Like any other month in Denver January can yield a wide variety of conditions. The month is pretty consistently our coldest but by the end of the month we do start to see temperatures slowly start to climb. Big time snow can and does happen but more often than not the month is quite dry – in fact it is our second driest month of the year.
The real story in January is oftentimes the wind. Warm but potentially damaging Chinook winds appear with greater frequency and can be a blessing and a curse. Conversely, cold Bora winds bring dangerous wind chills during the month.
November 2010 goes down in the books as drier and warmer than normal. (iStockphoto / johnnyscriv)
November 2010 was most notable not for what weather condition occurred but rather for what it lacked – snow. Historically November is Denver’s second snowiest month but 2010 saw us receive very little of the white stuff as we start out the season far behind where we average.
At the official Denver weather monitoring station at Denver International Airport a mere 1.5 inches of the white stuff was recorded. That is 9.2 inches below the historical November average of 10.7 inches. Despite that, the month fell short of the top 10 least snowiest Novembers as number 10 on that list is 1971 with 1.4 inches. Given that no snow was recorded in September or October, the 2010 snow season is off to a dismal start at more than 15 inches below normal.
In terms of precipitation, only 0.5 inch was collected in the rain bucket – barely more than half of the normal of 0.98 inch. While dry, it wasn’t enough to put the month into top 10 driest November status. Three years in Denver history have recorded only a trace of precipitation and the number 10 slot is held by 1989 when only 0.15 inch of precipitation was recorded. No precipitation or snowfall records were set or tied during the month.
Here in Thornton we fared drier than the official Denver tallies on all fronts. We recorded only 1.14 inches of snow and 0.33 inch of precipitation.
Temperature-wise Denver ended the month warmer than normal with an average temperature of 38.3 degrees. This was 0.8 degrees above the normal of 37.5 degrees. Temperatures ranged from a high of 77 degrees on the 6th down to a low of 4 degrees on the 25th. There were 24 days with low temperatures below the freezing mark which is normal. On only one day, the 29th, did we fail to hit a high temperature of at least freezing as the thermometer only climbed to 31 degrees that day. No temperature records were set or tied during the month.
Overall Thornton’s average temperature for the month was cooler than Denver’s. The average temperature was 36.8 degrees with the warmest day hitting 78.7 degrees and the lowest temperature being 9.0 degrees.
Wind is of course a fact of life on the plains and November 2010 did set a new peak wind gust for the month of 55 mph on the 16th. This easily broke the old record of 49 mph set in 1990.
CLIMATE REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BOULDER, CO
745 AM MST FRI DEC 3 2010
...................................
...THE DENVER CO CLIMATE SUMMARY FOR THE MONTH OF NOVEMBER 2010...
CLIMATE NORMAL PERIOD 1971 TO 2000
CLIMATE RECORD PERIOD 1872 TO 2010
WEATHER OBSERVED NORMAL DEPART LAST YEAR`S
VALUE DATE(S) VALUE FROM VALUE DATE(S)
NORMAL
................................................................
TEMPERATURE (F)
RECORD
HIGH 80 11/08/2006
LOW -18 11/29/1877
HIGHEST 77 11/06 79 -2 77 11/05
LOWEST 4 11/25 -18 22 16 11/16
AVG. MAXIMUM 52.6 51.5 1.1 56.4
AVG. MINIMUM 24.0 23.5 0.5 28.8
MEAN 38.3 37.5 0.8 42.6
DAYS MAX >= 90 0 0.0 0.0 0
DAYS MAX = .01 6 5.6 0.4 3
DAYS >= .10 2 MM MM 3
DAYS >= .50 0 MM MM 0
DAYS >= 1.00 0 MM MM 0
GREATEST
24 HR. TOTAL 0.15 11/16 TO 11/16 0.33 11/14 TO 11/15
SNOWFALL (INCHES)
RECORDS
TOTAL 42.6 1946
TOTALS 1.5 10.7
DEGREE_DAYS
HEATING TOTAL 793 826 -33 664
SINCE 7/1 1128 1408 -280 1479
COOLING TOTAL 0 0 0 0
SINCE 1/1 870 696 174 533
FREEZE DATES
RECORD
EARLIEST 09/08/1962
LATEST 06/08/2007
EARLIEST 10/07
LATEST 05/05
.................................................................
WIND (MPH)
AVERAGE WIND SPEED 9.7
RESULTANT WIND SPEED/DIRECTION 2/228
HIGHEST WIND SPEED/DIRECTION 45/310 DATE 11/16
HIGHEST GUST SPEED/DIRECTION 55/320 DATE 11/16
SKY COVER
POSSIBLE SUNSHINE (PERCENT) MM
NUMBER OF DAYS FAIR 9
NUMBER OF DAYS PC 17
NUMBER OF DAYS CLOUDY 4
AVERAGE RH (PERCENT) 51
WEATHER CONDITIONS. NUMBER OF DAYS WITH
THUNDERSTORM 0 MIXED PRECIP 0
HEAVY RAIN 0 RAIN 1
LIGHT RAIN 2 FREEZING RAIN 0
LT FREEZING RAIN 0 HAIL 0
HEAVY SNOW 1 SNOW 4
LIGHT SNOW 9 SLEET 0
FOG 13 FOG W/VIS
Warm and dry were the key words for Denver’s October weather and that same trend was also seen globally. According to the National Climatic Data Center, October 2010’s average global temperature was the 8th warmest on record. With an average temperature of 58 degrees, the month was nearly 1 degree warmer than average.
The image below shows the areas that were warmer and cooler than the 1971 to 2000 average.
October 2010 global temperatures. (NOAA)
From the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration:
Global Temperature Highlights
The combined global land and ocean average surface temperature for October 2010 was the eighth warmest on record at 58.07 F (14.54 C), which is 0.97 F (0.54 C) above the 20th century average of 57.1 F (14.0 C). The range associated with the combined temperature is +/- 0.14 F (0.08 C).*
The October worldwide land surface temperature was 1.64 F (0.91 C) above the 20th century average of 48.7 F (9.3 C) — the sixth warmest October on record. Warmer-than-average conditions were particularly felt across western Alaska, Canada, northeastern Africa, the Middle East, Kazakhstan and large portions of Russia. Cooler-than-average regions included most of Europe, Mongolia and much of Australia. The range associated with the land surface temperature is +/- 0.20 F (0.11 C).
According to the Bureau of Meteorology, Australia had its 10th coolest maximum temperatures on record for October with daytime maximum temperatures 2.12 F (1.18 C) below average. Statewide, both the Northern Territory and Queensland had their third coolest maximum temperatures since national records began in 1950.
The October worldwide ocean surface temperature was 0.72 F (0.40 C) above the 20th century average of 60.6 F (15.9 C) and was the 10th warmest October on record. The warmth was most pronounced across the Atlantic, western North Pacific and most of the Indian Ocean. The range associated with the ocean surface temperature is +/- 0.13 F (0.07 C).
For the year-to-date, the global combined land and ocean surface temperature of 58.53 F (14.73 C) was tied with 1998 as the warmest January–October period on record. This value is 1.13 F (0.63 C) above the 20th century average.
Moderate La Niña conditions continued in October, while sea surface temperatures remained below-normal across the central and eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean. According to NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center, La Niña is expected to strengthen and last at least into the Northern Hemisphere spring of 2011.
Polar Sea Ice and Precipitation Highlights
The average Arctic sea ice extent for October was 2.97 million square miles (7.69 million square km), which was 17.2 percent below average. This marks the third lowest October Arctic sea ice extent since records began in 1979 and the 14th consecutive October with below-average Arctic sea ice extent.
Antarctic sea ice began its annual retreat during October. October 2010 was the fourth largest sea ice extent on record (2.9 percent above average). The largest October sea ice extent occurred in 2006.
According to Mexico’s National Weather Service (Servicio Meteorolológico Nacional), this October was Mexico’s driest since 1941.
North and west Amazonia in Brazil was in the midst of its worst drought in the past 40 years. In October, one of the Amazon River’s most important tributaries, the Black River, dropped to its lowest level of 44.7 feet (13.6 meters) since record keeping began in 1902.
October 2010 ended up drier and warmer than normal.
Following on what was a “top 10” warmest and driest September, October tried to follow suit but fell short of achieving record status. Nevertheless, the month was considerably warmer and drier than normal.
In terms of temperature the month ranked as the 11th warmest fall just 0.1 degree short of top 10 status. The average temperature was 55.3 degrees; a considerable 4.3 degrees above normal. Temperatures ranged from a high of 85 degrees on the 3rd down to a low of 20 on the 28th. In all there were only two days when the mercury dipped to freezing or below; seven days below the normal nine we receive.
Thornton was quite a bit cooler overall than Denver as we had an average temperature of 52.7 degrees. Highs ranged from 84 degrees on the 4th down to 23.3 degrees on the 28th.
As an interesting side note, it was just last October that we had our second coldest October on record. The average temperature in October 2009 was a chilly 42.9 degrees and we had 17 days with temperatures at or below freezing!
We suffered through another dry month which did spark a couple of wildfires. A mere 0.54 inch of precipitation was recorded at the official monitoring site at Denver International Airport. This was just barely more than half of the normal of 0.99 inch. Most of the precipitation fell in the form of rain on the 12th when 0.34 inch was recorded. Here in Thornton we were a bit wetter having recorded 0.73 inch of precipitation during the month.
For the first time since 2003 no snow was recorded in Denver in October. This is only the 15th time since 1882 that has happened. On average we expect to receive 4.1 inches of the white stuff.
CLIMATE REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BOULDER, CO
205 PM MDT MON NOV 1 2010
...................................
...THE DENVER CO CLIMATE SUMMARY FOR THE MONTH OF OCTOBER 2010...
CLIMATE NORMAL PERIOD 1971 TO 2000
CLIMATE RECORD PERIOD 1872 TO 2010
WEATHER OBSERVED NORMAL DEPART LAST YEAR'S
VALUE DATE(S) VALUE FROM VALUE DATE(S)
NORMAL
................................................................
TEMPERATURE (F)
RECORD
HIGH 90 10/01/1892
LOW -2 10/29/1917
HIGHEST 85 10/03 90 -5 84 10/18
LOWEST 20 10/28 -2 22 17 10/10
AVG. MAXIMUM 69.7 66.0 3.7 54.7
AVG. MINIMUM 40.9 35.9 5.0 31.1
MEAN 55.3 51.0 4.3 42.9
DAYS MAX >= 90 0 0.0 0.0 0
DAYS MAX <= 32 0 0.3 -0.3 3
DAYS MIN <= 32 2 8.6 -6.6 17
DAYS MIN <= 0 0 0.0 0.0 0
PRECIPITATION (INCHES)
RECORD
MAXIMUM 4.17 1969
MINIMUM T 1934
TOTALS 0.54 0.99 -0.45 1.36
DAILY AVG. 0.02 0.03 -0.01 0.04
DAYS >= .01 4 5.3 -1.3 8
DAYS >= .10 2 MM MM 5
DAYS >= .50 0 MM MM 0
DAYS >= 1.00 0 MM MM 0
GREATEST
24 HR. TOTAL 0.34 10/12 TO 10/12 0.39 10/20 TO 10/21
SNOWFALL (INCHES)
RECORDS
TOTAL 31.2 1969
TOTALS 0.0 4.1 -4.1 17.2
DEGREE_DAYS
HEATING TOTAL 300 436 -136 676
SINCE 7/1 335 582 -247 815
COOLING TOTAL 8 0 8 0
SINCE 1/1 870 696 174 533
FREEZE DATES
RECORD
EARLIEST 09/08/1962
LATEST 06/08/2007
EARLIEST 10/07
LATEST 05/05
.................................................................
WIND (MPH)
AVERAGE WIND SPEED 9.1 9.6
RESULTANT WIND SPEED/DIRECTION 3/231 MM
HIGHEST WIND SPEED/DIRECTION 41/350 10/25 37/350 10/29/09
HIGHEST GUST SPEED/DIRECTION 51/350 10/25 54/200 10/05/09
SKY COVER
POSSIBLE SUNSHINE (PERCENT) MM
NUMBER OF DAYS FAIR 9
NUMBER OF DAYS PC 22
NUMBER OF DAYS CLOUDY 0
AVERAGE RH (PERCENT) 44
WEATHER CONDITIONS. NUMBER OF DAYS WITH
THUNDERSTORM 4 MIXED PRECIP 0
HEAVY RAIN 0 RAIN 3
LIGHT RAIN 5 FREEZING RAIN 0
LT FREEZING RAIN 0 HAIL 0
HEAVY SNOW 0 SNOW 0
LIGHT SNOW 0 SLEET 0
FOG 2 FOG W/VIS <= 1/4 MILE 1
HAZE 7
- INDICATES NEGATIVE NUMBERS.
R INDICATES RECORD WAS SET OR TIED.
MM INDICATES DATA IS MISSING.
T INDICATES TRACE AMOUNT.
Denver's weather in November can bring a wide variety of conditions. What can we expect in 2010? (iStockphoto / johnnyscriv)
Typically November is a quiet weather month with plenty of nice, fall days but it can also turn wet with plenty of snow and moisture. Just like Forest Gump’s proverbial box of chocolates, you never quite know what you are going to get.
Looking into the weather history books, we see that November is actually Denver’s second snowiest month, second only to March (April is third). Historically we average 10.7 inches of snow during the month.
One little known fact… November is the area’s least sunny month, tying with May with only 64 percent sunshine. September is the sunniest month with sunshine 74 percent of the time.
Get all the details on Denver’s November weather including a look back through history, a recap of last year and the statistics in our November weather preview.
NOAA's winter 2010 temperature outlook forecasts warmer than normal temperatures for Colorado. (NOAA)
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration released its winter 2010 outlook yesterday and the effects of La Niña are forecast to bring extremes to many places. Closer to home Colorado’s outlook is for a warm winter with equal chances of above, near or below normal precipitation.
La Niña conditions have been strengthening in the Pacific which means that water temperatures are cooler than normal. By contrast, El Niño is the opposite – warmer than normal sea temperatures. These conditions can have a big effect on weather patterns and can lead to extreme weather events.
“La Niña is in place and will strengthen and persist through the winter months, giving us a better understanding of what to expect between December and February,” said Mike Halpert, deputy director of the Climate Prediction Center – a division of the National Weather Service. “This is a good time for people to review the outlook and begin preparing for what winter may have in store.”
The outlook forecasts a colder and wetter than normal winter for the Pacific Northwest stretching across to the northern Rockies. Much of the south and southwest is expected to see warmer and drier than normal conditions.
NOAA says Colorado can expect warmer than average conditions in the period through February 2011. In terms of precipitation, the service does not see any factors that would push us toward one extreme or the other. As such we have equal chances of above, near or below normal precipitation – essentially a 33 1/3% chance of each.
The precipitation outlook gives Colorado equal chances of above, near and below normal precipitation for the upcoming winter season. (NOAA)
Highlights from other regions include:
Pacific Northwest: colder and wetter than average. La Niña often brings lower than average temperatures and increased mountain snow to the Pacific Northwest and western Montana during the winter months, which is good for the replenishment of water resources and winter recreation but can also lead to greater flooding and avalanche concerns;
Southwest: warmer and drier than average. This will likely exacerbate drought conditions in these areas. All southern states are at risk of having above normal wildfire conditions starting this winter and lasting into the spring;
Northern Plains: colder and wetter than average. Likely to see increased storminess and flooding;
Southern Plains, Gulf Coast States & Southeast: warmer and drier than average. This will likely exacerbate drought conditions in these areas. All southern states are at risk of having above normal wildfire conditions starting this winter and lasting into the spring;
Florida: drier than average, with an equal chance for above-, near-, or below-normal temperatures. Above normal wildfire conditions;
Ohio and Tennessee Valleys: warmer and wetter than average. Likely to see increased storminess and flooding;
Northeast and Mid-Atlantic: equal chances for above-, near-, or below-normal temperatures and precipitation. Winter weather for these regions is often driven not by La Niña but by weather patterns over the northern Atlantic Ocean and Arctic. These are often more short-term, and are generally predictable only a week or so in advance. If enough cold air and moisture are in place, areas north of the Ohio Valley and into the Northeast could see above-average snow;
Central U.S.: equal chances of above-near-or below normal temperatures and precipitation;
Hawaii: drier than normal through November, then wetter than normal December through February. Statewide, the current drought is expected to continue through the winter, with several locations remaining on track to become the driest year on record. Drought recovery is more likely on the smaller islands of Kauai and Molokai, and over the windward slopes of the Big Island and Maui;
Alaska: odds favor colder than average temperatures with equal chances of above or below normal precipitation. The interior and southern portions of the state are currently drier than normal. A dry winter may set Alaska up for a greater chance of above normal wildfire conditions in the spring.
The Mile High City's September weather was unusually dry and warm. (iStockphoto / johnnyscriv)
Wildfires and record-setting temperatures provided a clue as to what the highlights of September’s weather would be and with the month over we now see it in the statistics. September 2010 will go down in the record books as not only one of the driest Septembers on record but also one of the warmest.
A mere 0.06 inch of precipitation was recorded at the official monitoring station at Denver International Airport over the month. Most of that fell during a four-day period from the 18th to the 22nd and in the end 25 days had no moisture at all. That scarcity of precipitation allowed the month to finish in a tie with 1882 and 1920 for the 5th driest September on record. Here in Thornton we fared a bit better having recorded 0.09 inch of precipitation but that paltry difference is not hardly worth noting.
Not only was precipitation in short supply, so too were even clouds. Zero days were reported as cloudy, 10 days as partly cloudy and 20 days were fair (sunny). Thornton recorded over 200 hours of sunshine for the month – more than any other month in 2010.
Temperatures were well above normal for the month and into top 10 status as well. The average temperature of 67.0 degrees was 4.6 degrees above normal. This puts September 2010 in a tie with 1939 as the seventh warmest September on record. Thornton was thankfully quite a bit cool as we recorded an average temperature of 64.7 degrees.
Four record high temperatures were tied or broken during the month. On the 19th a scorching 96 degrees was recorded easily besting the old record for the date of 93 degrees last set in 1980. That also was the hottest temperature ever recorded that late in the season. Other dates this past month setting records were: 94 on the 20th beating the old record of 92 last set in 1956; tied the record on the 26th with 1892; 92 on the 28th topping the old record of 89 last set in 1994.
In all the month recorded eight 90 degree days, well above the normal of 2 for September. An amazing 25 days had temperature at or above 80 degrees which is the highest number of 80 degree temperatures in September since 1872. Overall temperatures ranged from the high of 96 on the 19th down to a low of 40 on the 3rd. Thornton’s temperatures ranged from a high of 93.6 on the 19th to a low of 40.7 degrees on the 7th.
Looking beyond the statistics, the most noteworthy events of September 2010 were the wildfires in the foothills west of Denver. The Fourmile Canyon Fire northwest of Boulder became the most destructive in state history in terms of the number of homes destroyed. West of Loveland the Reservoir Road Fire claimed homes as well but was thankfully controlled relatively quickly due to the quick response of firefighters.
What does the October 2010 weather hold for Denver and the Colorado Front Range? Right now the dry and warm weather is expected to continue. Get all the details in our October 2010 preview.
From the National Weather Service:
...THE DENVER CO CLIMATE SUMMARY FOR THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER 2010...
CLIMATE NORMAL PERIOD 1971 TO 2000
CLIMATE RECORD PERIOD 1872 TO 2010
WEATHER OBSERVED NORMAL DEPART LAST YEAR'S
VALUE DATE(S) VALUE FROM VALUE DATE(S)
NORMAL
................................................................
TEMPERATURE (F)
RECORD
HIGH 97 09/04/1995
09/01/1995
09/04/1960
09/05/1899
LOW 17 09/29/1985
HIGHEST 96 09/19 97 -1 91 09/01
LOWEST 40 09/03 17 23 36 09/28
AVG. MAXIMUM 84.8 77.4 7.4 78.0
AVG. MINIMUM 49.1 47.3 1.8 48.9
MEAN 67.0 62.4 4.6 63.5
DAYS MAX >= 90 8 2.2 5.8 1
DAYS MAX <= 32 0 0.2 -0.2 0
DAYS MIN <= 32 0 0.8 -0.8 0
DAYS MIN <= 0 0 0.0 0.0 0
PRECIPITATION (INCHES)
RECORD
MAXIMUM 4.67 1961
MINIMUM T 1892
1944
TOTALS 0.06 1.14 -1.08 0.74
DAILY AVG. T 0.04 -0.04 0.02
DAYS >= .01 3 6.3 -3.3 5
DAYS >= .10 0 MM MM 4
DAYS >= .50 0 MM MM 0
DAYS >= 1.00 0 MM MM 0
GREATEST
24 HR. TOTAL 0.03 09/22 TO 09/22 0.42 09/22 TO 09/23
SNOWFALL (INCHES)
RECORDS
TOTAL 17.2 1971
TOTALS 0.0 2.1 0.0
DEGREE_DAYS
HEATING TOTAL 32 136 -104 117
SINCE 7/1 35 146 -111 139
COOLING TOTAL 100 57 43 78
SINCE 1/1 862 696 166 533
FREEZE DATES
RECORD
EARLIEST 09/08/1962
LATEST 06/08/2007
EARLIEST 10/07
LATEST 05/05
.................................................................
WIND (MPH)
AVERAGE WIND SPEED 9.3 9.2
RESULTANT WIND SPEED/DIRECTION 2/190
HIGHEST WIND SPEED/DIRECTION 37/310 09/06 36/210 09/30
HIGHEST GUST SPEED/DIRECTION 44/320 09/06 45/280 09/30
SKY COVER
POSSIBLE SUNSHINE (PERCENT) MM
NUMBER OF DAYS FAIR 20
NUMBER OF DAYS PC 10
NUMBER OF DAYS CLOUDY 0
AVERAGE RH (PERCENT) 36
WEATHER CONDITIONS. NUMBER OF DAYS WITH
THUNDERSTORM 3 MIXED PRECIP 0
HEAVY RAIN 0 RAIN 0
LIGHT RAIN 4 FREEZING RAIN 0
LT FREEZING RAIN 0 HAIL 0
HEAVY SNOW 0 SNOW 0
LIGHT SNOW 0 SLEET 0
FOG 4 FOG W/VIS <= 1/4 MILE 2
HAZE 2
- INDICATES NEGATIVE NUMBERS.
R INDICATES RECORD WAS SET OR TIED.
MM INDICATES DATA IS MISSING.
T INDICATES TRACE AMOUNT.
October is here and it may bring Denver's first taste of snow and freezing temperatures for the season. (iStockphoto / johnnyscriv)
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. Certainly given our recent trend of well-above normal temperatures many are hoping for some relief.
The month actually has our second highest amount of sunshine with 72 percent with September having the most with 74 percent. Interestingly enough, the month following, November, is one of the lowest sunshine months with only 64 percent.
Typically October brings our first real taste of winter with the first freeze on average coming on the 7th of the month and the first snow on the 15th of the month.
You can get all the details including a look back at historical October weather and a look ahead at what October 2010 is expected to bring in our complete preview here.
Are you ready? As September comes to a close and with fall's arrival cold and snow aren't far behind usually.
Wednesday marked the first day of fall and while the forecast may not call for freezing temperatures or snow, it won’t be long before the Mile High City is faced with those conditions. We have in fact already passed the earliest dates Denver has seen freezes and snow so they can arrive at any time.
Denver has in fact seen snow as early as September 3rd and its first seasonal freeze as early as September 8th. Those are the extremes however. On average the first snowfall occurs on October 19th and the first freeze on October 7th.
How will we fare this year? La Niña conditions are strengthening and the outlook is for warmer than normal temperatures for the next few months. Colorado weather however doesn’t always follow an established pattern.
Below is a look at Colorado’s cold season statistics as provided by the National Weather Service. They provide a bit of historical perspective as to what we might expect this year.
The statistics below and many more are kept in our Climatology section. Check it out
Autumn First Freeze Information
Earliest Date of First Freeze: September 8, 1962
Latest Date of First Freeze: November 15, 1944
Average Date of First Freeze: October 7th
First Freeze Last 11 Years:
October 2, 2009
October 13, 2008
October 8, 2007
September 18, 2006
October 5, 2005
October 14, 2004
September 14, 2003
October 4, 2002
October 5, 2001
September 20, 2000
September 28, 1999
October 21st is the average date in which Denver’s normal overnight low temperature hits 32 degrees Fahrenheit for the first time.
Autumn First Snow Information
Earliest Date of First Snow: September 3, 1961
Latest Date of First Snow: November 21, 1934
Average Date of First Snow: October 19th
First Measurable Snow Last 11 Years:
October 21, 2009
November 14, 2008
October 22, 2007
October 18, 2006
October 10, 2005
November 1, 2004
November 5, 2003
October 25, 2002
October 5, 2001
September 23, 2000
September 28, 1999
Seasonal Snowfall Amounts
Greatest Seasonal Snowfall: 118.7 inches 1908-09
Least Seasonal Snowfall: 20.8 inches 1888-89
Average Seasonal Snowfall (1971-2000): 61.7 inches
Is it global warming at work? Probably not but the Mile High City experienced a very warm month of August that nearly ended up in the “top 10” statistical column. Were it not for things cooling down in the last week that almost certainly would have happened.
Denver’s average temperature for the month was 73.8 degrees – 2.1 degrees above normal. That put it 0.3 degrees shy of the number ten spot for warmest August on record which was in 1947 with an average temperature of 74.1. We should be thankful we didn’t reach near the top spot. The hottest August on record was in 1937 when we hit an average of 76.8 degrees.
In terms of extremes, the hottest day of the month occurred on the 22nd when the mercury climbed to 97 degrees. The coldest temperature recorded was on the 17th when we dropped to 47 degrees. Neither of those were records.
Overall we recorded 12 days with 90 degree or higher temperatures – three above normal. Similarly we have seen 41 ninety degree plus days this year which is 10 more than normal.
Only one temperature record was set for the month. That occurred on the 18th when a record high minimum of 67 degrees was recorded. This tied the previous record for the date set in 1986.
Here in Thornton we were a bit cooler than the Denver measurements. We saw an average temperature of 72.3 degrees with a high of 93.9 on the 18th and a low of 51.1 degrees on the 17th.
It may not have seemed like it as we did have quite a few days with thunderstorms but we in fact finished August with below normal precipitation. Denver recorded 1.05 inch but that was 0.77 inch below normal.
Most of that precipitation however fell within the first seven days of the month when 1.03 of the total was recorded. Of that, 0.68 inch was recorded on the first of the month. However, a mere 0.02 inch was recorded for the final three weeks of the month.
Thornton fared better than the official measurements in terms of precipitation. We recorded 1.41 inches for the month and the moisture we received was spread out across the month much better.
At the official Denver monitoring station at Denver International Airport they recorded 10 days with thunderstorms. The max wind gust was 45 mph recorded on the 12th and again on the 16th.
Like any other month in Denver January can yield a wide variety of conditions. The month is pretty consistently our coldest but by the end of the month we do start to see temperatures slowly start to climb. Big time snow can and does happen but more often than not the month is quite dry – in fact it is our second driest month of the year.
