Well, December looks to continue the mild, dry weather of the previous two months as we tied the 48 year old record high for the date.
As measured at Denver International Airport, the Mile High City’s high temperature topped out at 73 degrees. This ties the previous record high for the date last set in 1973. Here in Thornton we were actually a touch warmer with a high of 74 degrees.
We may very well follow today’s record with another tomorrow. The record high for December 2 is 74 degrees set way back in 1885. Forecast highs for tomorrow are expected to come close to matching today’s.
As of today, Denver has broken the record for the latest measurable snowfall on record. The old record for latest snowfall was November 21 1934.
Today, it has been 215 days since the Mile High City has received measurable snowfall and we will lengthen that record. There is a slim chance for some snow Wednesday night but, as the National Weather Service said this morning, “It is likely Denver will not receive its first snowfall until December.”
Denver’s earliest snowfall on record was September 3, 1961. The average date of the first snow is October 18th.
The weather during the month of November in Denver metro area can offer just about anything. While it is normally a quiet month, it can be prone to extremes.
November has historically been one of Denver’s snowiest months and major snowstorms are not entirely uncommon. However conditions can also be quite dry.
Temperatures during the month continue to cool as we get closer to winter and by the end of the month the low temperatures routinely dip to 20 degrees or below. At times it can in fact bring conditions more like what we see in January.
With the first full month of fall here, October usually brings one of the quietest weather months in the Denver area with plenty of mild, sunny days and clear, cool nights.
October is historically the second sunniest month and conditions are generally calm.
However we also will usually see our first taste of winter during the month with the first freeze and first snowfall of the season. Temperatures as well will start to drop and by the end of the month the average nighttime lows are below freezing.
Following an August that was unseasonably warm and dry, we find ourselves heading into September hoping for relief. The month can bring plenty of rain and even our first snow of the season but more often than not, it is one of the most pleasant along the Colorado Front Range.
As temperatures start to drop, September usually reminds us that summer is at an end and fall is now here. Sunshine is predominant though as the month actually has the highest percentage of sun out of any month. Sunny days and clear, cool nights are the standard weather pattern for the month.
The month can bring extremes however. We will of course forever remember 2013’s devastating floods brought on by record-setting rain. Longtime residents might remember September 1971 which brought over 17 inches of snowfall.
Another high temperature record in the books for summer 2021.
As measured at Denver International Airport, the Mile High City’s temperature topped out at 100 degrees today. This easily bests the record high for the date of 98 degrees set 145 years ago in 1876.
Here in Thornton, we matched the 100 degree mark. This was our fifth 100+ degree day of the year in Thornton, more than any other year in the past 15 since Thornton Weather came online.
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.
Extreme weather can occur during in month in Colorado we well know. June however is when traditional spring severe weather arrives in the state oftentimes with hail, damaging wind and tornadoes.
Over 40 percent of the tornadoes that occur in Colorado happen during the month of June. Far more common are thunderstorms with hail and wind, each responsible for extensive damage each year.
While severe weather is common, so too are brilliantly sunny and mild days as we close out spring and enter summer. If you are looking for cold, it isn’t likely but it is possible as the Denver area has seen freezing temperatures and yes, even snow, during the month.
Thornton, Colorado’s 2021 precipitation summary through May 24. Click for larger view. (ThorntonWeather.com)
Certainly we are all keenly aware of how wet this year has seemed so far and the numbers back up that feeling.
Every month so far this year has seen above average precipitation (based on 16-year running average) and we have in fact received more precipitation so far this year than in all of last year.
Our current total for 2021 is at 9.86 inches. This is in comparison to the 9.73 inches we received in ALL of last year. This also is nearly 3 inches above our January through May average of 6.94 inches.
These numbers certainly help to ease drought and wildfire concerns. However, Mother Nature can be very fickle and turn off the spout at any moment. We will need consistent, solid numbers throughout the rest of spring and summer to truly put any fears to rest.
Colorado’s famously highly variable weather seems to showcase itself during the month of May when a variety of weather conditions can be seen.
Winter-like temperatures and snow are possible as are mid-summer like temperatures or the more typical spring severe weather.
As the month starts out in 2021 we are going to enjoy unseasonably warm conditions for the first of the month then begin a period of cool, wet weather conditions. Long range forecasts portend an overall warmer than normal month with equal chances of below, at or above normal precipitation.
The month can certainly bring extremes. Snow is not entirely uncommon during the month, oftentimes causing damage to newly bloomed trees. More common however is severe weather, particularly in the latter half of the month. Thunderstorms become more frequent and their associated hazards – lightning, wind, hail and tornadoes – are usual visitors.
The weather during the month of November in Denver metro area can offer just about anything. While it is normally a quiet month, it can be prone to extremes.
With the first full month of fall here, October usually brings one of the quietest weather months in the Denver area with plenty of mild, sunny days and clear, cool nights.
Following an August that was unseasonably warm and dry, we find ourselves heading into September hoping for relief. The month can bring plenty of rain and even our first snow of the season but more often than not, it is one of the most pleasant along the Colorado Front Range.
Extreme weather can occur during in month in Colorado we well know. June however is when traditional spring severe weather arrives in the state oftentimes with hail, damaging wind and tornadoes.
