Weather in Telluride

Planning your day or trip to Telluride? Check out the latest weather information, charts, and forecasts in this section.

Telluride features a typical high-altitude alpine climate, characterised by snowy winters and moderately warm, comfortable summers. Thanks to its mountain location, the air here is always fresh, and humidity remains relatively low for most of the year. The region has distinct seasonality, allowing tourists to choose the perfect time for a trip depending on their preferences: whether it be winter sports or summer hiking.

The winter period here is quite severe and long: average temperatures stay below freezing, and at night the thermometer often drops to -13°C, creating excellent conditions for the formation of stable snow cover. Summer in Telluride is mild and pleasant, without exhausting heat. In the warmest months, July and August, daytime temperatures reach a comfortable +21°C, however, travellers should remember that nights remain cool even at the height of summer.

A characteristic feature of the local weather is an increase in rainfall in the middle of summer. July and August, despite warm days, often bring short-term rains; the number of wet days during this period can reach 14–15 per month. Autumn and spring serve as cool transitional periods with quite sharp temperature fluctuations, so layered clothing will be relevant in any season.

The climate in Telluride is characterised by pronounced seasonality and significant temperature fluctuations. Winters here are truly frosty: the coldest month is January with an average temperature of -7.6°C. During this period, night-time figures often drop to -13.3°C, and daytime highs rarely overcome the -1.9°C mark, which ensures stable snow cover throughout the season.

Summer brings long-awaited but mild warmth, ideally suited for active leisure without sweltering heat. The warmest month of the year is considered to be July, when the average temperature is 14.8°C, and during the day the air warms up to a comfortable 21.7°C. August also delights with pleasant weather with highs around 20.6°C, however, by September the arrival of autumn is felt, and average figures decrease to 10.6°C.

An important feature of the local climate is the substantial difference between day and night temperatures, which is observed all year round. Even at the height of summer, when one can enjoy the sun during the day, nights remain cool: for example, in June with daytime highs of 18.6°C, the night temperature falls to 3.8°C. Travellers should take this contrast into account and always have warm clothes with them for evening walks.

In Telluride, the nature of precipitation is closely linked to seasonal temperature changes and the city's mountain location. Since from November to March, and often in April, average temperatures stay below freezing, precipitation during this period falls predominantly as snow. March stands out as one of the months with the most frequent precipitation — statistics show about 15 "wet" days, which contributes to preserving the snow cover on the slopes.

With the arrival of warmth, the character of the weather changes. Summer, especially July and August, is also distinguished by a high frequency of precipitation: rains can occur up to 14–15 days a month. However, judging by the small total volume of rainfall, in summer these are most often short-term rains or light drizzle, which are quickly replaced by the sun and do not create serious obstacles for tourism.

If you are looking for more stable and dry weather, it is worth paying attention to November and June. These are the "driest" months of the year, when the number of days with precipitation drops to a minimum — about 7–8 days per month. In general, precipitation in Telluride is distributed quite evenly throughout the year, but its form changes from fluffy snow in winter to refreshing rains at the height of summer.

When packing for Telluride, it is worth remembering that mountain weather is changeable, so the main principle of your wardrobe should be layering. Even if the forecast promises a sunny day, conditions can change quickly. Regardless of the time of year, be sure to put sunscreen and dark glasses in your suitcase: at high altitude the sun is very active, and one can get sunburnt even in winter. You will also need comfortable, broken-in flat shoes for walking around the city and trails.

For a winter trip (from November to March), when the temperature often drops below -10°C, quality thermal underwear, warm woollen sweaters, a windproof down jacket, a hat, and gloves are vitally necessary. In summer, although during the day the air warms up to a comfortable +20°C, nights remain cool, so a light jacket or fleece cardigan will be handy. Considering that in July and August the number of rainy days increases, it is sensible to take a compact raincoat or umbrella with you.