48°F
Thornton, Colorado, USA
UpdatedFri, 24-Mar-2023 5:00pm MDT 
 

Navigation

ThorntonWeather.com on Twitter

ThorntonWeather.com on Facebook

 

Weather Geek Stuff - weathergeekstuff.com

Rocky Mountain Weather Network

Tony's Takes Photography

ThorntonWeather.com

Recent News and Posts


Denver sets record low temperature for February 22

Wednesday, February 22nd, 2023 11:15pm MDT

Record Cold Temperatures

As another Arctic blast settles in, a weather record falls.

As measured at Denver International Airport, the Mile High City bottomed out at -7 degrees today. That breaks the old record low for the date of -6 degrees set in 1913.

Here in Thornton we were a bit “warmer” with a low of -5 degrees.

Join the Discussion - Post your commentJoin the Discussion!

Very cold temperatures, light snow for Thornton’s Wednesday

Wednesday, February 22nd, 2023 5:05am MDT

Another visit from Old Man Winter. Light snow has been falling for a few hours now and will continue for much of the day. The bigger story though will be the cold temperatures.

Cloudy skies will be above throughout the daytime hours. Light snow will fall through the morning then gradually ease in the afternoon. We are looking at 1 to 3 inches accumulation. More than the snow is the cold. We already saw our high temperature for the day and the mercury will now be in the teens throughout the day.

Tonight, any lingering snow will end in the early evening. We will then see some of the cloud cover ease. Overnight lows tonight dip into negative territory.

A Winter Weather Advisory is in effect until 8:00pm for the snow and ice. Tonight, a Wind Chill Advisory will kick in as the cold temperatures and breezy winds will make it dangerous to be outside for long.

Join the Discussion - Post your commentJoin the Discussion!

The warm before the storm as Thornton will be mild Tuesday, snow arrives tonight

Tuesday, February 21st, 2023 5:13am MDT

As is pretty typical for this time of year, we enjoy some ups and downs, all within a short period of time. Today will be mild but our next winter storm arrives tonight with snow and, more notably, some very cold temps.

For today, there will be varying levels of cloudiness but overall, look for partly sunny skies. Winds will be slightly breezy but less so than the last couple of days. High temperatures will top out close to the 60 degree mark.

Tonight, cloudy skies will be overhead with lows in the teens. A rain / snow mix may develop by about 10:00pm changing over to all snow after midnight. Only minimal accumulations are expected overnight.

Tomorrow, the storm system arrives in earnest and we can expect snow throughout the day tomorrow. Late afternoon will see it begin to taper off, ending after dark.

A Winter Weather Advisory will be in effect with the National Weather Service calling for 3 to 6 inches. The potential is there for those amounts, however, models are not really in agreement on this one. The foothills and areas north are likely to bear the brunt of it. For Thornton, we tend to think we will be at the lower end of the totals seen.

More than the snow will be the cold that is coming. Highs tomorrow and Thursday will remain below freezing with lows tomorrow night and Thursday night getting extremely cold. For more, see here.

Join the Discussion - Post your commentJoin the Discussion!

Presidents’ Day in Thornton to offer mile temps, blustery winds

Monday, February 20th, 2023 4:59am MDT

Today’s weather looks to be much like yesterday’s. Temps will be a few degrees warmer but we will also see more blustery winds.

Mostly sunny skies start us off then there will a bit of an increase in cloud cover in the afternoon. Winds start out light then will be ramping up by late morning. Winds will ease by mid to late afternoon and calm down overnight. High temperatures today will top out in the mid-50s.

Tonight, lows will be near freezing under partly clear skies.

Join the Discussion - Post your commentJoin the Discussion!

February 19 to February 25: This Week in Denver Weather History

Sunday, February 19th, 2023 5:00am MDT

This Week in Denver Weather History

Damaging winds are not uncommon along the Colorado Front Range, particularly this time of year when strong Bora and Chinook winds can rage. We see a number of such events in our look back at this week in Denver weather history. Also making an appearance are a number of notable snow and cold events.

From the National Weather Service:

17-19

In 2006…a cold spell resulted in 4 temperature records. Low temperatures of 10 degrees below zero on the 17th… 13 degrees below zero on the 18th…and 4 degrees below zero on the 19th were record minimums for those dates. The high temperature of only 7 degrees on the 18th was a record low maximum for the date. Light snow fell on the 17th…but totaled less than half an inch at Denver International Airport.

18-19

In 1954…a vigorous cold front produced north winds gusting to 56 mph and a trace of snowfall at Stapleton Airport on the 18th. Strong and gusty winds to 55 mph persisted through the next day and caused some blowing dust.

In 1955…a storm dumped heavy snow across metro Denver. At Stapleton Airport where north winds sustained to 28 mph produced some blowing snow…snowfall totaled 8.8 inches.

18-20

In 1913…post-frontal snowfall totaled 6.9 inches in downtown Denver over the 3 days. Most of the snow fell on the 19th. Northeast winds were sustained to 21 mph with a measured extreme velocity to 24 mph on the 18th.

In 1924…light snowfall totaled 4.6 inches over the 3 days. This was the only measurable snowfall of the month. High temperatures plunged from 45 degrees on the 18th to 17 degrees on the 20th. Low temperatures dipped from 31 degrees on the 18th to only 8 degrees on the 20th. Northeast winds were sustained to 24 mph on the 19th.

In 1953…a major blizzard dumped 10.6 inches of snowfall at Stapleton Airport. Strong north winds at sustained speeds of 25 to 35 mph with gusts as high as 44 mph frequently reduced visibilities to 1/4 mile in blowing snow during the day of the 19th. The strong winds caused much drifting snow…making accurate snowfall measurements almost impossible. Precipitation from the storm totaled 1.13 inches. The 1.01 inches of precipitation on the 19th was the greatest calendar day and 24 hour precipitation ever recorded in the city during the month of February.

In 1987…large amounts of new snow fell in the Front Range foothills. The foothills received 10 to 20 inches of new snow with 4 to 8 inches on the adjacent plains. On the 19th…flight delays occurred at Stapleton International Airport where snowfall totaled 4.2 inches and east winds gusted to only 18 mph on the 19th. Schools were closed in the foothills above Boulder.

19

In 1899…northwest winds sustained to 42 mph with gusts to 45 mph warmed the temperature to a high of 56 degrees… The highest reading of the month that year.

In 1980…high winds were reported in Boulder. Sustained speeds of 50 to 60 mph with gusts to 85 mph were measured. West winds gusted to 31 mph at Stapleton International Airport.

In 1986…Chinook winds continued to buffet the eastern foothills. Winds gusting from 60 to 75 mph were common in the foothills. West winds gusted to 41 mph at Stapleton International Airport.

In 1996…high winds gusting from 70 to 75 mph were reported atop Table Mesa near Boulder. West winds gusted to 44 mph at Denver International Airport.

In 2007…this was the last day of 61 consecutive days with snow cover of 1 inch or more in Denver. This second longest period of snow cover on record began with the blizzard on December 20-21…2006…when 20.7 inches of snow fell at the site of the former Stapleton International Airport where official snow measurements were taken. Additional snowfall during December…January…and February prolonged the event. Snow depth on the ground was measured to the nearest inch once daily at 6:00 am MST.

In 2018…a storm system brought a period of upslope snowfall to locations in and near the Front Range Foothills. Storm totals included: 9 inches in Louisville…8.5 inches at Lafayette and 2 miles south of Rocky Flats National Wildlife Refuge…8 inches…2 miles south of Boulder and 3 miles north-northeast of Eldorado Springs; 7.5 inches in Erie…7 inches…3 miles west-northwest of Arvada and at the National Weather Service in Boulder; 6 inches at Copeland Lake… Evergreen…3 miles northwest of Idledale and Intercanyon. At Denver International Airport…a trace of snowfall was observed.

19-20

In 1937…post-frontal heavy snowfall totaled 8.4 inches over downtown Denver. Most of the snow…6.6 inches…fell on the 20th when north winds were sustained to 16 mph with gusts to 18 mph. The temperature dipped to a low of 9 degrees on the 20th.

In 1939…post-frontal snowfall totaled 5.4 inches in the city. The snow covered streets and highways with a coating of ice as the temperature fell from 36 degrees at 2:00 pm on the 19th to a low of 4 degrees at 3:00 am on the 20th. Many motorists were marooned for several hours. Northeast winds were sustained to 24 mph on the 19th.

19-21

In 1971…heavy snowfall totaled 9.0 inches at Stapleton International Airport where north winds gusted to only 16 mph. Most of the snow occurred on the 19th and 20th. The 24 hour snowfall of 8.2 inches was the greatest in February since 1953. » Click here to read the rest of February 19 to February 25: This Week in Denver Weather History

Join the Discussion - Post your commentJoin the Discussion!

Warmer than normal temperatures on tap for Thornton’s weekend

Friday, February 17th, 2023 5:01am MDT

The latest chill is out the door and now we see a warmup that should make quick work of that lingering snow. The weekend will feature warmer temperatures but does also end with some wind.

Friday will be the nicest day of the three. We start off with sunny skies then see just a few clouds later. Highs will top out in the low 50s. Tonight, skies will be mostly cloudy with lows in the mid-20s.

Saturday will see temperatures similar to today but with more cloud cover. Look for partly cloudy skies and highs again in the low 50s. Saturday night, lows dip to the mid-20s under partly cloudy skies.

Sunday will see more sun than the previous day but strong pressure gradients will lead to wind. Look for highs around 50 degrees under mostly sunny skies. Winds will be quite breezy throughout the day.

Have a great weekend!

Join the Discussion - Post your commentJoin the Discussion!

Thursday sees calm, dry conditions in Thornton but with a lingering chill

Thursday, February 16th, 2023 5:05am MDT

Our latest storm has moved out after depositing 3.4 inches of snow. In its wake, we settle down and see a return of blue skies but cold will remain.

Early morning will see a few clouds but those will soon dissipate leaving us with sunny skies for the balance of the day. High temperatures will top out right near the freezing mark with calm conditions.

Tonight, skies remain clear with lows in the mid-teens.

Hang in there! Warmer weather awaits for Friday and the weekend.

Join the Discussion - Post your commentJoin the Discussion!

Snow, cold and blustery winds for Thornton’s Wednesday

Wednesday, February 15th, 2023 5:10am MDT

Our latest storm has settled in. After delivering 1.1 inches of snow overnight (as of 4:00am), it will continue throughout the daytime hours before tapering off tonight.

Cloudy skies will be above throughout the day with blustery winds out of the north. High temperatures will only reach the mid to upper teens with the wind making it feel much colder.

Snow will continue through this morning then the afternoon will see it continue but at a slower pace. An additional 1 to 3 inches can be expected.

Tonight, a few lingering flurries will be possible until midnight with minimal accumulations. Cloud cover will then begin to ease. Overnight lows will be well into the single digits.

Join the Discussion - Post your commentJoin the Discussion!

Cool and blustery conditions for Valentine’s Day, snow arrives tonight

Tuesday, February 14th, 2023 5:12am MDT

The daytime hours today will be a bit of a transition from the warmth of recent days to the cold and snow set to arrive tonight. Just when you were seeing grass in your yard, it is set to disappear again.

Today starts out nice enough and we will have mostly sunny skies for most of the day. Winds will initially be light but then become quite blustery by the late morning continuing through tomorrow. Highs today will top out in the mid-40s.

Cloud cover will increase this afternoon as the storm system approaches. Some flurries may be seen as early as 5:00pm. Around midnight, snowfall will ramp up and become more widespread. It will then continue through tomorrow morning before tapering off in the afternoon, coming to an end tomorrow evening.

Overnight lows tonight will be in the teens.

The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Weather Advisory for the period from midnight tonight to midnight tomorrow night. They are calling for from 3 to 7 inches for the Denver metro area.

Thornton is likely to be at the lower end of the totals with higher amounts to our south. We are currently thinking 3 to 5 inches for us.

Certainly, travel overnight and tomorrow morning’s commute may be a bit rough so plan accordingly.

More on our Winter Weather Briefing Page.

Join the Discussion - Post your commentJoin the Discussion!

Monday in Thornton to offer up mild temperatures, calm conditions

Monday, February 13th, 2023 5:15am MDT

This is a nice way to start a workweek. We will enjoy highs today some 10 degrees above normal with calm, quiet conditions.

Sunny skies start us off and will be with us through about mid-morning. After that, we will see some clouds arrive but they shouldn’t be too intrusive. Lights winds, calm and dry conditions will prevail. High temperatures will top out in the mid-50s.

Tonight, skies will be mostly cloudy with overnight lows dipping to the mid to upper 20s.

Join the Discussion - Post your commentJoin the Discussion!