Cañon City climate
Dry high-elevation weather brings sunny warmth and real winter
NOAA's Cañon City station normals for 1991-2020 show an annual mean temperature of 52.1°F, annual precipitation of 13.72 inches, annual snow of 38.3 inches, 42.9 days at or above 90°F, and 144.4 days with minimums at or below 32°F.
The home needs reliable heating, cooling, snow and ice management, roof and drainage care, shade, wildfire-smoke planning, power, and an indoor option for cold, hot, smoky, or windy days.
Living through the seasons
Summers are the easier season. Winter comfort deserves a closer look.
- Overall Comfort
- Moderate
2.4 / 5
- Average Summer High
- 85°F
- Days Above 90°F
- 25 days/year
- Summer Feel
- Very Good
Warm · 85°F
Excellent
4.1 / 5
- Average Winter Low
- 20°F / -7°C
- Days Below Freezing
- 167 days/year
- Winter Feel
- Poor
Fair
Poor
1 / 5
The shape of the year
Humidity, comfortable months, and sunshine show how the seasons differ.
- Humidity
- 47%
- Comfortable Months
- 5 months
- Solar Exposure
- 1829 peak sun hrs/yr
Excellent
Fair
Fair
Air, allergies, and weather
Air quality and allergies shape day to day comfort. The best months and weather risks help with timing.
Air and allergies
- Air Quality
- Excellent
- Allergy Levels
- Good
4.9 / 5
Current AQI
Checking…
Current PM2.5
Checking…
Timing and weather
- Long Term Fine Particle Pollution
- 3.9 µg/m³ 2021-2025 modeled average
- Best Months
- May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep
- Toughest Months
- Feb, Jan, Dec
- Heat Risk
- Moderate
- Drought Risk
- Low
- Weather Volatility
- Strong
Excellent · 3.9 µg/m³ 2021-2025 modeled average
Good
3.8 / 5
Cañon City in everyday life
Could Cañon City work for you?
What may work well
- The station provides complete local normals.
- Dry air and cool nights may appeal to some households.
- River and park activity can fill suitable seasons.
What to think about
- Snow and freezing days affect mobility and maintenance.
- Summer heat and wildfire smoke still require planning.
- Station averages do not describe every elevation or home.
Choose Cañon City for the full year
Inspect climate systems
Review heating, cooling, insulation, windows, roof, drainage, pipes, shade, power, and smoke plans.
Try seasonal routes
Use care, groceries, pharmacy, parks, Riverwalk, and home in heat, snow, smoke, and wind.
Keep station limits visible
Label the Cañon City station, 1991-2020 period, elevation, and the difference from the exact property.
Keep indoor options
Plan library, meals, exercise, calls, internet, medicine, reading, and social activity for difficult weather.
Questions retirees ask
How much snow does Cañon City get?
The NOAA 1991-2020 station normal is 38.3 inches annually, with substantial freezing days.
Does dry weather mean easy outdoor living?
Not always. Heat, snow, smoke, wind, shade, footing, and mobility determine whether an outing feels comfortable.
What should a home handle?
Heating, cooling, snow, ice, roof, drainage, pipes, smoke filtration, power, shade, and safe entries.
What should smoke-sensitive residents do?
Check indoor air, filtration, windows, power, alerts, outdoor alternatives, and access to care during regional smoke events.
Cañon City's climate can suit someone who likes dry air, four seasons, and cool nights and accepts snow, freezing, heat, smoke, and home maintenance.
Sources
Climate comfort helps estimate how practical daily life may feel across the year, especially for heat, humidity, cold, and seasonal constraints.
Seasonal timing, health conditions, air conditioning, air quality, and elevation can change the lived experience.
- NASA POWER
Used for Overall Comfort, Summer Feel, Average Summer High, Days Above 90°F, Winter Feel, Average Winter Low, Days Below Freezing, Humidity, Comfortable Months, Solar Exposure, Best Months, Toughest Months, Allergy Levels, Heat Risk, Weather Volatility
- Open-Meteo / Copernicus CAMS, checked against U.S. EPA AirData
Used for Air Quality, Long-Term Fine-Particle Pollution
Checked 2026-05-18
- Federal Emergency Management Agency National Risk Index
Used for Drought Risk
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Partner with Retirement ListsResearch and writing byGrant Gibson
How this city research is made
Retirement Lists uses documented public sources and methods to research, review, and correct city information. Read our Editorial Policy.
