Summit County Climate
Summit County, Colorado
Avg Annual Temp
37.0°F
Annual Precip
17.7"
Annual Snowfall
150.1"
Extreme Heat Days
0.35
days >= 90°F/yr
Monthly Temperature
Precipitation Calendar
Seasonal Overview
National Comparison
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
What is the average temperature in Summit County?
How much rain does Summit County get?
Does it snow in Summit County?
How hot does Summit County get in summer?
How cold are winters in Summit County?
Track your own weather in Summit County
Ambient Weather personal weather stations give you hyperlocal climate data.
Sponsored
Data source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020.
Climate normals are 30-year averages of weather variables computed from 1991 to 2020. Station data is aggregated to county level using spatial averaging. Data is informational only — not a substitute for official National Weather Service forecasts or emergency weather warnings.