The month of May 2017 brought a wide variety of conditions. We experienced everything from summer-like temperatures to snow to severe weather with hail. In the end, average temperatures were below normal and precipitation more than double of average.
Between two systems at the start of the month, we began May with cool conditions and a bit of rain. Drier and very warm conditions then arrived on the 5th through the 7th before we cooled down to near normal levels for a couple of days.
On the 8th of the month, severe weather paid its first visit of the season unleashing heavy rain and most notably, large hail. While Thornton was spared the damage, areas to the south and west were pummeled with hail nearly 3 inches in diameter. The storm goes into the books as the costliest hail storm in Colorado history.
Weather conditions then settled down for the next 10 days with temperatures varying from cool to quite warm. On the 18th of the month, we then received a late season snowfall. Thornton recorded 1.9 inches snow and a healthy 1.64 inches liquid precipitation from snow melt and rain.
The balance of the month was much quieter. Some days saw light rain with temperatures not straying too far from average for the most part.
Thornton’s overall average temperature for the month was 55.5 degrees. This was a good ways below Denver’s long term average for the month of 57.1 degrees. Out at DIA where Denver’s official measurements are kept, it was slightly warmer with an average of 55.9 degrees.
Temperatures saw a wide range during the month. Thornton’s warmest reading was 87.8 degrees on the 6th of the month. Our coldest came in the wake of the snow on the 20th at 31.0 degrees. Denver saw its high of 86 degrees on the 6th as well and its low of 32 degrees on the 4th.
In terms of precipitation, Denver averages 2.12 inches during the month of May. Both Thornton and Denver easily exceeded those marks. Here in Thornton we recorded 4.84 inches of precipitation; in the Mile High City, 3.66 inches.
Snow in May is not unusual but getting it as late as we did is. On average Denver records 1.1 inches during the month. In May 2017, Thornton saw 1.9 inches. Out at the airport, a mere trace was recorded.
Click here to view Thornton’s May 2017 climate report.
