What to expect during the autumn season
Summer begins turning into autumn around the middle of August and continues until around the second week of October. In late August the temperatures begin to cool down and we often get a couple of weeks that are wetter. The intense afternoon thunderstorms that typically mark the summer begin to come to an end. The tundra soon starts to change color as the temperatures drop.
Autumn can be a delightful time with a lot of variation in temperature. There can be wondefully warm days and very chilly days. Expect the higher mountains and Trail Ridge Road to be very cool to cold. At the end of September, as the leaves begin to change color, stronger winds often arrive. They can quickly bring the autumn color to an end if they arrive too soon.
Current Conditions
While the overall size of Rocky Mountain National Park may be relatively small, the weather can vary drastically from place to place, especially as you change altitude. It is therefore wise to look at several forecasts to get an idea of what to expect. Be sure to not only look at the temperature and the chance of storms, but also the expected wind speed as that can impact how cold it feels. The winds can at times be so strong (+40mph) as to make hiking dangerous and topple trees. While these forecasts by the National Weather Service are very helpful, it is important to note that accurately predicting mountain weather is extremely difficult, so always prepare for unexpected changes in the weather.
