November averages
- Average high
- 54.8°F
- Average low
- 25.5°F
- Snow
- 7.3 in
- Precipitation
- 0.7 in
Monthly averages: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020, Denver-Stapleton station. Averages, not forecasts.
- November averages about 7.3 inches of snow and 24 nights at or below freezing in Denver, according to federal climate normals.
- The second-largest first snowfall of a season on record, 20.0 inches, fell over November 5-9, 2024, the National Weather Service says.
- The Denver Public Library offers free cards to any Colorado resident and lends museum and state parks passes.
November is when Denver settles into winter. Leaves are down, mornings are frosty and the mountains are white again. Storms can be large, but between them the sun often returns quickly. For a newcomer, this is the month to finish winter preparations.
November weather
| Measure | November normal |
|---|---|
| Average high | about 55°F |
| Average low | about 25.5°F |
| Nights at or below freezing | about 24 |
| Snowfall | about 7.3 inches |
| Precipitation | about 0.70 inch |
November’s snowfall average is close to December’s and January’s, so storms are common. Many melt off within a day or two in the sun, but cold nights refreeze slush on sidewalks and side streets.
Big early storms
The National Weather Service ranks the storm of November 5-9, 2024, which dropped 20.0 inches, as the second-largest first snowfall of a season since records began in 1882. In other years the first snow comes very late: in 2025 the first measurable snowfall did not arrive until November 29, according to the Weather Service.
How much snow will this winter bring?
The Weather Service puts Denver’s average seasonal snowfall at 56.9 inches, but individual winters vary enormously. The snowiest season on record, 1908-09, brought 118.7 inches. Among the least snowy were 1888-89 with 21.3 inches and, more recently, 2016-17 with 21.8 inches. Prepare for a real winter either way.
Snow at home
Check the City and County of Denver’s current sidewalk snow rules when you move in, and plan to clear your walk promptly after every storm; neighbors, delivery drivers and anyone using a wheelchair or stroller depend on it. Be ready before the first storm:
- A sturdy shovel and a push broom for light, powdery snow.
- Ice melt or sand for steps and the north side of the house.
- A plan for when you travel: ask a neighbor to shovel while you are away.
- Clear around fire hydrants and storm drains near your property.
Tip: Shovel soon after a storm, before the sun softens the snow and the night refreezes it into ice. It is far easier to move fresh snow than ice.
Driving
Colorado’s traction law can be enforced on I-70 between Morrison and Dotsero from September 1 to May 31, and November storms often trigger it. The Colorado Department of Transportation says the traction law requires tires with adequate tread and the right rating, and the chain law, used in severe storms, requires chains or approved alternatives. Fines start at $100 plus a $33 surcharge, rising to $500 plus a $157 surcharge if your car blocks a lane.
- Keep a winter kit in the car: blanket, water, snacks, a scraper and a phone charger.
- Allow extra time for holiday trips, check road conditions on COtrip.org before you leave and sign up for CDOT text or email alerts for your usual routes.
- Drive gently on bridges and shaded curves, which freeze first.
Paperwork before the year ends
If you moved in late summer, your 90-day vehicle registration window may close this month. Colorado clerks charge a late fee of $25 a month, up to $100. Make sure your auto insurance meets Colorado’s minimums: $25,000 for injury to one person, $50,000 for all people in one accident and $15,000 for property damage.
Indoor season
Long evenings are a good reason to get a Denver Public Library card if you have not yet. The library’s policy makes cards free for any Colorado resident who brings photo ID and proof of a Colorado address. Its 26 locations offer English practice, citizenship preparation, computer help, makerspaces and community resource specialists. With a card you can borrow books, movies, music, Wi-Fi hotspots and museum and state parks passes, and there are no overdue fines. If you have not yet got a document showing your Colorado address, the library’s policy offers a limited-borrowing card for new residents without address verification, and a computer-only card that accepts unofficial photo ID.
Outdoors
- Visit state parks on sunny days; the $29 Keep Colorado Wild Pass, added at vehicle registration, covers entry.
- Take a quiet trip to Rocky Mountain National Park, where timed entry no longer applies. A one-day vehicle pass is $30.
- Watch for elk in the lower valleys; the park says herds move down for winter.
Get ready for the Stock Show
If you want to attend the National Western Stock Show in January, tickets go on sale in the fall. The show runs 16 days every January and draws more than 700,000 visitors.
Next
December brings the shortest days and the season’s holiday rhythm; see Denver in December: Short Days, Dry Cold and Your First Real Snow to complete the year.