Forecasts

Wednesday in Thornton cools a bit, offers just a chance for a sprinkle of rain

A cold front passing to our north will serve up a bit of a change in our weather today. It won’t be particularly dramatic though, just some cooler temps, more clouds, and some breezy winds.

Partly sunny skies will be above throughout the day today. Winds will initially be calm then become breezy in the afternoon and into the evening. High temperatures will top out around the 60 degree mark. The afternoon brings a chance to see some rain, however, if any does fall, it isn’t expected to amount to much.

Tonight, winds will gradually ease and skies will begin to clear late tonight. Overnight lows will be in the low to mid-30s.

Forecasts

Sunny skies, temperatures a bit above normal for Thornton’s Tuesday

A fine spring day ahead for us. We will enjoy high temperatures at or a bit above normal for the date and lots of sun above.

Sunny skies start us off and will be with us until the evening. Overall conditions will be calm and dry. High temperatures will top out in the low 60s.

This evening, some clouds will arrive with partly cloudy skies above overnight. Lows will dip to the mid-30s.

Forecasts

Less wind, temperatures near normal start Thornton’s workweek

Our latest bout with wind has come to an end and we will see conditions improve today. Temps will be near normal and we will see a good bit of blue above.

Mostly sunny skies will be with us most of the day with a bit of an increase in cloud cover in the late afternoon and evening. Conditions will be dry with some slightly breezy winds from mid-afternoon until after dark. High temperatures will top out close to the average high for the date of 61 degrees.

Tonight, cloud cover will linger but conditions will be calm. Overnight lows will dip to around freezing.

Climatology, Thornton Weather

March 2024 weather recap: Temps near normal and an abundance of moisture

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

The month of March started off pretty slow with little weather drama and dry conditions. That changed as we got close to the latter half of the month with precipitation in the form of rain and snow taking over.

Through the first 12 days of the month, we had only received 0.6 inches of snow. We had seen a few days of colder temperatures but generally, mercury readings were above average.

That changed on the 13th. A powerful storm system with an unusual setup arrived. We began with a healthy dose of rain in the evening and then, overnight, the change to snow occurred. Heavy, wet snow fell on the 14th throughout the day and into the evening. Schools and many businesses closed down for the day. Thornton saw 10.8 inches of snow and a whopping 1.73 inches of liquid precipitation.

We then strung together nine days of calm, dry conditions. On the 25th, snow returned although it wasn’t anything too dramatic. Thornton saw 4.4 inches of the white stuff. The month then closed out with temperatures not far from average.

Overall, Thornton saw a monthly average temperature of 42.4 degrees. This was just above our running 18 year average of 42.0 degrees for the month of March. Mercury readings ranged from a high of 71.8 degrees on the 2nd down to 16.8 degrees pm the 26th.

For the Mile High City, where Denver’s official records are taken, they saw an average of 41.4 degrees. That was just slightly cooler than their long term March average of 41.2 degrees.

Liquid precipitation was abundant for the month with Thornton seeing 2.32 inches, most of which came with the storm on the 13th and 14th. This was well above our March average of 1.30 inches.

Denver recorded 1.65 inches in their rain bucket. This too was well above their March average of 0.86 inches.

Snowfall was above average as well. Thornton saw 15.8 inches in March 2024. This easily bested our March average of 11.3 inches.

Our at the airport, Denver saw a mere 9.2 inches. This was a bit above the Mile High City’s long term average for March of 8.8 inches.

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

Thornton, Colorado's March 2024 Precipitation Summary. (ThorntonWeather.com)
Thornton, Colorado’s March 2024 Precipitation Summary. (ThorntonWeather.com)
Forecasts

A weekend of windy weather on tap for Thornton

If there is one weather condition virtually everyone dislikes, it is wind. Given the conditions this weekend, there won’t be many folks happy.

We start out warm today with highs in the mid-70s under mostly sunny skies. However, winds will be picking up and become quite blustery in the afternoon. A Red Flag Warning will be in effect for much of the day into the evening due to elevated fire danger. Overnight tonight, after midnight, we may see a sprinkle of rain. Lows will be around 40 degrees.

Saturday and Saturday night is when the wind will be at its worst. A cold front moves in cooling us down and we do have a chance for some light precipitation with highs in the mid-40s. Winds will be ramping up throughout the day, peaking around midnight. Speeds could reach 50+ mph so be sure you have anything loose outside picked up. A High Wind Warning will be in effect. Saturday night lows will dip to the mid-30s.

Sunday we see some recovery but continued blustery conditions. Temperatures will warm to the mid-50s under partly clear skies. Winds to 30+ mph will be seen before finally easing after dark Sunday night.

We hope you have a great weekend despite the wind!

Forecasts

Mild temperatures, pleasant conditions for Thornton’s Thursday

A fine looking spring day ahead for us. We will enjoy lots of sun, calm conditions and very pleasant temperatures today.

Sunny skies start it off and will be with us through most of the day. Late afternoon will see a few clouds. Overall conditions will be calm and dry with light winds out of the south. High temperatures will be topping out in the mid-70s.

Tonight, cloud cover will increase and winds will be a bit breezy. Overnight lows will be in the low 40s.

Weather History

March 31 to April 6: This Week in Denver Weather History

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This Week in Denver Weather History

Early spring can bring a wide variety of conditions from wintry storms to severe weather. Our look back at this week in Denver weather history shows that just about any type of weather condition can occur this time of year.

From the National Weather Service:

29-31

In 1970…snowfall totaled 6.0 inches at Stapleton International Airport. Heavy snow accumulation in Boulder on the 29th caused the collapse of a carport at an apartment building…damaging 11 automobiles. Northeast winds gusted to 24 mph at Stapleton International Airport.

30-31

In 1896…heavy snowfall totaled 7.5 inches in downtown Denver. Northwest winds gusted to 26 mph.

In 1897…rain changed to snow during the early morning of the 30th and totaled 6.2 inches before ending during the late morning of the 31st. Northwest winds were sustained to 35 mph with gusts to 46 mph.

In 1929…heavy snowfall of 7.0 inches was recorded over downtown Denver. Northwest winds were sustained to 23 mph on the 30th.

In 1953…heavy snowfall totaled 8.6 inches at Stapleton Airport where northeast winds gusted to 23 mph.

In 1955…a vigorous cold front produced north winds at 40 mph with gusts as high as 54 mph at Stapleton Airport. Rain and snow showers and blowing dust accompanied the front. Snowfall totaled only 0.1 inch at Stapleton Airport on the 31st.

In 1988…snow began falling on the afternoon of the 30th and continued through the 31st…burying metro Denver. Twelve to 18 inches of snow fell in the foothills to the west of Denver and Boulder with 6 to 12 inches across the rest of metro Denver. The storm disrupted aircraft operations at Stapleton International Airport where snowfall totaled 7.1 inches and north winds gusting to 32 mph reduced the visibility to less than 1/4 mile at times…causing air traffic delays of 2 to 3 hours.

In 2000…heavy snow once again developed over the foothills and the higher terrain to the south of metro Denver. Snowfall totals from the storm included: 16 inches atop Squaw Mountain…15 inches near Rollinsville…13 inches near Evergreen…12 inches near Morrison…11 inches in Coal Creek Canyon…10 inches near Blackhawk and in Eldorado Springs…9 inches at Ken Caryl Ranch and Larkspur… And 8 inches near Elizabeth. Snowfall totaled only 4.1 inches at the site of the former Stapleton International Airport. North winds gusted to 32 mph at Denver International Airport on the 30th.

In 2005…a strong spring storm intensified over the eastern plains of Colorado and produced near-blizzard conditions to the east and southeast of Denver overnight. North to northwest winds from 20 to 35 mph with gusts to 50 mph produced extensive blowing snow and caused near zero visibilities at times and snow drifts from 2 to 4 feet in depth. Snowfall amounts included: 12 inches near Bennett…8 inches around Castle Rock… 7 inches near Sedalia…and 6 inches near Parker. Only 0.3 inch of snow was reported at Denver Stapleton. At Denver International Airport…north winds gusted to 37 mph on the 30th and 36 mph on the 31st.

In 2014…on the evening of the 30th…high based showers and thunderstorms produced microburst winds over northern Jefferson…eastern Boulder and southwest Weld Counties. Peak wind reports included: 77 mph at White Ranch Open Space; 72 mph…2 miles north of Longmont; 67 mph near Erie and Firestone; 60 mph near Mead and 59 mph…5 miles northwest of Henderson; with 53 mph at Denver International Airport. The wind downed power lines in Weld County which sparked a small fire. High winds then developed in the Front Range Foothills and Urban Corridor through the morning of the 31st. Peak wind gusts included: 98 mph near Gold Hill; 77 mph near Eldorado Springs; 61 mph at Centennial Airport; 59 mph at Buckley Air Force; with 44 mph at Denver International Airport.

31

In 1873…high winds damaged buildings in the city. Northwest winds with sustained velocities to near 40 mph blew from 9:00 am until sunset.

In 1937…north to northeast winds sustained to 25 mph with gusts to 32 mph produced a light dust storm in the city during the afternoon.

In 1971…wind gusts to 92 mph were recorded in the south hills area of Boulder. At the National Bureau of Standards in Boulder sustained winds of 46 mph with gusts to 83 mph were measured. Damage was minor. Northwest winds gusted to 41 mph at Stapleton International Airport.

In 1983…high winds with gusts to 70 mph in Boulder caused minor damage.

31-1

In 1876…heavy snow began during the night and lasted all day on the 31st and through the morning of the 1st. The average depth of snow fall was 10 to 12 inches…but strong winds whipped the snow into drifts of 8 to 10 feet deep on the streets of the city. Precipitation from the storm was 1.03 inches on the 31st and 0.37 inch on the 1st.

In 1891…heavy moist snowfall totaled 18.0 inches in the city. Northeast winds were sustained to 20 mph with gusts to 24 mph on the 31st.

In 1936…northeast winds sustained to 21 mph produced a light dust storm in the city.

In 1975…a major storm dumped 9.3 inches of snowfall at Stapleton International Airport where northwest winds gusted to 41 mph. Rain changed to snow on the afternoon of the 31st…reducing the visibility to as low as 1/8 mile. Snow continued all day on the 1st and accumulated to a depth of 8 inches on the ground. The minimum temperature of 10 degrees on the 1st set a new record low for the date.

31-2

In 1980…the second major blizzard in 5 days buried much of eastern Colorado under 6 to 12 inches of snow. Some drifts were up to 22 feet high. Hundreds of travelers were stranded. Over 3000 families were without power. Livestock losses were high. Metro Denver escaped the main brunt of this storm. At Stapleton International Airport…only 6.3 inches of snow fell over the 3-day period and north winds gusted to only 22 mph on the 1st.

31-3

In 1979…total snowfall of 6.6 inches was measured at Stapleton International Airport where north winds gusted to 31 mph on the 31st. The greatest accumulation of snow on the ground was 3 inches on the 1st.

31-4

In 1905…much rain and some snow occurred over the 5 days behind an apparent cold front. Precipitation totaled 2.00 inches. There was a thunderstorm on the 3rd. Snowfall totaled 3.0 inches on the 4th. North winds were sustained to 34 mph on the 1st and 2nd and to 30 mph on the 3rd. High temperatures during the period ranged from the upper 30’s to the lower 40’s. Low temperatures were in the upper 20’s and lower 30’s.

Continue reading March 31 to April 6: This Week in Denver Weather History →

Climatology, Thornton Weather

Thornton’s April 2024 weather preview: Winter, spring and summer all in one month

Thornton's April weather previewApril 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!

For good measure throw in a chance for hail and even dust storms and April gives every type of weather condition you could like – or hate.

Forecasts

A warm Wednesday in Thornton with above normal temps, lots of sun

A fine looking early spring day ahead for us. We will enjoy lots of blue above and mercury readings about 10 degrees above normal.

Sunny skies start us off and will be with us until mid-afternoon when just a few clouds arrive. Conditions will be dry and we will see some breezy north winds from late morning into the evening. High temperatures are going to push close to the 70 degree mark.

Tonight, it will be mostly clear initially then clear in the early morning hours tomorrow. Overnight lows will be in the mid-30s.

Forecasts

Tuesday in Thornton dries out, warms up but with some breezy winds

The system that brought us some welcome rain yesterday has moved out and now we can put together a string of warmer, drier days. Today will see temps near normal and plenty of sun but also some wind.

Sunny to mostly sunny skies will be above throughout the day today. Conditions will be dry with some breezy winds into the evening. High temperatures will top out near the 60 degree mark.

Tonight, winds will ease after dark. Skies will be mostly clear with overnight lows in the mid-30s.

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