Category Archives: Thornton Weather

Thornton Weather

Red Flag Warning in effect for Denver and the Front Range

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A Red Flag Warning is in effect for Denver and the Front Range Thursday from 11:00am to 6:00pm.
A Red Flag Warning is in effect for Denver and the Front Range Thursday from 11:00am to 6:00pm.

While we have all enjoyed the record January warmth of recent days but that does come at a price.  The warm temperatures, dry wind and very low humidity have dried much of the area out to a dangerous state. 

Today we have one more warm day before we return to more seasonable weather.  With temperatures climbing into the 60’s, humidity as low as 5 percent and a west wind that will pick up later today, the fire danger is very real.  As we saw a couple weeks ago with the Olde Stage Road Fire, it doesn’t take much beyond a spark to set off a fire that can spread very quickly with as dry as it is.
 
The potentially dangerous conditions have caused the National Weather Service to issue a Red Flag Warning that will be in effect from 11:00am today through 6:00pm this evening. 

Red Flag Warning
National Weather Service, Denver
544 am MST THU JAN 22 2009

……Red Flag Warning today from 1100 to 1800 MST…for Front Range foothill zones 215 and 216 below 8000 feet…and for the I-25 urban corridor zones 238..239..240 and 241 in northeast Colorado…

One more day of unseasonably warm and very dry conditions will be accompanied by periods of gusty Chinook winds resulting in critical wildland fire conditions in and near the front range foothills in northern Colorado. Minimum relative humidities will range from 5 to 15 percent with maximum temperatures in the 60 to 70 degree range. This is as much as 25 degrees above average for the date. Furthermore west winds in and near the foothills are expected to increase later the morning…with gusts this afternoon to 40 mph in the foothills and to 30 mph on the nearby plains.

Fuels are also quite dry in the area with no precipitation in the area for some time. These critical wildland fire conditions are expected to improve this evening with dry downslope winds subsiding…and a shift to a more humid east wind overnight with a weak cold front backing into northeast Colorado.

…Red Flag Warning in effect from 11 am this morning to 6 pm MST this afternoon…

The National Weather Service in Denver has issued a Red Flag Warning…which is in effect from 11 am this morning to 6 pm MST this afternoon.

Unseasonably warm temperatures…gusty west winds and very low relative humidities will combine with very dry fuels to produce critical wildland fire conditions in and near the Front Range foothills late this morning through this afternoon. Foothill areas below 8000 feet and lower elevations west of I-25 are more likely to see these conditions develop.

Get more local news and weather information on Examiner.com.

This article and many more are posted to the Denver Weather Examiner site.

Visit Examiner.com for more local Denver news and weather.

A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring or imminent. Please advise the appropriate officials and fire crews in the field of this Red Flag Warning.

Colorado Weather, Thornton Weather, Weather History

Denver officially breaks high temperature record for this date

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Denver officially broke the record high temperature for January 21st, reaching 71 degrees.
Denver officially broke the record high temperature for January 21st, reaching 71 degrees.

It’s official. As reported earlier this morning on our Examiner.com pages, we had a decent shot at breaking the all time record high temperature for this date and we have done it.  At 1:28pm today the temperature at Denver International Airport reached 71 degrees, breaking the old record of 70 degrees set in 1950.  Here in Thoronton we didn’t get quite that warm, “only” reaching a high of 69 degrees.

Thursday we will be a bit cooler and “only” reach 65 degrees – still 20 degrees above normal though.  Enjoy the next 36 hours or so though as Friday bring change – see our Examiner.com morning forecast here for details.

Get more local news and weather information on Examiner.com.

This article and many more are posted to the Denver Weather Examiner site.

  

Visit Examiner.com for more local Denver news and weather.
Local News, Thornton Weather

Thornton needs snowbusters!

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The City of Thornton is looking for snowbusters to help remove snow for seniors and disabled residents.

Editor’s comment – This is a great way to ‘give back’ to the community and help those who truly need it.  From the City of Thornton:

Winter is coming: Snowbusters needed
Snowbuster volunteers help dig out neighbors in need

THORNTON, CO…Winter is on the way, and while the snow isn’t here yet, Snowbuster volunteers are needed now. Snowbusters is a snow removal program that helps fixed-income seniors and disabled residents who can’t remove snow from their sidewalks. Snowbuster volunteers are paired-up with a neighbor in their area, and when it snows, the Snowbuster goes into action clearing their neighbor’s sidewalk. “These Snowbuster volunteers make a valuable difference in the lives of those in need,” says Thornton Arts and Volunteer Specialist Heather Kailey. “Their work is really appreciated.”

After each storm, Snowbuster volunteers:

  • have 36 hours to shovel their partner’s sidewalks
  • have 48 hours to clear the snow If more than eight inches fall
  • don’t have to worry about driveways, they are not included in this volunteer service

“Snow removal not only provides safe sidewalks for residents, but also for delivery persons and Meals on Wheels staff,” says Kailey. “It’s just a great service for those in need, and it really doesn’t take that much effort from the Snowbuster volunteer.”

Click here for more information.

* ThorntonWeather.com is not endorsed by or an official website of the City of Thornton.

Thornton Weather

Winter Weather Advisory issued for the Front Range

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Current ThorntonWeather.com webcam image.
Current ThorntonWeather.com webcam image.

Due to the deteriorating weather conditions, the National Weather Service has issued a Winter Weather Advisory for snow and blowing snow.  Areas under the advisory include the Denver metro area and areas south to Castle Rock as well as some of the mountain areas (see advisory map below).  The storm seems to be lingering over the Front Range longer than expected but the snowfall is still expected to end quickly late this morning.

URGENT – WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DENVER CO
757 AM MST MON JAN 12 2009

..Winter weather advisory in effect until 11 am MST Tuesday…

The National Weather Service in Denver has issued a Winter Weather Advisory for snow and areas of blowing snow…which is in effect until 11 am MST Tuesday.

Snow…heavy at times…will continue within the greater Denver metro area…the southern Front Range foothills and the palmer divide south of Denver. A band of moderate to heavy snow now over the Denver metro area will continue to move south over the palmer divide south of Denver within the next hour. In addition to snowfall…areas of blowing snow will significantly reduce visibilities at times.

Snowfall is expected to taper off rather quickly later this morning…first over the northern Denver metro area and then eventually over the palmer divide and southern foothills by early this afternoon.

Additional snow accumulations by noon today will range from 1 of 3 inches in Boulder and across the northern Denver suburbs to another 3 to
6 inches in the southern Denver and over the palmer divide.

In addition…north winds of 15 to 25 mph will produce areas of blowing snow and very poor visibilities especially over the higher terrain south and southeast of Denver.

A winter weather advisory means that snow…blowing snow…or freezing drizzle will cause travel difficulties. Be prepared for slippery roads and limited visibilities…and use caution while driving.

A Winter Weather Advisory is in effect for much of the Front Range until 11:00am Monday.
A Winter Weather Advisory is in effect for much of the Front Range until 11:00am Monday.
Thornton Weather

Batten down the hatches – here comes the wind again

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Much of the western and northern Front Range will be under a High Wind Watch starting tonight.
Much of the western and northern Front Range will be under a High Wind Watch starting tonight.

The relative calm of recent days is about to be replaced with high winds not unlike what we saw last week.   Winds will increase tonight and continue through Wednesday east of the Continental Divide.  Areas west of I-25 to the Divide and in the north and central mountain areas will be under a High Wind Watch from late tonight through Wednesday night. 

Much like last week, the usual suspect areas west of I-25 are the places to watch.  Fort Collins, Boulder and the western suburbs of Denver are going to get the worst of the wind.  The Peak to Peak Highway, Highway 287 north of Fort Collins, the Boulder Turnpike west of Broomfield, and Highway 93 between Boulder and Golden are naturally going to be prime targets. 

Wind gusts in excess of 80 mph can be expected in these areas but as we saw last week, other parts of the metro area can receive their fair share of wind as well.  As usual, it is best to put away anything in your yards that could be become a missile and if you are driving in the high wind areas, particular along a north / south route, be prepared for extremely gusty conditions.

Get more local news and weather information on Examiner.com.
This article and many more are posted to the Denver Weather Examiner site.		 Visit Examiner.com for more local Denver news and weather.

The good news is that the downslope winds will also bring warmer temperatures – not that you will want to be outside in the wind.  Wednesday we will be well above normal with temperatures in the mid 50’s and Thursday could reach the low 60’s.  There is a slight chance of snow Friday but that isn’t looking to amount to much.

Thornton Weather

Strong winds hit Thornton and the Front Range

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High winds hit the metro area on Tuesday morning.
High winds hit the metro area on Tuesday morning.

High winds have hit the Front Range with gusts exceeding 80mph in some areas.  These winds are extremely gusty and have the potential to cause damage and can make driving conditions difficult.  

A High Wind Warning remains in effect for much of the Front Range and foothills until 8:00am (see area map below).  While Thornton is not in the warning area, we have received our fair share as ThorntonWeather.com recorded a 51mph gust earlier this morning.  In the near term, west winds of 15 to 30 mph gusting to 45 mph are expected all along the I-25 corridor.  Gusts as high as 75 mph will occur near the base of the foothills and areas in northern Jefferson County, Boulder County and Larimer County in particular will receive the highest winds. 

These winds will cause blowing dust and drivers on north-south roads need to be wary as the cross winds could cause a loss of control.  It would not be surprising to hear of accidents with light weight or high profile vehicles this morning.  Power outages are of course a possibility as well. 

From the National Weather Service, here are some of the recorded gusts across the Front Range:

05:48 AM   12/30/2008    REPORTED BY: ASOS
BROOMFIELD COUNTY, CO   –  2 MILES WEST-NORTHWEST OF BROOMFIELD
NON-T-STORM WIND GUST  MEASURED AT 78.00 MPH   ROCKY MOUNTAIN REGIONAL AIRPORT
 
05:48 AM   12/30/2008    REPORTED BY: TRAINED SPOTTER
LARIMER COUNTY, CO   –   MASONVILLE
NON-T-STORM WIND GUST  MEASURED AT 59.00 MPH    
 
05:15 AM   12/30/2008    REPORTED BY: TRAINED SPOTTER
BOULDER COUNTY, CO   –  1 MILE SOUTHWEST OF ERIE
NON-T-STORM WIND GUST  MEASURED AT 77.00 MPH    
 
04:45 AM   12/30/2008    REPORTED BY: TRAINED SPOTTER
BOULDER COUNTY, CO   –  1 MILE SOUTHWEST OF ERIE
NON-T-STORM WIND GUST  MEASURED AT 66.00 MPH    
 
04:20 AM   12/30/2008    REPORTED BY: MESONET
BOULDER COUNTY, CO   –  2 MILES SOUTHWEST OF BOULDER
NON-T-STORM WIND GUST  MEASURED AT 69.00 MPH   NCAR MESA LAB
 
03:28 AM   12/30/2008    REPORTED BY: TRAINED SPOTTER
WELD COUNTY, CO   –  21 MILE NORTH OF NEW RAYMER
NON-T-STORM WIND GUST  MEASURED AT 76.00 MPH    
 
02:48 AM   12/30/2008    REPORTED BY: TRAINED SPOTTER
JEFFERSON COUNTY, CO   –   LAKEWOOD
NON-T-STORM WIND GUST  MEASURED AT 66.00 MPH    
 
02:10 AM   12/30/2008    REPORTED BY: MESONET
BOULDER COUNTY, CO   –  1 MILE WEST OF ELDORADO SPRINGS
NON-T-STORM WIND GUST  MEASURED AT 66.00 MPH    
 
12:30 AM   12/30/2008    REPORTED BY: MESONET
BOULDER COUNTY, CO   –  2 MILES NORTH-NORTHEAST OF BOULDER
NON-T-STORM WIND GUST  MEASURED AT 67.00 MPH    
 
12:30 AM   12/30/2008    REPORTED BY: MESONET
JEFFERSON COUNTY, CO   –  9 MILES WEST-SOUTHWEST OF BOULDER
NON-T-STORM WIND GUST  MEASURED AT 82.00 MPH   ROCKY FLATS – NATIONAL WIND TECHNOLOGY CENTER
 
11:15 PM   12/29/2008    REPORTED BY: TRAINED SPOTTER
BOULDER COUNTY, CO   –  2 MILES NORTH OF LONGMONT
NON-T-STORM WIND GUST  MEASURED AT 84.00 MPH    
 
10:39 PM   12/29/2008    REPORTED BY: TRAINED SPOTTER
LARIMER COUNTY, CO   –  BERTHOUD
NON-T-STORM WIND GUST  MEASURED AT 91.00 MPH   CARTER LAKE
 
09:36 PM   12/29/2008    REPORTED BY: TRAINED SPOTTER
BOULDER COUNTY, CO   –  2 MILES NORTH OF LONGMONT
NON-T-STORM WIND GUST  MEASURED AT 71.00 MPH    
 
09:14 PM   12/29/2008    REPORTED BY: MESONET
JEFFERSON COUNTY, CO   –   ROCKY FLATS
NON-T-STORM WIND GUST  MEASURED AT 78.00 MPH    
 
09:06 PM   12/29/2008    REPORTED BY: TRAINED SPOTTER
LARIMER COUNTY, CO   –  BERTHOUD
NON-T-STORM WIND GUST  MEASURED AT 88.00 MPH   AT CARTER LAKE
 
07:35 PM   12/29/2008    REPORTED BY: MESONET
BOULDER COUNTY, CO   –  2 MILES SOUTH OF BOULDER
NON-T-STORM WIND GUST  MEASURED AT 65.00 MPH   NCAR MESA LABS
 
07:21 PM   12/29/2008    REPORTED BY: MESONET
BOULDER COUNTY, CO   –  3 MILES EAST OF GOLD HILL
NON-T-STORM WIND GUST  MEASURED AT 81.00 MPH    

 

A High Wind Warning is in effect for much of the western part of the Front Range through 8:00am Tuesday.
A High Wind Warning is in effect for much of the western part of the Front Range through 8:00am Tuesday.
Thornton Weather

Weather Geek Stuff shown on the Weather Channel

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Weather Geek Stuff is a new site with a wide array of weather related clothing and novelties. The site was recently shown on The Weather Channel.
Weather Geek Stuff is a new site with a wide array of weather related clothing and novelties. The site was recently shown on The Weather Channel.

You have read about Weather Geek Stuff (www.weathergeekstuff.com) in our news pages before.  It is a great site to buy clothing, novelties and much more for yourself or the weather geek in your life. 

Yesterday, Weather Geek Stuff was proudly plugged on The Weather Channel during one of their segments talking about gifts for weather enthusiasts.  It was of course pretty exciting to see.  You can watch the video below.

Powered by Café Press, we have created a bunch of “Weather Geek” logo merchandise for sale on WeatherGeekStuff.com.  There is even “Weather Diva” logo merchandise stuff for ladies and kids can get stuff in their size as well.  We have also created some ‘warning sign’ logos that are pretty amusing that can be put on all sorts of different items.  If you are a huge fan of ThorntonWeather.com, you can get merchandise with our logo too. Everything from t-shirts to polo shirts and from coffee mugs to clocks are available, all with a cool logos and graphics.

Climatology, Thornton Weather

Dreaming of a white Christmas? The chances are slim

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What are the odds of a white Denver Christmas? Not very good.
What are the odds of a white Denver Christmas? Not very good.

As Christmas gets closer everyone always wonders if we are going to get the proverbial white Christmas. Unfortunately, if you look at Denver and Thornton weather history, the chances arent all that good but it also depends on what you define as a white Christmas. December just isnt that snowy of a month, ranking as only the fourth snowiest (behind March, November and April) so historically we have a bit of a disadvantage.

For a complete look at Denver’s Christmas weather statistics, click here.

Thornton Weather

What are the chances the weather will kill you?

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What are the odds that a weather event will be your undoing? Image courtesy WeatherGeekStuff.com.
What are the odds that a weather event will be your undoing? Image courtesy WeatherGeekStuff.com.

In an interesting piece from the National Safety Council, they outline many of the unnatural ways you could die and what the chances are that they would actually happen. The good news is that weather most likely won’t kill you. The bad news is there are lots of other ways that you have a better chance of dying from. 

Over your lifetime, the NSC calculates you have a 1 in 22 chance (YIKES!) that you will die from something other than natural causes. Motor vehicle accidents are probably the most common way with a 1 in 84 chance you will die in a crash. Hmmm. I think I will walk home – at least then my chances jump to 1 in 267! 

As for the weather and other disasters…
  • Your chances of being struck by lightning and dying? 1 in 81,949. Pretty slim odds there. You are more likely to drown in your own bath tub (1 in 11,079). 
  • What about earthquakes, the one natural disaster that scares me more than any? 1 in 103,004 chance you will die in a temblor. That’s about the same as dying from overexertion (1 in 119,098). I guess maybe I am relatively safe from those after all, especially since I don’t live in California anymore!
  • What about the chances of dying in a major storm? Not looking too good there – a 1 in 4,361 chance you will die that way. Talk about Mother Nature’s wrath!  That’s about the same chance as you dying from choking on your dinner (1 in 4,411). 
  • Flooding can be a concern in some areas of the nation. You have a 1 in 317,595 chance of dying that way. You have a better chance of dying from electrocution from a live power source than that (1 in 36,297). 
  • All in all, the statistics say that you have a 1 in 1,749 chance of dying from some force of nature, about the same odds of dying from assault with a sharp weapon (1 in 1,817). 
I suppose those aren’t too bad of odds, especially when contrasted with every day dangers such as driving a car like we mentioned above. Other every day dangers that give you a good chance of taking a dirt nap? You have a 1 in 1,456 chance of dying in an uncontrolled building fire. Heading to the hospital? You have a 1 in 1,437 chance of dying from medical / surgical complications. That mean, neighbor dog? You have a 1 in 115,489 chance that it or another dog will kill you. 
 
In the end, weather probably shouldn’t worry you too much.  Do you have a weather or natural disaster fear?  Let us know!  Leave a comment below!
This article was also posted to the Denver Weather Examiner site. Get more local news and information on Examiner.com.  Denver Weather Examiner
Thornton Weather

Record setting cold continues for Thornton and Denver

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Erin Mooty tries to stay warm as she waits for a bus Monday. Image courtesy Darin McGregor, The Rocky.
Erin Mooty tries to stay warm as she waits for a bus Monday. Image courtesy Darin McGregor, The Rocky.

The cold continues to hang on and in the process Denver managed to set one record and tie another in the last 24 hours.  This is of course on top of the two records set before that.

Yesterday the mercury at Denver International Airport only climbed to 2 degrees.  This smashes the old record low maximum temperature for the date of 19 degrees set way back in 1914.  Following up on that, this morning DIA fell to an official low of 8 degrees below zero.  This ties the record low temperature for December 16th last set in 1897. 

Today we have good news and bad news.  The good news is that the snow we were expecting didn’t materialize on the Front Range thanks to downslope winds.  That at least saves adding to the misery of the cold.  The bad news though is that this cold is far from over.
 
Tuesday we will remain quite cold and only reach 18 degrees here in Denver.  The mountains will continue to get pounded by snow, particularly the southwestern areas where two to three feet could fall.  A number of advisories have been posted for the southwestern and central mountains so if you are heading to the hills, you may want check the conditions before you go. 

Wednesday, Thursday and Friday there is a chance we could see temperatures above freezing but it won’t be by much – maybe 33 or 34 degrees.  A chance of snow will remain in the forecast for the foreseeable future as well although there won’t be much if it does snow. 

Come the weekend though, the “heat wave” looks to come to an end as an upper level trough that is sitting over the Pacific coast right now moves into the area.  With it our chances of snow increase and the temperatures could drop to the low 20’s Saturday, Sunday and Monday. 

The best piece of advice?  Bundle up and stay inside if you can!  

Where’s this weather coming from?  The jet stream is currently pulling in moist air from the Pacific and sending it right over Colorado.  This in turn is pulling down cold air from the north.  The image below helps you see what is going on.

The jet stream is currently speeding over southern Colorado.