Sunday dawned with the very real opportunity to be a scorcher and Mother Nature lived up to her promise. Temperatures rose quickly and brought record-setting mercury readings.
Here in Thornton the mercury topped out at 100.4 degrees at 4:22pm. This was our first 100 degree or higher reading since June 26, 2012.
Out at DIA where Denver’s official readings are taken, the temperature climbed even higher as clouds were slower to move that way. A reading of 102 degrees was made at 4:01pm.
Both readings exceeded the previous record high temperature for July 10 of 99 degrees set in 1955.
Denver’s weather rollercoaster this week took us from cold and snow to unseasonably warm temperatures sure to bring an onset of spring fever. The Mile High City set a record high temperature Friday and may set another Saturday.
As measured at Denver International Airport, today’s office high temperature was 70 degrees. That easily bests the old record for the date of 67 degrees set in 1944. Here in Thornton we were just a bit cooler with a high of 69 degrees,
The mild weather will be sticking around for the rest of the weekend with a forecast high of 70 degrees on Saturday (but with some wind) and 66 degrees on Sunday. The record high for Saturday’s date, February 7, is 71 degrees so we will be coming close to the mark.
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August 2011 goes into the record books as the hottest August ever.
As August 2011 came to a close and the numbers were crunched, they revealed what we already knew – it was one hot month! In fact, in the final tally Denver tied or set 10 different records during the month.
From the National Weather Service, here is the list of records:
Denver’s record setting August 2011 – From the National Weather Service:
August 2011 hottest Denver August with average temperature 77.0 degrees. Previous record 76.8 degrees set in 1937.
August 2011 became the 6th hottest Denver month. Hottest was 77.8 during July 1934.
71 consecutive days above 80 degrees through August 31st. Previous streak record 59 days set in 2002.
Tied most August 90 degree days with 22. Tied with 1995 and 1960.
18th – tied record high 98 last 1986
23rd – tied record high 98 last 2009
24th – record high 98 old 97 in 1936
25th – record high 99 old 96 in 1913
28th – record high 96 old 94 last 1969
28th – record high minimum temperature 67 old 66 last 2010
31st – tied record high 98 last 1960
How did Thornton compare?
Here in Thornton we were a bit cooler than what Denver’s official measurements at DIA recorded. This is in large part due to our location further to the west.
When the typical afternoon cloud cover and thunderstorms develop in the summer, it can take more than an hour for those conditions to reach DIA. As a result the station gets the benefit of a longer period of daytime heating. This works in Thornton’s favor as we stay a bit cooler.
For us, our overall average temperature for the month was 74.0 degrees – a full three degrees cooler than DIA. That doesn’t mean it wasn’t hot for us as we recorded 20 days with 90 degree or hotter weather and every day saw 80 degrees or higher.
Are the Denver weather records really valid? Check out the stories from Examiner.com below for why they may not be.
Denver has broken or tied seven different warm weather temperature records this month.
With the arrival of August we typically see a decrease in daytime high temperatures making the month one of the more pleasant in Denver. This year however that has not been the case as we have seen records fall and we appear on our way into the record books with one of the hottest Augusts on record.
With three days remaining in the month, Denver has tied or broken seven warm weather temperature marks so far. These include:
August 18 – Denver ties the record high temperature for the date of 98°. The mark was last set in 1986.
August 23 – The high temperature at DIA hits 98°. This ties the record high for the date last set in 2009.
August 24 – Denver hits 98°. Breaks old record of 97° set in 1936
August 25 – Denver reaches 99°. Breaks old record of 96° set in 1913. Also marks the latest date in the year that Denver’s temperature reached 99 degrees. Previously the date was August 16.
August 28 – Denver tops out at 96°. Breaks old record of 94° set in 1969 and previous years
August 28 – The mercury only drops to 67° over the 24 hour period. This sets a new record high minimum for the date. The previous record was 66° set in 2010 and previous years.
One important aspect to these records is that most of those marks would never have been reached were it not for the measurements being taken at DIA. Other station’s closer to the historical Denver weather sites near Stapleton and downtown never approached as warm of temperatures.
One high temperature record was tied and another broken over the past two days.
If you thought with the kids heading back to school summer was coming to an end Mother Nature has other plans. The hot weather continues and in the past two days it has reached record setting heights.
Yesterday, August 23rd, Denver hit a high temperature of 98 degrees as measured at Denver International Airport. This tied the previous record high for the date last set in 2009 and previous years. Thornton fared a bit cooler as we ‘only’ reached 96 degrees.
Despite forecasts calling for cooler temperatures today, the mercury just kept on climbing and topped out at 98 degrees at 3:17pm. This broke the old record high temperature of the date of 97 degrees set 75 years ago in 1936. Mercifully, Thornton again was cooler with a high of 95 degrees.
As with all Denver records since 1995 when the National Weather Service moved the city’s official monitoring station to DIA, the records come with an asterisk. That move of 12 miles has resulted in consistently higher temperatures than what is seen at the historical site at Stapleton or closer to downtown.
Another official station, located at Denver City Park, provides evidence of this over the last two days. The station is much closer to where historical records were taken and thus can be more accurately used to compare to the past.
That station recorded a high of 97 degrees yesterday and 95 degrees today. Neither of these would be records had Denver’s station not made the move to a different microclimate at DIA.
For the fourth time this month Denver set (or tied) a record high temperature.
Mother Nature obviously hasn’t gotten the message that it is now September and fall is here. Once again Denver broke a record high temperature – the fourth time we have tied or broken a record this month.
According to the National Weather Service the temperature at Denver International Airport reached 92 degrees at 3:55pm. This shatters the old record high for the date of 89 degrees that was set twice, once in 1994 and before than in 1892.
Here in Thornton we were a couple of degrees cooler as we reached a high of 89.7 degrees at 2:41pm.
This is the fourth time this month that we have tied or set a new record high temperature and September 2010 may very well end up as one of the top 10 warmest on record.
As of midnight the average temperature in Denver during September had been 67.0 degrees. If the month were to have ended then we would be in a tie with 1939 for the 7th warmest September on record (see list below).
With temperatures forecast to remain in the mid-80s on Wednesday and around 80 on Thursday it is very possible September 2010 will fit on that top 10 list somewhere. We are certain to far exceed the average September temperature of 62.4 degrees.
For the second Sunday in a row the mercury in Denver reached a record-setting mark.
The Mile High City is on pace to see one of its “top 10 warmest” Septembers on record and that was in full evidence on Sunday. For the third time this month we have tied or broken a record high temperature.
At Denver International Airport today the high temperature reached 90 degrees at 2:54pm thus tying the record for the date set in 1892. This is far above the normal high temperature of 74 degrees for the date.
Here in Thornton we were slightly cooler as we recorded a high temperature of 88.1 degrees at 3:07pm today.
Last Sunday, September 19th, the mercury topped out an amazing 96 degrees. That broke the old record of 93 degrees set in 1980. It was also the hottest temperature ever recorded so late in the year and was the hottest Denver Broncos home game on record.
The recent wildfires have reminded us just how dry Denver has been in recent weeks and the precipitation measurements bear this out. Thus far this month Denver has recorded a mere 0.06 inch of precipitation – far below the average for September of 1.14 inches.
Given that at the current time there is no moisture in the weather forecast through the end of the month, September 2010 may very well go into the record books as one of the top 10 driest Septembers on record. If the month were to end today it would tie for 5th place on the list with 1882 and 1920.
In terms of temperature the month also is threatening top 10 status. As of yesterday the average temperature for the month has been 66.8 degrees. That is more than four degrees above the normal of 62.4 degrees. If the month were to end today that would put the month in a tie for the 9th spot on the top 10 warmest Denver Septembers on 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.
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.
Denver set a new high temperature record for today, breaking a 131 year old record.
Following on last week’s wintry blast, residents of the Mile High City were anxious for spring-like weather and they received it today. Denver has officially set a new record high temperature for the date breaking a 131 year old record.
The National Weather Service reported that at 3:32pm the mercury reached 82 degrees at the official measuring station at Denver International Airport (DIA). This breaks the previous record of 81 degrees set in 1879. The service noted that Rutherford B. Hayes was our 19th president at the time.
Here at ThorntonWeather.com, we reached a high of 81.7 degrees at 4:01pm.
Other area stations reported similarly warm temperatures. Longmont reached a high temperature of 83 degrees breaking its old record of 81 degrees set in 1986. On the Rocky Mountain Weather Network, Arvada reached 84 degrees, north Denver 83 degrees, Littleton 81 degrees and Broomfield 83 degrees.
Sunday dawned with the very real opportunity to be a scorcher and Mother Nature lived up to her promise. Temperatures rose quickly and brought record-setting mercury readings.
