Category Archives: Climatology

Thornton’s March 2021 preview: Temps warm considerably but snow a very real possibility

The month of March in Denver is usually one that is welcomed heartily by residents. We begin to shake off the cold of winter with warmer temperatures and calmer conditions. That does not mean we are done with snow and cold by any means.

March usually offers healthy snowfall giving us an opportunity to add to our seasonal totals.  While there is good snow potential in March, the month also typically brings much warmer temperatures.

March is historically Denver’s snowiest month and brings about 20% of our annual snowfall.  Heavy, wet spring snow storms can oftentimes bring the entire month’s snowfall total in one monstrous snow.

We also start the transition to spring and severe weather season and the month typically brings our first thunderstorms of the year.  Temperatures climb throughout the month and by the end our average daytime highs are near 60 degrees.

For a complete look at what lies ahead in March 2021, click here.

Denver sets record low temperature for February 14

Record Cold Temperatures

It’s a cold one and one that easily enters the record books.

As measured at Denver International Airport, the Mile High City saw a low temperature of -14 degrees. This easily bests the previous record low for February 14 of -10 degrees set in 1903.

Additionally, the high temperature only reached 1 degree. This is the coldest high temperature recorded for the date. The old record was 8 degrees set in 1895.

Here in Thornton we didn’t get quite as cold with a low of -9 degrees and a high of 5 degrees.

Thornton’s February 2021 weather preview: Temps begin to warm, snow can be elusive

February in Colorado typically brings to an end an extended period when average temperatures are at their lowest. Winter begins to loosen its grip and temperatures get warmer but precipitation is not a particularly common event during the month.

Thus far, our snow season has been a bit of a disappointment. Things looked hopeful at the start but the last couple of months have seen things really lag .  February is only our sixth snowiest month so we may not see much improvement in the seasonal totals this month.

Temperatures however do usually see a nice rebound during the month. Average high temperatures climb from an average of 44 degrees at the start to 50 degrees by the end of February.

For the complete February preview including a look at historical averages and extremes as well as a look at what long range forecasts are predicting, click here. 

Denver’s Christmas weather not usually white

As Christmas gets closer everyone always wonders if we are going to get the proverbial white Christmas. Unfortunately, if you look at Denver and Thornton weather history, the chances aren’t all that good but it also depends on what you define as a white Christmas.

If to you a white Christmas means having actual snowfall on Christmas Day the chances aren’t that good. But, if simply having snow on the ground suffices, the chances improve considerably.

For a complete look at Denver’s Christmas weather statistics, click here.

For the latest Thornton weather forecast for Christmas, check out our forecast page.

White Christmas probability map for the contiguous United States. Click for larger view. (NOAA)
White Christmas probability map for the contiguous United States. Click for larger view. (NOAA)

Thornton’s December weather preview: Winter arrives in earnest

Thornton, Colorado's December Weather Preview

Recent months have, overall, been warmer and drier than normal.  Last month continued that trend.  What will December hold for us?

The month of December brings with it the official start of winter and oftentimes, colder and snowier weather conditions.

It however can also offer unseasonably warm temperatures and bone dry conditions.  Given our recent mild and dry weather, we are certainly hoping for a change in the coming month.

Overall December’s monthly mean temperature of 30.0 degrees (1981 – 2010 averages) makes it our coldest month.  Snow is always on everyone’s mind this time of year but December is only our 3rd snowiest month behind March and November with an average of 8.5 inches of the white stuff.

Get all the details on Thornton’s December weather including a look back at historical events and a look at the long range forecast in our December weather preview here.

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Thornton’s November weather preview: Transition to winter weather begins in earnest

Thornton's November weather previewThe 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.

Get all the details on November’s weather and what we can expect in our complete preview here.

Denver sets record low temperature for October 27

Record Cold Temperatures

Brrr! Following our snowstorm, the cold has lingered and this morning plunged into record-setting territory.

Denver’s official low temperature this morning, as measured at DIA, dropped to 8 degrees. This easily bests the previous record low for October 27 of 11 degrees set in 1925.

Thornton actually came out on the colder end of things this morning with a low of 5 degrees recorded at 5:37am.

Today’s cold weather record comes on the tail of a record low maximum set yesterday that also was the coldest high temperature ever recorded in October.

Denver sets record low maximum temperature for October 26

Record Cold Temperatures

Oh, yes, it was a surprisingly cold one today with temperature readings more like what we would expect in January, not the end of October.

As measured at Denver International Airport, the Mile High City’s official high temperature today topped out at 16 degrees. That shatters the record for the coldest maximum temperature ever recorded on October 26 of 31 degrees set in 1923.

Perhaps more notable, that 16 degree high temperature is the coldest October high temperature EVER recorded in Denver.

Here in Thornton we managed to be just a little bit warmer with a high of 17 degrees.

Given the cold today and clear skies tonight, it is likely Denver will be setting a record low temperature tomorrow morning.

Denver ties one cold weather temperature record for September 9, breaks another

As our first taste of wintry weather for the season comes to an end, we close it out with two more weather records in the books.

This morning, as measured at Denver International Airport, the temperature dropped to 31 degrees. This ties the Mile High City’s record low for September 9 set in 1962.

The daytime didn’t bring much relief as the high at the airport only reached 42 degrees. This shatters the old record low maximum for the date of 53 degrees set in 1989.

Here in Thornton, we matched both of those marks with a low of 31 degrees and a high of 42 degrees.

The past few days have seen an extraordinary bout of weather as we went from record heat to record cold. The graphic below shows just some of what has occurred.

Some of the weather records tied or broken in the first part of September 2020. Click for a larger view. (National Weather Service)
Some of the weather records tied or broken in the first part of September 2020. Click for a larger view. (National Weather Service)