Weather in Lakewood, Colorado
High country wildflowers peak. Day 59 of spring. Read this microseason across nine climate regions →
- TodayMay 16Light Drizzle22%79°57°
- SundayMay 17Light Rain38%69°52°
- MondayMay 18Heavy Snow Shwrs99%50°35°
- TuesdayMay 19Light Snow Shwrs87%51°34°
- WednesdayMay 20Overcast87%67°42°
- ThursdayMay 21Drizzle48%57°46°
- FridayMay 22Overcast30%70°44°
- PM 2.5
- 4.5 μg/m³
- PM 10
- 5.8 μg/m³
- NO₂
- 6.7 μg/m³
- Ozone
- 109.0 μg/m³
- UV Index
- 0.2 Low
When the dew is on the grass, rain will never come to pass.
- Moonrise
- 11:53 AM
- Moonset
- 2:42 AM
- In sign
- ♉︎ Taurus
High country wildflowers peak
Lakewood at a glance
- Today vs. normal: 73°F — typical for the season
- Last frost: April 14 (climatological average for this latitude)
- Microseason: 28 of 72, May 16–20
- Planting window: Direct sow okra, melons, and southern peas. Thin carrot rows.
Right now in the garden
Warm-season window is open
As of May 17, the last spring frost has passed for most years. Transplant tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, basil, and cucurbits (cucumbers, squash, melons) now. Direct-sow beans and corn into warm soil.
Planting calendar
| Month | Plant | Harvest |
|---|---|---|
| January | — | — |
| February | — | — |
| March | — | — |
| April | lettuce, peas, spinach, radishes | — |
| May | lettuce, peas, spinach, radishes, tomatoes, peppers, beans, squash | lettuce, peas, radishes |
| June | tomatoes, peppers, beans, squash | lettuce, peas, radishes |
| July | tomatoes, peppers, beans, squash | tomatoes, beans, summer squash |
| August | — | tomatoes, beans, summer squash |
| September | fall brassicas, garlic (overwinter), carrots | tomatoes, beans, summer squash |
| October | fall brassicas, garlic (overwinter), carrots | winter squash, tomatoes (last) |
| November | — | — |
| December | — | — |
A year in weather
July brings Lakewood's warmest temperatures (~75°F mean) while December delivers the coldest (~32°F). May sees peak rainfall at 2.3 inches, compared to January's low of 0.5 inches.
| Month | Mean temp | Precip | Rainy days |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 32° | 0.5″ | 2 |
| February | 33° | 0.5″ | 2 |
| March | 42° | 1.1″ | 3 |
| April | 48° | 1.7″ | 4 |
| May | 58° | 2.3″ | 5 |
| June | 69° | 1.7″ | 4 |
| July | 75° | 2.1″ | 4 |
| August | 73° | 1.8″ | 4 |
| September | 64° | 1.5″ | 3 |
| October | 51° | 1.0″ | 3 |
| November | 40° | 0.7″ | 2 |
| December | 32° | 0.5″ | 2 |
Regional context
Lakewood falls within a hot desert climate region — sharing similar temperature ranges, seasonal patterns, and growing conditions with other nearby cities.
Similar climates: Denver, CO, Colorado Springs, CO, Aurora, CO, Thornton, CO, Grand Junction, CO.
Naturalist notes
Late May brings the emergence of prairie sunflowers across Colorado's Front Range grasslands.
Broad-tailed hummingbirds typically return to Colorado in early May after their winter migration.
Frequently asked
- When does it freeze in Lakewood?
- Spring's final frost usually occurs around mid-April in Lakewood, while the first fall frost returns around mid-November.
- What is the rainy season in Lakewood?
- May brings the heaviest rainfall with about 2.3 inches on average; Lakewood receives roughly 15 inches annually.
- What is the warmest month in Lakewood?
- July typically records the warmest temperatures, averaging about 75°F.
- What is the coldest month in Lakewood?
- December usually brings the coldest weather, averaging about 32°F.
- When can I start a vegetable garden in Lakewood?
- Cool-season crops like peas and lettuce can be planted around the last spring frost (mid-April); warm-season crops such as tomatoes and peppers should wait until 1–2 weeks after.
- How many rainy days does Lakewood get?
- Lakewood sees about 38 rainy days per year on average.
- What hardiness zone is Lakewood?
- Lakewood's USDA hardiness zone depends on its lowest average winter temperature; use the USDA's online lookup with the city ZIP for the current zone designation.
Climate
Lakewood, Colorado sits in a hot desert climate zone. January temperatures hover near 32°F while July averages 75°F — a 43°F seasonal swing.
Throughout the year, Lakewood receives about 15 inches of precipitation spread over roughly 38 rainy days.
Annual weather patterns depend on latitude (39.7°N), proximity to large water bodies, and elevation — factors that determine what grows here, when frost arrives, and daily weather conditions.