Fort Collins, in northern Colorado, features a semi-arid continental climate with warm, sunny summers and cold, snowy winters. The city experiences dramatic seasonal contrasts, moderate rainfall, and frequent breezes. With over 230 sunny days per year and a lively four-season environment, Fort Collins is an inviting destination for outdoor enthusiasts and cultural travellers alike.
The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.
Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.
Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.
Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.
Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.
Fort Collins’ climate is shaped by its elevation (about 1,500 metres), proximity to the Rocky Mountains, and continental location. Summers (June–August) are warm, mostly clear, and relatively dry, with average highs of 28–31°C and lows of 12–15°C. July is the hottest month, occasionally reaching above 32°C, but humidity remains low, making the heat comfortable. Thunderstorms are common in late afternoons, especially in June and July, but rainfall is moderate, with summer months averaging 30–40 mm each. Sunshine is abundant, with up to 11 hours per day, and evenings are pleasantly cool.
Winters (December–February) are cold, snowy, and often windy, with average highs of 3–7°C and lows of -8 to -9°C. Snowfall is frequent, averaging 122–145 cm per season, and cold snaps can bring temperatures below -17°C. Winter days are short, with 3–4 hours of sunshine and about 9–10 hours of daylight. Winds are moderate to strong, averaging 14–20 km/h, and blustery days are common. Spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November) are transitional, with rapidly changing weather, mild to warm temperatures (14–22°C in May/September), and frequent rain showers or brief snow. May is typically the wettest month, while late spring and early autumn offer comfortable weather and vibrant city life. Annual precipitation is about 410 mm, and Fort Collins enjoys over 230 sunny days per year.
| Average climate data for Fort Collins, United States | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Average maximum temperature (°C) | 3 | 3 | 9 | 12 | 17 | 26 | 28 | 28 | 24 | 14 | 8 | 2 | 28 |
| Average minimum temperature (°C) | -7 | -7 | -2 | 1 | 5 | 11 | 14 | 13 | 9 | 3 | -2 | -7 | -7 |
| Average precipitation (mm) | 3 | 8 | 13 | 19 | 38 | 21 | 35 | 19 | 14 | 11 | 9 | 4 | 194 |
| Average rainfall days (days) | 1 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 12 | 10 | 15 | 11 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 74 |
| Average snowfall (mm) | 23 | 66 | 56 | 83 | 31 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 51 | 62 | 33 | 405 |
| Average snowfall days (days) | 3 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 21 |
| Average relative humidity (%) | 66 | 66 | 59 | 54 | 57 | 45 | 46 | 45 | 45 | 52 | 56 | 65 | 55 |
| Average wind speed (km/h) | 12 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 |
| Average daily daylight hours (h) | 9 | 10 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 9 | 9 | 12 |
| Average daily sunshine hours (h) | 7 | 6 | 8 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 9 |
| Average cloud coverage (%) | 21 | 27 | 25 | 28 | 28 | 17 | 19 | 18 | 17 | 19 | 19 | 24 | 22 |
| Average UV index | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 3 |
The best time to visit Fort Collins is from late May to September, when temperatures are warmest (20–31°C), days are longest, and the city is vibrant with outdoor festivals, hiking, and river activities. These months offer ideal conditions for exploring the region’s parks, breweries, and lively downtown, with abundant sunshine and comfortable evenings.
The least favourable time to visit is from December to February, when temperatures are lowest, snow is frequent, and days are shortest. While winters are cold and often windy, the sun still shines most days, but outdoor activities may be limited by snow or cold snaps. Winter is best for those seeking a quieter atmosphere or nearby mountain sports.
Fort Collins has a semi-arid continental climate with warm, dry summers and cold, snowy winters. The city enjoys over 230 sunny days per year, moderate rainfall, and frequent breezes.
The best time to visit is late May to September, when the weather is warm, rainfall is moderate, and the city is lively with outdoor activities, festivals, and long sunny days.
Yes, Fort Collins averages 122–145 cm (48–57 inches) of snow per season, with the heaviest snowfall from November to March. Snow can fall as late as May and as early as October.
Summer highs in Fort Collins typically reach 28–31°C, with July being the warmest month. Heatwaves above 32°C are rare, and evenings are cool and comfortable.
Winds are moderate to strong year-round, averaging 14–20 km/h. Spring and winter are the windiest seasons, and blustery days are common, especially near storms.
Pack layers for cool mornings and evenings, sun protection for summer, and a rain jacket for spring showers. In winter, bring warm clothing, waterproof boots, and a hat for snowy, windy days.
Yes, Fort Collins has low humidity year-round due to its high elevation and semi-arid climate. The dry air makes both heat and cold feel less intense but requires visitors to stay hydrated and use moisturiser.
The warmest month, with the highest average maximum temperature, is July (28.3 °C). The month with the lowest average maximum temperature is December (2.3 °C). Overall, the average maximum temperature over the whole year is 14.6 °C.
The month with the highest average minimum temperature is July (13.7 °C). The coldest month, with the lowest average minimum temperature, is December (-7.4 °C). Overall, the average minimum temperature over the whole year is 2.5 °C.
The wettest month, with the highest amount of precipitation, is May (38.4 mm). The driest month, with the least amount of precipitation, is January (3 mm). Over the whole year there are 193.9 mm of rainfall on average.
The month with the most days of rain is July (14.6 days). The month with the fewest days of rain is January (1.3 days). Over the whole year there are 73.6 days of rain on average.
The month with the most snowfall is April (82.8 mm). The months with the least snowfall are June, July, August and September (0 mm). Over the whole year there are 405.1 mm of snowfall on average.
The month with the most days of snowfall is February (4.3 days). The months with the fewest days of snowfall are June and July (0 days). Over the whole year there are 21.5 days of snowfall on average.
The month with the highest average relative humidity is February (66.3 %). The month with the lowest average relative humidity is August (44.6 %). The overall average relative humidity over the whole year is 54.6 %.
The windiest month, with the highest average wind speed, is April (12.2 km/h). The calmest month, with the lowest average wind speed, is August (9.1 km/h). The overall average wind speed over the whole year is 10.7 km/h.
The month with the cloudiest skies, so the highest cloud coverage, is April (28.1 %). The month with the clearest skies, so the lowest cloud coverage, is June (16.7 %). Over the whole year there is an average cloud coverage of 21.7 %.
The month with the longest days, so the most daylight, is June (Average daylight: 15 h). The month with the shortest days, so the least daylight, is December (Average daylight: 9 h). Over the whole year there are 11.8 h of daylight per day on average.
The month with the most sunshine per day is June (Average sunshine: 11.2 h). The month with the least sunshine per day is February (Average sunshine: 6.1 h). Over the whole year there are 8.8 h of sunlight per day on average.
The month with the highest average UV index is July (UV index: 6). The months with the lowest average UV index are January, February, November and December (UV index: 2). Over the whole year the average UV index is 3.4.
