Category Archives: Thornton Weather

Thornton Weather

June 2014 top shots: Monthly photo slideshow

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Impressive thunderstorms are a hallmark of Colorado's June weather. (David Canfield)
Impressive thunderstorms are a hallmark of Colorado’s June weather. (David Canfield)

The month of June typically sees springtime severe weather reach its height of activity in northeastern Colorado.

This affords the opportunity to capture extraordinary images of amazing weather phenomena from monstrous supercell thunderstorms to heavy rain, hail and even tornadoes.

  • Slideshow updated June 30, 2014

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.  June brings some very dynamic weather and the photos are a great way to see the stunning variety.

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

Click the play button below and sit back and enjoy the images.

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!

Thornton Weather

A look back at the most destructive tornado in Denver metro history: June 3, 1981 Thornton, Colorado

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June 3, 1981 - An F2 tornado rips through the heart of Thornton, Colorado. (NCAR)
June 3, 1981 – An F2 tornado rips through the heart of Thornton, Colorado. See more images in the slideshow below.(NCAR)

June 3, 1981 appeared to be a pretty typical late spring day in the Denver metro area.  Afternoon thunderstorms though would become a ‘perfect storm’ and soon the city of Thornton would find itself witness to a tornado that would go down in the Denver weather history books.

Five tornadoes would strike that day but one would become the most infamous.  The Thornton tornado would tear through what was then the heart of the city damaging homes and businesses and sending many residents to the hospital.

The twister initially touched down at 2:43 p.m. and ripped across 2 miles of the city.  The tornado was rated an F2 on the Fujita Scale packing winds up to 157mph.

Following is a description of the event from the National Weather Service and below that is a slideshow of some photos of the event we have accumulated.

In 1981…severe thunderstorms produced tornadoes over metro Denver.  The first tornado touched down at the intersection of Alameda Ave. And Sheridan Blvd.  The twister moved north along Sheridan Blvd….damaging businesses…apartment buildings…homes…and vehicles.  Over ten homes were unroofed.  The roof of one landed in the middle of a neighborhood park.  At least 10 mobile homes were wrecked.

The tornado curved to the northeast into northwest Denver… Hopping up and down in several places.  Very strong winds outside the actual funnel caused 20 to 30 thousand dollars in damage in downtown Denver.  The third floor of one old building was demolished.  No major injuries were reported from the tornado…although several people were hurt slightly in traffic accidents on Sheridan Blvd. in the confusion caused by the storm.  Damage in Lakewood alone was estimated at 200 thousand dollars. 

At the same time… The worst tornado to ever hit metro Denver struck Thornton. Coming from the same thunderstorm that spawned the Denver twister…the Thornton tornado tore a swath through the heart of the city.  87 homes were destroyed…110 others damaged at least moderately.  In all…600 homes in a 100 block area sustained some damage.  The twister also hit shopping centers…several restaurants…and other buildings. Seven of the 42 injured were considered serious.  The storm was strong enough to snap lamp posts in half and drive a 6- inch slab of wood 2 feet into the ground.  Damage was estimated at up to 50 million dollars. 

The same storm that struck Thornton produced another damaging tornado that touched down in the northwest section of Fort Lupton.  This twister damaged 16 homes and numerous cars and campers. Two children were slightly injured when the car they were in was knocked about and its windows shattered by the storm.  The twister also damaged two commercial buildings.  Damage was very spotty…and observers said the storm hopped up and down at least 3 times.  Dollar damage was estimated at 500 thousand dollars. 

The thunderstorm complex that produced 3 damaging tornadoes also dropped large hail which damaged many cars over northwest Denver.  One to 2 inches of rain fell in less than an hour…flooding a mobile home park with 3 to 4 feet of water on the northwest edge of Denver.  The high water damaged about half of the 392 homes in the park.  Local flooding was also reported in other areas across metro Denver.  A tornado was also sighted near Franktown…but caused no damage.  A thunderstorm wind gust to 52 mph was recorded at Stapleton International Airport.

Also see:
Thornton Weather

May 2014 top shots: Monthly photo slideshow

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May can bring just about any type of weather to Colorado and amazing sunsets like this are quite common. (LE Worley)
May can bring just about any type of weather to Colorado and amazing sunsets like this are quite common. (LE Worley)

The month of May can bring just about any type of weather to Thornton and Colorado.  Snow is still possible although pleasant days sometimes interrupted by spring severe weather are more common.  Our photo slideshow for the month captures the widely varying weather.

  • Slideshow updated May 26, 2014

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.  May brings some very dynamic weather and the photos are a great way to see the stunning variety.

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

Click the play button below and sit back and enjoy the images.

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!

Thornton Weather

Live social feed: Thornton’s May 2014 severe weather

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ThorntonWeather.com on Facebook, Google+ and TwitterSevere weather is a common occurrence as we get further into spring and northeastern Colorado is set to experience multiple days of weather excitement. The first day’s activity skipped Thornton and stayed south but that is not expected to be the case Wednesday and Thursday.

Atmospheric conditions are primed for what may be a day of significant severe weather. Large, damaging hail, strong wind gusts, lightning and brief, heavy rain will all be likely. Some tornado activity will also be possible.

We will be monitoring monitoring the severe weather very closely and posting regularly to our Facebook page and Twitter feed.  You can follow along in real time below.  We are also on Google+ here.

For comprehensive look at the storm, please monitor our Winter Weather Briefing page.


 


Thornton Weather

Photos, video from 11 years ago showcase potential snow damage from coming storm

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May 10, 2003 - Heavy, wet snow weighed down trees, damaging many. (ThorntonWeather.com)
May 10, 2003 – Heavy, wet snow weighed down trees, damaging many. Click for a larger view. (ThorntonWeather.com)

With a significant spring storm set to impact our area tonight through tomorrow, a similar storm 10 years ago today provides a reminder of the potential for damage.

From May 9 to May 10, 2003, heavy, wet snow fell on the Denver area, much of it focused over northern suburbs like Thornton.  Power lines were downed and trees took a beating.

Here in Thornton we received 7 inches as did Broomfield and DIA.

The National Weather Service ‘day in history’ noted:

“In 2003…a late spring snowstorm hammered the mountains… Eastern foothills…and urban corridor. The heaviest snowfall occurred north of Interstate 70. The heavy wet snow caused damage to trees throughout metro Denver and downed power lines. About 40 thousand people along the urban corridor were without power. Storm total snowfall amounts included: 11.5 inches in Louisville… 8 inches in Boulder and Broomfield; 7 inches in Thornton…Broomfield…at Denver International Airport… And at the site of the former Stapleton International Airport; and 6 inches 4 miles east of Denver. Snowfall ranged from 4 to 9 inches across extreme southern weld County. In the foothills…15 inches of snow fell near Jamestown…9 inches at Rollinsville and Rawah…with 8 inches at Chief Hosa and atop Lookout Mountain. The snow was accompanied by thunder on the afternoon of the 9th at Denver International Airport where west winds gusted to 25 mph on the 9th and north winds gusted to 22 mph on the 10th.”

The image to the right and the photos and video were taken in the ThorntonWeather.com backyard as the storm started to come to an end.

May 10, 2003 - Heavy, wet snow weighed down trees, damaging many. Click for a larger view. (ThorntonWeather.com)
May 10, 2003 – Heavy, wet snow weighed down trees, damaging many. Click for a larger view. (ThorntonWeather.com)
May 10, 2003 - Heavy, wet snow weighed down trees, damaging many. Click for a larger view. (ThorntonWeather.com)
May 10, 2003 – Heavy, wet snow weighed down trees, damaging many. Click for a larger view. (ThorntonWeather.com)
Thornton Weather

Live updates: Thornton’s first severe weather event of the season

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Springtime brings severe weather to Colorado and it is appearing very likely much of that is in store today.  While the best chances will be northeast of Thornton, the potential exists for damaging winds, large hail and possibly tornadoes.

We will be monitoring monitoring the storm very closely and posting regularly to our Facebook page and Twitter feed.  You can follow along in real time below.  We are also on Google+ here.

For complete coverage including the latest forecasts, watches, warnings and more, please monitor our Severe Weather Briefing page.


 


Climatology, Thornton Weather

April 2014 weather recap: Warmer and drier than normal conditions

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The month of April lacked much in the way of drama for northeastern Colorado.  Overall temperatures were warmer than normal and precipitation and snow were lacking a bit.

April started out on the cool side and brought the first snow of the month on the 3rd.  By the 8th temperatures had rebounded and we enjoyed a five-day stretch of high temps in the 70s.

A storm system and cold front cooled things down on the 13th and we saw a couple of days of light snowfall.  As always the weather bounced back and Thornton recorded its first 80+ degree day of the year on the 18th.

The final four days of the month saw things turn cool again.  Some light rain was seen but the bigger story was a period of unusually windy conditions.

  • April 2014 top shots: Monthly photo slideshow

    • Denver’s average April temperature is 47.4 degrees (1981 – 2010).  For April 2014, the average temperature in Thornton was more than two degrees higher at 49.6 degrees.  Out at Denver International Airport, the average came in a bit cooler at 49.0 degrees.

    Temperatures in Thornton ranged from a high of 81.3 degrees on the 18th down to a low of 17.6 degrees on the 14th.  DIA saw its warmest reading of 80 degrees on the 22nd and its coldest of 18 degrees on the 14th.

    Low temperatures dropped below freezing on 11 days in Thornton.  No readings below zero were recorded.

    In terms of precipitation, Thornton measured 0.97 inch in the bucket.  This is a good ways below the Denver April average of 1.71 inches.  DIA saw more precipitation than us with a reading of 1.24 inches.

    Similarly, snowfall fell short of normal in Thornton and Denver.  On average the Mile High City sees 6.8 inches in April.  Thornton recorded only 5.5 inches and DIA 5.6 inches.

    Click here to view Thornton’s March 2014 climate report.

    April 2014 Temperature Summary for Thornton, Colorado. (ThorntonWeather.com)
    April 2014 Temperature Summary for Thornton, Colorado. (ThorntonWeather.com)
    April 2014 Precipitation Summary for Thornton, Colorado. (ThorntonWeather.com)
    April 2014 Precipitation Summary for Thornton, Colorado. (ThorntonWeather.com)
    CLIMATE REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BOULDER, CO
603 AM MDT THU MAY 1 2014

................................... 

...THE DENVER CO CLIMATE SUMMARY FOR THE MONTH OF APRIL 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              90   04/30/1992
 LOW               -2   04/02/1975
HIGHEST            80   04/22        90     -10       80  04/29
LOWEST             18   04/14        -2      20        6  04/10
AVG. MAXIMUM     62.8              61.5     1.3     54.7
AVG. MINIMUM     35.2              33.3     1.9     28.7
MEAN             49.0              47.4     1.6     41.7
DAYS MAX >= 90      0               0.0     0.0        0
DAYS MAX <= 32      0               0.3    -0.3        4
DAYS MIN <= 32     10              13.0    -3.0       17
DAYS MIN <= 0       0               0.0     0.0        0 
PRECIPITATION (INCHES) 
RECORD 
 MAXIMUM         8.24   1900 
 MINIMUM         0.03   1963 
TOTALS           1.24              1.71   -0.47     1.87 
DAILY AVG.       0.04              0.06   -0.02     0.06 
DAYS >= .01         6               9.1    -3.1       13
DAYS >= .10         5               4.5     0.5        7
DAYS >= .50         0               0.9    -0.9        0
DAYS >= 1.00        0               0.5    -0.5        0
GREATEST
 24 HR. TOTAL    0.48   04/02 TO 04/03              0.50
                                                04/22 TO 04/23
SNOWFALL (INCHES)
TOTAL             5.6               6.8

DEGREE_DAYS
HEATING TOTAL     472               529     -57      690
 SINCE 7/1       5730              5731      -1     5802
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                        10/07
LATEST                          05/05
...................................................... 

WIND (MPH)
AVERAGE WIND SPEED              12.9
RESULTANT WIND SPEED/DIRECTION   2/299
HIGHEST WIND SPEED/DIRECTION    49/340    DATE  04/29
HIGHEST GUST SPEED/DIRECTION    66/340    DATE  04/29

SKY COVER
POSSIBLE SUNSHINE (PERCENT)   MM
AVERAGE SKY COVER           0.70
NUMBER OF DAYS FAIR            1
NUMBER OF DAYS PC             22
NUMBER OF DAYS CLOUDY          7

AVERAGE RH (PERCENT)     50

WEATHER CONDITIONS. NUMBER OF DAYS WITH
THUNDERSTORM              0     MIXED PRECIP               0
HEAVY RAIN                0     RAIN                       3
LIGHT RAIN                8     FREEZING RAIN              0
LT FREEZING RAIN          0     HAIL                       1
HEAVY SNOW                2     SNOW                       3
LIGHT SNOW                6     SLEET                      0
FOG                       8     FOG W/VIS <= 1/4 MILE      2
HAZE                      1

-  INDICATES NEGATIVE NUMBERS.
R  INDICATES RECORD WAS SET OR TIED.
MM INDICATES DATA IS MISSING.
T  INDICATES TRACE AMOUNT.
    Thornton Weather

    April 2014 top shots: Monthly photo slideshow

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    April 2014 started with blossoming trees. Scroll down for more photos from the month. (LW Inactivist)
    April 2014 started with blossoming trees. Scroll down for more photos from the month. (LW Inactivist)

    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!

    That stunning variety will undoubtedly be showcased in our monthly photo slideshow (below).

    • Slideshow updated April 26, 2014

    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 snow are vividly depicted.

    Throughout the month we will gather the images sent to us via email or shared with us via our various social media outlets and post them in the slideshow below.

    To learn more about getting your photos added to our monthly slideshow, click here. 

    Click the play button below and sit back and enjoy the images.

    Colorado Weather, Thornton Weather

    National Weather Service announces storm spotter training dates for 2014

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    On June 3, 1981 a tornado struck Thornton in what is the worst twister to have struck the Denver metro area. Are you ready should disaster strike again? Image courtesy the City of Thornton archives.

    Severe weather is a fact of life in Colorado – from blizzards to tornadoes we can and do see it all.  Each year the weather is responsible for claiming lives in our state and across the nation and the threat is very real.  Storm spotter training allows you to learn how to protect yourself and your family while providing a public service.

    Education is key to knowing how to protect you and your family.  Whether you want to be an official storm spotter or maybe just want to learn more about severe weather, storm spotter training can provide you an incredible opportunity to learn.

    The National Weather Service Denver / Boulder office has announced a series of Skywarn storm spotter training dates for Colorado for the 2013 season.

    The storm spotter program is a nationwide program with more than 280,000 trained spotters.  These volunteers report weather hazards to their local National Weather Service office providing vital information when severe strikes.  Data from spotters include severe wind, rain, snow measurements, thunderstorms and hail and of course tornadoes.

    Storm spotters are part of the ranks of citizens who form the Nation’s first line of defense against severe weather. There can be no finer reward than to know that their efforts have given communities the precious gift of time–seconds and minutes that can help save lives.

    By completing one of these training classes you can become an official storm spotter.  When severe weather strikes, you can report it by calling a special toll free number or submit your report via the National Weather Service’s website.

    These are great sessions for anyone wanting to learn more about the severe weather we experience in Colorado, whether you want to be an official spotter or not.  All training is free.  Topics include:

    • Basics of thunderstorm development
    • Fundamentals of storm structure
    • Identifying potential severe weather features
    • Information to report
    • How to report information
    • Basic severe weather safety

    To learn more about the program, see here: http://www.crh.noaa.gov/bou/awebphp/spotter.php

    Below are the dates, times and locations announced thus far with the first occurring on Sunday, February 16.  We will try to keep this updated but you can click here for any new dates on the National Weather Service website.

    Schedule updated 4/6/14:

    April, 2014 – Upcoming
    Day City, State Time Location
    07 Loveland, CO
    (Larimer County)    		 9:00am MDT The Rialto Theater 228 E. Fourth Street Loveland, Colorado 80537
    Contact Information: mialyp@ci.loveland.co.us
    07 Fort Collins, CO
    (Larimer County)    		 6:30pm MDT Fort Collins Police Services Building, Community Service Room 2221 S. Timberline Drive Fort Collins Colorado
    Contact Information: migavin@poudre-fire.org
    10 New Raymer , CO
    (Weld County)    		 6:30pm MDT New Raymer Community Building 25 Shirley Ave. New Raymer, CO
    Contact Information: dustin@dustinpricephotography.com
    12 Kiowa, CO
    (Elbert County)    		 9:00am MDT Old County Courthouse Second floor, 215 Comanche Street, Kiowa, CO 80117
    Contact Information: brandon.lenderink@elbertcounty-co.gov
    14 Akron, CO
    (Washington County)    		 6:30pm MDT Washington County Fairgrounds Event Center 551 E. Second Street, Akron, CO
    Contact Information: mmccaleb@co.washington.co.us
    15 Greeley, CO
    (Weld County)    		 6:30pm MDT Weld County Administration Building, 1150 O Street, Greeley, CO
    Contact Information: gmarquez@co.weld.co.us
    19 Commerce City, CO
    (Adams County)    		 10:00am MDT Sheriff’s Substation Conference Room, 4201 E. 72nd Ave., Commerce City, CO 80022
    Contact Information: r1@rampartsar.com
    21 Centennial, CO
    (Arapahoe County)    		 6:30pm MDT Arapahoe County Sheriff, 13101 East Broncoes Parkway, Centennial, CO
    Contact Information: awallin@arapahoegov.com
    24 Aurora, CO
    (Arapahoe County)    		 6:00pm MDT Aurora Central Library 14949 E Alameda Pkwy, Aurora, CO 80012.
    Contact Information: acox@auroragov.org
    26 Strasburg, CO
    (Adams County)    		 10:00am MDT Strasburg Fire Department Conference Room, 56281 E. Colfax Ave., Strasburg, CO 80136
    Contact Information: tmccall@svfd8.org
    28 Parker, CO
    (Douglas County)    		 6:30pm MDT Parker Police 18600 Lincoln Meadows Pkwy Parker, CO 80134
    Contact Information: khenry@parkeronline.org
    29 Littleton, CO
    (Jefferson County)    		 10:00am MDT Foothills Park and Recreation District 6612 S. Ward Street, Littleton, CO 80127.
    Contact Information: lisan@fhprd.org
    29 Denver, CO
    (Denver County)    		 7:00pm MDT Red Cross facility 444 Sherman St., Denver Co
    Contact Information: kc0mht@msn.com
    May, 2014 – Upcoming
    Day City, State Time Location
    01 Hugo, CO
    (Lincoln County)    		 2:00pm MDT Lincoln County Courthouse 103 3rd Street, Hugo, CO 80821
    Contact Information: lclanduse@lincolncountyco.us
    01 Hugo, CO
    (Lincoln County)    		 6:30pm MDT Lincoln County Courthouse 103 3rd Street, Hugo, CO 80821
    Contact Information: lclanduse@lincolncountyco.us
    06 Boulder, CO
    (Boulder County)    		 6:30pm MDT SHHQ TrainingRoom 5600 Flatiron Parkway, Boulder
    Contact Information: fgonzales@bouldercounty.org
    08 Thornton, CO
    (Adams County)    		 6:00pm MDT Thornton City Hall 1st Floor Training Room, 9500 Civic Center Drive, Thornton, CO 80229
    Contact Information: gene.putman@cityofthornton.net