Did you feel a very slight chill in the air this morning? It was very pleasantly cool and in fact, record-tying.
As measured at Denver International Airport, the city’s official low temperature dipped to 47 degrees. This breaks the record low for the date set in 1978.
Here in Thornton, we weren’t quite as cool with a low of 50 degrees. That was our coldest August 5th reading in the past 20 years that Thornton Weather has been operating. The previous low for the date was 53.9 degrees in 2015.
Editor’s note: This story originally reported Denver’s low as 48 degrees, per the National Weather Service. They then revised the number to 47 degrees and the story was updated accordingly.
As summer vacations wind down and families prepare to send their kids back to school in August, Colorado weather also starts to settle down. The chances for severe weather decrease markedly during August and by the end of the month daytime temperatures are dropping quite a bit as well.
Extreme weather can occur during in month in Colorado we well know. June however is when traditional spring severe weather arrives in the state oftentimes with hail, damaging wind and tornadoes.
Over 40 percent of the tornadoes that occur in Colorado happen during the month of June. Far more common are thunderstorms with hail and wind, each responsible for extensive damage each year.
While severe weather is common, so too are brilliantly sunny and mild days as we close out spring and enter summer. If you are looking for cold, it isn’t likely but it is possible as the Denver area has seen freezing temperatures and yes, even snow, during the month.
Colorado’s famously highly variable weather seems to showcase itself during the month of May when a variety of weather conditions can be seen.
The month can certainly bring extremes.
Snow is not entirely uncommon during the month, occurring in about 50% of Mays. When it does, it has the potential to cause damage to newly bloomed trees.
More common however is severe weather, particularly in the latter half of the month. Thunderstorms become more frequent and their associated hazards – lightning, wind, hail and tornadoes – are usual visitors.
Thornton, Colorado’s March 2026 temperature summary. (ThorntonWeather.com)
The month of March 2026 is one which went into the history books but we would like to forget. The ridiculously warm and dry weather that has plagued us all winter continued with a vengeance.
Overall, Thornton saw its warmest March of the past 20 years. It also went into the books as the fourth driest March over the same period. Officially, Denver saw similar records fall.
Four of the first five days of the month saw well above normal temperatures. Finally, on the sixth day of the month, we got a break. Temperatures chilled and we received a nice shot of snow.
It did not take long though and the mild temperatures returned and dry conditions stayed until the 15th of the month. We then got another light bit of snow. That, however, would be the end of the precipitation for the month.
The final half of March 2026 saw us record seven days with 80+ degree temperatures and two days with 90+ degrees. The earliest we have ever seen those types of readings.
Thornton saw an average monthly temperature for March 2026 of 53.9 degrees. This was far above the 20-year running average for the month of 42.8 degrees. It also easily displaced March 2012 (49.6 degrees) as the warmest March over the same period.
Officially, as measured at Denver International Airport, the Mile High City saw record-setting temperatures as well. Their average reading for the month was 51.6 degrees. This easily bested the previous warmest March of 50.4 degrees set in 1910.
In terms of precipitation, Thornton recorded 0.63 inches in its bucket for the month. Most of that came with the snow on the 6th. This was well below the March 20 year average of 0.83 inches and put the month in the books as the 4th driest March over the period.
Denver was similarly dry recording 0.66 inches in their rain bucket. This was 0.20 inches below the long term March average for Denver.
Snow was reasonable for the month with Thornton receiving 6.8 inches during March 2026. That was, however, a good bit below the 10.5 inches we averaged over the past 20 years.
Out at DIA, Denver fared better with the white stuff with 10.1 inches being recorded. That was actually 1.7 inches above their long term average for snowfall in March.
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.
Another record-setting day in the books for Denver.
As measured at Denver International Airport, the official high in the Mile High City today reached 79 degrees. This ties the previous record high for March 29 set in 1879.
Here in Thornton we were warmer with a high of 82 degrees.
In addition to record-setting daytime temperatures, early morning and nighttime temperatures yesterday remained quite mild and set a record.
As measured at Denver International Airport, Denver saw a low temperature of 54 degrees. This was a good bit warmer than the previous record low minimum for March 25 of 50 degrees set in 1907 and previous years.
Here in Thornton, we cooled down further than the Mile High City, with a low of 49 degrees.
Our summer-like conditions continued today and another high temperature record fell. More than that, it also set an all-time March high temperature record.
As measured at Denver International Airport, Denver saw an official high temperature of 87 degrees. This easily breaks the old record high for March 25 of 75 degrees set in 1956.
The reading today also breaks the all-time record high for March, besting the 86 degrees we saw just four days ago. Prior to this most recent heat wave, the record for March was 84 degrees set on March 26, 1971.
Here in Thornton, we were warmer than the Mile High City with a high of 90 degrees.
Another summer-like day in the Denver area today. With it, the Mile High City set its fourth daily high temperature record of the past week.
As measured at Denver International Airport, Denver’s official high temperature today was 81 degrees. This easily beat the previous record high for March 24 of 76 degrees set in 1896.
Here in Thornton, we were warmer, topping out at 83 degrees.
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