For many, the holiday season isn’t complete without a chill in the air and snow on the ground. Here in Denver we historically enjoy a better chance of experiencing the proverbial white Christmas than many places in the nation.
However, how the Mile High City fares in experiencing a white Christmas does depend on your definition of one.
If it means having actual snowfall on Christmas Day the chances aren’t that good. But, if simply having snow on the ground suffices, the chances improve considerably.
The month of November this year was one that saw some widely varying temperatures from comfortable fall readings to bone chilling cold. Precipitation ran light and while we saw our first measurable snows for the season, it was still dry.
With a high pressure ridge above, the month started out quite nice. A cold front moved through on the third and not only cooled things down, but also brought the bulk of our precipitation for the month in the form of rain.
We then saw a week of unseasonably warm conditions that lasted through the 10th. After that, the bottom fell out and the mercury plunged. Five of the next six days failed to climb above freezing as bone-chilling cold more akin to January was seen. We did manage to record more than two inches of snow over the same period.
A largely seasonal weather pattern then settled in with most of the next nine days having readings not too far from average. Three of the last four days of the month then brought back very mild conditions.
Thornton’s overall average temperature for the month was 35.1 degrees. This was well below the long term November average for Denver of 38.3 degrees. Out at the airport, official Denver readings were a bit warmer with an average of 36.2 degrees.
Thornton’s warmest reading in November came on the 29th with maximum of 72.5 degrees. The coldest was -8.8 degrees on the morning of the 13th. Denver’s maximum was similar to ours at 72 degrees but its coldest was a bit further down there at -14 degrees.
Five temperature records were set for the month, only one was for a warm reading. That came on the 9th with a record high minimum.
On the other hand, demonstrating just how significant the cold blast in the middle of the month was, Denver set four cold temperature related records for the month. These included record low maximums on the 11th and 12th and record lows on the 12th and 13th.
In terms of precipitation, Thornton finished below average while Denver was slightly above. The November average is 0.61 inches. Here in Thornton we had a mere 0.39 inches while DIA recorded 0.76.
November is one of our snowiest months but that was certainly not the case this year. While the long term average is 8.7 inches, Thornton recorded only 3.0 inches and Denver 4.0 inches.
November 2014 temperature summary for Thornton, Colorado. (ThorntonWeather.com)November 2014 precipitation summary for Thornton, Colorado. (ThorntonWeather.com)
From the National Weather Service:
CLIMATE REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BOULDER, CO
144 AM MST MON DEC 1 2014
...................................
...THE DENVER CO CLIMATE SUMMARY FOR THE MONTH OF NOVEMBER 2014...
CLIMATE NORMAL PERIOD 1981 TO 2010
CLIMATE RECORD PERIOD 1872 TO 2014
WEATHER OBSERVED NORMAL DEPART LAST YEAR`S
VALUE DATE(S) VALUE FROM VALUE DATE(S)
NORMAL
................................................................
TEMPERATURE (F)
RECORD
HIGH 80 11/08/2006
LOW -18 11/29/1877
HIGHEST 72 11/29 73 7 71 11/13
11/01
LOWEST -14 11/13 6 -8 12 11/21
AVG. MAXIMUM 50.6 52.1 -1.5 55.1
AVG. MINIMUM 21.8 24.5 -2.7 26.7
MEAN 36.2 38.3 -2.1 40.9
DAYS MAX >= 90 0 0.0 0.0 0
DAYS MAX <= 32 5 2.3 2.7 2
DAYS MIN <= 32 22 23.4 -1.4 25
DAYS MIN <= 0 4 0.6 3.4 0
PRECIPITATION (INCHES)
RECORD
MAXIMUM 3.21 1946
MINIMUM T 1899
1901
1949
TOTALS 0.76 0.61 0.15 0.27
DAILY AVG. 0.03 0.02 0.01 0.01
DAYS >= .01 6 4.7 1.3 3
DAYS >= .10 3 1.6 1.4 1
DAYS >= .50 0 0.0 0.0 0
DAYS >= 1.00 0 0.0 0.0 0
GREATEST
24 HR. TOTAL 0.30 11/03 TO 11/03 11/21 TO 11/21
SNOWFALL (INCHES)
RECORDS
TOTAL 42.6 1946
TOTALS 4.0 8.7
DEGREE_DAYS
HEATING TOTAL 857 801 56 715
SINCE 7/1 1254 1382 -128 1323
COOLING TOTAL 0 0 0 0
SINCE 1/1 701 769 -68 999
FREEZE DATES
RECORD
EARLIEST 09/08/1962
LATEST 06/08/2007
EARLIEST 10/07
LATEST 05/05
..................................................
WIND (MPH)
AVERAGE WIND SPEED 10.1
RESULTANT WIND SPEED/DIRECTION 3/228
HIGHEST WIND SPEED/DIRECTION 43/040 DATE 11/10
HIGHEST GUST SPEED/DIRECTION 54/040 DATE 11/10
SKY COVER
POSSIBLE SUNSHINE (PERCENT) MM
AVERAGE SKY COVER 0.60
NUMBER OF DAYS FAIR 4
NUMBER OF DAYS PC 21
NUMBER OF DAYS CLOUDY 5
AVERAGE RH (PERCENT) 53
WEATHER CONDITIONS. NUMBER OF DAYS WITH
THUNDERSTORM 1 MIXED PRECIP 1
HEAVY RAIN 1 RAIN 2
LIGHT RAIN 2 FREEZING RAIN 0
LT FREEZING RAIN 0 HAIL 0
HEAVY SNOW 1 SNOW 3
LIGHT SNOW 7 SLEET 0
FOG 8 FOG W/VIS <= 1/4 MILE 1
HAZE 5
- INDICATES NEGATIVE NUMBERS.
R INDICATES RECORD WAS SET OR TIED.
MM INDICATES DATA IS MISSING.
T INDICATES TRACE AMOUNT.
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.
Through November, the snow season along the Colorado Front Range has been dismal. With a mere 4.0 inches of snow having been recorded in Denver (3.0 in Thornton), seasonal snowfall is 9.0 inches below normal.
December can prove to be a rebound month and help bolster those numbers. However precipitation can be hit or miss as while monster snowstorms are possible, we have also seen starkly dry years.
Current long range forecasts point to a warm start to the month followed by seasonal conditions.
The holiday season is about to kick off with Thanksgiving and with many folks traveling in the coming weeks, the focus is oftentimes on the weather. Looking back at Denver’s historical Thanksgiving weather, we see that the day is usually dry with comfortable temperatures.
Details on every Thanksgiving in Denver since recordkeeping began in 1872 is below. While calm and dry may be the norm, that doesn’t mean that drama isn’t possible.
For this year, what can we expect? At this time it all depends on which forecast model you want to believe.
The GFS indicates a cold front with temperatures in the 30s. The ECMWF points to ridging which would lead to an unseasonably warm day. Which would we side with? For right now we prefer the ECMWF solution.
Stay up to date with Thornton’s weather: Be sure to ‘like’ us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter and add us to your Google+ circles.
From the National Weather Service – Thanksgiving climatology:
The weather during the month of November in Denver metro area can offer just about anything. While it is normally a quiet month, it can be prone to extremes.
November is Denver’s second snowiest month and major snowstorms are not entirely uncommon. However conditions can also be quite dry.
Temperatures during the month continue to cool as we get closer to winter and by the end of the month the low temperatures routinely dip to 20 degrees or below. At times it can in fact bring conditions more like what we see in January.
As expected, temperatures in the Mile High City today were unseasonably warm and climbed to record-setting levels. However, while Denver broke a high temperature record, Thornton fell quite a ways short.
Out at Denver International Airport, the mercury topped out at 83 degrees. This bested the previous record high for the date of 82 degrees set in 2011 and previous years.
Here in Thornton, the cloud cover arrived earlier than the airport and impacted our readings. We saw a maximum today of 77.9 degrees.
Across the board, temperature readings in the metro area were well above the average high of 66 degrees for the date.
Stay up to date with Thornton’s weather: Be sure to ‘like’ us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter and add us to your Google+ circles.
With the first full month of fall here, October usually brings one of the quietest weather months in the Denver area with plenty of mild, sunny days and clear, cool nights.
October is historically the second sunniest month and conditions are generally calm.
However we also will usually see our first taste of winter during the month with the first freeze and first snowfall of the season. Temperatures as well will start to drop and by the end of the month the average nighttime lows are below freezing.
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Thornton’s September this year was relatively benign and lacking much drama although it was a bit of a rollercoaster. Temperatures had their large swings and we saw a couple of days with healthy precipitation.
The month started out slightly cooler than normal on the first but then warmed over the next couple of days to a high of 93.8 degrees on the third.
Low pressure and a cold front brought an end to the heat and three days of cooler than normal temperatures arrived. Two of those three days combined to deliver more than a half inch of precipitation.
Warmer and drier weather returned for a few days before a more potent cold front pushed in. The 11th and 12th of the month brought our coldest days of the month. Low temperatures became quite chilly dropping to below freezing on the morning of the 13th as the system moved out.
Some rain fell on those days and while Denver recorded a trace of snow on the morning of the 12th, none was seen in Thornton.
We then rebounded nicely with 10 of the next 11 days seeing high temperatures above 80 degrees, many of those in the mid to upper 80s.
Things cooled down for the last three days as a strong system moved through. We recorded a significant 0.86 inches of rain on the 29th.
Thornton’s overall average temperature for the month was 62.6 degrees. This was a bit below the long term Denver average of 63.4 degrees. Out at the airport, it was as usual warmer with an average of 64.8 degrees.
Temperatures ranged from a high of 93.8 degrees on the 3rd down to a chilly low of 30.9 degrees on the 13th. Denver’s warmest day matched ours on the 3rd with a reading of 94 degrees while the Mile High City’s coldest reading of 33 degrees came on the 12th.
Denver saw one temperature record during the month. The record high minimum for September 25th was set with a reading of 56 degrees. This tied the record for the date last set in 1981.
In terms of precipitation, Thornton recorded 1.89 inches in the rain bucket for the month. Denver saw 1.79 inches. Both were well above Denver’s September average of 0.96 inches.
A daily rainfall record for Denver was set on the 29th when 1.01 inches fell at the airport. The old record of 0.96 inch for the date was set in 1959.
Thornton, Colorado’s September 2014 Temperature Summary. (ThorntonWeather.com)Thornton, Colorado’s September 2014 Precipitation Summary. (ThorntonWeather.com)
...THE DENVER CO CLIMATE SUMMARY FOR THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER 2014...
CLIMATE NORMAL PERIOD 1981 TO 2010
CLIMATE RECORD PERIOD 1872 TO 2014
WEATHER OBSERVED NORMAL DEPART LAST YEAR`S
VALUE DATE(S) VALUE FROM VALUE DATE(S)
NORMAL
................................................................
TEMPERATURE (F)
RECORD
HIGH 97 09/06/2013
09/05/2013
09/04/1995
LOW 17 09/29/1985
HIGHEST 94 09/03 91 3 97 09/06
09/05
LOWEST 33 09/12 35 -2 38 09/28
AVG. MAXIMUM 78.9 78.5 0.4 78.6
AVG. MINIMUM 50.6 48.3 2.3 54.2
MEAN 64.8 63.4 1.4 66.4
DAYS MAX >= 90 2 3.4 -1.4 7
DAYS MAX <= 32 0 0.0 0.0 0
DAYS MIN <= 32 0 0.8 -0.8 0
DAYS MIN <= 0 0 0.0 0.0 0
PRECIPITATION (INCHES)
RECORD
MAXIMUM 5.61 2013
MINIMUM T 1892 1944
TOTALS 1.79 0.96 0.83 5.61
DAILY AVG. 0.06 0.03 0.03 0.19
DAYS >= .01 9 6.5 2.5 10
DAYS >= .10 4 3.3 0.7 10
DAYS >= .50 1 0.6 0.4 3
DAYS >= 1.00 1 0.1 0.9 2
GREATEST
24 HR. TOTAL 1.01 09/29 TO 09/29 09/14 TO 09/15
SNOWFALL (INCHES)
RECORDS
TOTAL 17.2 1991
TOTALS T 1.3 -1.3 0
DEGREE_DAYS
HEATING TOTAL 91 125 -34 83
SINCE 7/1 98 141 -43 83
COOLING TOTAL 88 76 12 133
SINCE 1/1 701 764 -63 999
FREEZE DATES
RECORD
EARLIEST 09/08/1962
LATEST 06/08/2007
EARLIEST 10/07
LATEST 05/05
.....................................................
WIND (MPH)
AVERAGE WIND SPEED 9.4
RESULTANT WIND SPEED/DIRECTION 3/186
HIGHEST WIND SPEED/DIRECTION 33/350 DATE 09/09
HIGHEST GUST SPEED/DIRECTION 40/360 DATE 09/09
SKY COVER
POSSIBLE SUNSHINE (PERCENT) MM
AVERAGE SKY COVER 0.50
NUMBER OF DAYS FAIR 13
NUMBER OF DAYS PC 11
NUMBER OF DAYS CLOUDY 6
AVERAGE RH (PERCENT) 55
WEATHER CONDITIONS. NUMBER OF DAYS WITH
THUNDERSTORM 3 MIXED PRECIP 0
HEAVY RAIN 1 RAIN 6
LIGHT RAIN 9 FREEZING RAIN 0
LT FREEZING RAIN 0 HAIL 0
HEAVY SNOW 0 SNOW 0
LIGHT SNOW 2 SLEET 0
FOG 9 FOG W/VIS <= 1/4 MILE 1
HAZE 3
- INDICATES NEGATIVE NUMBERS.
R INDICATES RECORD WAS SET OR TIED.
MM INDICATES DATA IS MISSING.
T INDICATES TRACE AMOUNT.
September snow in Denver? Possible and not at all unusual.
With a significant blast of cold air set to arrive this week, there is a chance for the Mile High City to see its first snowfall of the season. While such an event would be the first September snow of this millennium, it would hardly be unusual.
Looking back at Denver’s snowfall records dating to 1882, 45 Septembers have recorded a trace or more of snowfall. That means that out of 132 Septembers including this one, roughly one third of them have seen snow. Overall, the month averages 1.1 inches.
Of those 45 Septembers with snow, 17 were for only a trace. Twenty eight, or roughly 21 percent, had measurable snowfall of 0.1” or more.
Denver’s heaviest 24 hour September snowfall came between September 24 and 25 in 1936 when a hefty 15.0 inches fell to the ground. That snowfall contributed to 1936 taking its place as the second snowiest September on record.
For the entire month of September, some years saw rather significant totals. The top 10 September snowfall totals include:
17.2 inches in 1971
16.5 inches in 1936
12.9 inches in 1959
11.4 inches in 1895
8.7 inches in 1985
7.4 inches in 1995
6.5 inches in 1908
5.8 inches in 1961
5.5 inches in 1965
5.4 inches in 1993
The earliest snowfall on record occurred on September 3, 1961. On that date 4 inches of snowfall fell at the old Stapleton International Airport and the mercury dropped to a low of 33 degrees.
The last time Denver saw a September snow was on September 23, 2000 when 0.2 inches was recorded.
On average, we receive our first snow on October 19 so should snow fall, it will be well ahead of normal.
The cold that looks to come could very well bring an end to the growing season. The Mile High City’s first frost on average comes on September 20th followed by the average first freeze on October 7. Given that, a frost at the current time of the month is not that far off the mark. It does not appear at this moment we will see that first freeze – yet – but a frost is possible.
Following on a cooler and wetter than normal August, the month of September arrives and one can’t help but wonder if an early fall lies in wait as well. The month can bring our first snow of the season but more often than not, it is one of the most pleasant along the Colorado Front Range.
As temperatures start to drop, September usually reminds us that summer is at an end and fall is now here. Sunshine is predominant though as the month actually has the highest percentage of sun out of any month. Sunny days and clear, cool nights are the standard weather pattern for the month.
The month can bring extremes however. We will of course forever remember last year’s devastating floods brought on by record-setting rain. Longtime residents might remember September 1971 which brought over 17 inches of snowfall.
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.
The holiday season is about to kick off with Thanksgiving and with many folks traveling in the coming weeks, the focus is oftentimes on the weather. Looking back at Denver’s historical Thanksgiving weather, we see that the day is usually dry with comfortable temperatures.
The weather during the month of November in Denver metro area can offer just about anything. While it is normally a quiet month, it can be prone to extremes.
As expected, temperatures in the Mile High City today were unseasonably warm and climbed to record-setting levels. However, while Denver broke a high temperature record, Thornton fell quite a ways short.
With the first full month of fall here, October usually brings one of the quietest weather months in the Denver area with plenty of mild, sunny days and clear, cool nights.
Following on a cooler and wetter than normal August, the month of September arrives and one can’t help but wonder if an early fall lies in wait as well. The month can bring our first snow of the season but more often than not, it is one of the most pleasant along the Colorado Front Range.