southern Ute’s climate
What is the coldest month in Southern Ute?
January, with a typical high of 42° and a low of 14°.
What is the hottest month in Southern Ute?
July, with a typical high of 90° and a low of 55°. About 21 days a year reach 90°.
How much snow does Southern Ute get?
About 34 inches in a normal winter, most of it in February.
When is the first frost in Southern Ute?
In half of years the first 32° night comes by September 29, and the last spring frost by May 23.
What is the rainiest month in Southern Ute?
August, with 1.7 inches of rain and melted snow. The year totals 13 inches.
Neighbors talk weather
Gardens, snow, and the best days of the year in Southern Ute.
Your answer becomes a post in Town Square.
Temperatures and rainfall come from NOAA’s gridded climate normals for Southern Ute itself (about a 3-mile square). Snow, frost dates and day counts come from NOAA’s weather station at Ignacio 6ese, 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.