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.
For the third day in a row, the Mile High City broke a daily high temperature record today. As a small consolation, it wasn’t quite as hot as it was expected to be.
As measured at Denver International Airport, Denver’s official high temperature today reached 86 degrees. This breaks the old record high for March 21 of 78 degrees set in 1995.
Today’s reading also goes into the books as the warmest March temperature reading on record for Denver. This breaks the old record of 85 degrees set on both the previous days, March 20 and March 21.
Here in Thornton, we were a good bit warmer, topping out at 91 degrees.
To no one’s surprise, the Mile High City set a high temperature record for today. This was the second day in a row with another likely waiting in the wings tomorrow.
As measured at Denver International Airport, Denver’s high temperature today topped out at 85 degrees. This easily bested the previous high temperature record for March 20 of 80 degrees set in 1907.
Here in Thornton, we were even more toasty with a high of 88 degrees.
Denver’s reading also breaks the all-time March record high temperature of 84 degrees, just set yesterday. Prior to that, the record was 84 degrees set on March 26, 1971.
Tomorrow, highs are expected to top out near the 90-degree mark. The current record high for March 21 in Denver is 78 degrees, set in 1995.
Seeing today’s temperature reading makes it hard to believe it is still March. With a high temperature more like we see in early summer, Denver set two records today.
As measured at Denver International Airport, the Mile High City saw a high of 85 degrees. That easily bested the previous high temperature for March 19 of 81 degrees set in 1907.
Perhaps more notably, this also breaks the all-time March record high temperature of 84 degrees set on March 26, 1971.
Here in Thornton, we were actually a hair warmer with a high of 86 degrees.
Friday looks to offer similar temperatures and Saturday threatens to have our first 90 degree reading of the year – and the earliest 90 degree reading on record.
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