Tag Archives: record heat

Climatology, Thornton Weather

Denver ties all-time record high temperature for month of November

Leave a comment

Record High TemperaturesWe thought the daily high temperature record for November 16 would fall today and indeed it did.  However the Mile High City also managed to tie the record for the warmest temperature ever recorded during the month of November.

At 1:24pm the station at Denver International Airport reported a mercury reading of 80 degrees.

This easily bested the previous record high temperature for November 16 of 77 degrees set in 1941.

Perhaps more notably, the reading also ties the all-time record high temperature for the month of November.  The old mark was 80 degrees set on November 8, 2006.  This is in turn the latest in the year an 80 degree reading has been tallied.

Here in Thornton, we were a bit warmer than DIA.  Our temperature topped out at 81.5 degrees at 1:02pm.

Showcasing the wide swings of weather we experience here in Colorado is the fact that after these records today, high temperatures tomorrow won’t go very far into the 40s.  Check out forecast for the latest.

  • Stay up to date with Thornton’s weather: ‘Like’ us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter and add us to your Google+ circles
Thornton Weather

Denver ties record high temperature for Halloween

Leave a comment

Record High TemperaturesThe month of October is ending the same way it has been the majority of the month with above normal temperature readings.  Denver has in fact tied the record high temperature for Halloween making it the fourth record high temperature set this month.

At 12:24pm the National Weather Service reported 79 degrees at Denver International Airport. This typed the record high for October 31 last set in 1950.

Here in Thornton we were just a couple degrees warmer with a high of 81 degrees at 3:12pm.

Today’s record-tying reading follows three record high temperatures set earlier this month on October 15th, the 27th and the 28th.

  • Stay up to date with Thornton’s weather: ‘Like’ us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter and add us to your Google+ circles
Thornton Weather

Back to back: Denver sets a record high temperature for second day in a row

Leave a comment

Record High TemperaturesFollowing on yesterday’s record-setting performance, the mercury once again rose to levels never before seen on this date.

At 12:53pm the station at Denver International Airport reported 82 degrees.  This easily bested the previous record for October 28 of 80 degrees last set in 1994.

Here in Thornton we were actually a bit warmer reaching 83 degrees at 3:34pm.

This is the third record high temperature recorded this month.  The first came on October 15 and the second just yesterday.

At this time it is certain that October 2016 will go into the record books as one of the 10 warmest Octobers in Denver history.  Where it ends up on the list is yet to be determined but it is likely to be around the fourth or fifth warmest.

Thornton Weather

Denver sets new record high temperature for October 27

Leave a comment

Record setting high temperatures in Thornton.For the second time this month, the Mile High City broke a record high temperature.  The new mark beats a reading that had stood for 50 years.

At 3:23pm today the mercury at Denver International Airport topped out at 83 degrees.  This easily bests the previous record for this date of 80 degrees last hit in 1966.

Here in Thornton we were just a notch cooler with a high of 82 degrees.

This is the second time this month Denver set a record high. The first came on October 15 with a reading of 85 degrees that beat the previous mark of 83 degrees.

We may not be done setting records either.  The record high for tomorrow is 80 degrees as well, set in 1994 and years prior.  Right now the forecast calls for us to reach that same temperature although cloud cover may prevent that from happening.

Thornton Weather

Denver sets new record high temperature for October 15

Leave a comment

Record setting high temperatures in Thornton.Our unseasonably warm and dry weather of recent months has continued right into October and culminated with a record high for the date.

At Denver International Airport, where the Mile High City’s official measurements are taken, the high temperature today topped out at 85 degrees.  That bests the previous record high for the date of 83 degrees set in 2014.

Here in Thornton, we came close to Denver’s mark with our high of 83.5 degrees coming at 1:35pm.

Looking ahead, we’ll see similar high temperature readings tomorrow.  We will then start to cool down as a system moves through from the Pacific Northwest.  Get the forecast here.

Thornton Weather

Thornton sees first 100-degree temp in 4 years, Denver breaks record high

Leave a comment

Record setting high temperatures in Thornton.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.

Climatology, Thornton Weather

Denver sets record high temperature for February 6

Leave a comment

Record setting high temperatures in Thornton.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.

  • Stay up to date with Thornton’s weather: Be sure to ‘like’ us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter and add us to your Google+ circles.
Climatology, Thornton Weather

Denver sees hottest August on record; 10 weather records tied or broken during hot month

Leave a comment
August 2011 goes into the record books as the hottest August ever.
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:

  1. August 2011 hottest Denver August with average temperature 77.0 degrees.  Previous record 76.8 degrees set in 1937.
  2. August 2011 became the 6th hottest Denver month.  Hottest was 77.8 during July 1934.
  3. 71 consecutive days above 80 degrees through August 31st.  Previous streak record 59 days set in 2002.
  4. Tied most August 90 degree days with 22.  Tied with 1995 and 1960.
  5. 18th – tied record high 98 last 1986
  6. 23rd – tied record high 98 last 2009
  7. 24th – record high 98 old 97 in 1936
  8. 25th – record high 99 old 96 in 1913
  9. 28th – record high 96 old 94 last 1969
  10. 28th – record high minimum temperature 67 old 66 last 2010
  11. 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.

  • Temperature records crumble; August on pace to be one of warmest on record
  • The fallacy of Denver’s climate records: Weather station move skews data
  • Do Denver weather and climate records have an asterisk attached?
  • Data shows Denver weather records skewed by move to DIA
  • Does it matter if Denver weather and climate records are skewed?
    • Thornton Weather

    Denver’s August heat on a record setting pace

    Leave a comment
    Denver has broken or tied seven different warm weather temperature records this month.
    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.

    For more on the recent records and why they highlight problems with Denver’s climate records, head over to the Denver Weather Examiner.

    Thornton Weather

    In two days Denver ties on temperature record, breaks another

    Leave a comment
    One high temperature record was tied and another broken over the past two days.
    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.

    Read more about this problem with Denver’s climate records on Examiner.com: The fallacy of Denver’s climate records: Weather station move skews data