Climatology, Thornton Weather

Ready for snow and freezing temperatures? They can come at any time now

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Are you ready? As September comes to a close and with fall's arrival cold and snow aren't far behind usually.

Wednesday marked the first day of fall and while the forecast may not call for freezing temperatures or snow, it won’t be long before the Mile High City is faced with those conditions.  We have in fact already passed the earliest dates Denver has seen freezes and snow so they can arrive at any time. 

Denver has in fact seen snow as early as September 3rd and its first seasonal freeze as early as September 8th.  Those are the extremes however.  On average the first snowfall occurs on October 19th and the first freeze on October 7th.

How will we fare this year?  La Niña conditions are strengthening and the outlook is for warmer than normal temperatures for the next few months.  Colorado weather however doesn’t always follow an established pattern. 

Below is a look at Colorado’s cold season statistics as provided by the National Weather Service.  They provide a bit of historical perspective as to what we might expect this year.

  • The statistics below and many more are kept in our Climatology section. Check it out

Autumn First Freeze Information

Earliest Date of First Freeze: September 8, 1962
Latest Date of First Freeze: November 15, 1944
Average Date of First Freeze: October 7th
 
First Freeze Last 11 Years:
October 2, 2009
October 13, 2008
October 8, 2007
September 18, 2006
October 5, 2005
October 14, 2004
September 14, 2003
October 4, 2002
October 5, 2001
September 20, 2000
September 28, 1999
 
October 21st is the average date in which Denver’s normal overnight low temperature hits 32 degrees Fahrenheit for the first time.
 
Autumn First Snow Information
 
Earliest Date of First Snow: September 3, 1961
Latest Date of First Snow: November 21, 1934
Average Date of First Snow: October 19th
 
First Measurable Snow Last 11 Years:
October 21, 2009
November 14, 2008
October 22, 2007
October 18, 2006
October 10, 2005
November 1, 2004
November 5, 2003
October 25, 2002
October 5, 2001
September 23, 2000
September 28, 1999
 
Seasonal Snowfall Amounts

Greatest Seasonal Snowfall: 118.7 inches 1908-09
Least Seasonal Snowfall: 20.8 inches 1888-89
Average Seasonal Snowfall (1971-2000): 61.7 inches
 
Seasonal Snowfall Last 11 Years:
60.6 inches 2009-2010
38.1 inches 2008-2009
46.3 inches 2007-2008
72.6 inches 2006-2007
30.4 inches 2005-2006
39.3 inches 2004-2005
38.0 inches 2003-2004
61.8 inches 2002-2003
30.2 inches 2001-2002
58.3 inches 2000-2001
45.6 inches 1999-2000
 
Denver’s Snowstorm Total Snowfall Statistics
 
Greatest Snowfall From One Storm: 45.7 inches December 1-6, 1913 (recorded between December 4-5th 1913)
 
The Top 13 Denver Snowstorms since 1946:
31.8 inches Mar 18, 2003
30.4 inches Nov 3, 1946
23.8 inches Dec 24, 1982
21.9 inches Oct 25, 1997
21.5 inches Nov 27, 1983
21.2 inches Nov 19, 1991
20.7 inches Dec 20, 2006
18.7 inches Mar 5, 1983
17.7 inches Nov 19, 1979
17.3 inches Apr 1, 1957
16.9 inches Mar 20, 1952
16.0 inches Oct 3, 1969
15.8 inches Apr 26, 1972
Local News

Local sculptor donates extraordinary statue to Thornton Veterans Memorial

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 "Grace" will become a prominent feature of the Thornton Veterans Memorial.We here at ThorntonWeather.com are tremendous supporters of our nation’s veterans and have contributed our time and our financial resources to various veteran-related causes. 

As President Abraham Lincoln said, “Any nation that does not honor its heroes will not long endure.”  To that end we are strong supporters of the Thornton Veterans Memorial and we were very pleased to hear about a contribution to the project made by a local sculptor, Christopher Romero. 

What follows is the press release announcing the donation.  Mr. Romero should be commended for honoring our nation’s veterans in such a truly extraordinary fashion. 

Local Artisan Contributes Statue Dedicated to Veterans
“Grace” to Become Prominent Feature at Thornton Veterans Memorial

THORNTON, Colorado – Sculptor Christopher Romero, well known for his works seen across the Denver metro area, announced he will donate his latest work as a contribution to the Thornton Veterans Memorial project.   

Titled “Grace”, the nearly four-foot tall statue of a winged angel releasing a dove with dog tags is an extraordinarily moving piece of artwork.  Grace’s outstretched arms symbolize the release of those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice in service to this nation.  The dog tags carried aloft by a dove provide a visual and emotional representation of those brave men and women.

In announcing the contribution Mr. Romero said, “This is simply about doing what is right to honor our nation’s veterans.  Grace belongs at this memorial and I am pleased that she will have a home honoring heroes.” 

Romero’s contribution of the sculpture is valued at $12,000 and the Thornton Veterans Memorial Foundation will be funding the casting and molding estimated at $4,500. 

The initial stages of work on “Grace” have been completed and the sculpture is now at the foundry where it will be rendered in bronze, a process estimated to take 90 days.  Once complete the statue will be placed with the other features of the Thornton Veterans Memorial located near 136th Avenue and Holly Street. 

“Grace will be a central feature of the Thornton Veterans Memorial and adds a human element that quite literally brings tears to your eyes,” Tony Hake, chairman of the foundation said.  “On behalf of all veterans we thank Mr. Romero for the generosity he has shown in sharing Grace with the community.”

To learn more about the Foundation and the memorial project and how you can help to honor our nation’s veterans, please visit the Thornton VeteransMemorial website at http://www.thorntonveteransmemorial.org.

More information about Mr. Romero can be found on his website at: http://www.clrmetalart.com/.

Thornton Weather

Another record smashed – Denver breaks 54 year old high temperature record

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For the second day in a row Denver set a high temperature record.
For the second day in a row Denver set a high temperature record.

A sizzling end to summer in the Mile High City!  Following on Sunday’s record setting heat we followed suit again on Monday breaking another high temperature record.

The official high temperature as measured at Denver International Airport reached 94 degrees Monday afternoon at 1:38pm.  This breaks the old high temperature record for the date of 92 degrees set in 1956. 

Here is Thornton we just a slight bit cooler than the official high temperature as ThorntonWeather.com recorded 92.3 degrees as our high temperature. 

The mercury would likely have climbed higher today were it not for some afternoon cloud cover. 

Yesterday Denver reached a high of 96 degrees easily eclipsing the old record for September 19th of 93 set in 1980.  The day also went down in history as the hottest home game temperature in history for the Denver Broncos and the highest temperature ever recorded in Denver this late in the year. 

Tomorrow is the last day of summer but we won’t be breaking any records.  Temperatures will become more seasonal finally as cooler air moves in from the northern plains. 

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Thornton Weather

Denver smashes record high temperature as 96 degrees hits the Mile High City

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Denver recorded a high temperature today of 96 degrees shattering the old record high for the date of 93.
Denver recorded a high temperature today of 96 degrees shattering the old record high for the date of 93.

Denver is closing out summer in sizzling fashion.  With only three days left in summer the Mile High City shattered the record high temperature for the date and may set another one on Monday.

Today at 2:32pm the temperature at Denver International Airport reached a scorching 96 degrees.  This smashes the old record of 93 degrees set 30 years ago in 1980. 

The 96 degree mark today is also the highest temperature ever recorded in Denver this late in the year.  Previously 96 degrees was recorded on September 13, 1990 and in previous years.

Mercifully here in Thornton we weren’t quite as warm.  We recorded a high of 93.6 degrees at 3:20pm.

The temperature today was not a record high for the month of September however.  That mark would be 97 degrees set on the 1st of the month in 1995, the 4th in 1995 and the 5th in 1899. 

More heat is on tap for tomorrow as Denver will approach the 90 degree mark.  The record high for September 20th is  92 degrees set in 1956.

Along with the heat and lack of humidity also comes fire danger.  A Red Flag Warming will go into effect on Monday from noon until 9:00pm.  We have seen how dangerously dry the weather has been with the Fourmile Canyon Fire and the Reservoir Road Fire in the last few weeks.  Please be careful.

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National Weather

New York City tornadoes confirmed – Rare event also brings 125 mph winds

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In a rare occurrence, two tornadoes struck the New York City boroughs of Brooklyn and Queens on Thursday, September 16, 2010.
In a rare occurrence, two tornadoes struck the New York City boroughs of Brooklyn and Queens on Thursday, September 16, 2010. View more images in the slideshow below.

Severe weather struck the Big Apple this past Thursday and brought with it only the sixth and seventh tornadoes to strike New York City since record keeping began in 1950.  Accompanying the storms were straight-line winds packing a 125 mph punch. 

Funnel clouds were spotted in the boroughs of Queens and Brooklyn from the storms that also brought extraordinary winds and driving rain.  The severe thunderstorm toppled trees and power lines and left one woman dead.

The National Weather Service sent a team to look at the damage and determine if the winds were the result of a tornado or straight-line winds.  The answer is that two tornadoes -one an EF0 on the Enhanced Fujita Scale, the other an EF1 – struck Brooklyn and Queens.

In the Park Slope Neighborhood of Brooklyn, the tornado touched down at about 5:33pm and ripped across the cityscape for two miles.  It generated winds of 80mph, an EF0, and had a maximum width of 75 yards. 

Slideshow - Twin tornadoes strike Brooklyn and Queens, New York.The second twister struck the Flushing / Bayside area in Queens and was stronger and longer lived.  That tornado packed winds of 100mph making it an EF1.  It reached a maximum width of 100 yards and was on the ground for four miles.  One fatality is attributed to the twister as Iline Leuakis of Pennsylvania was killed when a tree fell and crushed her car. 

Also notable were significant straight-line winds caused by a macroburst.  In the Middle Village and Forest Hills areas in Queens, winds reaching 125 mph with a path five miles wide and eight miles long contributed to the damage. 

The two tornadoes mark only the sixth and seventh tornadoes to strike in the five counties that make up New York City since 1950 – Bronx, Kings, New York, Queens, Richmond.  The strongest occurred on August 8, 2007 and was an EF2 that caused nine injuries.

New York City’s Tornadoes – Since 1950

  • 1985-10-05, Queens County, EF1
  • 1990-08-10, Richmond County, EF0
  • 1995-10-28, Richmond County, EF1
  • 2003-10-27, Richmond County, EF0
  • 2007-08-08, Richmond & Kings Counties, EF2
  • 2010-09-16, Kings County, EF0
  • 2010-09-16, Queens County, EF1

Data courtesy the Tornado History Project

Colorado Weather

The story of the Fourmile Canyon and Reservoir Road fires in pictures

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The Fourmile Canyon Fire is seen crowning on the tops of trees soon after it started. (U.S. Forest Service)
The Fourmile Canyon Fire is seen crowning on the tops of trees soon after it started. Check out more amazing photos from the fires below. (U.S. Forest Service)

It seems like it had been a while since Colorado suffered a major wildfire and summer had indeed passed quietly in those terms – until Labor Day. 

Spurred on by strong winds and fed by tinder dry fuels the Fourmile Canyon Fire in Boulder County soon exploded and served as a reminder that the fire danger was still with us.  Photos taken during that blaze and the Reservoir Road Fire tell a story of the battle of man against nature.

Wildfires can quickly grow from a small event to one that covers thousands of acres destroying property and sometimes claiming lives in the process. Colorado dodged a bullet with the Fourmile Canyon Fire and the Reservoir Road Fire as no lives were lost and there were very few injuries. 

Many residents in the burn areas however suffered other losses — that of their home and virtually every belonging they owned. The events torched over 6,500 acres combined and the Fourmile Canyon Fire became the most destructive in state history in terms of homes destroyed, as 166 houses were lost.

Slideshow - Best images from the Fourmile Canyon and Reservoir Road fires.Photos taken from the outset of the first fire were impressive. Some were taken from right next to the fire as residents worked to save their homes; others were captured from 22,300 miles in space by NOAA satellites showing smoke traveling across three states.

The images in the slideshow to the left represent the best images captured by Examiner.com readers, the U.S. Forest Service and professional photographers. They tell a compelling story of the fight between man and fire and the battle to save lives and property. 

National Weather

Record-setting hail falls near Wichita, Kansas

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A monstrous hailstone measuring 7.75 inches in diameter fell near Wichita on September 15, 2010, setting a new record for Kansas.
A monstrous hailstone measuring 7.75 inches in diameter fell near Wichita on September 15, 2010, setting a new record for Kansas. (National Weather Service / Melissa McCarter)

Severe weather rolled through south-central and southeastern Kansas on the evening of Wednesday, September 15, 2010 and dropped tornadoes and potentially record-setting hail.  The supercell thunderstorms developed in the late afternoon and caused significant damage in the Wichita area.

  • Watch video of the hail pounding Wichita below

In Sedgwick and Cowley counties one supercell generated monstrous hail on the western side of Wichita.  The largest stone, right, was measured at 7.75 inches and fell at about 6:00pm in West Wichita.  According to the National Weather Service the chunk of ice weighted 1.1 pounds and was 15.5 inches in circumference. 

It has been preliminarily confirmed that the diameter of the hailstone from Wednesday easily eclipsed the state’s previous record setter of 5.7 inches in diameter – a hailstone that fell on September 3, 1970 near Coffeyville.  It does fall short of the all-time largest hailstone which fell on July 23rdof this year and measured 8.0 inches in diameter.

Hail from golf ball to softball sized swept across a large area breaking windows in homes and smashing vehicles. At Mid-Continent Airport the hail broke through skylights and damaged the facilities airport.  Several planes sustained damage as well. 

Video - Monstrous hail falls in Wichita, Kansas on Wednesday, September 15, 2010.Strong, straight-line winds up to 80 mph were recorded in Cowley, Wilson, Labette and Cherryvale counties.  Downed power lines resulted in 10,000 people being without power at one point.

Five tornadoes were reported south, southeast and east of Wichita.  The twisters were on the ground for short periods of time and did not appear to directly cause any damage.  All have been rated EF0 with winds from 65 mph to 85 mph by the National Weather Service.

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Weather History

September 19 to September 25 – This week in Denver weather history

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September 19 to September 25 - This week in Denver weather history
September 19 to September 25 - This week in Denver weather history

This time of year many folks would consider “snow” a bad four-letter word but living in the Mile High City we can’t rule it out even with it technically still being summer.  In fact, it was only 15 short years ago that we received a significant snowstorm that brought up to 8 inches of snow in the metro area and caused millions of dollars in damage. 

From the National Weather Service:

15-19

In 1906…rain on 5 consecutive days totaled 1.61 inches. A thunderstorm occurred on the 17th.  High temperatures ranged from 48 degrees on the 16th to 65 degrees on the 15th.  Low temperatures were in the lower to mid 40’s.

16-19

In 1971…a record breaking early fall snow storm caused extensive damage to trees and utility lines.  The heavy wet snow occurred with little wind…but caused record breaking cold temperatures for so early in the season.  Snowfall totaled 15.6 inches at Stapleton International Airport with most of the snowfall…12.0 inches…occurring on the 17th.  This was the heaviest first snow of the season. The maximum snow depth on the ground was 13 inches. Record low temperatures were set on three consecutive days: 31 degrees on the 17th…23 degrees on the 18th…and 20 degrees on the 19th…which was also a new all-time record minimum for the month at that time.  Record low maximum temperatures were set on 4 consecutive days:  48 degrees on the 16th…35 degrees on the 17th…40 degrees on the 18th… And 42 degrees on the 19th.

18-19

In 1955…heavy rains caused flash flooding across portions of metro Denver.  Rainfall totaled 1.71 inches at Stapleton Airport.

19

In 1955…hail stones to 2 1/2 inches in diameter were reported north of Denver.  The large stones broke many automobile windshields.
 
In 1963…hail to 3/4 inch in diameter fell in Westminster.
 
In 1983…an unusually strong cold front roared through metro Denver during the afternoon hours.  At Stapleton International Airport…the temperature dropped 51 degrees… From a sunny 86 degrees to a snowy 35 degrees…in just 7 hours.  Strong winds and a wall of blowing dust followed the front.  Northeast winds gusting to 36 mph briefly reduced the surface visibility to 1 mile in blowing dust at Stapleton International Airport where only a trace of snow fell later.
 
In 1996…high winds gusting to 84 mph were measured at Golden Gate Canyon in the foothills west of Denver. West winds gusted to only 25 mph at Denver International Airport.

Continue reading September 19 to September 25 – This week in Denver weather history →

Natural Disasters

Space station astronaut captures images of Hurricane Igor and Hurricane Julia

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Hurricane Igor is scene in this view from the International Space Station. See more images in the slideshow below.
Hurricane Igor is scene in this view from the International Space Station. See more images in the slideshow below.

A truly rare event is occurring in the Atlantic Ocean where for the first time in 84 years two Category 4 hurricanes are churning at the same time. Yesterday astronaut Douglas Wheelcock snapped stunning images of Hurricane Igor and Hurricane Julia from his perch 220 miles above the Earth aboard the International Space Station.

  • View the pictures in the slideshow below

Anthony Watts of the popular website Watts Up With That? determined that only three times in the past have two major hurricanes (defined as Category 3 or higher) occurred at the same time.

Given that Igor and Julia are now both Category 4 storms with 135 mph winds, two storms of that strength occurring simultaneously has only happened once – on September 26, 1926.

Of greatest immediate concern is Hurricane Igor. The storm is currently 540 miles east-northeast of St. Martin and appears to be headed for a direct strike on Bermuda sometime Sunday night.

Hurricane Julia is much farther east, approximately 500 miles west of the Cape Verde islands. Julia’s forecast path has her turning to the north and, hopefully, not presenting a danger to land.

The Expedition 24 crew on board the International Space Station includes West Point graduate and Army colonel Douglas Wheelcock. During his time on board the ISS, Wheelcock has captured some astounding images and posted them to Twitter, including photos of Hurricane Earl two weeks ago.

The new images posted today were snapped over the past 24 hours as the ISS passed over the storms. The image of Hurricane Igor is arguably the most impressive as it provides a clear view vertically down into and through the eye of the storm.

The slideshow below from the Natural Disasters Examiner contains the images taken by Colonel Wheelcock as well as images of previous hurricanes taken by International Space Station and Space Shuttle crews and NASA satellites.

Hurricanes from space - Nature's fury seen from on high

Weather History

September 12 to September 18 – This week in Denver weather history

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•September 12 to September 18 - This week in Denver weather history
•September 12 to September 18 - This week in Denver weather history

Normally one doesn’t associate tornadoes with September weather in Denver but they can and do happen as we see in our look back in Denver weather history for the week.  We have a couple of occasions of twisters and of a funnel cloud.  Other severe weather like hail, damaging wind and flooding rains have also occurred.   Oh, and should we mention the dreaded “S” word – snow?

11-12

In 1974…post-frontal rain changed to snow overnight for the first snow of the season.  Snowfall totaled only 1.8 inches at Stapleton International Airport where north winds gusted to 40 mph on the 11th.  High temperature of only 46 degrees on the 12th set a new record low maximum for the date.

12 

In 1887…west winds to 42 mph were recorded in the city.
 
In 1952…a thunderstorm outflow produced strong southeast winds gusting to 52 mph.  Surface visibility at Stapleton Airport was briefly reduced to 2 miles in blowing dust.
 
In 1963…a nearly stationary…white tornado near Bennett was sighted from Denver.  No damage was reported.
 
In 1989…an early snowfall and the first of the season brought 2 to 3 inches of slush to metro Denver.  More snow whitened the foothills west of Denver where 6 inches were measured at Evergreen.  The snow fell on leaf laden trees… And sagging branches onto power lines caused outages.  Much of Denver’s snow fell during the evening rush hour…creating traffic chaos.  Snowfall totaled 2.3 inches at Stapleton International Airport where the maximum snow depth on the ground was only 1 inch due to melting.
 
In 1994…thunderstorm microburst winds gusted to 67 mph in Boulder.  No damage was reported.
 
In 2002…a severe thunderstorm produced hail as large as 1 inch in diameter near Castle Rock.

Continue reading September 12 to September 18 – This week in Denver weather history →

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