August keeps the heat coming and another record falls.
As measured at Denver International Airport, Denver’s official high temperature for today reached 102 degrees. This easily beats the old record high for August 4 of 98 degrees set in 1979, 1981 and 2022.
Thornton stayed a good bit “cooler” recording a high of 97 degrees.
The heat just keeps on coming and another warm weather record falls.
As measured at Denver International Airport, the Mile High City’s temperature topped out at 99 degrees today. That ties the previous record for the date also recorded in 2005, 1995 and 1877.
Thornton managed to stay a little bit cooler with a high of 97 degrees.
Another record high. After setting a record high two days ago, Denver set another today.
As measured at Denver International Airport, the Mile High City’s high temperature today topped out at 101 degrees. That beats the previous record high for July 14 of 100 degrees set way back in 1878.
Here in Thornton, we were slightly cooler with a high of 100 degrees.
A hot one for sure! As measured at Denver International Airport, the Mile High City’s official high temperature today was 102 degrees. This beats the previous record high for July 13 of 101 degrees set in 1971 and 1954.
Here in Thornton, we matched Denver’s number with a high of 102 degrees as well.
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.
Check out our July weather preview for a complete look at what is in store for the month ahead.
A very mild early morning at the airport. As measured at Denver International Airport, Denver’s low temperature for yesterday came in at 68 degrees. This sets a record high minimum for the date, beating the old record of 67 degrees set in 1990.
Thornton enjoyed cooler temperatures as we bottomed out at 62 degrees, far closer to normal.
As measured at Denver International Airport, the Mile High City’s high temperature today topped out at 97 degrees. That ties the record high for June 12th, last set in 1952.
Here in Thornton, we actually were a bit toastier with a high of 99 degrees.
Most of the month of May 2024 was notable for its mild temperatures and dry conditions. It went out like a lion, however, with a damaging hailstorm.
The first eleven days of the month saw no precipitation at all in Thornton. A few warmer-than-normal days were seen during that period but temperatures were not particularly warm.
Most notable during the first third of the month was the appearance of the aurora. Thanks to some unusually strong solar activity, the celestial event was visible even in the city for a couple of nights.
We finally received our first precipitation of the month on the 12th with a very good, wet event. The next two weeks saw some lighter showers here and there. Temperatures warmed with numerous days seeing readings well into the 80s.
Mother Nature decided to close out the month in dramatic form. Severe thunderstorms arrived around 9:30pm on the night of the 30th, bringing hail up to 2 inches in diameter to the area. Damage was significant and while the rain that came with it was welcome, most residents would have preferred to have gone without.
Thornton ended the month with an overall average temperature of 59.1 degrees. This was well above the 18 year running average for the month of 56.7 degrees. It was the fifth warmest May during that period.
Temperatures ranged from a high of 87.3 degrees on the 17th down to a low of 36.0 degrees on the 2nd.
Out at DIA where Denver’s official measurements are taken, the Mile High City recorded an average temperature for the month of 56.9 degrees, 0.5 degrees below their long-term average. Their highest temperature for the month was 83 degrees on the 29th and their lowest of 30 degrees occurred on the 2nd.
In terms of precipitation, it was a dry one. Thornton saw 1.39 inches fall into its bucket. The majority of that came along with the hail storm on the 30th. That was well below the 1.74 inches average over the past 18 years and puts May 2024 into the books as our driest May during that period.
Denver fared slightly better with 1.70 inches observed at the airport. This was a good bit below the Mile High City’s May average of 2.16 inches for the month.
No snow was recorded in Thornton or Denver during the month.
Click here to view Thornton’s complete May 2024 climate summary report.
The month of April was one that did not bring too much drama. While we did see warmer than normal temperatures and a good bit of precipitation, only one snowstorm was particularly notable.
The month started off with some rain on the first and then we entered a dry, mild period. From the second to the 15th, no precipitation was recorded and high temperatures were above average every day of the period.
On the 16th things became more unsettled with some wind and rain. Then, from the 19th and 20th, a spring snowstorm arrived. Thornton received 5.1 inches over the period while Denver bested us with 6.3 inches.
We then saw a few days of dry weather followed by a moisture-laden system that dropped more than an inch of rain on us from the 26th to the 28th.
For the month of April, Thornton’s average temperature came in at 52.1 degrees. This is well above our 18-year running average for April of 48.4 degrees. Temperatures ranged from a high of 82.7 degrees on the 14th down to a low of 28.5 degrees on the 2nd.
For Denver, at Denver International Airport where the Mile High City’s official records are taken, they too saw above normal temperatures. The average temperature for the month there came in at 50.5 degrees versus their long-term April average of 47.8 degrees.
In terms of precipitation, Thornton netted a very respectable 2.54 inches in the bucket. That was a good bit above our running average for the month of 1.74 inches.
Out at the airport, Denver received even more with 3.28 inches recorded. That is well above the Mile High City’s April average of 1.68 inches.
With only one snow event, Thornton’s total for the month came in below average at 5.1 inches. This, in comparison to our 18-year running average for the month of 6.4 inches.
Denver bested us on snowfall as well with 6.3 inches versus their long-term average for April of 6.1 inches.
Click here to view Thornton’s complete April 2024 climate summary report.
Colorado’s famously highly variable weather seems to showcase itself during the month of May when a variety of weather conditions can be seen.
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.
For a complete look at what lies ahead for the month of May, check out our full preview here.