In our morning forecast we said it was possible we would break the record high temperature and indeed we did. In fact, we smashed it.
At 3:05pm the mercury at Denver International Airport where the Mile High City’s official records are kept topped out at 92 degrees. This easily bested the previous record high for this date of 89 degrees set in 2015.
Here in Thornton we were just a touch cooler with our high hitting 91 degrees at 3:19pm.
Change is coming soon though with high temperatures this weekend being much cooler. A trough and associated cold front will be moving through and that will translate to Saturday highs in the mid to upper 60s and only the upper 50s on Sunday.
The last full summer month of the year has come to a close in a rather un-dramatic fashion. Thornton saw a largely pleasant month with temperatures a good bit cooler than we usually expect to see. Precipitation was right near normal however, all of it fell during the first half of the month.
High pressure ruled for the first two days of the month but then the ridge broke down bringing about cooler temperatures on the 3rd of the month. The cool down didn’t last long and while the heat returned for a couple of days, we did finally receive some moisture on the 4th and 5th.
Cooler than normal temperatures returned on the 6th and lasted through the next 10 days. The first half of the month also saw 10 days with measurable precipitation, our only precipitation for the month as the last half of the month saw none at all.
Dry and warm conditions were the rule of thumb for the last two weeks of the month. Both Thornton and Denver saw six of the last nine days of the month bring high temperatures at or above 90 degrees.
Our average temperature for the month came in at 68.9 degrees. This was a good bit below the long term Denver average for August of 72.5 degrees. Out at DIA where the Mile High City’s official measurements are taken, the month was warmer than us but still cooler than normal with an average of 71.5 degrees.
Temperatures in Thornton ranged from a high mark reading of 94.9 degrees on the 29th of the month down to a low of 51.2 degrees on the 11th. Denver saw a maximum reading of 95 degrees on the 19th of the month and a low of 51 degrees on the 4th.
In terms of precipitation, Denver averages 1.69 inches of precipitation during August. Thornton wasn’t too far short of that with 1.43 inches. However, all of that came during the first 15 days of the month. After that, we saw nothing. Denver best us, and the average, with 1.86 inches in their rain bucket.
Thornton, Colorado’s August 2017 Temperature Summary. (ThorntonWeather.com)
Thornton, Colorado’s August 2017 Precipitation Summary. (ThorntonWeather.com)
CLIMATE REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DENVER/BOULDER CO
639 PM MDT FRI SEP 1 2017
...................................
...THE DENVER CO CLIMATE SUMMARY FOR THE MONTH OF AUGUST 2017...
CLIMATE NORMAL PERIOD 1981 TO 2010
CLIMATE RECORD PERIOD 1872 TO 2017
WEATHER OBSERVED NORMAL DEPART LAST YEAR`S
VALUE DATE(S) VALUE FROM VALUE DATE(S)
NORMAL
................................................................
TEMPERATURE (F)
RECORD
HIGH 105 08/08/1878
LOW 40 08/26/1910
08/25/1910
08/24/1910
HIGHEST 95 08/19 96 -1 97 08/09
LOWEST 51 08/04 50 1 47 08/25
08/20
AVG. MAXIMUM 85.7 87.2 -1.5 86.3
AVG. MINIMUM 57.3 57.9 -0.6 56.2
MEAN 71.5 72.5 -1.0 71.2
DAYS MAX >= 90 10 11.5 -1.5 15
DAYS MAX <= 32 0 0.0 0.0 0
DAYS MIN <= 32 0 0.0 0.0 0
DAYS MIN <= 0 0 0.0 0.0 0
PRECIPITATION (INCHES)
RECORD
MAXIMUM 5.85 1979
MINIMUM 0.02 1924
TOTALS 1.86 1.69 0.17 0.22
DAILY AVG. 0.06 0.05 0.01 0.01
DAYS >= .01 6 8.6 -2.6 4
DAYS >= .10 4 4.3 -0.3 1
DAYS >= .50 2 1.2 0.8 0
DAYS >= 1.00 0 0.3 -0.3 0
GREATEST
24 HR. TOTAL 0.90 08/07 TO 08/07 08/24 TO 08/24
SNOWFALL (INCHES)
RECORDS TOTAL 0.0
TOTALS 0.0 2017 0.0
DEGREE_DAYS
HEATING TOTAL 8 10 -2 15
SINCE 7/1 8 16 -8 15
COOLING TOTAL 216 244 -28 218
SINCE 1/1 749 688 61 762
FREEZE DATES
RECORD
EARLIEST 09/08/1962
LATEST 06/08/2007
EARLIEST 10/07
LATEST 05/05
.........................................................
WIND (MPH)
AVERAGE WIND SPEED 9.2
RESULTANT WIND SPEED/DIRECTION 2/189
HIGHEST WIND SPEED/DIRECTION 49/320 DATE 08/04
HIGHEST GUST SPEED/DIRECTION 62/320 DATE 08/04
SKY COVER
POSSIBLE SUNSHINE (PERCENT) MM
AVERAGE SKY COVER 0.50
NUMBER OF DAYS FAIR 7
NUMBER OF DAYS PC 21
NUMBER OF DAYS CLOUDY 3
AVERAGE RH (PERCENT) 50
WEATHER CONDITIONS. NUMBER OF DAYS WITH
THUNDERSTORM 13 MIXED PRECIP 0
HEAVY RAIN 3 RAIN 4
LIGHT RAIN 12 FREEZING RAIN 0
LT FREEZING RAIN 0 HAIL 0
HEAVY SNOW 0 SNOW 0
LIGHT SNOW 0 SLEET 0
FOG 10 FOG W/VIS <= 1/4 MILE 2
HAZE 2
- INDICATES NEGATIVE NUMBERS.
R INDICATES RECORD WAS SET OR TIED.
MM INDICATES DATA IS MISSING.
T INDICATES TRACE AMOUNT.
Whew! Is this September or July? As expected the mercury kept on climbing today and did indeed get into record-setting territory.
At 1:53pm the temperature at Denver International Airport where the Mile High City’s official records are kept reached 97 degrees. This easily bests the previous record high for the date of 95 degrees set in 1995.
Additionally the reading tied the record for hottest September temperature. Six other times in the past the mercury reached 97 degrees during September occurring on September 1, 1995, September 4, 1960, September 4, 1995, September 5, 1899, September 5, 2013, and September 6, 2013.
Here in Thornton, we were actually warmer than DIA (a rarity). Temperatures here topped out at 98.5 degrees at 1:20pm.
While above normal temperatures (but not record-setting) are expected for tomorrow, we do expect to see a significant cool down Tuesday then see things bounce back to readings a bit above normal for the balance of the week. See the extended forecast here.
Following on what was a cool but dry August, some are certainly hoping for a bit of precipitation. The month can bring plenty of rain and even 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 2013’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 July might have seemed quite hot but in fact mercury readings were right near normal. What likely caused the misconception is the fact that we saw far less than normal rain.
High pressure did dominate for much of the month and while monsoonal flow did bring rain to eastern Colorado, it largely missed our area. The Palmer Divide and southeastern Colorado were beneficiaries for much of the month but for us it wasn’t until the last week that we saw relief.
Thornton’s average temperature for the month came in at 74.1 degrees. This is almost exactly matches Denver’s long-term July average of 74.2 degrees. Out at DIA where the Mile High City’s official temperatures are taken, it shows a far warmer month with an average of 76.4 degrees.
Temperatures here ranged from a maximum of 99.2 degrees on the 19th down to a low of 50.1 degrees on the morning of the 1st. Out at the airport, their highest reading was actually 100 degrees seen on the 6th and again on the 19th. The low out there was 51 degrees on the 1st.
On average Denver receives 2.16 inches of precipitation during July. Both Thornton and Denver fell far short of that mark. We managed to record 0.61 inches in our bucket during the month, more than half of which fell on the second to last day of the month. At DIA, Denver recorded 0.47 inches.
Thornton, Colorado’s July 2017 temperature summary. (ThorntonWeather.com)Thornton, Colorado’s July 2017 precipitation summary. (ThorntonWeather.com)
From the National Weather Service:
CLIMATE REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DENVER/BOULDER CO
656 AM MDT TUE AUG 1 2017
...................................
...THE DENVER CO CLIMATE SUMMARY FOR THE MONTH OF JULY 2017...
CLIMATE NORMAL PERIOD 1981 TO 2010
CLIMATE RECORD PERIOD 1872 TO 2017
WEATHER OBSERVED NORMAL DEPART LAST YEAR`S
VALUE DATE(S) VALUE FROM VALUE DATE(S)
NORMAL
................................................................
TEMPERATURE (F)
RECORD
HIGH 105 07/20/2005
LOW 42 07/04/1903
07/31/1873
HIGHEST 100 07/19 99 -5 102 07/10
07/06
LOWEST 51 07/01 51 9 51 07/12
AVG. MAXIMUM 91.5 89.4 2.1 92.0
AVG. MINIMUM 61.3 58.9 2.4 60.5
MEAN 76.4 74.2 2.2 76.2
DAYS MAX >= 90 20 16.0 4.0 22
DAYS MAX <= 32 0 0.0 0.0 0
DAYS MIN <= 32 0 0.0 0.0 0
DAYS MIN <= 0 0 0.0 0.0 0
PRECIPITATION (INCHES)
RECORD
MAXIMUM 6.41 1965
MINIMUM 0.01 1901
TOTALS 0.47 2.16 -1.69 1.07
DAILY AVG. 0.02 0.07 -0.05 0.03
DAYS >= .01 6 8.3 -2.3 6
DAYS >= .10 3 4.3 -1.3 4
DAYS >= .50 0 1.4 -1.4 1
DAYS >= 1.00 0 0.7 -0.7 0
GREATEST
24 HR. TOTAL 0.15 07/21 TO 07/21 07/01 TO 07/01
06/30 TO 07/01
07/01 TO 07/01
SNOWFALL (INCHES)
RECORDS TOTAL 0.0
TOTALS 0.0 2017 0.0
DEGREE_DAYS
HEATING TOTAL 0 6 -6 0
SINCE 7/1 0 6 -6 0
COOLING TOTAL 360 289 71 356
SINCE 1/1 533 444 89 544
FREEZE DATES
RECORD
EARLIEST 09/08/1962
LATEST 06/08/2007
EARLIEST 10/07
LATEST 05/05
..................................................
WIND (MPH)
AVERAGE WIND SPEED 9.6
RESULTANT WIND SPEED/DIRECTION 3/204
HIGHEST WIND SPEED/DIRECTION 45/120 DATE 07/15
HIGHEST GUST SPEED/DIRECTION 53/120 DATE 07/15
SKY COVER
POSSIBLE SUNSHINE (PERCENT) MM
AVERAGE SKY COVER 0.50
NUMBER OF DAYS FAIR 6
NUMBER OF DAYS PC 21
NUMBER OF DAYS CLOUDY 4
AVERAGE RH (PERCENT) 45
WEATHER CONDITIONS. NUMBER OF DAYS WITH
THUNDERSTORM 9 MIXED PRECIP 0
HEAVY RAIN 0 RAIN 3
LIGHT RAIN 9 FREEZING RAIN 0
LT FREEZING RAIN 0 HAIL 0
HEAVY SNOW 0 SNOW 0
LIGHT SNOW 0 SLEET 0
FOG 3 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.
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.
High pressure was the general rule for much of the month of June 2017. This resulted in overall average temperatures that were warmer than normal and precipitation that fell a good ways short of average.
The month was largely short on weather excitement, beyond the temps and lack of precipitation. The National Weather Service said that 23 of the 30 days saw above normal temperature readings. Denver recorded only five days with precipitation while in Thornton we saw eight.
Thornton saw an overall average monthly temperature of 69.2 degrees. Out at DIA where Denver’s official measurements are taken, the Mile High City was close with an average of 69.5 degrees. Both locations’ readings were well above the long term June average of 67.4 degrees.
Temperatures in Thornton ranged from a high of 98.7 degrees on the 21st down to a low of 46.3 degrees on the morning of the 24th. Denver saw a maximum of 99 degrees on the 20th and a low of 42 degrees on the 13th.
In terms of precipitation, Denver averages 1.98 inches during the month of June. Thornton fell short of the mark with 1.20 inches falling into our rain bucket while Denver’s reading was far worse with a mere 0.33 inches falling there.
Neither Thornton nor Denver saw any snowfall during the month.
Thornton, Colorado’s June 2017 temperature summary. (ThorntonWeather.com)Thornton, Colorado’s June 2017 precipitation summary. (ThorntonWeather.com)
From the National Weather Service:
CLIMATE REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DENVER/BOULDER CO
729 AM MDT SAT JUL 1 2017
...................................
...THE DENVER CO CLIMATE SUMMARY FOR THE MONTH OF JUNE 2017...
CLIMATE NORMAL PERIOD 1981 TO 2010
CLIMATE RECORD PERIOD 1872 TO 2017
WEATHER OBSERVED NORMAL DEPART LAST YEAR`S
VALUE DATE(S) VALUE FROM VALUE DATE(S)
NORMAL
................................................................
TEMPERATURE (F)
RECORD
HIGH 105 06/26/2012
06/25/2012
LOW 30 06/02/1951
HIGHEST 99 06/20 96 3 98 06/21
LOWEST 42 06/13 42 0 49 06/02
AVG. MAXIMUM 85.5 82.4 3.1 85.5
AVG. MINIMUM 53.6 52.3 1.3 56.2
MEAN 69.5 67.4 2.1 70.8
DAYS MAX >= 90 9 7.9 1.1 12
DAYS MAX <= 32 0 0.0 0.0 0
DAYS MIN <= 32 0 0.0 0.0 0
DAYS MIN <= 0 0 0.0 0.0 0
PRECIPITATION (INCHES)
RECORD
MAXIMUM 4.96 1882
MINIMUM T 1890
TOTALS 0.33 1.98 -1.65 1.62
DAILY AVG. 0.01 0.07 -0.06 0.05
DAYS >= .01 5 8.4 -3.4 7
DAYS >= .10 2 4.6 -2.6 4
DAYS >= .50 0 1.4 -1.4 1
DAYS >= 1.00 0 0.3 -0.3 0
GREATEST
24 HR. TOTAL 0.13 06/29 TO 06/29 06/13 TO 06/13
SNOWFALL (INCHES)
RECORD 0.5 1953
TOTAL 0.0 2017 0.0
DEGREE_DAYS
HEATING TOTAL 25 62 -37 4
SINCE 7/1 5109 6058 -949 5560
COOLING TOTAL 167 133 34 185
SINCE 1/1 173 155 18 188
FREEZE DATES
RECORD
EARLIEST 09/08/1962
LATEST 06/08/2007
EARLIEST 04/01 10/07
LATEST 05/04 05/05
....................................................
WIND (MPH)
AVERAGE WIND SPEED 10.1
RESULTANT WIND SPEED/DIRECTION 2/135
HIGHEST WIND SPEED/DIRECTION 44/270 DATE 06/27
HIGHEST GUST SPEED/DIRECTION 66/270 DATE 06/27
SKY COVER
POSSIBLE SUNSHINE (PERCENT) MM
AVERAGE SKY COVER 0.50
NUMBER OF DAYS FAIR 6
NUMBER OF DAYS PC 22
NUMBER OF DAYS CLOUDY 2
AVERAGE RH (PERCENT) 47
WEATHER CONDITIONS. NUMBER OF DAYS WITH
THUNDERSTORM 10 MIXED PRECIP 0
HEAVY RAIN 2 RAIN 2
LIGHT RAIN 8 FREEZING RAIN 0
LT FREEZING RAIN 0 HAIL 0
HEAVY SNOW 0 SNOW 0
LIGHT SNOW 0 SLEET 0
FOG 3 FOG W/VIS <= 1/4 MILE 0
HAZE 1
- INDICATES NEGATIVE NUMBERS.
R INDICATES RECORD WAS SET OR TIED.
MM INDICATES DATA IS MISSING.
T INDICATES TRACE AMOUNT.
Hail pounds north Denver in our first severe weather of the season on May 8, 2017. (Ed Dalton)
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 June 1, 2017. 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.
[flickr_set id=”72157683626294335″]
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.
The month of April had a bit of a mixed bag for Thornton. While we saw temperatures above normal and snowfall below normal, precipitation actually ended up right near Denver’s long term average.
We started out cool on the first day of the month, warmed up for two days, then were delivered our first snowfall of the month on the fourth day. From there we saw a string of above normal temperatures, some far above, that lasted almost uninterrupted for two weeks.
Some rain finally fell for the three days beginning the 20th and temperatures cooled a bit. Then, on the 28th, we received our second and final snowfall of the month and followed it up with a very cold day before rebounding on the final day of the month.
Thornton saw an average temperature during April 2017 of 49.6 degrees. This was a good ways above Denver’s long term average for the month of 47.4 degrees. Out at the airport, they were cooler with an average of 48.9 degrees.
Thornton’s temperatures ranged from a maximum of 80.3 degrees on the 14th down to a low of 24.1 degrees on the morning of the 30th. Denver saw similar extremes of 79 degrees, also on the 14th, and a low of 24 degrees on the 10th.
In terms of precipitation, Denver averages 1.71 inches during April. Thornton was right there with the average at 1.70 inches in our rain bucket. At DIA, things were quite a bit drier with only 0.98 inches being recorded.
Snowfall lagged behind average for the month, especially at the average. Denver recorded only 2.5 inches officially while here in Thornton we came in at 5.8 inches. Once again this highlights the problems with having Denver’s official measurements kept so far from where they were taken historically and far away from population.
Thornton, Colorado temperature summary for April 2017. (ThorntonWeather.com)Thornton, Colorado precipitation summary for April 2017. (ThorntonWeather.com)
From the National Weather Service:
CLIMATE REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DENVER/BOULDER CO
244 AM MDT MON MAY 1 2017
...................................
...THE DENVER CO CLIMATE SUMMARY FOR THE MONTH OF APRIL 2017...
CLIMATE NORMAL PERIOD 1981 TO 2010
CLIMATE RECORD PERIOD 1872 TO 2017
WEATHER OBSERVED NORMAL DEPART LAST YEAR`S
VALUE DATE(S) VALUE FROM VALUE DATE(S)
NORMAL
................................................................
TEMPERATURE (F)
RECORD
HIGH 90 04/30/1992
LOW -2 04/02/1975
HIGHEST 79 04/14 90 -11 77 04/23
04/13 04/22
04/14
LOWEST 24 04/10 -2 26 25 04/01
AVG. MAXIMUM 63.2 61.5 1.7 59.4
AVG. MINIMUM 34.5 33.3 1.2 35.1
MEAN 48.9 47.4 1.5 47.2
DAYS MAX >= 90 0 0.0 0.0 0
DAYS MAX <= 32 1 0.3 0.7 0
DAYS MIN <= 32 15 13.0 2.0 11
DAYS MIN <= 0 0 0.0 0.0 0
PRECIPITATION (INCHES)
RECORD
MAXIMUM 8.24 1900
MINIMUM 0.03 1963
TOTALS 0.98 1.71 -0.73 2.56
DAILY AVG. 0.03 0.06 -0.03 0.09
DAYS >= .01 10 9.1 0.9 10
DAYS >= .10 5 4.5 0.5 6
DAYS >= .50 0 0.9 -0.9 2
DAYS >= 1.00 0 0.5 -0.5 1
GREATEST
24 HR. TOTAL 0.22 04/29 TO 04/29 04/15 TO 04/16
04/16 TO 04/16
04/16 TO 04/16
STORM TOTAL MM MM
(MM/DD(HH)) MM 04/16(00) TO 04/16(00)
04/16(00) TO 04/16(00)6
04/16(00) TO 04/16(00)6
SNOWFALL (INCHES)
RECORDS
TOTAL MM MM
TOTALS 2.5 6.8
DEGREE_DAYS
HEATING TOTAL 478 529 -51 526
SINCE 7/1 4803 5731 -928 5230
COOLING TOTAL 0 1 -1 0
SINCE 1/1 0 1 -1 0
FREEZE DATES
RECORD
EARLIEST 09/08/1962
LATEST 06/08/2007
EARLIEST 04/01 10/07
LATEST 05/05
.......................................................
WIND (MPH)
AVERAGE WIND SPEED 11.6
RESULTANT WIND SPEED/DIRECTION 1/121
HIGHEST WIND SPEED/DIRECTION 44/300 DATE 04/09
HIGHEST GUST SPEED/DIRECTION 56/300 DATE 04/09
SKY COVER
POSSIBLE SUNSHINE (PERCENT) MM
AVERAGE SKY COVER 0.60
NUMBER OF DAYS FAIR 6
NUMBER OF DAYS PC 17
NUMBER OF DAYS CLOUDY 7
AVERAGE RH (PERCENT) 53
WEATHER CONDITIONS. NUMBER OF DAYS WITH
THUNDERSTORM 0 MIXED PRECIP 0
HEAVY RAIN 1 RAIN 1
LIGHT RAIN 10 FREEZING RAIN 0
LT FREEZING RAIN 0 HAIL 0
HEAVY SNOW 1 SNOW 3
LIGHT SNOW 7 SLEET 0
FOG 10 FOG W/VIS <= 1/4 MILE 4
HAZE 2
- INDICATES NEGATIVE NUMBERS.
R INDICATES RECORD WAS SET OR TIED.
MM INDICATES DATA IS MISSING.
T INDICATES TRACE AMOUNT.
April 30 to May 6: This week in Denver weather history
May can bring a variety of conditions from snow and cold to severe thunderstorms and flooding rains. Looking back at this week in Denver weather history we see where all of those events have made an appearance in our past.
From the National Weather Service:
29-30
In 1964…several weeks of dry weather and windy conditions across the Great Plains to the east caused noticeable suspended dust to invade metro Denver. At Stapleton International Airport east winds gusted to 28 mph and visibility was reduced to 5 miles.
In 1989…a late season snowstorm dropped 2 to 4 inches of snow across metro Denver with 6 to 12 inches in the foothills. Snowfall totaled 3.9 inches at Stapleton International Airport where northeast winds gusted to 23 mph and the greatest snow depth on the ground was 2 inches due to melting.
In 1991…a pacific storm dumped heavy wet snow across metro Denver. The foothills were hit the hardest where snowfall amounts ranged from 16 inches at Evergreen to 5 inches at Idaho Springs. Lower elevations of metro Denver received 5 to 9 inches of snowfall with 5 inches in Boulder and 7.0 inches at Stapleton International Airport where northeast winds gusted to 25 mph. The weight of the snow caused power lines to fall and tree limbs to snap…producing power outages in parts of Denver…Aurora…and Westminster.
In 1999…heavy snow fell overnight in the foothills above 7500 feet elevation. Snowfall totals included: 13 inches near Rollinsville…10 inches near Evergreen…8 inches at Blackhawk and Nederland…and 7 inches at Conifer. Only rain fell across the city with 2.13 inches recorded at Denver International Airport.
29-2
In 1954…a major storm dumped 10.1 inches of snowfall at Stapleton Airport. Most of the snow…7.5 inches…fell on the 29th and 30th. The maximum snow depth on the ground was 5 inches on the 30th due to melting. No strong winds accompanied the storm.
30
In 1896…northwest winds were sustained to 55 mph with gusts as high as 64 mph in the city.
In 1960…the minimum temperature dipped to 22 degrees at Stapleton Airport. The sub-freezing cold damaged fruit trees and some other crops in the area.
In 1967…west winds gusted to 51 mph at Stapleton International Airport. Winds were strong and gusty across all of metro Denver.
In 1972…hail 1/2 to 3/4 inches in diameter fell at Stapleton International Airport. Northwest winds gusted to 35 mph.
In 1980…a cold air funnel touched down several times near Louisville.
In 1983…mothball-size hail fell in Wheat Ridge.
In 1992…the all-time highest recorded temperature in April… 90 degrees…occurred. This is also the earliest 90 degree reading for the season. In addition…the temperature dipped to a low of only 56 degrees…setting a record high minimum for the date.
In 1995…hail…up to 3/4 inch in diameter…fell at Denver International Airport. The hail was soft…lasted for only 8 to 10 minutes…and caused no damage.
In 2002…drought conditions started to have an effect on greater metro Denver. April…normally the third snowiest month of the year in Denver averaging just over 9 inches of snow…ended with only a trace of snow…ranking the month… Along with previous Aprils…the 2nd least snowiest on record. The month ended with only 0.23 inch of liquid precipitation making the month the 3rd driest on record. Mountain snowpack was less than half of normal for this time of year. A statewide drought emergency was declared by the governor.
In 2003…a small tornado touched down 10 miles east of Hudson… But did no damage. Hail as large as 3/4 inch in diameter fell in Aurora near Cherry Creek.
In 2004…post-frontal upslope flow produced light snowfall across metro Denver. Snowfall was 4.0 inches at Denver Stapleton…while the temperature hovered in the lower 30’s all day. The high temperature was only 33 degrees…a record low maximum for the date. The low temperature of 30 degrees was not a record. North winds gusted to 20 mph at Denver International Airport.
30-1
In 1980…to the west of Denver…heavy rain changing to snow buried the foothills above 7 thousand feet in 4 to 8 inches of snow. Precipitation in the foothills ranged from 1 to 3 inches…which caused some local flooding. Rain fell at lower elevations. Rainfall at Stapleton International Airport totaled 1.05 inches from the storm.
1
In 1902…northwest winds were sustained to 68 mph with gusts as high as 74 mph in the city during the early morning. The apparent very strong Chinook winds warmed the temperature to a high of 78 degrees.
In 1912…south winds were sustained to 42 mph with gusts as high as 58 mph. South to southwest winds were strong all afternoon.
In 1935…a moderate duststorm blew into the city at around 2:00 pm on northwest winds sustained to 17 mph with gusts to 19 mph. Later in the afternoon…the dust receded to the east in advance of a rainstorm from the west.
In 1988…very strong winds behind a vigorous cold front produced a blinding dust storm that closed I-70 east of Denver. Northeast winds over metro Denver peaked to 45 mph at Stapleton International Airport…but only kicked up some blowing dust. The temperature plunged from a high of 76 degrees at midday to 36 degrees at midnight as light rain changed to light snow.
In 1991…3/4 inch diameter hail fell at Standley Lake in northwest metro Denver.
In 1999…heavy snow developed in the foothills above 7 thousand feet elevation. Snow totals included: 10 inches at Rollinsville…7 inches near conifer…and 6 inches atop Crow Hill. Rain fell across metro Denver.
1-2
In 1903…post-frontal rain changed to light snow overnight… But totaled only 2.0 inches. This was the last snow of the season. Northeast winds were sustained to 45 mph with gusts to 48 mph on the 1st.
1-5
In 1898…snowfall totaled 15.5 inches in downtown Denver. Most of the snow…6.2 inches…fell on the 3rd. Most of the snow melted as it fell. The greatest snow depth on the ground was only 2.5 inches on the 3rd at 8:00 pm. This was the only snowfall during the month. Northeast winds were sustained to 22 mph on the 1st.
2
In 1874…strong winds upset two railroad passenger coaches near Georgetown. The baggage was retrieved and placed in a heavy…large wagon. The passengers then seated themselves on top of the baggage. Another strong gust of wind upset the wagon. The driver’s shoulder was dislocated…and a passenger’s leg was badly injured. In Denver…northwest winds increased and blew in gusts and heavy winds were observed on the ridge tops. On the Kansas Pacific R.R. east of Denver…the wind was so strong that it blew the train back several lengths…which caused the train to be about 7 hours late arriving in the city.
In 1901…south winds were sustained to 50 mph with gusts to 60 mph from an apparent thunderstorm with hail.
In 1944…snowfall of 8.3 inches was accompanied by a thunderstorm. This was the last snowfall of the season and the only snow of the month. Northwest winds were sustained to 25 mph.
In 1955…southwest winds at speeds of 37 mph with gusts as high as 58 mph caused some blowing dust at Stapleton Airport.
In 1983…1 inch diameter hail fell a few miles south of Bennett.
In 1984…3/4 inch diameter hail fell in Northglenn.
In 1988…I-70 east of Denver was closed for the second straight day…this time due to snow and blowing snow producing up to 2 foot drifts. While only 2 to 4 inches of snow fell across metro Denver…Strasburg…just east of Denver…received a foot of snow. North winds peaked to 51 mph at Stapleton International Airport where snowfall totaled only 1.3 inches.
In 1995…lightning struck a house in Westminster sparking an attic fire.
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In 1979…heavy rain changed to snow on the 2nd. Snowfall totaled 3.9 inches at Stapleton International Airport… Where northwest winds gusted to 26 mph. The greatest depth of snow on the ground was only 1 inch at midday on the 2nd due to melting. Total precipitation for the 2 days was 1.65 inches.
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In 1987…a slow moving storm brought rain…wind…and snow to metro Denver. Rainfall totaled 1.04 inches at Stapleton International Airport where north winds gusted to 48 mph on the 3rd. The foothills received 5 to 10 inches of snow.
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In 2001…a very slow moving pacific storm system became parked near the four corners region…which allowed heavy snow to develop above 6500 feet in the foothills with a mix of rain and snow over lower elevations of metro Denver. Snowfall totals included: 21 inches atop Crow Hill and at Idaho Springs; 19 inches near Blackhawk; and 18 inches in Coal Creek Canyon…Genesee…and 11 miles southwest of Morrison. Snowfall totaled 6.2 inches at the site of the former Stapleton International Airport. Precipitation (rain and melted snow) totaled 2.09 inches at Denver International Airport where north winds gusted to 30 mph on the 2nd.
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In 1898…heavy snowfall of 6.2 inches fell over downtown Denver. Most of the snow melted as it fell. The greatest snow depth on the ground was 2.5 inches during the evening.
In 1907…the all-time lowest recorded temperature in the month of May…19 degrees…occurred.
In 1925…an apparent microburst produced sustained northeast winds to 44 mph with gusts to 52 mph. Rainfall was only 0.01 inch in downtown Denver.
In 1981…lightning struck 9 golfers at the south suburban golf course. None were injured seriously.
In 1983…hail 1 1/2 inches in diameter fell at Green Mountain west of Lakewood…with 3/4 inch stones reported in Lakewood.
In 1986…a thunderstorm wind gust to 51 mph was recorded at Stapleton International Airport.
In our morning forecast we said it was possible we would break the record high temperature and indeed we did. In fact, we smashed it.
Following on what was a cool but dry August, some are certainly hoping for a bit of precipitation. The month can bring plenty of rain and even our first snow of the season but more often than not, it is one of the most pleasant along the Colorado Front Range.
