Denver (KDEN) Temperature Market Guide

The KDEN ASOS is located at Denver International Airport, situated on the high plains approximately 25 miles northeast of downtown Denver. At 5,431 feet above sea level, this is one of the highest-elevation major temperature markets.

The airport's location on the open plains east of the city is significant. It's exposed to unobstructed airflow from all directions, making it particularly sensitive to wind-driven temperature changes. The Rockies loom to the west, influencing weather patterns in complex ways.

Denver experiences a semi-arid continental climate (Koppen: BSk) with four distinct seasons, low humidity, abundant sunshine, and notable temperature variability. The high elevation leads to intense solar heating during the day and rapid cooling at night.

Key Climate Factors:

High Elevation: At over a mile above sea level, Denver receives more intense solar radiation than low-elevation cities. This allows temperatures to rise quickly during the day but also means rapid heat loss at night. Daily temperature ranges of 25-35°F are common.

Chinook Winds: Warm, dry downslope winds from the Rockies can rapidly raise temperatures, sometimes by 30-50°F in a matter of hours. These "Chinooks" are most common in winter and can create dramatic trading opportunities.

Upslope Flow: Easterly winds pushing against the mountains create "upslope" conditions that bring clouds, precipitation, and cooler temperatures. This is the primary precipitation mechanism for the Denver area.

300 Days of Sunshine: Denver averages about 300 days of sunshine per year, which contributes to its significant daytime heating.

Winter (December - February):
Highly variable temperatures ranging from well below zero during Arctic outbreaks to 60°F+ during Chinook events. Major snowstorms are possible but temperatures can rebound dramatically within 24-48 hours. The sun is powerful even in winter.

Spring (March - May):
Peak volatility season. Major snowstorms are still possible through April (even May), but temperatures can reach the 80s°F between storm systems. Day-to-day temperature swings of 40°F+ are possible.

Summer (June - August):
Generally hot and dry with highs in the 85-95°F range. Occasional 100°F+ days occur but are not common. Afternoon thunderstorms develop almost daily over the mountains and occasionally drift over the airport.

Fall (September - November):
Pleasant weather with decreasing temperatures. Early season snowstorms are possible by October. Chinook winds become more frequent as the season progresses.

Watch for Chinook Development: When strong westerly flow develops aloft, Chinook winds can cause rapid, dramatic warming. Weather models sometimes underestimate the strength and duration of Chinook events.

Upslope vs. Downslope: Wind direction is critical. East winds (upslope) typically mean clouds and cooler temps; west winds (downslope) mean clearing and warming. The transition between these patterns is key.

Afternoon Thunderstorm Outflow: Summer thunderstorms over the mountains can send cool outflow boundaries across the airport. These can drop temperatures 15-20°F in minutes but are difficult to predict.

Large Diurnal Range: Denver's typical 25-35°F daily temperature swing means the timing of cloud cover is critical.

Denver temperature markets resolve based on the official high temperature in the NWS CLI for station KDEN, issued by the Boulder forecast office (BOU).

Resolution Source: NWS CLI (Climatological Report)

Reporting Period: 12:00 AM to 11:59 PM Mountain Standard Time.

Time of Maximum: During summer, the daily high typically occurs between 2-5 PM MDT. In winter, strong Chinook winds can cause the high to occur at any hour, even overnight.

Chinook Prediction: Forecasting the exact intensity and duration of Chinook events is difficult. The interaction of airflow with complex terrain creates non-linear responses that models struggle to capture.

Upslope Precipitation: Upslope snow and cloud events can be difficult to time precisely. Small changes in wind direction can determine whether clouds affect the airport.

Thunderstorm Outflow: Summer thunderstorm outflow boundaries are essentially unpredictable more than an hour or two in advance.

Record High: 105°F recorded in June 2018 and July 2005.

Record Low: -29°F recorded in January 1875.

Fastest Temperature Rise: On January 15, 1972, temperatures rose from -4°F to 47°F in a single hour during an extreme Chinook event - one of the fastest temperature rises ever recorded.

Snow in June: Measurable snow has fallen in every month of the year in Denver, though summer snow is rare.