If you’re standing in Belmar today, it's 24°F. Sunny, sure, but that "feels like" temp is sitting right at 19°F. Basically, it's that classic high-desert chill where the sun tricks your eyes into thinking it's warmer than it actually is.
Most people look at the weather in Lakewood Colorado and see a generic "Denver suburb" forecast. Honestly? That’s a mistake. Lakewood sits right in that weird transition zone where the Great Plains basically crash into the Front Range of the Rockies. It creates some of the most unpredictable, "keep-a-down-jacket-in-your-trunk" conditions in the country.
One minute you’re enjoying 48°F on a Sunday afternoon, and by nightfall, you're looking at a 35% chance of snow showers. That's exactly what the forecast is calling for tomorrow, January 18th.
The Wild Reality of Weather in Lakewood Colorado
Living here means accepting that the "official" forecast is more like a suggestion.
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The altitude—we’re talking well over 5,000 feet—changes everything. You’ve got less atmosphere protecting you from the sun, which is why it feels significantly warmer in the direct sunlight than the thermometer says. But the moment a cloud passes? You’ll feel that 10-degree drop instantly.
We also deal with the Chinooks. These are warm, dry "snow-eater" winds that can scream down the canyons. I’ve seen them spike temperatures 30 degrees in a single afternoon. It’s great for melting the slush off your driveway, but it’s also why Lakewood has such high wildfire risks in the drier months.
What the Next 10 Days Look Like
Right now, we're in a bit of a seesaw pattern.
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- Monday, Jan 19: High of 36°F with a 40% chance of snow during the day.
- Thursday, Jan 22: A weirdly warm spike up to 53°F.
- Next Weekend: Back down to the 30s.
Humidity is hovering around 39% today. That’s actually high for us. Usually, it's so dry your knuckles start cracking if you look at them wrong.
Season by Season: The Nuance
Spring is probably the most chaotic time for weather in Lakewood Colorado. You’ll get a 70-degree day in April followed by two feet of heavy, wet "heart attack" snow that snaps tree limbs like toothpicks. May and June are actually our wettest months. That’s when the thunderstorms roll off the mountains in the afternoon.
Summer is hot. July highs average 87°F, but it's a "dry heat," which makes it tolerable compared to the Midwest. Just watch out for the hail. Lakewood is smack in the middle of "Hail Alley." A stray afternoon cell can turn a sunny day into a car-denting nightmare in ten minutes flat.
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Fall is, hands down, the best. September is the clearest month, with bluebird skies about 73% of the time. It’s the one time of year the weather actually seems to behave itself.
Why the Altitude Matters More Than You Think
If you’re visiting, don't just check the temperature. Check the UV index and the pressure.
Even on a 35°F day like today, that sun is intense. You can get a sunburn in January here. Also, because the air is so thin and dry, you’ll dehydrate twice as fast as you would at sea level. If you've got a headache and you're in Lakewood, you probably just need to chug a liter of water.
Actionable Tips for Navigating Lakewood’s Climate:
- The 3-Layer Rule: Always have a base layer (moisture-wicking), an insulating layer (fleece/down), and a shell (wind/rain protection). You will likely use all three before lunch.
- Hydrate Early: Don't wait until you're thirsty. The low humidity in Colorado literally sucks the moisture out of your breath.
- Check the Canyons: If you see dark clouds over the foothills to the west, that weather is hitting Lakewood in about 20 minutes.
- Sunscreen is Non-Negotiable: Even in the winter. Especially in the winter when the snow reflects the light back up at you.
Keep an eye on that Monday snow chance (40%). It’s not a blizzard, but with a low of 23°F, it’ll be just cold enough to make the morning commute on 6th Avenue a mess.