As we begin the new year the winter chill begins to set in. While January can see its share of extremes, the month historically sees stable temperatures and is usually relatively dry.
January ranks as the second coldest month in Denver next to December with average temperatures remaining virtually the same from the start to the end of the month.
In terms of snowfall, the month only ranks as the sixth snowiest and it is not uncommon for it to be quite dry.
What does January 2026 hold for us? Follow the link to find out.
Another warm month in the books and this time with readings extraordinarily far above average. And, while we did finally see our first, decent snow, there was only one.
The first five days of the month saw more typical temperatures, and indeed four of them were below average. Along with that, on the third we received a respectable 5.3 inches of snowfall.
From there, however, we warmed up and dried out. All but two of the final 26 days of the month saw above average temperatures. Twelve of those days saw record highs for their dates in the past 19 years.
On the 28th we did see one more, light snowfall (1.3 inches) but otherwise we were bone dry.
Thornton saw an overall average temperature for December 2025 of 42.1 degrees. This was far above our 19 year running average for the month of 31.5 degrees. It was also Thornton’s warmest December of the past 19 years by far. We saw our warmest temperature of 75.6 degrees on the 22nd and our coldest of 11.0 degrees on the 1st.
As measured at Denver International Airport, Denver saw an average temperature of 42.3 degrees for the month. This made the month the second warmest December ever recorded and was 11.1 degrees above their long-term December average. The city saw six high temperature records set or tied including record highs on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
In terms of precipitation, we did end up wetter than average. Thornton recorded 0.59 inches of liquid precipitation in our bucket, largely due to the snow on the 3rd. This total was above our running average for December of 0.44 inches.
Out at the airport, the Mile High City saw 0.33 inches of liquid precipitation. This was slightly below their long-term average for the month of 0.35 inches.
Thornton ended up with 6.6 inches of snowfall for the month. This was much appreciated after seeing no snow in September and October and only a minimal snow in November. It was, however, short of our 19-year average for December of 8.0 inches.
Denver matched our total with 6.6 inches of snowfall as measured at DIA as well. This was equal to the Mile High City’s 30-year average for the month.
Fall-like temperatures continue right into the holidays with Denver setting another high temperature record.
As measured at Denver International Airport, the Mile High City saw a high temperature today of 71 degrees. This bests the previous record high for the date of 70 degrees set in 1955.
Here in Thornton, we were warmer with a high of 73 degrees.
While it will cool some on Christmas Day, there is the potential for us to set a record high for it as well. On December 25, 2005 we saw a high of 69 degrees.
The ridiculously warm temperatures this month have set another high temperature record.
As measured at Denver International Airport, the Mile High City saw a high temperature today of 76 degrees. This breaks the previous record high for December 22 of 70 degrees set in 1955.
The reading is also the second warmest December temperature ever recorded for Denver. December 5, 1939 holds the record with a reading of 79 degrees.
Here in Thornton, we were similarly warm with a high of 76 degrees.
Another mild day, another record warm temperature.
As measured at Denver International Airport, the Mile High City saw a high temperature today of 67 degrees. This ties the previous record high for December 19 last set in 1933.
Here in Thornton, we managed to stay cooler with a high of 63.7 degrees for the day.
The ridiculous warm temperatures have set a high temperature record for the date.
As measured at Denver International Airport, the Mile High City saw a high temperature today of 69 degrees. This breaks the previous record high for December 19 of 67 degrees.
Here in Thornton, we were even warmer with a high of 73 degrees.
The mild temperatures have put a record in the books for December 11.
As measured at Denver International Airport, the date saw a low temperature of 45 degrees. This breaks the previous record high minimum of 44 degrees for the date set in 1933.
Here in Thornton we were considerably warmer overnight and early morning. Our low temperatures as a mild 56.3 degrees.
Thornton, Colorado’s November 2025 Temperature Summary. (ThorntonWeather.com)
Yet another month in the books with mercury readings well above average and precipitation lighter than average. In fact, November 2025 goes into the books as the warmest and second driest November in Thornton of the past 19 years.
During the month there was a complete lack of notable weather events – beyond the warmth and dryness. It wasn’t until the third week of the month that we saw any precipitation and then it was a minimal amount of rain.
On the 28th, we finally received our first snowfall of the season, but it was a meager amount (0.6 inches). It also was the second latest first seasonal snowfall ever recorded in Denver.
Overall, Thornton’s November 2025 average temperature was 45.8 degrees. This is far above our 19-year running average temperature for November of 39.9 degrees. It also makes the month the warmest November recorded over that same period.
For Denver, as recorded at Denver International Airport, it was similarly mild. The average temperature was 45.1 degrees. This was 5.7 degrees above the city’s long-term average.
Precipitation was pitiful for the month. Thornton recorded a mere 0.05 inches during the month. This is far below our running average for November of 0.52 inches.
The Mile High City recorded 0.09 inches of precipitation in their bucket. This is far below Denver’s long-term average for November of 0.64 inches.
As previously stated, snow was virtually non-existent during the month. The 28th offered the first snow of the season in Thornton and only totaled 0.6 inches. The month’s total fell far short of our 19-year average of 5.9 inches.
Denver recorded only 0.2 inches of the white stuff at DIA. This was far below the 7.3 inch average for November in the Mile High City.
Recent months have, overall, been mostly warmer and drier than normal. What will December hold for us?
The month of December brings with it the official start of winter and oftentimes, colder and snowier weather conditions. It, however, can also offer unseasonably warm temperatures and bone dry conditions. Given our recent mild and dry weather, we are certainly hoping for a change in the coming month.
Overall December’s monthly mean temperature of 31.2 degrees (1991 – 2020 averages) makes it our coldest month. Snow is always on everyone’s mind this time of year but December is only our 3rd snowiest month behind March and November with an average of 8.0 inches of the white stuff.
Thornton, Colorado’s October 2025 Temperature Summary. (ThorntonWeather.com)
Thornton’s first full month of fall for the year yielded lots of dry mild days. While that made for some pleasant conditions, it was exceedingly warm and dry.
The month started out with mercury readings in the 80s for the first four days then we cooled down. Three days with readings closer to normal followed as did some nice rain.
We then strung together more than two weeks of largely above average temperatures and very minimal precipitation. The final five days did cool down some and bring a little bit more rain.
Thornton’s overall average temperature for the month came in at 52.9 degrees. This was well above our running 19-year average for the month of 50.1 degrees. Temperatures ranged from a high of 87.8 degrees on the 3rd down to a low of 22.6 degrees on the morning of the 29th.
Out at DIA where Denver’s official measurements are taken, it was a bit warmer. The Mile High City saw an average temperature for the month of 53.5 degrees, well above their long term average for October of 51.1 degrees.
In terms of precipitation, it was lacking a good bit. Thornton recorded 0.56 inches in its rain bucket, the vast majority of it (0.50”) coming on the 5th and 6th. This was much less than our running October average of 0.94 inches.
At the airport, Denver was even drier. They saw a mere 0.14 inches in the bucket, far less than the Mile High City’s October average of 0.99 inches.
No snow was recorded in Thornton or in Denver. This already puts us at a deficit to start the snow season. On average, Thornton receives 3.6 inches in October.
