If you have lived in Colorado Springs a while, you are probably familiar with the countless weather jokes. Known as the city where we shovel snow in our sandals while the sun shines, the weather in the Pikes Peak region is unpredictable—both daily and hourly.
Many new buyers in Colorado move to the Pikes Peak region with the knowledge that we have four distinct seasons; what many buyers don’t know is that it can vary a lot depending on where you live. If you are planning to buy in the Pikes Peak region, or are just a curious resident, here are the common weather patterns for different areas:
Colorado Springs
Colorado Springs is the second largest city in Colorado. At 195 square miles, it is not unusual to experience snow up north and sun down south—or vice versa. On average though, Colorado Springs has a mild climate with four distinct seasons. In the summer, temperatures can reach high 80s/low 90s; an average winter day is around 30 degrees. Afternoon thunderstorms are a daily occurrence in the summer and gardens grow well in our city. In the winter, residents can expect around 70 inches of snowfall with mostly clear, sunny skies.
Tri-Lakes and Palmer Divide
At over 7,000 feet in elevation, this area just north of Colorado Springs has a shorter growing season and is, on average, 5 to 10 degrees cooler than the rest of the region. This means milder summers and more snow in the winter. Snow can begin as early as October in Colorado and it’s not uncommon for this region to see snow when Colorado Springs sees rain. This region can also get scant snowfall even in May. If you are looking for an area with more snowfall and cooler temps, Tri-Lakes and Palmer Divide are both good places to begin your house hunt.
Woodland Park
At an even higher elevation (8,465 feet), Woodland Park also has a short growing season and more snow. Referred to by residents as the “City Above the Clouds,” it sits 18 miles west of Colorado Springs and has an average yearly snowfall of 112 inches. Icy roads can be a concern for residents who have to commute to Colorado Springs; make sure to discuss driving conditions with your agent if viewing Woodland Park homes. In the summer, the average temperature is a wonderful 76 degrees and the sun will often shine in Woodland Park while snow falls in Tri-Lakes. Perfect for buyers who want a small mountain town feel just outside of a larger city, Woodland Park has only 7,500 residents (although the mountain region is vast) and access to numerous outdoor activities.
Fountain
If you are unfamiliar with Fountain, Colorado, it is sometimes referred to as the banana belt, or warmer area, of the Pikes Peak Region. It only receives an average of 15 inches of rain per year and 35 inches of snow. It is also one of the hotter areas of the region, averaging a temperature 87 degrees in the summer. If you don’t mind living farther from the mountains and desire warmer days, Fountain is a great and affordable place to look for a home near Colorado Springs.
Wherever you decide to live in the Pikes Peak region, you can expect warm summers, brisk falls, snowy winters, and blissful springs. We love our city and find buyers are just as thrilled with the seasons as we are, as long as they know where to buy based on their climate preferences.