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Denver vs Portland weather: climate comparison
Portland is the warmer of the two, averaging 54°F (12°C) over the year against 49°F (10°C) in Denver. Portland is wetter, with 50.4 in (1280 mm) of precipitation a year to Denver's 18.7 in (474 mm). Below: every month side by side, from 30 years of ERA5 data (1996–2025).
- Mean temperature
- 9.6°C Denver
12.0°C Portland - Annual precipitation
- 474.1 mm Denver
1279.7 mm Portland - Rainy days a year
- 81 Denver
146 Portland - Sunshine per day
- 10.5 h Denver
8.5 h Portland
Month by month
| Month | Denver | Portland |
|---|---|---|
| January | 4.9°C | 8.1°C |
| February | 6.0°C | 9.5°C |
| March | 11.2°C | 12.0°C |
| April | 15.2°C | 14.8°C |
| May | 20.4°C | 18.6°C |
| June | 27.3°C | 22.2°C |
| July | 30.6°C | 27.6°C |
| August | 29.3°C | 27.9°C |
| September | 25.5°C | 23.9°C |
| October | 17.9°C | 16.8°C |
| November | 10.8°C | 11.0°C |
| December | 5.4°C | 7.7°C |
Year at a glance
| Measure | Denver | Portland |
|---|---|---|
| Mean annual temperature | 9.6°C | 12.0°C |
| Warmest month (avg high) | Jul · 31°C | Aug · 28°C |
| Coldest month (avg low) | Jan · -9°C | Feb · 2°C |
| Annual range (warmest high − coldest low) | 40°C | 26°C |
| Annual precipitation | 474.1 mm | 1279.7 mm |
| Rainy days per year | 81 | 146 |
| Wettest / driest month | May / Dec | Dec / Jul |
| Average sunshine per day | 10.5 h | 8.5 h |
In short: Portland is the warmest overall (12.0°C mean); Portland gets the most precipitation (1279.7 mm a year); Denver is the sunniest (10.5 h a day on average); Portland has the smallest swing between its warmest and coldest months.
Record high 1996–2025: Denver 38.7°C (2025-06-21), Portland 46.0°C (2021-06-28). Record low: Denver -36.5°C (2024-01-16), Portland -15.3°C (1996-02-02).
Source: Open-Meteo Historical Weather API (CC BY 4.0). Values are ERA5 reanalysis model data on a ~9–25 km grid, not readings from a weather station, so a single town’s thermometer can differ by a few degrees and local showers can be missed. Monthly means of daily ERA5 values, 1996–2025, for the grid cells nearest Denver (39.75, -105.02) and Portland (45.52, -122.64).
Which months differ most?
The gap in average highs is widest in June, when Denver runs 9°F / 5°C warmer, and narrowest in November (0°F / 0°C apart). The biggest rainfall difference is in December: Portland gets 7.4 in (188 mm) more on average.
Add a third or fourth city, or swap in any other place, in the full comparison tool. For one city in depth, see the Denver climate and Portland climate pages.
Compare Denver or Portland with another city
Questions people ask
Is Denver warmer than Portland?
Portland is warmer on average: its mean annual temperature is 54°F (12°C) against 49°F (10°C) in Denver (ERA5, 1996–2025).
Which gets more rain, Denver or Portland?
Portland, with about 50.4 in (1280 mm) of precipitation a year and 146 days with at least 1 mm, compared with 18.7 in (474 mm) and 81 days in Denver.
Which is sunnier, Denver or Portland?
Denver averages more sunshine: 10.5 h a day against 8.5 h. Sunshine duration is modelled from cloud cover.
How reliable is this comparison?
Both cities use the same 30-year reanalysis, so differences are consistent. Absolute values describe a grid cell several kilometres wide and can differ by a degree or two from the airport station.