Martin Luther King Jr. Day in Colorado offers a fascinating glimpse into the state’s diverse and often unpredictable winter weather. From record-breaking warmth to bitter cold, here’s a closer look at the climate trends for MLK Day in Denver since 1986.
Temperature Extremes
- Warmest MLK Day: January 20, 1986, with a high of 67°F and a balmy low of 41°F.
- Coldest MLK Day: January 15, 2018, with a low of -3°F and a high of only 30°F.
- The average high is a mild 46.3°F, while the average low is a brisk 19.7°F. These averages highlight the day’s potential for both mild winter days and icy blasts.
Precipitation and Snowfall
- The wettest MLK Day occurred on January 18, 1988, with 0.24 inches of precipitation, while the snowiest MLK Day was January 19, 1987, with 3.5 inches of snow.
- The historical chance of snow on MLK Day in Denver is about 19%, making snowfall relatively rare but certainly not impossible.
- The last measurable snow on MLK Day was in 2018, when 0.7 inches fell.
Top 10 Weather Highlights
Warmest Highs:
- The warmest MLK Days include 67°F in 1986, 65°F in 2003, and 64°F in 2000 and 2009, showcasing how Colorado’s Chinook winds can bring spring-like warmth even in the heart of winter.
Coldest Lows:
- Notable frigid mornings include -19°F in 2024 and -3°F in 2018, proving Denver’s susceptibility to Arctic air masses.
Snowiest MLK Days:
- January 19, 1987, leads the snow pack with 3.5 inches, followed by 2.9 inches on January 18, 1988. These totals show how infrequent but impactful snow events can be on this day.
Notable Trends
- MLK Day is more often dry than wet, with many years recording zero precipitation. Still, when snow does fall, it often adds to Denver’s winter charm.
- Denver’s reputation for temperature swings is evident. For example, in 1986, the day started with a mild low of 41°F and reached a high of 67°F, whereas in 2018, the mercury struggled to rise above 30°F after dipping to -3°F overnight.
2024 Recap
This past year’s MLK Day was the coldest on record, with a bone-chilling high of just 2°F and a low of -19°F. Despite the frigid air, 1.5 inches of snow added a wintry aesthetic to the holiday.
2025 MLK Day
This year’s MLK Day, January 20, 2025, will feature Arctic cold and light snow, creating a harsh yet quintessential Colorado winter day.
An amplified upper-level ridge of high pressure is centered off the Pacific West Coast, while a broad trough dominates much of the continental U.S., keeping Colorado under the grip of Arctic air. Light snow is expected in the morning along the Front Range Urban Corridor, primarily from Boulder and Longmont southward through Metro Denver and into the Palmer Divide. Snowfall amounts will be light.
Temperatures will remain extreme, with highs struggling to reach the single digits across most areas and subzero readings in the mountains. Winds will exacerbate the chill, with wind chill values as low as -25°F, reminding residents to bundle up and stay safe.
MLK Day: A Microcosm of Colorado Weather
Martin Luther King Jr. Day offers a microcosm of Colorado’s winter climate: dramatic temperature fluctuations, occasional snow, and a mix of sunny, spring-like days and Arctic blasts. Whether you’re bundling up or enjoying an unseasonably warm holiday, MLK Day in Colorado is always a reminder of the state’s dynamic and unpredictable weather.