Summit County Climate
Summit County, Colorado
NOAA NCEI 1991-2020 Climate NormalsAvg Annual Temp
37.0°F
Annual Precip
17.7"
Annual Snowfall
150.1"
Extreme Heat Days
0
days >= 90°F/yr
Monthly Temperature
Precipitation Calendar
Growing Season & Gardening
5a
Minimum winter temperature range for plant survival
758
Limited to cold-tolerant varieties
Seasonal Overview
National Comparison
7-Day Outlook
Forecast
Current Conditions
Air Quality
Safety
Weather Alerts
Climate Advisory: Summit County
Climate Verdict
Summit County has a cold, with an average annual temperature of 37.0°F, semi-arid conditions with only 17.7 inches of annual precipitation, rare extreme heat with only 0.35 days above 90°F annually, heavy winter snowfall averaging 150.1 inches per year. This climate profile shapes everything from energy costs to outdoor recreation opportunities.
Seasonal Breakdown
Winters are very cold — January averages 16.0°F. summers are cool, with July averaging only 59.1°F. The 43°F seasonal variation provides noticeable but manageable change.
Outdoor & Gardening Guidance
Winter sports enthusiasts benefit from reliable snow cover for 3-4 months annually.
Regional Context
Summit County is 8.8°F cooler than the Colorado statewide average of 45.9°F, the county experiences 26.266034265558066 fewer extreme heat days than the state average.
Climate Profile
About Summit County Weather
Summit's alpine climate stands apart nationally
Summit County's 37.0°F annual average is nearly 10°F colder than the U.S. median of 47°F, placing it firmly in a subalpine climate zone. Despite only 17.7 inches of annual precipitation, the county's extreme elevation means nearly all moisture falls as snow, not rain.
Colorado's coldest inhabited county
Summit ranks as one of Colorado's coldest counties, at 37.0°F—a full 9°F below the state average of 46.0°F. This dramatic temperature difference reflects Summit's high elevation (average above 9,000 feet) and mountain geography.
Significantly colder than Teller County peaks
Summit's 37.0°F average is 4°F colder than nearby Teller County (41.0°F), despite both being mountain regions, because Summit sits at higher elevations. This temperature gap expands seasonally: Summit's summer only reaches 56.6°F compared to Teller's 59.0°F.
Extreme winter dominance with no summer heat
Summit records zero days above 90°F annually, while January plunges to 16.0°F and July peaks at just 59.1°F. The county receives a remarkable 150.1 inches of snow per year—more than 12 feet—making winter the defining season.
Prepare for brutal snow, never for heat
Summit residents must invest in robust snow removal equipment and avalanche mitigation, as 150+ inches annually can paralyze transportation. Heavy-duty insulation, backup heating systems, and tire chains are year-round necessities; air conditioning is virtually never required.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Data sources: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020. Forecast and alert data from National Weather Service API. Air quality data from Open-Meteo.
Climate normals are 30-year averages of weather variables. Station data is aggregated to county level. Forecasts and alerts are fetched live and may change frequently. Data is informational only — not a substitute for official National Weather Service forecasts or emergency weather warnings.