Front Range winter vs NYC winter?

[NewProvidence]

On any given winter day in Denver you might encounter weather comparable to "New York winter" (probably not much worse/colder though) but sunny chinook-warmed excursions into the 60s are pretty frequent and you rarely see snow cover stick around for more than a week. As others have said, you'll be fine.

When you get back, please tell your friends that it was brutal and SO much worse than NYC ;-)

[VintageSunlight]

Thank you all for the thoughtful responses. I guess its those few subzero days that I'm concerned about with what I have. I'm generally pretty comfortable down to about 15 degrees, but someone mentioned -14 or so, that concerns me. Also, is it windy generally or pretty calm in the winter?

[otowi]

I'd say the Front Range is known for some wind at times. I like it, but I have heard lots of people complain about our wind in all seasons.

[mic111]

Originally Posted by VintageSunlight

Thank you all for the thoughtful responses. I guess its those few subzero days that I'm concerned about with what I have. I'm generally pretty comfortable down to about 15 degrees, but someone mentioned -14 or so, that concerns me. Also, is it windy generally or pretty calm in the winter?

Are you working outside all night long or just during the day? The colder temperatures will be the overnight lows.

Wind? Yes we have wind. On any given day it could be windy or calm or some of both. Compared to Wyoming just north of CO near I-25 the Denver metro area is probably considered pretty calm. Compared to other places it is probably considered pretty windy, especially in some of the foothills locations. If you had to be out in it a pair of goggles to protect your eyes would not be amiss.

[Katarina Witt]

Originally Posted by VintageSunlight

Thank you all for the thoughtful responses. I guess its those few subzero days that I'm concerned about with what I have. I'm generally pretty comfortable down to about 15 degrees, but someone mentioned -14 or so, that concerns me. Also, is it windy generally or pretty calm in the winter?

-14 is very cold for here, even for a nighttime low. It usually doesn't even get down to zero. There are generally one or two cold snaps where the temp is below zero for a night or two, per winter.

[SkyDog77]

Since you are working outside, are you able to talk to anyone at your company or in your industry currently working in Colorado? I would think they could tell you how they dress.

[hooverphonics]

I've lived in both and NYC is colder in general although CO gets very frigid days (like this week) more frequently but overall if you can handle NYC then you'll be fine here. Just remember though that they don't plow or move the snow at all and drivers are pretty bad in the snow, either they go too fast (raised trucks) or waaaay too slow (CA plates) so be aware of that -- though they are still much more polite than the northeast. Plus the sun comes out more here, which can be oppressive as sometimes you just want a nice overcast day but it does melt the snow very quickly. And always wear sunscreen, always.

It is so dry that your skin will crack and you will hear your skin cells dying -- I'd buy a humidifier and lots of coconut oil! Overall I much prefer the seasons in the northeast, but we are here for now it seems. It can get very windy, this is the plains remember until you hit the mountains.

Btw, I own absolutely zero Patagonia gear. I don't like the sound it makes. Plus, New Yorkers know how to dress right??