Wyoming and Colorado are western states with open spaces, mountains and desert areas, all of which contribute to weather patterns. Elevation and topography affect weather in both states. Colorado and Wyoming often see the first snow of the season in September, though the snow doesn't really stick or start to accumulate until November. It can snow in every month, especially in the mountains. People who live in the mountains often joke that if you don't like the weather, just wait a minute. Bring a jacket and a hat, and be prepared for almost any type of weather at any time of year.
Summer temperatures in the mountain town of Jackson average 65 degrees, with highs reaching 80 degrees. The warmest temperature on record was 114 degrees at Basin, which sits at 3,870 feet. In the 13,000-foot mountains, July temperatures average 55 degrees. Winter high temperatures in Jackson average in the 20s and 30s, with lows in the teens to below freezing. Wyoming's average annual precipitation is 14.5 inches.
Average summer high temperatures range from 72 to 79 degrees in mountain towns like Aspen and Steamboat Springs, with lows in the 30s to 40s. In metropolitan Denver or southwestern Durango, both of which are between 5,000 to 6,000 feet elevation, summer temperatures reach into the 90s, with lows in the 40s and 50s. Winter temperatures drop well below freezing across the state, with lows in the teens to below zero. Winter high temperatures average in the 30s at high elevations and 40s to 50s at lower elevations.
Colorado's capital city of Denver is called the "Mile High City" because its elevation is 5,280 feet. Mount Elbert is Colorado's highest point, at 14,433 feet. Colorado's lowest elevation is the Arikaree River at 3,315 feet. Wyoming's Gannet Peak in the Wind River Range is 13,804 feet. The lowest elevation in Wyoming is found in the northeast, with the Belle Fourche River at 3,100 feet. Temperatures can change drastically as the elevation climbs. It may be clear or raining in the valley, while a freezing blizzard hampers visibility and brings a few feet of snow just 30 miles away.
Colorado enjoys 300 days of sunshine every year. Despite this, the mountains receive over 300 inches of snow every year, a large part of the state's average 23 inches of precipitation at high elevations and 8 inches at lower elevations. Sunshine is factored into Colorado's snow removal budget. Even when it snows several feet, the sun is strong when it comes out. Skiers often head to slopes on snow-packed and icy roads, enjoy a powder day and find most of the snow has melted off the highway for their drive home.
With the Wind River Range and wind power plants at Cheyenne, Foote Creek and Medicine Bow, Wyoming is no stranger to wind. The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that Wyoming could generate hundreds of billions of kilowatt-hours from the wind every year. Almost half of the state shows significant potential for generating energy from the wind; annual average wind speed at 263 feet (80 meters) above the ground is 19 miles per hour (8.5 meters per second).
