Category Archives: Thornton Weather

Photography, Thornton Weather

July 2024 top shots: Monthly photo slideshow

Thunderstorms move in on the evening of July 20, 2024. (David Canfield)
Thunderstorms move in on the evening of July 20, 2024. (David Canfield)

Colorado offers outdoor opportunities unlike any other state and while the summer heat settles in, photos of the amazing scenes across our state provide a view into why we love it here so much.

The weather this time of year has a pretty standard pattern of quickly warming temperatures followed by afternoon thunderstorms that can cool things down.  These storms sometimes provide a good bit of ‘excitement’ and are a prime photo subject.

  • Slideshow updated July 22, 2024

Recreationalists head outdoors and take advantage of urban, suburban and rural opportunities.  As they do, our abundant wildlife that is found just about anywhere comes into focus.

Showcasing images captured by ThorntonWeather.com readers as well as some of our own, our monthly slideshow covers the entire gamut of weather and nature related imagery.   Sunsets, sunrises, wildlife and of course every type of weather condition are vividly depicted.

To learn more about how to send your photo to us for inclusion in the slideshow, see below the slideshow.


What is missing in the slideshow above?  Your photo!

Our monthly photo slideshow is going to feature images that we have taken but more importantly images that you have captured.  The photos can be of anything even remotely weather-related.

Landscapes, current conditions, wildlife, pets, kids.  Whimsical, newsy, artsy.  Taken at the zoo, some other area attraction, a local park, a national park or your backyard.  You name it, we want to see and share it!

Images can be taken in Thornton, Denver or anywhere across the extraordinary Centennial State.  We’ll even take some from out of state if we can tie it to Colorado somehow.

We’ll keep the criteria very open to interpretation with just about any image eligible to be shown in our slideshows.

What do you win for having your image in our slideshow?  We are just a ‘mom and pop’ outfit and make no money from our site so we really don’t have the means to provide prizes.  However you will have our undying gratitude and the satisfaction that your images are shared on the most popular website in Thornton.

To share you images with us and get them included in the slideshow just email them to us or share them with ThorntonWeather.com on any of the various social media outlets.  Links are provided below.

So come on, get those camera’s rolling!

Site News, Thornton Weather

Thornton Weather’s weather station is nearing its end of life

The time is coming… Our Davis Instruments VP2+ weather station has served us well for 17+ years. Sadly, despite many parts replacements, it is showing its age and we are going to need to get a new unit soon.

As this is a professional-level weather station to ensure accuracy and reliability, you can imagine it is not cheap. Normally we would not ask this but, in the past, our supporters’ donations have helped us maintain and upgrade the station and we are hoping you might consider helping us keep Thornton’s longest running, most reliable weather station going.

To learn more, please see here.

Climatology, Thornton Weather

Thornton’s July 2023 preview: Summer heat really kicks in, thunderstorms common

July

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.

Thornton Weather

Thornton’s June 2024 weather preview: Warmer temperatures, increased severe weather

Thornton's June weather preview.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.

Climatology, Thornton Weather

May 2024 Weather Recap: Mild temps, dry conditions and some severe weather

Thornton, Colorado May 2024 Temperature Summary. (ThorntonWeather.com)
Thornton, Colorado May 2024 Temperature Summary. (ThorntonWeather.com)

Most of the month of May 2024 was notable for its mild temperatures and dry conditions. It went out like a lion, however, with a damaging hailstorm.

The first eleven days of the month saw no precipitation at all in Thornton. A few warmer-than-normal days were seen during that period but temperatures were not particularly warm.

Most notable during the first third of the month was the appearance of the aurora. Thanks to some unusually strong solar activity, the celestial event was visible even in the city for a couple of nights.

We finally received our first precipitation of the month on the 12th with a very good, wet event. The next two weeks saw some lighter showers here and there. Temperatures warmed with numerous days seeing readings well into the 80s.

Mother Nature decided to close out the month in dramatic form. Severe thunderstorms arrived around 9:30pm on the night of the 30th, bringing hail up to 2 inches in diameter to the area. Damage was significant and while the rain that came with it was welcome, most residents would have preferred to have gone without.

Thornton ended the month with an overall average temperature of 59.1 degrees. This was well above the 18 year running average for the month of 56.7 degrees. It was the fifth warmest May during that period.

Temperatures ranged from a high of 87.3 degrees on the 17th down to a low of 36.0 degrees on the 2nd.

Out at DIA where Denver’s official measurements are taken, the Mile High City recorded an average temperature for the month of 56.9 degrees, 0.5 degrees below their long-term average. Their highest temperature for the month was 83 degrees on the 29th and their lowest of 30 degrees occurred on the 2nd.

In terms of precipitation, it was a dry one. Thornton saw 1.39 inches fall into its bucket. The majority of that came along with the hail storm on the 30th. That was well below the 1.74 inches average over the past 18 years and puts May 2024 into the books as our driest May during that period.

Denver fared slightly better with 1.70 inches observed at the airport. This was a good bit below the Mile High City’s May average of 2.16 inches for the month.

No snow was recorded in Thornton or Denver during the month.

Click here to view Thornton’s complete May 2024 climate summary report.

Thornton, Colorado May 2024 Precipitation Summary. (ThorntonWeather.com)
Thornton, Colorado May 2024 Precipitation Summary. (ThorntonWeather.com)
Photography, Thornton Weather

May 2024 top shots: Monthly photo slideshow

The aurora lights up the skies at Jackson Lake State Park. (© Patrick Martin)
The aurora lights up the skies at Jackson Lake State Park. (© Patrick Martin)

Colorado’s famously highly variable weather seems to showcase itself during the month of May when a variety of weather conditions can be seen.  This provides a prime opportunity for photos of everything weather to flora to fauna.

The month of May can bring extremes.  Snow is not entirely uncommon during the month but more common 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.  Providing additional subjects for pictures are the emerging spring flowers and our abundant wildlife.

  • Slideshow updated May 31, 2024. To learn more about how to send your photo to us for inclusion in the slideshow, see below the slideshow.

Showcasing images captured by ThorntonWeather.com readers as well as some of our own, our monthly slideshow covers the entire gamut of weather-related imagery.

Sunsets, sunrises, wildlife and of course every type of weather condition are vividly depicted in images captured from yours and our cameras.

What is missing in the slideshow above?  Your photo!

Our monthly photo slideshow is going to feature images that we have taken but more importantly images that you have captured.  The photos can be of anything even remotely weather-related.

Landscapes, current conditions, wildlife, pets, kids.  Whimsical, newsy, artsy.  Taken at the zoo, some other area attraction, a local park, a national park or your backyard.  You name it, we want to see and share it!

Images can be taken in Thornton, Denver or anywhere across the extraordinary Centennial State.  We’ll even take some from out of state if we can tie it to Colorado somehow.

We’ll keep the criteria very open to interpretation with just about any image eligible to be shown in our slideshows.

What do you win for having your image in our slideshow?  We are just a ‘mom and pop’ outfit and make no money from our site so we really don’t have the means to provide prizes.  However you will have our undying gratitude and the satisfaction that your images are shared on the most popular website in Thornton.

To share you images with us and get them included in the slideshow just email them to us or share them with ThorntonWeather.com on any of the various social media outlets.  Links are provided below.

So come on, get those camera’s rolling!

Climatology, Thornton Weather

April 2024 weather recap: Month sees above normal temps and precipitation

Thornton, Colorado's April 2024 Temperature Summary. (ThorntonWeather.com)
Thornton, Colorado’s April 2024 Temperature Summary. (ThorntonWeather.com)

The month of April was one that did not bring too much drama. While we did see warmer than normal temperatures and a good bit of precipitation, only one snowstorm was particularly notable.

The month started off with some rain on the first and then we entered a dry, mild period. From the second to the 15th, no precipitation was recorded and high temperatures were above average every day of the period.

On the 16th things became more unsettled with some wind and rain. Then, from the 19th and 20th, a spring snowstorm arrived. Thornton received 5.1 inches over the period while Denver bested us with 6.3 inches.

We then saw a few days of dry weather followed by a moisture-laden system that dropped more than an inch of rain on us from the 26th to the 28th.

For the month of April, Thornton’s average temperature came in at 52.1 degrees. This is well above our 18-year running average for April of 48.4 degrees. Temperatures ranged from a high of 82.7 degrees on the 14th down to a low of 28.5 degrees on the 2nd.

For Denver, at Denver International Airport where the Mile High City’s official records are taken, they too saw above normal temperatures. The average temperature for the month there came in at 50.5 degrees versus their long-term April average of 47.8 degrees.

In terms of precipitation, Thornton netted a very respectable 2.54 inches in the bucket. That was a good bit above our running average for the month of 1.74 inches.

Out at the airport, Denver received even more with 3.28 inches recorded. That is well above the Mile High City’s April average of 1.68 inches.

With only one snow event, Thornton’s total for the month came in below average at 5.1 inches. This, in comparison to our 18-year running average for the month of 6.4 inches.

Denver bested us on snowfall as well with 6.3 inches versus their long-term average for April of 6.1 inches.

Click here to view Thornton’s complete April 2024 climate summary report.

Thornton, Colorado's April 2024 Precipitation Summary. (ThorntonWeather.com)
(ThorntonWeather.com)
Climatology, Thornton Weather

Thornton’s May 2024 preview: From snow to severe storms

Thornton, Colorado May weather preview.
Thornton, Colorado May weather preview.

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, oftentimes causing 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.