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.
Find out more about what lies ahead with Thornton’s August weather here.
If you were thinking the past month was hot and dry, you would certainly be correct. Thornton’s July saw average mercury readings a good bit above average and precipitation well below average.
Looking back, probably one of the most notable things about the month was that there wasn’t a whole lot notable. We saw nothing significant in the way of severe weather and while it was hot, it wasn’t overly extreme. It was noteworthy that the last two weeks of the month were quite dry yielding only 0.03” of rain over the period.
Thornton’s average temperature for the month came in at 75.2 degrees. This was a good bit above our running 18 year average for July of 73.9 degrees. Temperatures ranged from a high of 102.1 degrees on the 9th down to 55.3 degrees on the 11th.
Out at DIA where the Mile High City’s official measurements are taken, similar readings were seen. Denver saw an average temperature for the month of 75.1 degrees. This actually matched their long-term average for July.
In terms of precipitation, Thornton saw 0.63 inches fall in its rain bucket. The majority of that fell during the first half of the month. That is well below our running average for July of 1.88 inches.
For Denver, they recorded similar precipitation with 0.64 inches being recorded. This was well below their July average of 2.14 inches.
Click here to view Thornton’s complete July 2025 climate summary report.
Finally, a break from the heat and some much-needed precipitation. Thornton’s average temperature for the month came in a bit above average but not by much. In terms of precipitation, we saw a good bit above average levels.
Change is of course the one constant in Denver’s weather but come July, things actually get pretty consistent.
The standard formula for a day in July is a sunny morning, clouds developing in the late morning and early afternoon. Come mid-afternoon, thunderstorms are rolling off of the foothills and into the metro area and the eastern plains. These storms do occasionally reach severe status containing hail, gusty winds and heavy downpours of rain.
Check out our July weather preview for a complete look at what is in store for the month ahead.
The snow season in Colorado runs July 1 to June 30 and thus today ends the 2024 / 2025 season officially. With the close, we can see Thornton did not fare too well this winter.
We ended up with 36.9 inches for the season. That is far below our 18-season running average of 54.6 inches per season. It also puts the 2024 / 2025 season into the books as the fourth least snowy over that period.
Out at DIA where Denver’s official measurements are taken, they fared better with 47.7 inches. The difference is largely due to a period from November 5 to November 8 in which the bulk of the snow for that event stayed just east of Denver. Over those four days, DIA recorded 18.2 inches versus 10.8 inches here in Thornton.
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.
Read more about Thornton and Denver’s June weather and a look ahead at this year.
Thornton recorded its third month in a row with average temperatures above normal. The month did, however, at least offer up near average levels of precipitation.
April typically brings cool temperatures and a nice shot of precipitation to Thornton. That was not the case this year as we recorded our 3rd warmest and 3rd driest April on record.
We started out on the cool side of things for the first five days of the month and saw a little bit of snow and rain.
The next thirteen days, however, saw a turn toward temperatures well above normal including some 80+ degree days. Precipitation was similarly scarce with only one day recording a minimal snowfall.
We did then see a quick return to wintry weather on the 18th and 19th with below normal temperatures and our biggest snowfall of the month, a mere 2.5 inches.
Above normal temperatures then returned for all but one day of the rest of the month. We did see two minor precipitation events during the final week.
Thornton’s average temperature for April 2025 came in at 50.1 degrees. This was a good bit above our 19-year running average for the month of 48.5 degrees. It put the month in the book as our third warmest April during that period. Highs ranged from a maximum of 87.7 degrees on the 12th down to a low of 25.3 degrees on the 3rd.
As measured at Denver International Airport, Denver saw an average temperature for the month of 48.5 degrees. This was well above the Mile High City’s long term April average of 47.8 degrees.
In terms of precipitation, Thornton saw only 0.66 inches of rain / snow melt. This was far below our 19-year running average for April of 1.68 inches.
Denver, at the airport, recorded 0.50 inches. This too was well below their long term average of 1.68 inches for April.
Snow was similarly disappointing. Thornton only saw 3.2 inches of the white stuff. Our 19-year running average for April is 6.2 inches.
The Mile High City recorded a mere 2.2 inches of snowfall during the month. This was far below the 8.7 inch average for the month in Denver.
Click here to view Thornton’s complete April 2025 climate summary report.
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.
For a complete look at what lies ahead for the month of May, check out our full preview here.
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.