Well it is about time! We are well into the snow season and finally receiving a good shot of snow.

Temperatures today will remain cold with highs only in the mid to upper 30s. Winds are going to pick up speed by mid-morning and last into tonight leading to blowing snow and uncomfortable wind chill temperatures.

As for the snow, look for moderate snowfall rates to continue until the early afternoon after which it will begin easing. Snow should end by about 10:00pm. As of this writing we have received 2.6 inches and total accumulations here in Thornton look like they will be in the 5 to 9 inch range.

The Winter Storm Warning remains in effect until 5:00pm. It goes without saying that travel conditions will be difficult today so if you don’t have to go anywhere, stay home and stay warm.

Tonight, skies will begin to clear and temperatures will dip to the teens.

Get those errands done today and enjoy the relatively warmth while it is here. A relatively potent storm arrives tonight that will bring colder temperatures and what appears to be a healthy shot of snow tomorrow.

For today, mostly sunny skies will be the general rule throughout the day. This evening we will see cloud cover start to increase as the cold front approaches. High temperatures today should top out right near the average of 44 degrees, perhaps a couple degrees warmer.

As for the coming storm, latest models point to a slower moving system than originally though and puts it on path that would bring better chances for snow. At this time we expect to see some freezing drizzle beginning in the late evening hours with snow mixing in later tonight.

Things get started in earnest around 4:00am Sunday when we should see moderate snowfall rates lasting through the day.

The National Weather Service has upgraded the watch issued last night to a Winter Storm Warning that is in effect from midnight tonight through 5:00pm tomorrow. They are calling for 5 to 10 inches in the metro area.  We do see that as possible, albeit optimistic, with a more likely total in Thornton of 3 to 6 inches.

It does appear you will finally get to use the snow shovel! 😉 For all the latest on the coming storm, head over to our Winter Weather Briefing Page.

Quite a contrast in Colorado weather to be seen over the next three days. We will start out with potentially record-setting warmth and close things out with cold and (hopefully) a decent shot of snow.

Friday will be the warmest day of the period. Highs today will top out around 66 degrees. The record high for today’s date is 68 degrees so it is not out of reach. We do expect to see a good bit more cloud cover today though. Tonight, skies remain partly cloudy with lows dipping to near the freezing mark.

Saturday will be a day of transition, starting out nice but then seeing things change as a cold front arrives later in the day. Look for mostly sunny skies above initially with increasing clouds in the afternoon. Temperatures will top out near the 50 degree mark.

A low pressure system will move into southern Colorado late in the day Saturday while a cold front comes in from the north. This will lead to colder temperatures and bring a good chance for precipitation.

Models have not been particularly consistent with the path of the system. However, right now it looks like snow will begin tomorrow evening after dark, perhaps with a bit of rain initially, then snow continues into Sunday morning before tapering off in the afternoon.

The potential will be there for us to see 2 to 5 inches total from this system. It wouldn’t be surprising to see a Winter Weather Advisory issued at some point later today if models continue to keep things on the path they now indicate.

Highs Sunday will stay below freezing.

Looking ahead to next week, right now it appears it will be pretty typical for this time of year with highs near normal and dry conditions.

Have a great weekend and keep an eye on the changing weather conditions. Our Winter Weather Briefing Page is a great spot to watch.

We knew today was going to be unseasonably warm and the numbers backed that up.

The National Weather Service reports that Denver’s high temperature today, as measured at Denver International Airport, topped out at 65 degrees. That matches the record high temperature for the date last set in 1920.

Here in Thornton, we were a bit cooler with a high of 62.8 degrees.

With high temperatures tomorrow expected to reach similar heights, we may set another record Friday. The record high for January 19 is 68 degrees last set in 1986.

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High pressure has settled in and is going to bring us a couple of very mild days. Today’s highs will be 10+ degrees above normal then Friday will be 10 degrees warmer.

For today, look for mostly sunny skies throughout the day. We will have some clouds but they shouldn’t be too intrusive. Winds will be light and out of the southwest.

Temps start out on the chilly side but then will climb and head toward a high in the mid to upper 50s.

Tonight, partly cloudy skies will be above with lows around the 30 degree mark.

Looking ahead, Friday will best today by a good margin with highs in the mid-60s possible. Saturday will start out mild but then Saturday night through Sunday a decent looking storm system will move in bringing us a good chance for snow.

January 14 to January 20: This week in Denver weather history

January’s reputation of being dry and windy is evidenced in our look back at this week in Denver weather history. While there are some notable events involving snow, high winds have been the most frequent event worthy of mention.

From the National Weather Service:

11-14

In 1997…cold arctic air plunged temperatures below zero across metro Denver. The temperature was below zero for 60 consecutive hours from the afternoon on the 11th to around daybreak on the 14th. The high temperature of only 1 degree below zero on the 12th equaled the record low maximum for the date last set in 1963. The low temperature dipped to 14 degrees below zero on the 12th.

13-14

In 1960…snowfall totaled only 4.4 inches and northeast winds gusted to 28 mph at Stapleton Airport…while over southeast Colorado a near blizzard closed roads with drifts 3 to 6 feet deep.

13-16

In 1888…a cold air mass settled over the city and caused temperatures to plunge well below zero on four consecutive days…but only one temperature record was set. Minimum temperatures dipped to 4 degrees below zero on the 13th… 19 degrees below zero on the 14th…20 degrees below zero on the 15th…and 11 degrees below zero on the 16th. The maximum temperature of only 4 degrees below zero on the 14th was a record low maximum for the date. North winds were sustained to 30 mph on the 13th.

14

In 1873…winds were brisk all day. After sunset…northeast sustained winds produced a perfect gale…behind an apparent cold front.

In 1875…the temperature remained below zero all day with a general northeast wind. At 9:00 pm the temperature was 1 degree above zero which was the official high for the day. The wind suddenly veered to the southwest and the temperature climbed 19 degrees in 15 minutes…7 more degrees in the next 5 minutes…and by 9:30 pm had risen to 36 degrees. By 9:35 pm the temperature had reached 40 degrees…a rise of 48 degrees in one hour and 39 degrees in half an hour. The sudden rise in temperature could be attributed to a receding arctic air mass and downsloping surface winds.

In 1906…the temperature climbed to a high of 56 degrees before an apparent cold front produced northeast winds sustained to 40 mph and a trace of snow in the afternoon.

In 1921…west winds were sustained to 44 mph with gusts to 46 mph. The downslope winds warmed the temperature to a high of 49 degrees.

In 1967…3.7 inches of snow fell at Stapleton International Airport with 7.7 inches measured in Boulder.

In 1982…strong Chinook winds buffeted Boulder…tearing the roof off a small apartment building. A gust to 88 mph was measured in Lakewood. Wind gusts of 60 to 80 mph were common along the foothills from Denver north to Fort Collins. Four people sustained minor injuries…mostly from flying glass. At least one person was knocked down by the winds. Several tractor trailer rigs were blown off I-70 near Golden…and numerous camper shells were blown off pick-up trucks.

14-15

In 1908…heavy post-frontal snowfall totaled 6.5 inches overnight. North winds were sustained to 32 mph. The temperature dropped 41 degrees in 24 hours from a reading of 48 degrees at 8:00 pm on the 14th to only 7 degrees at 8:00 pm on the 15th.

In 1950…strong winds occurred in Boulder and Louisville. Winds in excess of 60 mph were recorded at Valmont. Minor damage was reported. Southwest winds gusted to 50 mph at Stapleton Airport.

In 1959…a total of 5.5 inches of snow fell at Stapleton Airport.

In 1992…snow spread from the mountains across metro Denver. The heaviest snow was across the northern portion of the area where 7 inches fell at Thornton. At Stapleton International Airport…only 3.4 inches of snowfall were recorded and northeast winds gusting to 37 mph caused some blowing snow on the 14th.

In 1999…high winds howled across metro Denver. In Commerce City…strong winds toppled 3 utility poles resulting in a power outage to 600 homes. High wind reports included: 108 mph at Wondervu…80 mph at the Hiwan Golf Course in Evergreen…76 mph at Aspen Springs…75 mph at the Jefferson County Airport near Broomfield…74 mph in Boulder…and 70 mph at Georgetown. West to northwest winds gusted to 48 mph…the highest wind gust of the month…and warmed the temperature to a high of 60 degrees at Denver International Airport on the 15th.

14-21

In 1930…a protracted cold spell occurred when low temperatures plunged below zero on 8 consecutive days. The coldest low temperatures of 20 degrees below zero on the 17th and 19 degrees below zero on the 16th were record minimums for the dates. High temperatures during the period ranged from 18 on the 18th to zero on the 20th. Two degrees on the 15th was a record low maximum temperature for the date.

15

In 1875…the wind backed from the southwest to the northeast before noon. The temperature fell 48 degrees in one hour… From a high of 52 degrees to only 4 degrees between 11:30 am and 12:30 pm…as cold arctic air surged back over the city.

In 1888…the low temperature dipped to 20 degrees below zero.

In 1906…southwest winds were sustained to 44 mph.

In 1921…south winds were sustained to 44 mph with gusts to 48 mph. The winds warmed the temperature to a high of 63 degrees. The low temperature of only 47 degrees was a record high minimum for the date.

In 1943…strong Chinook winds struck the Front Range foothills. Wind gusts to 96 mph were recorded at Valmont in east Boulder…with 90 mph measured at Boulder airport. Some damage occurred.

In 1976…strong Chinook winds with peak gusts of 70 to 80 mph were recorded along the foothills. Northwest winds gusted to 46 mph at Stapleton International Airport.

In 1982…a vigorous cold front plunged temperatures 22 degrees in an hour from 39 to 17 degrees. Strong northeast winds at 30 mph with gusts to 46 mph…along with some snow flurries…reduced the visibility to 1 mile in blowing dust at Stapleton International Airport.

In 1987…heavy snow hit metro Denver. Snowfall totaled 10.3 inches at Stapleton International Airport…but amounts across the area ranged from 3 inches in southeast Aurora to 18 inches in the western and southwestern suburbs. Only an inch of snow was measured at Castle Rock. A half foot to a foot of snow fell in the foothills west of Denver and Boulder. Some schools were closed due to the storm. Temperatures hovered in the teens most of the day at Stapleton International Airport where north winds gusted to 30 mph.

In 1988…high winds were clocked in Boulder with a gust to 70 mph recorded at Table Mesa.

In 1998…strong winds developed in and near the Front Range foothills. Winds gusted to 71 mph at Jefferson County Airport near Broomfield. South-southwest winds gusted to only 25 mph at Denver International Airport.

15-16

In 1967…a major windstorm struck Boulder. The storm was described at the time as the worst single windstorm in the history of Boulder in terms of damage. Winds reached 125 mph at the National Center for Atmospheric Research and at Boulder airport. Winds gusted to 84 mph downtown. Damage totaled a half million dollars in Boulder where some minor injuries were reported. At the Boulder Municipal Airport… 14 light airplanes were severely damaged. The second floor of a warehouse was blown down…damaging two nearby moving vans. A mobile home was blown over south of Boulder… Injuring one woman. The roof of a department store was blown in. There was widespread damage to houses…autos… And power lines from wind and flying debris. Strong winds also occurred in Denver and Golden…but damage was only minor. At Stapleton International Airport…west winds gusted to 43 mph on the 15th and to 45 mph on the 16th.

In 1981…heavy snow of 6 to 10 inches accumulated across metro Denver. Snowfall totaled only 1.8 inches at Stapleton International Airport where east winds gusted to 21 mph on the 15th.

In 1991…a pacific storm system moved across metro Denver. Snowfall totaled 3 to 7 inches with 3 inches in Aurora… Denver…and Castle Rock…4 inches in Arvada…and 7 inches at South Platte station just southwest of Denver. Snowfall totaled only 2.9 inches at Stapleton International Airport where north winds gusted to 21 mph on the 16th.

In 2001…heavy snow fell across the Front Range foothills and urban corridor. The combination of careless driving and snowpacked highways resulted in 3 multi-vehicle accidents involving 30 vehicles…along I-25 in Douglas County. Eleven people were injured and one was killed. Snow amounts included: 11 inches in Evergreen; 10 inches at Eldorado Springs and Genesee; 8 inches at Broomfield… Ken Caryl Ranch…and Thornton; and 5 to 7 inches in Arvada…Bailey…Crow Hill…Gross Reservoir…Lakewood… Louisville…Westminster…and near Loveland. Snowfall totaled 2.7 inches at the site of the former Stapleton International Airport.

» Click here to read the rest of January 14 to January 20: This week in Denver weather history

Wednesday warms up and brings lots of sun, calm conditions. A nice looking day ahead for Thornton.

Expect sunny skies and above normal temperatures. The day starts with clear skies and we will see few clouds throughout the day. Winds will be out of the southwest this morning then shifting from the northeast in the afternoon.

Temperatures do start out quite chilly this morning but then will steadily increase toward a high right near 50 degrees.

Tonight, skies remain mostly clear and lows dip to the teens.

Our first snow of January of finally in the books with 1.2 inches having been received yesterday. Today, we start a turnaround toward warmer weather but it will remain colder than normal.

The day starts with clear skies and we will see the same throughout the day. Winds will be light, conditions calm and dry.

Temperatures start out very cold and in the single digits but then will warm to highs in the mid-30s. That is an improvement over yesterday but still a good bit short of the average high for the date of 44 degrees.

Tonight, skies remain clear with lows dropping to the mid to upper teens.

Looking ahead, we’ll enjoy much warmer weather Wednesday through Friday before our next potential snow-maker arrives Saturday.

A big difference between yesterday’s mild weather and todays cold and blustery conditions. We will be getting our first real taste of wintry weather since the beginning of the month.

Look for cloudy skies throughout much of the day with some clearing beginning a bit before sunset. Light snow has begun to fall and will continue through the morning before tapering off after noon and ending by about 5:00pm. There isn’t much moisture with this system so we don’t expect much accumulation, perhaps an inch or so.  You are likely to find some slick roads, particularly this morning, so please be careful.

The bigger story is the temperatures which will be on a downward slide throughout the day. The days high temperature in the low 20s will occur this morning and by 4:00pm we will be below 20.

This evening and tonight, clearing skies are going to allow that cold air to really sink in leading to overnight lows close to and perhaps below zero.

Looking ahead at the rest of your workweek, the cold won’t last long. It will remain chilly tomorrow as we recover from today’s system but then the latter part of the workweek should see a return to above normal temps.

Stay warm today!