Spring driving time is here!
There's an old saying among Coloradans: if you don't like the weather, wait ten minutes. As winter eases into a typically brief spring, you might want to enjoy the season with shorts, sandals, and a drive up into the mountains with the windows down and the music blasting. But before you do that, just remember that Colorado springtime usually means a lot of severe weather is just over the horizon.
A Few Interesting Facts
Mountains create microclimates — what looks like a day of clear blue skies on the forecast could be anything but from area to area.
The months of March and April typically get more snowfall than December and January every year.
The snowstorms that hit in spring often bring more moisture per storm, which means roads can get very icy and road closures can happen quickly.
Spring weather can last anywhere from a few months to just a few weeks. Colorado's well-known reputation for sunny weather is real, even if the popular "300 days of sunshine" claim is more marketing legend than measured fact — regardless, expect everything from thunderstorms and hail to rain and the occasional late-season blizzard between March and June, so it pays to be prepared.
Denver Driving
Denver started as a small city that has grown quite a bit over the past several decades. Home to a diverse population of native Coloradans and transplants alike, the greater Denver metro area is home to more than 3 million people, with a wide range of drivers, each with their own unique history and experience behind the wheel.
Like any city, Denver has only so much space to accommodate everyone on the road. With major interstates threading through a dozen cities throughout the metro area, several different weather experiences could be happening at any given moment.
Safe Spring Driving Tips
Keep your INFINITI equipped with all-weather tires to handle driving in rain, snow, and ice. Observe traction laws when traveling to the mountains.
When driving in poor weather like rain, snow, or hail, drop your speed and brake early, using caution for slick conditions. In severe storms, we recommend not driving at all — wait for the weather to settle instead.
Drive defensively. Never assume the driver next to you knows what they're doing.
Stay off your phone. Distracted driving remains a leading cause of accidents in Colorado.
Slow down. Keeping to a comfortable speed below the limit in extreme weather helps you get home safely.
Know when to brake. Excessive or impulsive braking can cause accidents — even with ABS, your car can lose traction and slide. Let your vehicle's engine help slow you down by easing off the gas rather than riding the brake.
Keep your distance. Maintaining plenty of space between you and the car ahead reduces your chances of an accident.
We wish everyone a happy spring (as long or as short as it might be) from INFINITI OF DENVER. We offer safe, luxury vehicles and auto service for any spring situation, and hope these Colorado spring driving tips keep you and yours safe this season.
FAQ
What is Colorado's traction law?
Colorado's traction law requires vehicles to have adequate tires or carry chains when traveling through certain mountain corridors during winter weather conditions. Check CDOT's current requirements before heading into the mountains.
Is it true that Colorado gets 300 days of sunshine a year?
It's a popular and long-standing claim, but it's more marketing legend than measured fact — actual clear-to-partly-cloudy days in the Denver area run closer to 245 annually, based on National Weather Service data. Regardless, Colorado does see significant sunshine most of the year.
Why does spring bring more snow than winter in Colorado?
March and April are historically Colorado's snowiest months due to increased moisture in the atmosphere as the season transitions, often producing heavier, wetter snowfall than mid-winter storms.
What should I do if I start sliding on an icy road?
Ease off the gas and avoid slamming the brakes — let the vehicle slow gradually, and steer gently in the direction you want to go rather than overcorrecting.