New clothes for colorado? (Denver: buying, living in, safe)

[goodbyefla]

I'm from Florida but I'm moving to Denver in the fall. I have very few thick jackets and my family has me worried that the jackets I wear here aren't going to cut it out there. My question is do I really need to invest in a bunch of winter clothing? Do I really need a huge down jacket or a ski jacket if I'm staying in Denver? Am I foolish to think I can get by with my collection of light jackets or could I get away with layering them?

[Moonwalkr]

It depends on how you feel about cold weather at night. Air temps can get well below 0F frequently in the winter once the sun sets. Sometimes I'm shocked when I see kids out in the morning in shorts after a bitterly cold night, so you may be one of those hardy souls. If you are used to dressing in layers I think that should be fine. I'm usually only cold around my extremities anyway.

[Katarina Witt]

Temperatures of below zero occur 7-8 times per year in Denver, on average.

Denver - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Most winter nights are below freezing. The average low in Januray is 15-16 degrees F. There are wide variations from average year-round. Hopefully, this helps to answer the OP's question.

History : Weather Underground

[mczabe]

In my humble opinion, yes.

You don't need to buy a wardrobe of various coats, but you should have one really warm, heavy duty coat in the mix. I'd also recommend a pair of snow boots and some snow pants (at least waterproof ones). Not sure how long you've been in Florida, or what type of winter vacations you've been on, but that first cold snap is going to feel extra cold to someone used to the tropics.

[zenkonami]

Get a heavy jacket. Also, keep your shorts and t-shirts. ;-)

[EscapeCalifornia]

When I visited for a week in February, I took some gloves (which I never used) and a medium weight jacket. I did wind up buying some waterproof shoes while in town and I should have had something for my head while out at night since my ears got pretty cold after about 30 minutes at 25 degrees. Day to day activities don't require super clothes unless you're going to be outside for a while. Also, remember that the sun will make things feel a lot warmer than they are.

[CruisingUSA]

I'm from Florida too...yes, I recommend buying some very thick jacket and some winter clothes. I stocked up on some premium furs once I got here. Plus you'll be coming in the Fall...meaning you'll have a full 8 months of winter ahead of ya.

I was visiting here from August to October last year and it was snowing by September. I moved here the 1st of February which was the day after a massive snow storm and -17 degree.

By the time I finished moving my stuff into my new place, my hands had turned purple...Even the thickest gloves won't prevent below 0 temps from penetrating right thru to the bone. I could not believe how invasive it was. When it's that cold, it's unsafe to be outside period.

But then after that it didn't get down to below 0 again. So I think after February you're safe.

[Timmyy]

Originally Posted by CruisingUSA

I'm from Florida too...yes, I recommend buying some very thick jacket and some winter clothes. I stocked up on some premium furs once I got here. Plus you'll be coming in the Fall...meaning you'll have a full 8 months of winter ahead of ya.

I was visiting here from August to October last year and it was snowing by September. I moved here the 1st of February which was the day after a massive snow storm and -17 degree.

By the time I finished moving my stuff into my new place, my hands had turned purple...Even the thickest gloves won't prevent below 0 temps from penetrating right thru to the bone. I could not believe how invasive it was. When it's that cold, it's unsafe to be outside period.

But then after that it didn't get down to below 0 again. So I think after February you're safe.

8 months of winter? Not here. More like 4 or 5 at the most. It is not uncommon to see 60 degrees in January. There are small stretches of below zero temps but Denver is not like living in Wisconsin where the snow doesn't melt until summer.

[lalahartma]

Hat, gloves, a good coat and good shoes/boots. Wool sweaters are nice. But you could just figure it out as you go and buy as you need.

[Pierce2011]

Originally Posted by goodbyefla

I'm from Florida but I'm moving to Denver in the fall. I have very few thick jackets and my family has me worried that the jackets I wear here aren't going to cut it out there. My question is do I really need to invest in a bunch of winter clothing? Do I really need a huge down jacket or a ski jacket if I'm staying in Denver? Am I foolish to think I can get by with my collection of light jackets or could I get away with layering them?

Unless you will be relying on the transit system in the dead of winter, I wouldn't waste a bunch of money on clothes you most likely won't get a chance to wear. The last time I went skiing at Steamboat I had to borrow a ski jacket. People don't really wear them here in Denver. I know guys who wear shorts all year round actually. If you have a car, just make sure you always have a hoodie or something in the backseat and you should be fine.