Old Farmer's Almanac: Predictions for Colorado’s Monsoon Season

Colorado's summer forecast appears to be one with lots of sizzle without much relief. While Grand Junction may be used to the triple-digit heat of July and August, that doesn't mean we are not watching for monsoon season with our fingers crossed.

Get our free mobile app

Colorado's monsoon season is usually a factor in July and August, and can sometimes linger into September. When conditions allow, moisture from the Gulf of America and the Pacific Ocean come together over the southwestern states causing afternoon thunderstorms. These storms help beat the heat, yet wash out our mountain top plans.

Old Farmer's Almanac: Monsoon Season 2025

Created with Canva

Colorado's 2025 monsoon season is predicted by the Old Farmer's Almanac to bring below-average rainfall to the Centennial State. This means the dog days of summer on the Western Slope are going to be hot and dry, with little relief. While less rainfall than normal is expected this year, it does not mean we will not see any.

Strong thunderstorms and monsoon rains will still be possible, so Coloradans must stay vigilant through the season despite the hot, dry spell this summer.

Recent Colorado Monsoon Records

Created with Canva

Colorado's rainiest July dates back to 1965, when monsoons dumped over 6.4 inches of rain on the city of Denver that month.

During August 1999, Colorado Springs received 7.04 inches of rain, one of the wettest months on record. Leadville set a new single-day record for rainfall in August with 1.85 inches falling on August 1st, 2023. That same storm system in 2023 dumped 4.6 inches of rain in 12 hours over Meeker, Colorado.

Colorado's Rainiest Places in July & August

The San Juan Mountains and the cities of Cortez and Durango are typically some of the wettest places during the Colorado monsoon season. Strong monsoon seasons in 2021 and 2022 produced above-average rainfall in places like Crested Butte, Aspen, Dillon, and Durango. Monsoon rains in 2023 dumped 2.49 inches on Nathrop in Chaffee County.

Colorado's top three counties for the most average rainfall include:

San Juan County: 35.61 inches of annual rainfall
Pitkin County: 27.45 inches of annual rainfall
Hinsdale County: 26.59 inches of annual rainfall

Created with Canva

LOOK: Six Crazy Colorado State Weather Records that Still Stand Today

Colorado is no stranger to extreme weather. What is the warmest temperature you have felt in Colorado? What about the coldest low? From triple-digit temps to sustained snowfall, here are six of Colorado's most impressive weather records waiting to be broken.

Gallery Credit: Wesley Adams

What to Pack for a Colorado Road Trip: Weather-Proof Essentials You Can’t Forget

If you are going on a road trip through Colorado, there are a few items you will not want to be without. From travel comforts to weather-proof outdoor gear, here is a checklist of 25 items essential for your next road trip around the Centennial State.

Gallery Credit: Wesley Adams