The climate of Leadville
Leadville, nestled in the heart of
Colorado, USA, exhibits the Dfc category under the Köppen climate classification, signifying a subarctic climate marked by severe winters, cool summers, and a lack of dry seasons. This geographical position, whether biting cold or pleasingly mild, imparts a distinct touch to Leadville's climate throughout the year.
The fluctuation in weather conditions is notable, ranging from minimum temperatures of 1.8°F (-16.8°C) in
January to highs of 66.7°F (19.3°C) in
July. Humidity levels also vacillate throughout the year, reaching a peak of 88% in
February and dipping to a low of 52% in
June. Similarly, rainfall varies notably, peaking at 2.48" (63mm) in
May, and decreasing to 0.98" (25mm) in
November. This ebb and flow in weather parameters underline Leadville's diverse climate outlook.
Consequently, snowfall in Leadville extends from intervening mild periods to fairly heavy times, with January experiencing about 10.04" (255mm) of snow, whereas
March receives around 18.11" (460mm). On the other hand, the shortest day of the year is in
December with around 9.5 hours of daylight, while the longest day is in June with approximately 14.9 hours of daylight. These distinguishing weather patterns contribute to a unique sequence of climate transitions throughout the year.
The best time to visit Leadville
From the given climatological data, the period between
June and
September is arguably the best time to visit
Leadville. During these months, visitors can enjoy the city's warmest weather as the temperature ranges between 58.8°F (14.9°C) and 66.7°F (19.3°C). Daylight is generous, stretching from 13.7 hours to 14.9 hours providing plenty of time to explore the enchanting surroundings. Furthermore, the humidity remains relatively low, making for comfortable days.
The worst time to visit Leadville
By contrast, the months from
December to
February pose to be challenging for visitors due to severe winter conditions. Temperatures during this period drop to between 1.8°F (-16.8°C) and 3.6°F (-15.8°C), with heavy snowfall up to 13.82" (351mm) in February. Daylight hours are noticeably reduced to approximately 9.8 hours in
January. Consequently, travel is often disrupted due to these harsh weather conditions.
Spring weather in Leadville
Spring, extending from
March to
May, brings about a steady increase in temperature from 30.4°F (-0.9°C) to 47.1°F (8.4°C). Rainfall during this period is relatively high, especially in May with 2.48" (63mm). Snowfall reduces gradually, yet
Leadville still experiences up to 15.59" (396mm) in May. While daylight stretches from 12 hours in March to 14.3 hours in May, it is important to prepare for the persistent chill in the air and variable weather patterns.
Summer weather in Leadville
Between
June and
August, summer graces
Leadville with temperatures ranging from 62.6°F (17°C) to 66.7°F (19.3°C). Even with the occasional rainfall of 1.42" (36mm) in June to 2.32" (59mm) in
July, the weather remains largely pleasant. Snowfall becomes a rare occurrence with the majority of leadville experiences only 0.31" (8mm) in July. The extensive daylight, lasting between 14.6 hours to 14.9 hours, sets the stage for enjoyable outdoor activities.
Autumn weather in Leadville
Autumn typically sees a steady decrease in temperatures from 58.8°F (14.9°C) in
September to 32°F (0°C) in
November. Rainfall decreases to 1.02" (26mm) in September and gently rises to 0.98" (25mm) by November. Snowfall picks up steadily from 1.02" (26mm) in September to 7.72" (196mm) in November. With daylight hours between 11.2 and 12.4 hours, it's a picturesque season, yet visitors should expect a fair share of cold and possibly snowy days.
Winter weather in Leadville
From
December to
February, winter in
Leadville displays its full intensity with temperatures dropping to as low as 1.8°F (-16.8°C). Snowfall reaches up to 13.82" (351mm) in February with approximately 19.4 snowy days. Daylight hours are relatively short, particularly in December, offering only 9.5 hours. It underlines the necessity of adequately planning for the harsh, snowy conditions during winter months.
Weather in January
When winter wraps its icy hands around
Leadville,
Colorado, the first month of the year sees frigid temperatures and falling snow.
January is characterized by humidity at 87% and snow accumulates at 10.04" (255mm) over the course of 17.3 days.
Weather in January »Weather in February
As the calendar turns to
February, the weather conditions in
Leadville,
Colorado, do not change abruptly. Snowfall keeps blanketing the city, albeit less frequently than in
January. The latter half of winter proves slightly warmer, albeit the difference may be negligible to an outsider.
Weather in February »Weather in March
March sees a transfer of seasons in
Leadville,
Colorado, with convergence of winter and early signs of spring. A marked escalation is seen in both high and low temperatures, rising from 23.4°F (-4.8°C) to 30.4°F (-0.9°C) and 3.6°F (-15.8°C) to 9.9°F (-12.3°C) respectively.
Weather in March »
Weather in April
With the onset of spring,
Leadville,
Colorado, begins a noticeable transition in its weather conditions in
April. Medium amount of snowfall persists even as much of the country welcomes spring blossoms. However, increased daylight of 13.3 hours coupled with a decreasing percentage of cloud cover offers a respite from the winter's gloom.
Weather in April »Weather in May
As
May embraces
Leadville,
Colorado, spring's influence becomes more evident in weather. Nearly double the sunshine hours of
January make it apparent that the city is inching closer to summer. Despite this, the months remain cool with periodic snowfall that continues to captivate winter sport enthusiasts.
Weather in May »Weather in June
June signifies the advent of summer in
Leadville,
Colorado, characterized by mild temperatures and extended daylight. The increase in the city's average temperature to 62.6°F (17°C) from
May's 47.1°F (8.4°C) along with a significant drop in snowfall marks a departure from the chilly months.
Weather in June »
Weather in July
As the heart of summer beats in
July,
Leadville,
Colorado, meets peak temperatures, making it the warmest month. Alongside this heat, the city also battles the maximum rainfall of 2.32" (59mm), experienced over 18.8 days. Comparatively less wind and highest pressure of year makes the conditions somewhat stagnant, contrary to the cooling effects of the preceding
June or the following
August.
Weather in July »Weather in August
The late summer month of
August presents a slightly cooler
Leadville,
Colorado, compared to
July. It remains relatively dry with rainfall of 1.57" (40mm), offering a refreshing break before the onset of the wetter autumn. While the average temperatures mitigate, homeowners bid adieu to their air conditioning for the year.
Weather in August »Weather in September
Weather in October
October welcomes the fall season in full swing in
Leadville,
Colorado, with cold winds and a spectrum of autumn colors. Temperatures take a nosedive, setting the stage for the forthcoming cold winter months. The shade of the city changes daily from verdant summer to the golden hues of fall, until finally settling on the stark white of an early snowfall.
Weather in October » Weather in November
The pre-winter month of
November brings a chill in the air in
Leadville,
Colorado, as the landscape starts turning white. Demonstrating a significant drop, the temperature averages settle at 32°F (0°C) from previous 43.9°F (6.6°C) of
October, signaling the near arrival of a harsh winter.
Weather in November »Weather in December