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Denver Climatological Preview - April 2009 |
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A Preview of Denver's April Weather - Something for Everyone
The good news is that sunshine and warmer temperatures are usually in abundance as the normal highs during the month move up from 57 degrees on the first to 65 degrees on the 30th. It is not unusual to have a number of days well into the 70's and the low 80's. We also see the normal lows move above freezing from 30 degrees at the start of the month to 39 degrees by the end. Temperature extremes can hit both ends of the spectrum with a record low of 2 degrees below zero on April 2, 1975 and a record high of 90 degrees on April 30, 1992. In terms of the extremes and severe weather we can see, at this time of year Denver can be hit from every direction with a wide variety of air masses. Cold can be brought on when Arctic air invades from the north and that can then team up with Pacific storms to produce snow. Thunderstorms can be generated when warm, moist air from the Gulf of Mexico moves into the area. Warmer temperatures and low humidity too can happen when warm, dry air from the desert southwest invade Colorado. For snow lovers, April still gives us a good chance of the white stuff for it is actually our third snowiest month. The snowiest April was in 1933 when we received 33.8 inches of snow during the month. Way back on April 22 - 23, 1885, Denver was hit with 23 inches of snow, the most for a 24 hour period in April. We are also reminded that we live on the wide open plains as it is our windiest month with an average speed of 10 miles per hour from the south. Typically we will have two thunderstorms in April and there is always the chance of severe thunderstorms which historically can include hail, severe damaging winds and / or tornadoes. April 2001 brought on a reminder of the potential for severe winter weather when on the 10th and 11th a storm produced blizzard like conditions and 10 inches of snow was dumped on the former Stapleton International Airport site. Across the metro area heavy snow was recorded including 18 inches in southeast Aurora with 5 foot drifts, 16 inches with 3 foot drifts in Parker, 10 inches in Lafayette, 9 in Westminster and 8 in Littleton. But, as is typical in Colorado, by the 12th the sun had come out and the snow melted away quickly. April showers are also common as was seen in 2007 when we set a 24 hour rain record. Between April 23rd and 24th of that year, 2.1 inches of rainfall was recorded at DIA obliterating the old record of 1.29 inches that was set way back in 1891. Further north here in Thornton we recorded a bit more precipitation over the same period with 2.32 inches of rain. Normally Denver receives 1.93 inches for the entire month! Were it not for that storm, the month would have been a very dry one as a mere 0.4 inches of rain fell otherwise in Thornton. While it actually occurred in March, we should also be reminded of the Holly tornado from two years that hit on March 28th. This storm brought Colorado's first tornado casualties since 1960 and serves as a stark reminder that severe weather can hit early in the year. Indeed, as we enter the severe weather season we would remind everyone that tornadoes have been recorded in nine months of the year in Colorado. Further, statistics show that Adams County actually has the second most tornadoes of any county in the state (next to Weld). Granted most of those occur in the rural eastern portion of the county but it serves to illustrate the fact we live at the western edge of Tornado Alley and need to be aware of the danger. Looking Back - April 2008 Last year April was notable for it being quiet dry - our fifth driest April on record. Denver recorded a mere 0.32 inch of precipitation - well below the normal for April of 1.61 inches. Only four days during the month brought measurable precipitation and most of what was recorded was from snow melt. Snow as well was well behind normal levels. Denver averages 9.1 inches of snow in April and in 2008 we recorded only 2.9 inches. Thornton fared a touch better with 3.7 inches of the white stuff and 0.48 inch of precipitation. Considering the month is traditionally our third snowiest, it was very disappointing. The average temperature for April 2008 was 46.1 degrees, 1.5 degrees below normal. Official Denver temperatures ranged from a high of 82 degrees down to a low of 13 degrees. 21 days saw below freezing low temperatures which was a lot more than the normal 11 days we see in April. However, despite the seemingly cool month, it wasn't enough to make 'top 10' status. Temperatures in Thornton ranged from a high of 85.1 on the 15th to a low of 18.2 degrees on the 1st - neither a record by any means. Average temperature for the month was 47.7 degrees, right at the Denver normal. One thunderstorm on April 9th was recorded and it accounted for 0.18 inch of moisture - more than half of the entire month's precipitation. We average two thunderstorms during the month so this was below normal. Click here to view Thornton's April 2008 Climatology Report. April 2009 Outlook The National Weather Service 30-day outlook model forecasts above normal temperatures and below normal precipitation for April 2009. For More Information Temperature Normals and Extremes for April Monthly Temperature, Rainfall and Snowfall Extremes for April
* Historical weather statistics gathered from the National Weather Service's Denver / Boulder forecast office data archives. |
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April marks a transition between winter and summer for most of the country but for Denver it is especially true as we can see a stunning variety of weather. The proverbial April showers are certainly a possibility for Denver. Snow? Tornadoes? Thunderstorms? You bet - all can happen! For good measure throw in a chance for hail and even dust storms and April gives every type of weather condition you could like - or hate. 
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