July 22 to July 28: This week in Denver weather history

July 24, 2018 Thornton Weather Leave a comment

As we near the end of July the weather in Denver tends to be a bit more stable. That doesn’t mean the severe weather threat disappears as can be seen at our look back at this week in Denver weather history. Particularly notable are lightning injuries and deaths, flash flood events and even tornadoes.

From the National Weather Service:

7-25

In 1934…a streak of 15 consecutive days of 90 degrees ranked 5th on the list of hot streaks. The record of 24 consecutive days was established in the summer of 2008.

13-5

In 2008…a streak of 24 consecutive days of 90 degrees shattered the previous record of 18 consecutive days established in 1901 and 1874. Ironically…no new single day record high temperatures were set in the month of July. In August however…a record of 104 degrees was set on the 1st…and another record of 103 degrees was set on the 2nd. In addition…a record low min of 70 degrees was set on August 2nd.

18-2

In 1987…a streak of 16 consecutive days of 90 degrees ranked 4th on the list of hot streaks. The record of 24 consecutive days was established in the summer of 2008.

19-23

In 2005…the high temperature climbed above 100 degrees on each of the 5 days with readings of 101 on the 19th…105 on the 20th…104 on the 21st…and 102 on both the 22nd and 23rd. A new record maximum temperature for the month of July of 105 degrees was set on the 20th…which also equaled the all time record maximum for Denver of 105 degrees first set on August 8th in 1878. Daily maximum temperature records were set on each day…and the 5 day period equaled the record for the most consecutive days of 100 degrees or more first set from July 4th through 8th in 1989. The intense heat resulted in a high use of electricity for cooling purposes. The demand for electric power exceeded the supply and rolling black-outs… Each lasting about an hour…were scheduled across metro Denver during the afternoons and early evenings.

20-23

In 1961…unusually cool weather for July resulted in several temperature records. Record minimum temperatures were set or equaled on each day with readings of 51…51…49… And 49 degrees. High temperature of only 64 degrees on the 21st was a record low maximum for the date.

20-25

In 1965…heavy showers and thunderstorms doused metro Denver with significant rain each day. Rainfall for the six days totaled 5.16 inches at Stapleton International Airport. Massive rainfall occurred on the 20th…21st…and 25th… Flooding streets and basements and causing streams to overflow. The heaviest rainfall…2.05 inches…at Stapleton International Airport occurred on the 25th.

In 1874…a severe thunderstorm during the late afternoon produced 1.36 inches of rainfall in an hour…most of which fell in 20 minutes. There was much damage from flooding of streets and considerable damage to private property. The lightning was brilliant and continuous during the storm. Seven buildings were struck by lightning in the city…in addition to many places where it struck only the ground. A magnificent example of ball lightning was observed. When about 200 feet above the house tops…the ball exploded and broke into 7 or 8 different balls…each about 6 inches in diameter. Upon reaching about 20 feet above the ground…these balls broke into small fragments about 3 inches long and 1/2 inch wide. A shed situated in an alley about one block away was literally covered with these sparks. After the storm was over…the shed and adjacent area showed no trace of the event. Not the slightest mark could be detected on structures or on the ground.

In 1879…a terrific electrical storm passed over the city during the afternoon. The lightning display was unusually vivid and the crash of thunder seemed at the very house tops. A few homes and buildings were struck by lightning. A home on Capitol Hill sustained much damage to furniture… But the residents in another wing of the house were not injured. Lightning struck a fence at the corner of Curtis and Broadway. A lightning bolt stunned a workman and knocked a mason’s trough from his hand. A school was struck but was not damaged. Lightning struck the ground near tenth and Colfax. Rain fell in torrents for a time…but the heaviest was on the outskirts of the city. Rainfall in the city was only 0.30 inch.

In 1882…lightning struck and killed a man in the northern part of the city.

In 1895…heavy rainfall of 1.53 inches was measured in downtown Denver.

In 1931…the high temperature reached 100 degrees in downtown Denver.

In 1965…lightning struck and killed a boy standing by an automobile near Stapleton International Airport. Scattered heavy showers accompanied by hail and wind occurred across metro Denver. Heavy rain caused some street damage in Commerce City.

In 1973…minor thunderstorm wind damage was reported in Aurora.

In 1983…heavy thunderstorms dumped torrential rain and large hail across metro Denver. The most serious problems were caused by heavy rainfall in the foothills…which produced flooding on bear creek. Runoff from 3 inches of rain in 45 minutes at Kittredge caused bear creek to rise 5 feet in 10 minutes at Morrison…washing out two bridges. One bridge collapsed…plunging a fire truck into the water…but the occupants were not injured. The town was evacuated for 2 hours. Evergreen was drenched with 2.61 inches of rain in 30 minutes…which caused street flooding along with power outages. Hail to golf ball size damaged cars. A deck on a house east of Evergreen was washed away. At Idaho Springs… 2 inches of rain fell in 45 minutes. Golden received 3 inches of rain in an hour with 0.80 inch of rain in seven minutes at Littleton. Heavy rain and large hail also fell in the city of Denver and its northern and eastern suburbs… Causing street flooding. Water was 6 feet deep on one Aurora street.

In 1991…heavy rains caused extensive flooding across north metro Denver. Ralston creek in Arvada flowed out of its banks. At the intersection of I-25 and I-70…up to 8 feet of water covered the highway. A foot of water covered a stretch of I-70 in northwest Denver. Thunderstorm rainfall totaled only 0.82 inch at Stapleton International Airport.

In 1998…lightning sparked a fire which caused extensive damage to a home in Englewood. Most of the second floor was destroyed.

In 2004…severe thunderstorms produced hail to 1.25 inches in diameter in Commerce City and near Brighton.

22-23

In 1991…heavy rains over the palmer divide and along the Front Range caused the South Platte River to flood from near Henderson to Fort Lupton. The river was out of its banks at several locations with water covering the roads through the night. Only minor damage was reported.

Continue reading July 22 to July 28: This week in Denver weather history →

Thornton Weather

Monday’s rain brings big bump in monthly and annual precipitation numbers

July 24, 2018 ThorntonWeather.com - Facebook Leave a comment

With 1.80 inches having fallen in the bucket yesterday afternoon and evening, Thornton saw a big boost in our rainfall totals for July and the entire year.

In fact, the 1.80 inches from that one storm was more precipitation than we had seen in any single month yet this year.

It did push the month’s rainfall total to above the 11 year average for July however, for 2018 we are still lagging almost 2 inches below what we would normally see by the end of July.

There are still seven days left in the month and monsoonal flow does look to be present in the coming days so we certainly could see things improve further.

You can check out this chart and other monthly summary reports for other weather data here.

Thornton, Colorado monthly rainfall summary for 2018 as of July 24. (ThorntonWeather.com)

Weather History

July 15 to July 21: This week in Denver weather history

July 18, 2018 Thornton Weather Leave a comment

Denver’s weather is rarely boring and our look back at this week in Denver weather history shows that. There have certainly been many notable thunderstorms with hail and damaging wind. However the most interesting item is the first – and only – recorded instance of snow during the month of July in the Mile High City.

From the National Weather Service:

7-25

In 1934…a streak of 15 consecutive days of 90 degrees ranked 5th on the list of hot streaks. The record of 24 consecutive days was established in the summer of 2008.
13-5

14-15

In 1985…thunderstorms dumped heavy rain and hail at numerous locations along the Front Range from Denver north. Some of the heaviest rain fell in northern and western suburbs of Denver. Up to 2.6 inches of rain drenched Arvada…and Thornton was soaked with 2 inches in 45 minutes. At least 5 homes in Arvada suffered extensive damage from water and mud…and many streets and basements were flooded. In southern Jefferson County…11 homes were struck by lightning.

In 1879…a terrific hail storm occurred in the vicinity of Buffalo Station on the south park railroad in the South Platte River canyon about 39 miles south of Denver. Stones as large as hen’s eggs fell thick and fast and broke nearly every pane of glass in the windows of the building. A “waterspout” or cloudburst caused much loss of property from flash flooding on a nearby gulch. The torrent of water caused a deafening roar as it uprooted trees and carried huge Boulders and other debris. It struck the house and sawmill simultaneously and carried them away like straws…leaving little behind. The water continued to rush down the gulch for several hours. Serious damage was done to the south park railroad. The track and roadbed were destroyed for several miles. At about the same time…heavy rains in the vicinity of the headwaters of Cherry Creek produced a rapid rise in the creek…which drowned a few head of cattle and washed away two footbridges and some fences. Only 0.10 inch of rainfall was recorded in Denver.

In 1896…a thunderstorm produced sustained southwest winds to 40 mph with gusts to 46 mph.

In 1902…the temperature reached a high of 100 degrees in downtown Denver…which was a record maximum for the date.

In 1929…a thunderstorm did considerable damage to property in the eastern portion of the city. Heavy hail ranging in size from 1/4 to 3/4 inch in diameter…severe lightning… And high winds accompanied the heavy rain. Basements were flooded…and streets were impassable in places for several hours due to the heavy rainfall. Lightning damaged several telephone poles. Hail did extensive damage to gardens and flowers. The hail was up to a foot deep in places. There was no estimate of damage from the storm. A thunderstorm produced only a trace of rain and east winds to 24 mph in downtown Denver.

In 1959…thunderstorm rain totaled 0.41 inch in 8 minutes and winds gusted to an estimated 50 mph near downtown Aurora where half inch diameter hail was also reported. After the storm moved to the east…complete double rainbows were observed from the weather bureau office at Stapleton Airport.

In 1962…hail pelted the area in Adams County around Henderson and Brighton…causing extensive damage to corn…grain…beets…and row crops. Crop damage was estimated at 250 thousand dollars.

In 1963…a man received severe burns when struck by lightning while painting a building in south Denver.

In 1965…a state patrolman sighted a tornado near Bennett. It touched down over open ground…but caused no damage.

In 1967…heavy rains flooded streets and underpasses in south Denver. Heavy rain and minor wind damage were reported in wheat ridge…Aurora…Englewood…and Littleton. Basements were flooded and power disrupted. The clouds and rain resulted in a high temperature of only 72 degrees…which was a record low maximum for the date.

In 1974…a severe lightning storm damaged several homes and caused a number of power outages in both Denver and western Arapahoe counties.

In 1975…lightning killed a girl west of Boulder.

In 1982…winds gusted to 60 mph at Stapleton International Airport…and strong winds blew down walls at a construction site in Aurora where a nearby tree was uprooted.

In 1985…0.79 inch of rain fell in 30 minutes at Castle Rock. Much of the town lost power when lightning struck the town’s transformer.

In 1992…a man was struck by lightning while horseback riding near Castle Rock. Two people were struck by lightning near Highlands Ranch in south metro Denver. A man was struck by lightning while riding in the back of a pick-up truck in Franktown. All received minor injuries. Strong thunderstorms moved through east metro Denver…producing large hail and flash flooding. Hail up to 1 1/4 inches in diameter fell near Buckley Air National Guard base. Rainfall of 1 to 3 inches fell in Aurora in less than an hour…leaving water up to 18 inches deep in some areas. Thunderstorm rainfall was measured at 0.97 inch at Stapleton International Airport…where 3/8th inch diameter hail fell and south winds gusted to 44 mph.

In 1993…dime size hail fell in Golden. National weather service observers at Stapleton International Airport sighted a small rope-like funnel overhead for about 3 minutes before it dissipated.

In 1994…a small…short-lived tornado caused damage to a house under construction in Parker.

In 1995…thunderstorm winds of unknown strength downed trees and branches…damaging a porch and nearby cars in Denver.

In 1998…hail to 7/8 inch in diameter fell near Keenesburg.

In 2000…this date marked the end of a near record hot streak for metro Denver. The high temperature at Denver International Airport equaled or exceeded the 90-degree mark for 17 consecutive days…from June 29th. This was one day short of equaling the all time record. The record of 18 consecutive days was set in two different years…July 1st-18th…1874 and July 6th-23rd…1901.

In 2005…severe thunderstorms produced large hail over southeast metro Denver. Hail as large as 1.75 inches in diameter fell in southwest Aurora along with 7/8 inch hail in centennial. Hail to 3/4 inch in diameter was measured near centennial airport and near Watkins.

In 2015…A severe thunderstorm produced a peak wind gust to 60 mph from the northwest at Denver International Airport. In addition…0.06 inches of rainfall was also observed.

In 2016…large hail ranging in size from 1 to 2 inches in diameter struck Aurora…Castle Rock…Centennial…Greenwood Village and southeast Denver. The hail shattered

15-16

In 2006…a brief mid July hot spell resulted in two 100 plus degree high temperatures and two daily maximum temperature records. The high temperature climbed to 101 degrees on the 15th and 103 degrees on the 16th at Denver International Airport.

In 1911…thunderstorm winds were sustained to 44 mph from the northwest.

In 1959…a thunderstorm produced 3/8 inch diameter hail and a wind gust to 60 mph at Stapleton Airport.

In 1972…two tornadoes were sighted by the public to the southeast of Aurora. No damage was reported.

In 1978…a thunderstorm wind gust to 52 mph was recorded at Stapleton International Airport.

In 1980…a severe thunderstorm ripped through metro Denver… Producing torrential rain…large hail…and strong winds.

In Aurora…winds gusted to 65 mph with hail up to 1 1/2 inches in diameter and half an inch of rain in just 10 minutes. Stapleton International Airport was closed for an hour. Large hail also fell in southeast Denver…Lakewood…Parker… And Castle Rock. Up to 1 1/2 inches of rain fell in just 40 minutes. Heavy rains in wheat ridge flooded a shopping center…breaking windows and doors…while causing 100 thousand dollars in damage. Some roofs and windows were damaged throughout metro Denver. At Stapleton International Airport where west winds gusted to 49 mph…1/4 inch hail and 0.77 inch of rain fell.

In 1983…severe thunderstorms dumped large hail over much of metro Denver. Hail to 3/4 inch in diameter fell in Littleton and Northglenn…with 3/4 to 1 inch hail in Arvada…1 to 1 1/2 inch hail in extreme northwest Denver…1 3/4 inch hail in Lakewood…1 1/2 inch hail in south Arvada and just northeast of Aurora…and 1 5/8 inch hail on green mountain.

In 1994…spotters reported a brief tornado touchdown in an open field just north of Fort Lupton. No damage or injuries were reported.

In 2000…very moist and unstable weather conditions…along with low level upslope flow during the late afternoon and evening…combined to produce heavy thunderstorm rainfall… Which caused urban and small stream flooding across metro Denver. Rainfall amounts generally ranged from 1 to 3 inches with the heaviest rainfall occurring during the evening hours. Two miles east of white ranch in northern Jefferson County… An automated rain gage measured 3.86 inches of rain. Since the rain fell in a relatively open area…no flood damage was reported. However…in greenwood village near the intersection of Peoria and Belleview…the streets were closed for several hours with as much as 2 feet of standing water covering the roadways. Two campers near Mt. Evans were injured by lightning and stranded overnight by the inclement weather. Both received minor injuries.

In 2003…the high temperature of 101 degrees was a record maximum temperature for the date.

In 2004…locally heavy rainfall of unknown amount caused parts of the Virginia Canyon road near Idaho Springs to wash out. The road had to be closed temporarily.

In 2005…the temperature climbed to a high of 102 degrees at Denver International Airport. This was a new record maximum temperature for the date at the time.

Continue reading July 15 to July 21: This week in Denver weather history →

Weather History

July 8 to July 14: This week in Denver weather history

July 11, 2018 Thornton Weather Leave a comment

In looking back at this week in Denver weather history, one cannot be struck by the hail storms listed, if not for sheer number then by the damage they caused. The biggest of these storms occurred in 1990 and stands in the books as the most damaging hailstorm in United States history.

From the National Weather Service:

29-15

In 2000…the 29th marked the beginning of a near record hot streak for metro Denver. The high temperatures…as recorded at Denver International Airport…exceeded the 90 degree mark for 17 consecutive days from June 29th through July 15th. The record of 24 consecutive 90 degree or above days was set from July 13th through August 5th…2008.

29-15

1-18

In 1874…a streak of 18 consecutive days of 90 degrees tied for second with another streak that was later set in the summer of 1901. The record of 24 consecutive days was established in the summer of 2008.

4-8

In 1989…one of the most intense heat waves on record roasted metro Denver. The temperature reached 100 degrees or more on 5 consecutive days. The city had previously never recorded more than 2 straight 100-degree days since records began in 1872. Water and electricity usage reached all time highs. The heat wave created extremely dry weather conditions…which contributed to a major forest fire in Boulder canyon on July 9th. The temperature reached 103 degrees on the 8th…and the mercury climbed to 101 degrees on both the 4th and 5th…and to 102 degrees on both the 6th and 7th. The low temperature of 68 degrees on the 8th equaled the record high minimum for the date.

6-23

In 1901…a streak of 18 consecutive days of 90 degrees tied for second with another streak set in the summer of 1874. The record of 24 consecutive days was established in the summer of 2008.
7-25

In 1934…a streak of 15 consecutive days of 90 degrees ranked 5th on the list of hot streaks. The record of 24 consecutive days was established in the summer of 2008.

In 1905…a thunderstorm produced 0.82 inch of rainfall and northeast winds sustained to 48 mph.

In 1977…strong winds turned over 2 light aircraft at Arapahoe County Airport…now centennial airport.

In 1987…a weak tornado was observed near Bennett.

In 1988…three separate tornadoes were sighted near Bennett. No damage was reported. One inch diameter hail was also reported.

In 1991…lightning started three house fires in Castle Rock. Damage totaled 13 thousand dollars. No injuries were reported.

In 1993…a dry thunderstorm microburst wind gust to 55 mph briefly reduced the surface visibility to 3 miles at Stapleton International Airport.

In 1997…one construction worker was killed and two others injured when a strong thunderstorm wind gust caused the scaffolding they were standing on to collapse near Parker. A dry microburst produced a wind gust to 54 mph at Denver International Airport.

In 1998…heavy thunderstorm rain forced the closure of Hampden Avenue between I-25 and Havana Street in southeast Denver. The high water made 2 or 3 lanes of the street impassable.

In 2001…severe thunderstorms produced large hail…damaging winds…and heavy rain across south metro Denver. Two people received minor injuries when a severe thunderstorm wind gust to 58 mph blew over several tents at the Cherry Creek Arts Festival. The same storm caused the roof of a hardware store in Tamarac Square to collapse. One employee received minor injuries when she was struck in the head by falling debris. The combination of intense rain and wind downed trees and power lines. Electrical power outages affected 35 thousand homes and businesses. At least 50 trees in city parks across south Denver were damaged. Up to 4.50 inches of thunderstorm rain fell across portions of southeast metro Denver. The underpass at I-25 and Parker road was inundated with 5 feet of water. Several other streets and underpasses in Aurora were also closed due to high water. Heavy rain caused extensive damage to several exhibits at the Cherry Creek Arts Festival. Flash flooding occurred when heavy thunderstorm rainfall caused toll gate creek to jump its banks. Several underpasses across south Denver had to be closed due to high water. A man received minor injuries when lightning struck a nearby tree at the Wellshire Golf Course. Hail as large as 1 1/4 inches in diameter fell in Englewood with 1 inch hail in the city of Denver…and 3/4 inch hail in Littleton. Thunderstorm winds gusted to 63 mph at Denver International Airport and to 62 mph in Englewood.

In 2005…a tornado touched down briefly near Brighton…but caused no damage.

In 2011…severe thunderstorms produced hail…up to 1 inch in diameter…and wind gusts to 60 mph across parts of Adams…Broomfield and Denver counties. At Denver International Airport…a peak wind gust to 59 mph from the west.

In 2017…a strong thunderstorm produced hail up to 7/8 inch in diameter in southwest Denver.

In 1872…a very brisk wind between 2:00 pm and 3:00 pm spread a cloud of dust and sand into the city.

In 1874…northeast winds at sustained speeds up to 36 mph blew immense clouds of dust from the prairie through the streets of the city around mid-morning. The houses across the street from the weather station were not visible at the peak of the storm.

In 1875…heavy thunderstorm rains caused stream flooding… Which damaged nearly all railroads into the city. Rainfall in the city was only 0.14 inch.

In 1953…heavy thunderstorm rains caused an estimated 2 million dollars damage from flooded stores and basements across metro Denver. The flood waters reached a depth of 3 feet on streets in some sections of the city…damaging streets and automobiles. The heavy rainfall at Lowry Air Force Base totaled 3.90 inches. At Stapleton Airport where the heavy rain briefly reduced the surface visibility to 1/2 mile…only 1.05 inches of rain were measured. North winds gusting to 52 mph caused some damage in east Denver.

In 1982…two small tornadoes were spotted east of Rocky Flats… And a tornado touched down briefly 5 miles east of Brighton. No damage was reported.

In 1984…heavy rain fell over southern sections of metro Denver. Rainfall totaled 1.50 inches in just 15 minutes between Littleton and Sedalia.

In 1987…a thunderstorm microburst produced a wind gust of 58 mph at Erie north of Denver.

In 1988…hail to 3/4 inch in diameter piled up 2 to 4 inches deep in Idaho Springs. Some basements were flooded and several thousand gallons of fuel were contaminated when water flooded a gasoline storage tank. A tornado sighted near Manilla 5 miles west of Bennett remained on the ground for 9 minutes. No damage was reported.

In 1990…a severe thunderstorm produced a tornado and heavy rain over northeast metro Denver. As much as 4 inches of rain fell in just 20 minutes in Commerce City…causing the South Platte River to rise quickly and flood lowland areas. The raging flood waters caused extensive damage to a 30-foot stretch of railroad track embankment…destroyed a railroad trestle and a nearby garage…and washed away a vintage 1960’s show car near east 58th avenue and York Street. The car was found a couple of miles downstream in a pool of deep mud and murky water. Rainfall totaled 1.34 inches at Stapleton International Airport where 1/2 inch diameter hail fell. The same thunderstorm produced a brief tornado in a vacant field near 64th avenue and tower road just east of the rocky mountain arsenal. No damage was reported from the twister. Lightning from the storm caused power outages to as many as 7 thousand homes and businesses.

In 1996…a tornado (f0) was reported 5 miles south of Hudson. No damage was reported. Twin weak tornadoes (f0) formed for a short time near the northeast runways at Denver International Airport. Less than 15 minutes later…a weak tornado (f0) touched down in the employee parking lot at dia. Several car windows were blown out…and a few vehicles sustained minor body damage from flying debris. Several signs were also blown down. Later…twin weak tornadoes (f0) touched down again in open country between DIA and Watkins.

In 2004…severe thunderstorms produced hail to 3/4 inch in diameter near tiny town and wind gusts to 66 mph in Bennett. A thunderstorm wind gust to 56 mph was measured at Denver International Airport.

In 2005…a thunderstorm produced a wind gust to 54 mph at Denver International Airport.

9-10

In 1980…a series of severe thunderstorms hit metro Denver… Dumping heavy rain and producing a spectacular lightning display lasting for several hours. A number of homes were damaged by lightning. Winds gusted to 60 mph at Stapleton International Airport where about half an inch of rain fell in just 10 minutes along with 1/4 inch diameter hail. The evening thunderstorms continued into the early morning hours with total rainfall of 1.35 inches at Stapleton International Airport.

In 1998…thunderstorm rainfall totaled 2.04 inches at the site of the former Stapleton International Airport.

In 1878…a lunar rainbow was observed during a light mist and fog.

In 1895…the temperature warmed to a high of only 53 degrees… The all-time record lowest maximum temperature for the month of July.

In 1967…golf ball size hail damaged aircraft at Jefferson County Airport near Broomfield.

In 1983…two people were injured when struck by lightning just southwest of Morrison. A man was injured when he was swept downstream by a flash flood on a tributary of Clear Creek in the canyon 8 miles west of Golden. Heavy thunderstorm rains caused mudslides which closed several roads. Rainfall amounts included: 1.75 inches in 20 minutes in southeast Denver…1.26 inches in 35 minutes in Boulder…2.14 inches in 2 hours in Lakewood…1.70 inches in 45 minutes in Aurora…and 1.25 inches in 30 minutes atop Floyd Hill in the foothills west of Denver.

In 1992…storm spotters reported 3/4 inch diameter hail near the construction site of the new Denver airport just northeast of the city.

In 1995…microburst winds toppled a pine tree 60 feet high and 2 feet in diameter in Denver. The tree fell and injured a man nearby. Microburst winds to 59 mph broke the glass on a door at the national weather service forecast office at the site of the former Stapleton International Airport.

In 1998…thunderstorm rainfall totaled 2.35 inches at Denver International Airport.

In 2000…three children were injured…one critically…when lightning hit a nearby tree at panorama point atop flagstaff mountain just west of Boulder. Lightning hit the tree…entered the ground…then struck the children. Lightning sparked a grassfire that burned about 50 acres at the Rocky Flats Environmental Test Facility. Also… Lightning sparked at least 6 fires in the Hudson and Keenesburg areas as thunderstorms…accompanied with heavy rain…large hail…and tornadoes…moved through southern Weld County. Over 2 inches of very heavy rain caused flooding along an I-76 exit ramp near Keenesburg. The fire department rescued 15 stranded motorists as high water inundated sections of the exit ramp and adjacent highway. Basements were also flooded in Keenesburg. One home reportedly had 7 feet of standing water in the basement before the rain subsided. A weak tornado (f0) touched down briefly near Brighton…but caused no damage.

In 2001…a severe thunderstorm dumped 7/8 inch diameter hail in Wheat Ridge.

In 2002…severe thunderstorms pelted the southern suburbs of metro Denver with large hail. Hail as large as 3 inches in diameter fell 6 miles southeast of Parker. Other large hail reports included 2 inch diameter hail around centennial airport and 3/4 inch hail near Sedalia and Deckers. Hail as large as 3/4 inch was also reported in Broomfield. Runoff from heavy thunderstorm rainfall in the Hayman fire burn area flooded lost creek ranch with up to 18 inches of water just off State Highway 126. Floodwaters damaged a very expensive rug in the lodge. A driveway to a residence was washed away.

In Douglas County…runoff damaged forest access roads in the turkey creek drainage.

In 2011…a severe thunderstorm produced intense microburst winds in southeast Boulder County. A peak wind gust to 75 mph was recorded in superior with gust to 58 mph…2 miles south of Lafayette. At Denver International Airport…a peak wind gust of 31 mph was recorded.

Continue reading July 8 to July 14: This week in Denver weather history →

Thornton Weather

June 2018 weather recap: Another warm, dry month

July 4, 2018 Thornton Weather Leave a comment

The running theme so far for 2018 seems to be warmer than normal temperatures and drier that average conditions. That trend continued in June for Thornton.

Like May, June was somewhat a tale of two halves. The first half of the month was marked by very dry conditions with no precipitation until the 16th of the month. Similarly, overall temperatures trended well above normal during the first half of June.

June 2018 top shots: Monthly photo slideshow

While the warm and dry conditions were notable, the most memorable weather event came on the evening of the 18th when large hail pounded the northern half of Thornton. Extensive damage to homes and vehicles was seen as hailstones pushing 2 inches in diameter struck.

The month also featured Thornton’s hottest mercury reading in six years. We saw a high of 102.4 degrees on the 28th. You have to go back to June 25, 2012 to find a warmer reading (102.9). Additionally, the reading ties for the second warmest high temperature ThorntonWeather.com has recorded since coming online in 2007.

Thornton saw an overall average temperature for the month of 71.3 degrees. This was well above the 30 year average June temperature for Denver of 67.4 degrees. Out at DIA where Denver’s official measurements are taken, it was even warmer with an average for the month of 72.4 degrees.

Temperatures ranged from a high of 102.4 degrees on the 28th down to a low of 46.8 degrees on the morning of the 25th. The Mile High City saw it warmest reading of 105 on the 28th as well and its coldest reading of 44 degrees on the 2nd.

The National Weather Service reports that June 2018 will go into the books as the seventh warmest June on record for Denver. Additionally, three days saw record tying or setting highs. The 5th brought a record high of 95 degrees, the 6th saw a record-tying high of 95 degrees and the 105 degree reading on the 28th was a record for that date.

Denver averages 1.98 inches of precipitation during the month of June. Both Thornton and Denver fell short of that mark. Thornton saw 1.28 inches fall in its rain bucket while at the airport, it was even drier with only 0.43 inches.

Click here to view Thornton’s June 2018 climate report.

June 2018 temperature summary chart for Thornton, Colorado. (ThorntonWeather.com)

June 2018 precipitation summary chart for Thornton, Colorado. (ThorntonWeather.com)

CLIMATE REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DENVER/BOULDER CO
320 PM MDT SUN JUL 1 2018

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

...THE DENVER CO CLIMATE SUMMARY FOR THE MONTH OF JUNE 2018...

CLIMATE NORMAL PERIOD 1981 TO 2010
CLIMATE RECORD PERIOD 1872 TO 2018

WEATHER         OBSERVED          NORMAL  DEPART  LAST YEAR`S
                 VALUE   DATE(S)  VALUE   FROM    VALUE  DATE(S)
                                          NORMAL
................................................................
TEMPERATURE (F)
RECORD
 HIGH             105   06/28/2018
                        06/26/2012
                        06/25/2012
 LOW               30   06/02/1951
HIGHEST           105R  06/28       104       1       99  06/20
LOWEST             44   06/02        30      14       42  06/13
AVG. MAXIMUM     88.8              82.4     6.4     85.5
AVG. MINIMUM     56.0              52.3     3.7     53.6
MEAN             72.4              67.4     5.0     69.5
DAYS MAX >= 90     16               7.9     8.1        9
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           0.43              1.98   -1.55     0.33
DAILY AVG.       0.01              0.07   -0.06     0.01
DAYS >= .01         5               8.4    -3.4        5
DAYS >= .10         2               4.6    -2.6        2
DAYS >= .50         0               1.4    -1.4        0
DAYS >= 1.00        0               0.3    -0.3        0
GREATEST
 24 HR. TOTAL    0.25   06/17 TO 06/17

SNOWFALL (INCHES)
TOTAL             0.0               0.0
RECORD            0.4   1919

DEGREE_DAYS
HEATING TOTAL       9                62     -53       25
 SINCE 7/1       5410              6058    -648     5109
COOLING TOTAL     241               133     108      167
 SINCE 1/1        289               155     134      173

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

WIND (MPH)
AVERAGE WIND SPEED              10.5
RESULTANT WIND SPEED/DIRECTION   1/129
HIGHEST WIND SPEED/DIRECTION    40/240    DATE  06/05
HIGHEST GUST SPEED/DIRECTION    57/160    DATE  06/27

SKY COVER
AVERAGE SKY COVER               0.40
NUMBER OF DAYS FAIR               11
NUMBER OF DAYS PC                 16
NUMBER OF DAYS CLOUDY              3

AVERAGE RH (PERCENT)              42

WEATHER CONDITIONS. NUMBER OF DAYS WITH
THUNDERSTORMS            12   MIXED PRECIP           0
HEAVY RAIN                2   RAIN                   5
LIGHT RAIN                5   FREEZING RAIN          0
LT FREEZING RAIN          0   HAIL                   0
HEAVY SNOW                0   SNOW                   0
LIGHT SNOW                0   FOG W/VIS <=1/4 MILE   1
FOG                       5   HAZE                   2

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

Weather History

July 1 to July 7: This week in Denver weather history

July 1, 2018 Thornton Weather Leave a comment

In our July weather preview we discussed how the month is not only Denver’s hottest but also its stormiest. Our look back at this week in Denver weather history helps to illustrate that fact. We start seeing 100+ degree days as well as many of the types of fast moving thunderstorm events expected this time of year.

From the National Weather Service:

29-2

In 1990…almost a year to date after the record breaking heat in early July 1989…the third longest heat wave in Denver history started. From June 29th through July 2nd the temperature reached 100 degrees or more on four consecutive days. The highest reading of 102 degrees occurred on the 29th…30th…and 1st. Combined with the 102 degree reading on June 27th this would have been the longest heat wave on record…but the temperature climbed to only 98 degrees on June 28th.

29-15

30-1

In 1873…heavy rainfall overnight totaled 1.42 inches. Mountain peaks to the southwest of the city were covered with fresh snow on the morning of the 1st.

In 1915…northeast winds sustained to 41 mph with gusts to 50 mph occurred just before a thundershower in the evening. Rainfall was only 0.07 inch.

In 1941…unusually heavy thunderstorm rains flooded basements and blocked traffic. Water was curb high on many downtown streets. The thunderstorm also pelted the city with hail of unknown size. Rainfall in downtown Denver totaled 0.72 inch…but greater amounts likely occurred in other parts of the city.

In 1960…a severe dust devil moving through an Adams County suburban area blew over a fireworks stand…injuring an 11- year-old boy customer and two women operators of the stand. The boy was found under the demolished stand 100 feet away.

In 1961…hail as large as 1 1/4 inches in diameter was reported over east Denver.

In 1967…golf ball size hail fell over portions of metro Denver. Hail stones to 2 inches in diameter damaged roofs and broke windows in northeast Boulder. Marble to golf ball size hail fell at the Boulder airport. A funnel cloud was sighted over the foothills near Boulder. Hail stones of 1 to 2 inches in diameter were measured at Jefferson County Airport near Broomfield. Marble size hail fell in the vicinity of Arvada and Westminster.

In 1982…severe thunderstorms dropped large hail in Denver… Boulder…Commerce City…Lakewood…Wheat Ridge…Golden…and Arvada. Most locations reported hail size from 3/4 to 1 1/4 inches in diameter.

In 1990…the high temperature reached 102 degrees at Stapleton International Airport.

In 1998…hail to 1 1/2 inches in diameter fell near Bennett.

In 2001…the temperature climbed to a high of 101 degrees at Denver International Airport.

In 2016…a severe thunderstorm produced large hail in Castle Rock…ranging in size from 1 to 2 inches in diameter. The hail pummeled neighborhoods as it smashed cars and shattered windows. The storm caused extensive damage to shutters…roofs…siding and fencing.

1-18

1-31

In 2012…it was the hottest July on record in Denver since weather records began in 1872. The average temperature for the month was 78.9 degrees which was 4.7 degrees above normal. There were 27 days in which the high temperature equaled or exceeded 90 degrees…which established a new record. There were also 7 days in which the temperature equaled or exceeded 100 degrees which tied the record set in 2005.

In 1879…a severe hail storm produced considerable damage in the vicinity of Arvada. Some of the stones were unusually large…measuring 6.5 inches in circumference (2 inches in diameter) with an average weight of 1 ounce. The stones were uniformly large with one side concave. The greatest damage was to early wheat…cabbage…and vines. A tree just to the south of the weather station in downtown Denver was struck by lightning. Residents in the house 15 feet away were affected by the strike.

In 1885…thunderstorm winds were sustained to 50 mph in the city.

In 1892…an apparent cold front produced sustained northeast winds to 40 mph with gusts to 45 mph.

In 1955…a apparent microburst wind gust to 69 mph was recorded at Stapleton Airport where the brief strong wind reduced the visibility to zero in blowing dust.

In 1965…hail…up to 2 inches in diameter…struck southwest Adams and northeast Denver counties…damaging cars…windows… And foliage. Hail accumulated up to a foot deep. Wind gusts to 48 mph and hail to 1 inch in diameter fell at Stapleton International Airport where the large hail broke three storm windows and shredded shrubs at the U.S. Weather Bureau Upper Air building.

In 1968…a pilot reported a tornado 10 miles southeast of Parker.

In 1971…one inch diameter hail stones were reported in Adams County about 30 miles east of Denver.

In 1987…a large tornado touched down 10 miles northeast of Stapleton International Airport. The tornado was vertical and thick and kicked up a large dust and debris cloud. Later…it developed a sinuous rope-like shape as it slowly dissipated. The tornado was visible for 15 minutes. The twister occurred in open country and did only minor damage to a metal shed…porch…and mailbox. A man was killed by lightning in southwest Aurora. He was in his backyard and had a shovel in his hand at the time of the strike. A group of soccer players were hit by lightning on a field in Boulder. A 10-year-old boy was critically injured and hospitalized; fortunately he recovered. Six other people were knocked to the ground by the strike. Two of these were slightly injured. Golf ball size hail fell just east of Littleton and at Highlands Ranch. Hail as large as 3/4 inch in diameter was reported in Aurora and Parker and near Hudson and Franktown.

In 1988…a 45-year-old man was injured by lightning at Cheery Creek Reservoir. Administration of CPR probably saved his life.

In 1990…the temperature reached a high of 100 degrees at Stapleton International Airport.

In 1993…thunderstorm winds blew a roof off a barn near Parker…causing an estimated 15 hundred dollars damage.

In 1994…thunderstorm winds downed power lines in Boulder… Causing power outages. Winds gusted to 66 mph in Boulder… 64 mph in Arvada…and 60 mph in Golden.

In 1998…a small tornado touched down briefly near Barr Lake… But caused no damage.

In 2002…hail as large as 1 3/4 inches in diameter fell in the city of Denver and in Arapahoe County near Littleton. The low temperature of 69 degrees equaled the record high minimum for the date.

In 2006…lightning struck a teenager in Castle Rock as he was mowing his lawn and listening to an iPod. The teen suffered burns to his hands and feet…and had blood running from his ears when he was found. The victim’s eardrums were ruptured…which damaged his hearing. Lightning also struck a house in Castle Rock causing extensive damage to the roof and side of the home. Heavy rains caused flash flooding at Castlewood Canyon State Park near Franktown. The floodwaters destroyed four footbridges along the high trail. A culvert and several roads were washed out in the area. In addition… Two driveways crossing Cherry Creek were washed out near Prairie Canyon Ranch. Heavy rainfall also caused minor flooding on murphy and sand creeks…just east of Buckley AFB. Gun Club Road was closed between Alameda and Mississippi avenues…north of the Murphy Creek Golf Course…where 3 feet of standing water reportedly covered the road. A severe thunderstorm produced large hail to 7/8 inch in diameter in south Aurora near Cherry Creek.

In 2016…a weak landspout touched down briefly in and open field near Bennett.

Continue reading July 1 to July 7: This week in Denver weather history →

Thornton Weather

Thornton’s July weather preview: Temperatures typically climb, PM storms the norm

June 30, 2018 Thornton Weather Leave a comment

Change is of course the one constant in Denver’s weather but come July, things actually get pretty consistent.

The standard formula for a day in July is a sunny morning, clouds developing in the late morning and early afternoon. Come mid-afternoon, thunderstorms are rolling off of the foothills and into the metro area and the eastern plains. These storms do occasionally reach severe status containing hail, gusty winds and heavy downpours of rain.

Check out our July weather preview for a complete look at what is in store for the month ahead.

Thornton Weather

June 2018 top shots: Monthly photo slideshow

June 30, 2018 Thornton Weather Leave a comment

June 4, 2018 - Sunset colors the virga late in the evening. (David Canfield) — June 4, 2018 – Sunset colors the virga late in the evening. (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, 2018

Showcasing images captured by ThorntonWeather.com readers as well as some of our own, our monthly slideshow covers the entire gamut of weather and nature 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.

[flickr_set id=”72157669882482238″]

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!

Email: info@ThorntonWeather.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ThorntonWeather
Google+: https://plus.google.com/+Thorntonweather
Twitter: @ThorntonWeather (https://twitter.com/thorntonweather)

Weather History

June 24 to June 30: This week in Denver weather history

June 25, 2018 Thornton Weather Leave a comment

This year the weather in June has been most notable for its heat. That however is far less common than severe weather conditions with lightning, tornadoes and hail. All of these we see in our look back at this week in Denver weather history.

From the National Weather Service:

22-26

In 2012…the maximum temperature exceeded 100 degrees for five consecutive days. Two of the high temperatures on the 25th and 26th peaked at 105 degrees…which set the all time record for the month of June and tied the all time maximum temperature for Denver.

In 1873…there was a great deal of smoke from a fire in the mountains to the southwest of the city during the late afternoon.

In 1875…smoke from forest fires in the mountains to the southwest could plainly be seen from the city.

In 1958…a strong cold front produced a north wind gust to 55 mph at Stapleton Airport where blowing dust briefly reduced the visibility to 1 mile.

In 1982…one inch diameter hail pelted west Denver. A half inch of rain drenched the suburb of Englewood in 10 minutes. Hail piled up to 5 inches deep…snarling rush hour traffic and damaging some stores in a shopping center when the roof started leaking.

In 1988…lightning destroyed the chimney of a house near Evergreen. Another bolt demolished a radio transmitter in the area.

In 1989…golf ball size hail cut a swath 2 1/2 miles wide through open country 14 miles southwest of Bennett. The storm also dropped 1.75 inches of rain on the area. Hail to 3/4 inch in diameter damaged the car of a storm chaser just south of Bennett.

In 1996…a funnel cloud was sighted near Hudson where hail up to 1 3/4 inch diameter fell. Lightning struck a home in Littleton…which sparked a small fire on the roof. Thunderstorm wind gusts to 64 mph were recorded in Castle Rock.

In 2005…severe thunderstorms produced large hail across metro Denver. Hail as large as 1 inch in diameter fell near Castle Rock and Thornton. Hail to 3/4 inch was measured near Northglenn and Fort Lupton.

In 2006…severe thunderstorms raked metro Denver. Hail as large as 2 1/2 inches in diameter shattered automobile windshields in and near Boulder. Hail to 1 3/4 inches pounded areas in and near Lakewood and Morrison. Hail to 1 inch was measured in Wheat Ridge along with 7/8 inch hail in Arvada. Severe thunderstorm wind gusts estimated to 69 mph snapped power lines for a distance of one quarter mile near Castle Rock. Severe thunderstorm winds were measured to 60 mph in Sedalia. Hail as large as 1 inch in diameter fell near Evergreen and Castle Rock. Hail to 3/4 inch in diameter was reported in Louviers and near Conifer.

In 2014…damaging hail…from 1 to 2 inches in diameter…caused extensive damage to homes and automobiles over parts of Arapahoe and Douglas Counties including areas in and near: Aurora-Cherry Creek…Buckley Air Force Base…Denver International Airport and Parker. Officially…0.06 inches of rain fell at Denver International Airport…with a peak wind gust of 33 mph from the southeast.

In 2015…two colliding outflow boundaries merged over east Denver and northwest Aurora at the height of rush hour. The collision quickly spawned a severe thunderstorm that produced an EF1 tornado…damaging hail…torrential rain and flash flooding. The tornado touched down in east Denver and west Aurora. The tornado first touched down near Quebec and 6th Avenue. It then moved east northeast across the Lowry Campus into the west part of Aurora. The tornado then lifted near Mount Nebo Memorial Park. Some homes had minor roof damage with one former apartment building on the Lowry Campus had more significant roof damage. The tornado and intense thunderstorm winds uprooted trees…damaging vehicles and blocking roads. The storm produced torrential rain…2 to 2.5 inches…much of which fell in less than 30 minutes and resulted in flooded intersections and power outages. Flash flooding forced the evacuation of a theater at the Cherry Creek Shopping Center…where drifts of hail formed in the parking lot…and flooding set off alarms at the University of Denver`s Ritchie Center. Numerous water rescues were reported as vehicles stalled flooded intersections. Many stoplights were knocked out. The water was reportedly 3 feet deep on the South Broadway ramp to Interstate 25. The bike path along Cherry Creek was inundated with several feet of water at the height of the storm. Ironically…it was “Bike to Work Day”…which made for a long commute home for many. The South Platte River crested above flood stage for one hour. Employees still at work were urged to stay inside but others waded across flooded intersections downtown. About 30 flights had to be diverted from Denver International Airport. At Denver International Airport… only 0.05 inches of rain fell. A peak wind gust to 47 mph was observed from the southeast.

In 1873…forest fires produced a great deal of smoke in the mountains to the southwest of the city.

In 1958…an unusually cold day for summer set two temperature records for the date. Under cloudy skies with occasional drizzle…a record low maximum temperature of 55 degrees was established along with a record minimum temperature of 42 degrees.

In 1959…a waitress…working at a kitchen sink…was injured by a bolt of lightning…which struck the rear of a tavern in Denver. She was hospitalized.

In 1971…a tornado touched down briefly at a high school football field in Brighton…but caused no damage.

In 1981…3/4 inch hail pelted wheat ridge and hail to 1 1/4 inches fell in Louisville. A brief funnel cloud was sighted by national weather service personnel 4 miles east of Stapleton International Airport.

In 1982…a bolt of lightning struck a cabin in the foothills west of Denver. The resulting fire totally destroyed the cabin.

In 1987…golf ball size hail fell near Bennett.

In 1988…a tornado touched down 1 mile south of Watkins and was on the ground for 4 minutes. Another tornado was spotted just southeast of Barr Lake and was on the ground for 5 minutes. No damage was reported from either tornado. Lightning struck two rock climbers near Eldorado Springs. A 25-year-old man was killed…and a 21-year-old man suffered extensive injuries. Thunderstorm winds knocked over two elm trees near downtown Denver. One fell on a house destroying most of it. A nearby building was unroofed…and two cars were damaged. A truck that had been severely damaged by one of the Denver tornadoes 10 days before was hit again. Thunderstorm wind gusts to 51 mph were recorded at Stapleton International Airport.

In 1991…the temperature reached a high of 100 degrees… Setting a new record for the date.

In 1997…one inch diameter hail fell in Arvada and 1 1/2 inch hail in Boulder. Hail as large as 3/4 inches fell in Denver…Louisville…Westminster…and near Broomfield.

In 1999…thunderstorm winds gusted to 58 mph near Fort Lupton toppling an oil rig. A 37-year-old man was killed when he fell 55 feet from the derrick of the rig.

In 2001…four golfers and one construction worker received minor injuries from a nearby lightning strike on the Broadlands Golf Course in Broomfield.

In 2002…hail to 1 inch in diameter was measured in greenwood village.

In 2005…hail to 3/4 inch in diameter fell near Bennett and Roggen. A thunderstorm wind gust to 61 mph was recorded near Golden.

In 2009…lightning struck the Darlington prismatic electric fountain in City Park’s lake. The damage was estimated to be approximately $25000.

In 2010…wind gusts associated with a dry microburst downed several trees in the vicinity of 14th and federal…and near Bayaud St. and Clarkson St. in Denver. At Denver International Airport…a peak wind gust to 45 mph was observed from the southwest.

In 2015…severe thunderstorms developed late in the afternoon and continued in the late evening hours. The storms moved over parts of Adams…Arapahoe…Douglas and Weld Counties. The largest hail occurred near Aurora and Keenseburg…with hail up to tennis ball size or 2 1/2 inches in diameter. Elsewhere…the hail size ranged from nickel to half dollar size. At Denver International Airport…just a trace of rainfall was observed. A peak wind gust of 31 mph was also observed from the east.

25-26

In 1969…high winds raked Boulder causing one fatality and some injuries. One man was injured by a falling tree limb. At the National Center for Atmospheric Research in Boulder… Sustained winds of 55 to 60 mph with wind gusts to 123 mph were recorded.

In downtown Boulder…winds averaged 30 to 40 mph with gusts to 70 mph. Widespread minor damage occurred… Especially in the Table Mesa area of south Boulder. Much tree damage occurred in the older areas of Boulder where several trees were uprooted. A mobile home was overturned by the winds. At Stapleton Airport…west winds gusted to 43 mph on the 25th and 37 mph on the 26th.

In 1975…strong winds damaged utility lines…buildings… Vehicles…trees…and power lines in Boulder and other communities to the north of Boulder. Microburst winds gusted to 45 mph at Stapleton International Airport on the 25th.

In 1983…heavy rain fell in the foothills west of Denver with 1.50 inches in 30 minutes at Intercanyon. Heavy rain continued over metro Denver on the 26th with two-day storm totals at many locations ranging from 1.00 to 2.50 inches. Rainfall totaled 1.37 inches at Stapleton International Airport on the 26th.

In 1985…one to two inches of rain fell over metro Denver. At Stapleton International Airport…rainfall totaled 0.93 inches…thunderstorm winds gusted to 44 mph…and 7/10 inch hail was measured. The air mass was unusually cold for the season…and snow fell in the foothills above 8 thousand feet. The high temperature of only 63 degrees on the 26th equaled the record low maximum reading for the date.

In 2012…Denver broke the all-time record temperature for the month of June on the 25th when it reached 105 degrees. This also tied the all-time record maximum temperature in Denver. The maximum temperature of 105 degrees was then matched once more on the 26th. Sandwiched in between these records…the minimum temperature of 71 on the morning of the 26th…established a new record high minimum for the date.

Continue reading June 24 to June 30: This week in Denver weather history →

Thornton Weather

Astronomical summer begins, starts with the longest day of the year

June 21, 2018 Thornton Weather Leave a comment

On the June solstice, the Earth’s northern hemisphere is tilted at its maximum toward the sun. The result is the longest day of the year for the northern part of the planet. (NASA)

Astronomical summer arrived in Thornton this morning and with the solstice we will enjoy our longest day of the year.

Summer officially began at 4:07am MDT this morning. The Summer Solstice occurs when the North Pole is tilted at it closest to the sun – 23.4 degrees. This results in the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.

Here in Denver the sun rises at 5:32am today and sets at 8:31pm. This will give us 14 hours, 59 minutes and 14 seconds of daytime.

Tomorrow it will be a bit less than one second shorter than today and each day from now through the Winter Solstice in December will get gradually shorter as well.

At the poles of the globe, the seasonal extremes will be quite notable. Areas north of the Arctic Circle to the North Pole will see 24 hours of daylight and have a midnight sun. On the opposite end of the globe, the South Pole will have no direct sunlight at all as they are in the depths of their winter.

Did you know that there is a difference between the astronomical seasons that we are discussing here and meteorological seasons?

Meteorological seasons differ slightly and are geared toward matching the calendar with the annual temperature cycle. This is done primarily for meteorological observing and forecasting and in many ways it is more logical than the astronomical seasons.

For the Northern Hemisphere, the meteorological spring covers the months of March, April and May. Summer brings the hottest months of the year and so meteorological summer is June, July and August. Meteorological fall then is September, October and November followed by the coldest months of December, January and February as meteorological winter.

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