Category Archives: Thornton Weather

Colorado Weather, Thornton Weather

National Weather Service releases summary of New Year’s Eve windstorm

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A windstorm pummeled northeastern Colorado on New Year's Eve 2011.
A windstorm pummeled northeastern Colorado on New Year's Eve 2011.

Northeastern Colorado closed out 2011 with pummeling high winds on New Year’s Eve.  Wind gusts of tropical and hurricane storm strength slammed into the region causing damage and claiming one life.

In the Denver metro area gusts approaching 50mph were common while areas in the foothills and mountains to the west and on the plains to the northeast saw much higher speeds.  Here in Thornton we recorded a maximum gust of 44.9mph in the predawn hours.

Following is a summary of the event from the National Weather Service:

Post-Storm Summary of the New Year’s Eve Windstorm

A fast moving upper level storm system, along with a deep low pressure system over Nebraska and high pressure building over Utah, combined to create a powerful windstorm across Northeast and North Central Colorado on December 31st. The high wind event began in the mountains after midnight Friday night, and then spread across the plains early Saturday morning. The height of the windstorm on the plains occurred around mid day when numerous gusts between 60 and 80 mph were reported.

The strong winds produced damage to fences and some roofs, and also knocked down trees resulting in power outages to approximately 19,000 residents. Some trucks were also blown off the road, and 1 fatality occurred due to a flying tree limb on U.S. Highway 36 north of Boulder.

Visibilities over the northeast corner of the state were also reduced significantly by a combination of blowing dust and blowing snow.

The following is a list by county of maximum wind gusts associated with this powerful windstorm…

Location Maximum Wind Gust

Adams…
Bennett 60 MPH
Front Range Airport 60 MPH

Arapahoe…
Deer Trail 59 MPH
Centennial 55 MPH

Boulder…
1 W Lyons 101 MPH
4 NW Boulder 84 MPH
Boulder 81 MPH
NCAR Mesa Lab 79 MPH
North Longmont 75 MPH
Boulder Municipal Airport 59 MPH
2 NNW Louisville 58 MPH

Broomfield…
Rocky Mountain Regional Airport 58 MPH

Clear Creek…
Berthoud Pass 94 MPH

Denver…
Buckley AFB 64 MPH
Denver International Airport 59 MPH

Douglas…
Centennial Airport 55 MPH
10 SSE Castle Rock 52 MPH
Highlands Ranch 50 MPH

Elbert…
10 E Parker 67 MPH
Elizabeth 55 MPH

Grand…
Berthoud Pass 94 MPH
11 N Kremmling 80 MPH
9 S Fraser 80 MPH

Jefferson…
3 SSE Pinecliffe 111 MPH
3 S Golden 86 MPH
Highway 72 and 93 Junction 79 MPH
National Wind Technology Center 77 MPH
3 NNW Morrison 76 MPH
4 S Rocky Flats 73 MPH
2 E Golden 67 MPH
2 E Northeast Lakewood 64 MPH
2 ENE Lakewood 64 MPH
3 W Conifer 62 MPH
Wheat Ridge 55 MPH

Larimer…
4 E Loveland 73 MPH
Natural Fort Rest Area 71 MPH
5 NW Fort Collins 67 MPH
3 NE Loveland 67 MPH
Wellington 63 MPH
4 E Fort Collins 63 MPH
Virginia Dale 62 MPH
Fort Collins 57 MPH

Lincoln…
3 W Cedar Point 80 MPH
Limon Airport 74 MPH

Logan…
Sterling Airport 73 MPH
Sterling 70 MPH
Crook 65 MPH

Morgan…
Wiggins 61 MPH

Park…
Kenosha Pass 79 MPH
Fairplay 77 MPH
Wilkerson Pass 58 MPH

Phillips…
4 E Haxtun 70 MPH
Holyoke 63 MPH
8 S Holyoke 62 MPH

Summit…
7 S Frisco 126 MPH
9 E Dillon 90 MPH
7 SSW Frisco 86 MPH

Washington…
Akron 75 MPH
Woodrow 73 MPH
5 NW Woodlin School 67 MPH

Weld…
4 ENE Eaton 80 MPH
3 NNW Cornish 79 MPH
2 NNW New Raymer 77 MPH
10 NE Pawnee Buttes 74 MPH
Briggsdale 72 MPH
9 NNE Briggsdale 72 MPH
7 N Rockport 70 MPH
Greeley Airport 67 MPH
4 ENE Severance 63 MPH
Eaton 63 MPH
1 N Greeley 62 MPH
6 E Berthoud 62 MPH
2 W Keenesburg 58 MPH
Milliken 56 MPH

12/31/11 - Here is surface pressure analysis (light blue lines) and infrared satellite image at 12 PM MST near the height of the windstorm. Note the large difference in pressure between the surface low pressure over southeast Nebraska and high pressure centered over southern Idaho, and the resulting tight gradient across Colorado. This is a key feature in windstorms across the Front Range and High Plains. (NWS)
12/31/11 - Here is surface pressure analysis (light blue lines) and infrared satellite image at 12 PM MST near the height of the windstorm. Note the large difference in pressure between the surface low pressure over southeast Nebraska and high pressure centered over southern Idaho, and the resulting tight gradient across Colorado. This is a key feature in windstorms across the Front Range and High Plains. (NWS)
12/31/11 - A 6 hour model forecast of 700 mb winds (approximately 10,000 ft MSL) and surface pressure. 700 mb wind strength is noted by flags (50kts) plus barbs (10kts for full & 5kts for half). Stronger downslope flow and large scale subsidence which occurred in this storm can bring these stronger winds aloft down to the surface. (NWS)
12/31/11 - A 6 hour model forecast of 700 mb winds (approximately 10,000 ft MSL) and surface pressure. 700 mb wind strength is noted by flags (50kts) plus barbs (10kts for full & 5kts for half). Stronger downslope flow and large scale subsidence which occurred in this storm can bring these stronger winds aloft down to the surface. (NWS)
12/31/11 - A surface plot of weather stations across the region during the windstorm. This image was taken at 1 PM MST, when the maximum winds were spreading across the northeast plains of Colorado. At this time, the strongest corridor of winds stretched from Sterling (gusting to 59 kts or 68 mph), to Akron (gusting to 63 kts or 72 mph) to Burlington (gusting to 66 kts or 76 mph). (NWS)
12/31/11 - A surface plot of weather stations across the region during the windstorm. This image was taken at 1 PM MST, when the maximum winds were spreading across the northeast plains of Colorado. At this time, the strongest corridor of winds stretched from Sterling (gusting to 59 kts or 68 mph), to Akron (gusting to 63 kts or 72 mph) to Burlington (gusting to 66 kts or 76 mph). (NWS)
Thornton Weather

Recent snows put Denver snowfall far ahead of last year and above average

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ThorntonWeather.com Snow Report
Recent snows have put Denver ahead of the game on snow totals while the mountains remain drier than normal.

While none of the snowstorms seen so far this year in Denver have been major ones, they have delivered the much needed snow that was missed last year.  December’s snowfall totals will finish well above average and have helped put the city’s seasonal snowfall totals above normal to date .

December’s snowfall total for the month stands at 16.5 inches (20.1 inches in Thornton).  This is nearly double the 1981 – 2010 historical average for the month of 8.5 inches.

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Leading up to Christmas, one storm slammed southeastern Colorado with blizzard conditions.  A second storm took a more northern track delivering a shot of snow to northern Colorado (see image below).  The snow cover ensured a white Christmas and NASA satellite imagery showed the Centennial State blanketed in white for the holiday.

For the season to date, the Mile High City has recorded 29.5 inches of snow (versus 34.6 inches in Thornton).  This puts us ahead of the pace of the average of 22.5 inches that we normally see through the end of December.

This stands in stark contrast to last season when Denver saw a paltry 22.8 inches of snow over the entire season and Thornton recorded 21.3 inches.  For comparison, in an average season we see 53.8 inches.

Not all is well in Colorado however with the snow.  While the plains are seeing above normal totals, the mountains are lagging.

Some ski areas like Cooper Mountain near Leadville have yet to even open for the season.  Others have had enough snow to allow skiers on their slopes but have runs that they have not yet been able to open due to the lack of snow. Get the latest ski area snow reports here.

Snowpack across the state is below average in seven of the eight major basins with only the Upper Rio Grande reporting above normal (101%).  The South Platte basin which includes the Colorado Front Range mountains stands at only 85% of normal and Western Slope basins are seeing as little as 65% of normal.

Snowfall totals from Denver's December 21 - 22, 2011 snowstorm.
Snowfall totals from Denver's December 21 - 22, 2011 snowstorm.
Thornton Weather

The voice of NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards sings Deck the Halls

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NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards
Weather radios provide life saving information when severe weather strikes. 'The voice of the National Weather Service' can even sing Christmas carols.

NOAA Weather Radio (NWR) is called ‘the voice of the National Weather Service’ and provides critical and life saving information when severe weather strikes.  ‘Tom’ is one of the latest voices that you hear when listening to it and in the holiday spirit, NOAA had ‘Tom’ sing a classic Christmas carol.

  • Listen to ‘Tom’ sing Deck the Halls below

NWR began in the late 1990s and now transmitters for the service allow coverage across most of the nation.  When the weather is calm, listeners hear current conditions, forecasts and other weather related news.  It is however when severe weather strikes that NWR reaches its real potential.

Many of today’s radios can be programmed to turn on automatically and sound an alert when severe weather or another national emergency occurs.  These alerts can make the difference between life and death, particularly when a fast developing situation like tornadoes occur.

We have long extolled the virtues of the system and recommended that all homes should have them, particularly in places like Colorado that are prone to tornadoes.  It can also provide critical information during other types of disasters like earthquakes, chemical spills, and AMBER alerts.

‘Tom’ is one of the current text to speech voices of NOAA Weather Radio.  He, along with ‘Donna’ and ‘Javier’ are the voices you hear when listening to the system.

Colorado Weather, Thornton Weather

Updated NOAA outlook for winter indicates chance for increased precipitation for northern Colorado

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The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Climate Prediction Center (CPC) released updated outlooks for winter 2011 – 2012 indicating it could be a snowy one for the northern half of Colorado.

The original outlooks from the agency released previously offered a drier picture, primarily based on the influences of La Niña in the Pacific.  Given however that the current event is relatively mild, its effects are limited, particularly this far inland.

For the meteorological winter from December 2011 to February 2012, NOAA places virtually all of Colorado in an area that has equal chance of well above, well below, or near-normal temperatures.  However, the northern half of the state, including Denver, is given a 33% chance of experiencing above normal precipitation.

NOAA said:

The winter outlook for this winter favors above average temperatures across much of the South, from New Mexico across the Southeast to the Atlantic coast… and also favors below average temperatures across much of the Northern plain, the Northern Rockies, the Pacific Northwest, and a good part of the West as well as the southern half of Alaska.

With regards to precipitation, we see those areas most likely to experience below-average precipitation across the South– in particular Florida and Texas– with a better than even chance of being wetter than average across much of the North– particularly from the Ohio valley and the Northern Rockies and the Pacific Northwest.

Last year, Denver experienced second least snowiest snow season on record as the city only recorded 22.8 inches (21.2 inches in Thornton).  This season the picture is much improved with 22.2 inches having been recorded so far – nearly as much as all of last season.

NOAA's updated Winter 2011 - 2012 outlook. Click the image for a larger view. (NOAA)
NOAA's updated Winter 2011 - 2012 outlook. Click the image for a larger view. (NOAA)

On the net:

Thornton Weather

City of Thornton’s WinterFest to enjoy great weather for the festivities

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One of many ice sculptures on display at WinterFest. View more images from the first night of the festival below. (ThorntonWeather.com)
One of many ice sculptures on display at WinterFest. View more images from the first night of the festival below. (ThorntonWeather.com)

The City of Thornton’s annual winter festival is in full swing and after a chilly start Friday, the weather for the rest of the events looks to be much milder.

Santa Claus arrives safely last night and as always, the city has a full slate of events surrounding WinterFest at the Multipurpose Fields at 108th Ave and Colorado Blvd.  Residents can ice skate all day long and into the night, the ice carving demonstration is underway and of course Santa’s Village is open.

Tonight the Thornton Community Band will take to the stage at 7:00pm showcasing our community’s musical talent.  After the concert, Thornton will put on a fireworks show at 8:30pm, one of the few in Colorado during the winter and always the best.

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Sunday features the wide variety of fun in Santa’s Village. Tomorrow night the Thornton Community Chorus will raise their voices in celebration of the season.

For the weather, today we’re heading for a high of 45 degrees with just a light wind.  It will dip to right around the freezing mark by 7:00pm when the band concert takes place and then down to 28 degrees for the fireworks at 8:30pm.

Tomorrow will be even warmer with plenty of sun above as we head for a high of 48 degrees with light winds.  When the chorus takes to the stage at 6:30 it will be around 32 degrees.

Check out some of the photos we took of WinterFest last night below – then head on down and join the fun!

Astronomy, Thornton Weather

Thornton gets front row view of the last lunar eclipse until 2014

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The lunar eclipse gets started in Colorado as the Earth's shadow starts to cover the moon. View more images in the slideshow below. (ThorntonWeather.com)
The lunar eclipse gets started in Colorado as the Earth's shadow starts to cover the moon. View more images in the slideshow below. (ThorntonWeather.com)

It was a very cold morning in Thornton as the temperature dropped to 15° but the fog that was forecast never materialized and we had a great view of the lunar eclipse.  Just before dawn the Earth’s shadow began to encroach on the moon and just as the eclipse was peaking, the moon set behind the Rocky Mountains.

  • View images of the lunar eclipse as seen from Barr Lake State Park below

Fog in Denver was feared to be a threat for viewing this morning’s total lunar eclipse but Mother Nature cooperated and provided clear Colorado skies.  Not long before dawn the celestial show began and those who were able to witness it saw something that we won’t have an opportunity to see again until 2014.

NASA had called the lunar eclipse a ‘super-sized’ event due to its low placement on the horizon which tricks the mind and eye to thinking the moon is larger than it normally is.  With our only natural satellite setting in the west, Coloradoans were able to view the eclipse just as the moon set behind the Rocky Mountains.

The total lunar eclipse was visible across a large swath of the Earth.  From east of the Rocky Mountains to Australia and to Asia, nearly half of the globe had a view of the event.

Heightening interest in the eclipse was the fact that it will be the last total lunar eclipse for nearly three years.  The next one won’t occur until April 14, 2014.  There will be a second one that year on October 8th.   In 2015 there will also be two; one on April 4th and another on September 27th.

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Astronomy, Thornton Weather

Early risers Saturday to be treated to ‘super-sized’ total lunar eclipse

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The last lunar eclipse until 2014 will be visible along the Colorado Front Range early Saturday morning.
The last lunar eclipse until 2014 will be visible along the Colorado Front Range early Saturday morning. (ThorntonWeather.com)

If you can get yourself out of bed early in the morning on Saturday, December 10, 2011 you will be treated to the last total lunar eclipse for nearly three years.  For viewers in Thornton and along the Colorado Front Range, the event will be relatively quick but punctuated by a setting moon with the Rocky Mountains in the foreground.

Saturday morning the moon will be passing through the lower half of the Earth’s shadow just before it sets in the west at 7:12am MST Saturday.  The low hanging moon will appear much larger than normal bringing what NASA calls a ‘super-sized’ eclipse.

Because the moon will be low on the western horizon, finding a good spot to watch it will be critical.  In Thornton, visitors to our Facebook page have suggested near the Thornton Civic Center, Brittany Hill or near the water towers at 112th Ave and I-25.  Some higher locations along Colorado Blvd north of 136th Ave might be good places as well.

The December 10th eclipse will begin around 5:46am MST as the first part of Earth’s shadow encroaches on the moon.  Totality will be achieved at 7:06am MST.

For watchers along the Colorado Front Range, the low moon with the Rocky Mountains to the west will render some extraordinary images.  There is however a catch.

The tall mountains on our western horizon are going to limit the time we are able to see the moon and the eclipse.  In the Denver area, we won’t actually be able to see the total eclipse as the moon will have disappeared behind the mountains by then.

It is estimated metro area residents will be able to watch the show until about 6:50am at which point the moon will be below the horizon.  Clear skies are in the forecast so clouds should not be a concern.

NASA says that astronomers and psychologists don’t know why the human brain sees the moon as larger when it is low on the horizon.  “In fact, a low Moon is no wider than any other Moon (cameras prove it) but the human brain insists otherwise. To observers in the western USA, therefore, the eclipse will appear super-sized,” NASA said.

The celestial show should be worth getting out of bed a bit early to see, even if residents of Colorado won’t get to see the entire show.

Atmospheric scientist Richard Keen of the University of Colorado told NASA, “I expect this eclipse to be bright orange, or even copper-colored, with a possible hint of turquoise at the edge.”

Keen explains that the Earth’s stratosphere is currently relatively free of volcanic dust and other particulates.  This should allow for a very bright event.

Tomorrow’s eclipse will be the last total lunar eclipse until April 14, 2014. A second will occur that year on October 8th.  In 2015 there will also be two; one on April 4th and another on September 27th.

If you get any pictures of the eclipse, be sure to head over to our Facebook page and share them or email them to us at info@thorntonweather.com and we will post them.

Thornton Weather

Second snowstorm in three days hits Thornton, third round on the way

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A view of the Flatirons near Boulder on December 3, 2011 following the second snowstorm in three days. (National Weather Service)
A view of the Flatirons near Boulder on December 3, 2011 following the second snowstorm in three days. (National Weather Service)

The meteorological winter starts on December 1 and Old Man Winter is making sure we know he is around.  Two snowstorms have hit Thornton in a three day span and more snow is on the way.

On Thursday the first storm brought 5.1 inches to Thornton.  Denver officially recorded 5.7 inches at Denver International Airport (DIA).

Shortly before midnight last night, the snow began falling again and continued through noon.  Here in Thornton we recorded 4.9 inches with the latest system.

  • Remember, when the snow starts flying, stay up to date with ThorntonWeather.com: ‘Like’ us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter and add us to your Google+ circles

It is interesting to note that this brings our seasonal snowfall total to 24.5 inches.  For comparison, we recorded a dismal 21.2 inches during all of the last season!  In an average season, December received 61.7 inches.

Yet another storm system is on its way and is expected to arrive tomorrow evening.  Right now it isn’t look near as impressive as the last two but Thornton may see another inch or two out of it.

Over the longer term, colder than normal temperatures are expected to last through this week.  The first half should be dry but Thursday night into Friday we may see snow again.  Long range models looking even further ahead predict colder than normal temperatures to last through the first half of the month.

Below is time lapse video from our webcams capturing last night’s storm.  Each take 14 hours and compress them into 30 seconds.

Thornton Weather

November 2011 Thornton weather recap: A cold and snowy start ends warm and dry

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When the month of November 2011 began we seemed to be headed toward a very wintry month.  Despite that cold start however, the weather soon turned much more moderate.

The first three days of the month yielded 4.5 inches of snow as officially measured at Denver International Airport.  That total however was far less than what was seen in the rest of the metro area.  For comparison, here in Thornton we recorded 7.9 inches.

Over those same three days the month saw a chilly average temperature of 27.8 degrees which was  16.5 degrees below normal.  The low pressure trough and cold front that generated the cold and snow however would soon be gone and nothing but a memory.

From November 4th through the end of the month the weather turned mild and dry.  No measurable precipitation was recorded for the balance and by the end of the month the average temperature had climbed to above normal.

The month ended with an average temperature of 39.5 degrees which was 1.2 degrees above normal.  Thornton was a touch cooler with an average of 38.8 degrees.

Highs ranged from 69 degrees on the 24th to a low of 10 degrees on the 2nd and the 3rd at DIA.  Here in Thornton we were milder with a high of 72.0 degrees and a low of 14.1 degrees.

The early month snowstorms yielded 0.47 inches of precipitation at the airport versus the November average of 0.61 inches.  The 4.5 inches of snowfall was well below the normal of 8.7 inches for November.

Click here to view the Thornton climatological summary for November 2011.  Below is the official Denver summary from the National Weather Service.

CLIMATE REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BOULDER, CO
645 AM MST THU DEC 1 2011

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

...THE DENVER CO CLIMATE SUMMARY FOR THE MONTH OF NOVEMBER 2011... 

CLIMATE NORMAL PERIOD 1981 TO 2010
CLIMATE RECORD PERIOD 1872 TO 2011

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            69   11/24        80     -11       77  11/06
LOWEST             10   11/02       -18      28        4  11/25
                        11/03
AVG. MAXIMUM     54.1              52.1     2.0     52.6
AVG. MINIMUM     24.8              24.5     0.3     24.0
MEAN             39.5              38.3     1.2     38.3
DAYS MAX >= 90      0               0.0     0.0        0
DAYS MAX = .01         2               4.7    -2.7        5
DAYS >= .10         2               1.6     0.4        2
DAYS >= .50         0               0.0     0.0        0
DAYS >= 1.00        0               0.0     0.0        0
GREATEST
 24 HR. TOTAL    0.47   11/01 TO 11/02           11/16 TO 11/16
                                                          11/08 TO 11/09
                                                          11/09 TO 11/09
 STORM TOTAL       MM                                 MM
 (MM/DD(HH))            MM                    11/16(00) TO 11/16(00)
                                                 11/09(00) TO 11/09(00)9
                                                 11/09(00) TO 11/09(00)9

SNOWFALL (INCHES)
RECORDS
 TOTAL             MM   MM
TOTALS            4.5                MM

DEGREE_DAYS
HEATING TOTAL     757               801     -44      793
 SINCE 7/1       1252              1377    -125     1128
COOLING TOTAL       0                 0       0        0
 SINCE 1/1        964               769     195      870

FREEZE DATES
RECORD
 EARLIEST     09/08/1962
 LATEST       06/08/2007
EARLIEST                        10/07
LATEST                          05/05
.......................................................... 

WIND (MPH)
AVERAGE WIND SPEED              9.9
RESULTANT WIND SPEED/DIRECTION   3/229
HIGHEST WIND SPEED/DIRECTION    43/260    DATE  11/12
HIGHEST GUST SPEED/DIRECTION    52/260    DATE  11/12

SKY COVER
POSSIBLE SUNSHINE (PERCENT)   MM
AVERAGE SKY COVER           0.50
NUMBER OF DAYS FAIR            7
NUMBER OF DAYS PC             23
NUMBER OF DAYS CLOUDY          0

AVERAGE RH (PERCENT)     45

WEATHER CONDITIONS. NUMBER OF DAYS WITH
THUNDERSTORM              0     MIXED PRECIP               0
HEAVY RAIN                0     RAIN                       0
LIGHT RAIN                3     FREEZING RAIN              0
LT FREEZING RAIN          0     HAIL                       0
HEAVY SNOW                2     SNOW                       2
LIGHT SNOW                2     SLEET                      0
FOG                       3     FOG W/VIS
Thornton Weather

Thornton snowstorm and news updates

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Old Man Winter is staged to arrive in Colorado in a big way.  With snow and arctic cold set to arrive, the next 48 hours are going to be interesting and in fact, the cold looks to last through the weekend.

For all the latest with the storm, be sure to check our Winter Weather Briefing page.

We will be providing updates as needed on our Google+ and Facebook pages as well.  We realize however that many folks don’t belong to those social networks.  You can follow along instead using the embedded Facebook ticker below if that is the case.

  • Remember, when the snow starts flying, stay up to date with ThorntonWeather.com: ‘Like’ us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter and add us to your Google+ circles