If you’re staring at the weather in littleton colorado 10 day forecast right now, you’re probably seeing a lot of 50-degree icons mixed with some sudden drops. It looks peaceful. It looks predictable. Honestly, if you've lived here for more than a week, you know that's a total lie.
Littleton is sitting at about 5,350 feet. That's high enough for the atmosphere to be thin and moody, but low enough to get trapped in the "upslope" patterns that turn a sunny morning into a white-out blizzard by lunchtime.
Today is Wednesday, January 14, 2026. Right now, it's a crisp 39°F and cloudy. But looking ahead? We are about to see a classic Colorado "seesaw" that’ll make you question why you even own a heavy parka one day and a light windbreaker the next.
The 10-Day Rollercoaster: Dry Spells and a Friday Dip
Basically, we are entering a stretch where the jet stream is playing games with the Front Range. If you’re planning your week, keep your eyes on Friday.
Wednesday, Jan 14: We’re looking at a high of 53°F. Pure sunshine. It’s the kind of day where you see people in Littleton walking around in shorts at Clement Park while there’s still ice on the edges of Johnston Reservoir. Don't be that person. Once the sun dips behind the Rockies, it’s dropping to 33°F fast.
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Thursday, Jan 15: A slight bump up to 58°F. It’ll feel great, but the wind is going to kick up—northwest gusts around 16 mph. It’s the "calm before the front."
Friday, Jan 16: Here’s the shift. A cold front slides in, knocking the high down to 38°F. It’ll be cloudy all day with a 10% chance of light snow. It’s not a "bread and milk" emergency, but it's going to feel damp and raw compared to Thursday.
The Weekend (Jan 17 - 18): Saturday stays chilly at 38°F, but the sun comes back. Sunday starts a slow recovery to 46°F. If you're heading to the South Platte Park for a walk, Sunday afternoon is your best bet for avoiding the bite in the air.
The Following Week (Jan 19 - 23): Monday and Tuesday (Jan 19-20) look spectacular for mid-January. We're talking 44°F climbing back up to 56°F. However, by next Friday, January 23, the models are sniffing out a more legitimate storm. High of 40°F with a 25% chance of actual snow showers.
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Weather in Littleton Colorado 10 Day Forecast: The Microclimate Factor
Most people look at a generic Denver forecast and assume Littleton is the same. It’s not.
Because we are tucked closer to the foothills than, say, Aurora or DIA, we get different wind patterns. Ever heard of a "downslope wind"? It’s when air rushes down the mountains, compresses, and warms up. That’s why Littleton can be 10 degrees warmer than the airport on a random Tuesday.
But it cuts both ways.
When a "shallow" cold air mass spills over the plains, it often gets stuck against the mountains. This creates a "cold pool" in the South Platte River valley. You might be shivering in 20-degree fog in Downtown Littleton while someone three miles west in Ken Caryl is basking in 45-degree sunshine.
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Why January is Deceptive
Historically, January is our driest month. We average about 0.1 to 0.6 inches of liquid precipitation. But don't let the low numbers fool you.
When it does snow in January, it’s usually that dry, powdery "champagne" snow. It’s beautiful, but it’s slick. And because the sun is so low in the sky this time of year, the "ice shadows" on north-facing streets like Littleton Boulevard or near the High Line Canal stay frozen for weeks.
- Average Highs: Usually around 45°F.
- Average Lows: Often dip to 17°F-24°F.
- The Surprise Factor: We’ve seen January days hit 70°F and others drop to -15°F.
How to Actually Prep for This Forecast
If you're visiting or just trying to survive the commute, stop trusting the "High" temperature for the day. That high usually only lasts for about 90 minutes in the mid-afternoon.
- The 3:00 PM Rule: In Littleton, the temperature starts cratering the second the sun goes behind the peaks. If the forecast says 55°F, it will feel like 35°F by 4:30 PM.
- Humidity is a Myth: Our humidity sits around 53% right now but can drop to 15% in a heartbeat. This makes the cold feel "crisp" rather than "damp," but it also means you’ll be static-shocking your cat every time you pet them.
- UV index: Even when it’s 38°F on Saturday, the UV index is still a 2. At this altitude, that’s enough to give you a "skier's tan" if you’re out all day.
What This Means for Your Plans
If you have outdoor projects or are planning a trip to the Chatfield Reservoir, do it between Monday the 19th and Wednesday the 21st. Those 56-degree days are the "gift" days of Colorado winters.
Avoid Friday the 16th for anything car-related if you can, mostly because the 20-degree drop between Thursday and Friday often catches people off guard, leading to some messy fender benders on Santa Fe Drive when that first layer of frost hits the pavement.
Actionable Steps for the Next 10 Days
- Check your tire pressure tonight. These 30-degree swings between day and night (33°F to 58°F) will trigger your "low tire pressure" light like clockwork.
- Hydrate more than you think. People forget to drink water when it's cold, but the dry Littleton air will zap you faster than the summer heat.
- Layer like a pro. Start with a moisture-wicking base, add a fleece, and keep a windproof shell in the trunk.
- Watch the Friday transition. The shift from 58°F on Thursday to 38°F on Friday is the biggest "system shock" in this 10-day window.
Keep a close eye on the late-week update for Jan 23. While the 25% snow chance seems low now, these Pacific systems have a habit of intensifying as they hit the Rockies.