January 3, 2014 – Stunning wave cloud sunset as seen from Brighton. View more images in the slideshow below. (Brandi Donahue)
While typically a cold month, January is oftentimes lacking in terms of weather drama. Living in Colorado however provides plenty of opportunity to capture a wide variety of weather-related imagery as we see in our January 2014 slideshow.
Slideshow updated January 31, 2014
In this, our first monthly photo slideshow, we feature photos that not only we have taken but also those taken by ThorntonWeather.com fans.
Throughout the month we will gather the images sent to us via email or shared with us via our various social media outlets and post them in the slideshow below.
With us only being one week into the month, great photos of sunsets, wildlife, pets and wintry conditions have emerged. We love them all!
The stage is set for Thornton to receive its most significant snowfall of the season thus far. Up in the high country snowfall will be measured in feet.
Here at lower elevations current forecasts are calling for 5 to 10 inches between Thursday and Friday afternoon. Many variables are in play that could affect the total that is eventually realized but this is certainly our best shot at a heavy snow thus far in the snow season.
We will be monitoring monitoring the storm very closely and posting regularly to our Facebook page and Twitter feed. You can follow along in real time below. We are also on Google+ here.
January 26 to February 1: This Week in Denver Weather History
As January comes to a close and February begins extreme weather continues to be possible. As we see in our look at this week in Denver weather history, damaging wind, bitter cold and snow have oftentimes wreaked havoc on the Front Range.
From the National Weather Service:
22-26
In 1948…the longest period of snowfall on record (92 hours and 3 minutes) occurred in downtown Denver where a total of 13.6 inches of snow fell. At Stapleton Airport…19.0 inches of snow fell…making it the heaviest snow in January and the 5th heaviest snow of record at that time. North winds were sustained to a velocity of 23 mph on the 25th…but generally the winds were light throughout the storm. The snow disrupted traffic…but street clearing was begun soon after it became apparent that the snow would be heavy. Over the 5 days…temperatures ranged from a high of 48 degrees on the 22nd to a low of 1 degree on the 26th. Most readings were in the teens and 20’s during the storm.
24-26
In 1970…a wind gust to 122 mph was recorded at the National Center for Atmospheric Research in Boulder on the 24th. Winds also gusted to 109 mph at NCAR on the 26th. Most winds were estimated between 60 and 70 mph in Boulder. Damage…in most cases…was from broken windows and tree limbs and downed power lines. A roof was blown off a house in Eldorado Springs south of Boulder. A building under construction was damaged in Boulder. Reported damage totaled 25 hundred dollars in Boulder. Northwest winds gusted to 47 mph at Stapleton International Airport on the 24th. In Denver…the Chinook winds warmed the temperature to a record high of 68 degrees on the 24th.
25-26
In 1910…gale force westerly winds of great velocity struck Boulder. Some damage was reported. West winds were sustained to 45 mph in Denver on the 25th.
25-27
In 1897…a cold spell resulted in three temperature records. Low temperature of 14 degrees below zero on the 27th was a record minimum for the date. High temperatures of only 3 degrees on the 25th and 2 degrees on the 26th were record low maximums for the dates. Very light snow or flurries fell on the 25th and 26th at times.
26
In 1902…the low temperature dipped to 20 degrees below zero.
In 1916…sleet…grains of ice…a rare occurrence in Denver… Fell for 3 hours and 15 minutes…covering the ground.
In 1999…high winds developed in and near the foothills. Peak wind reports included: 82 mph in Boulder and at Jefferson County Airport near Broomfield…79 mph at the Rocky Flats Environmental Test Facility…and 72 mph at the National Center for Atmospheric Research mesa lab near Boulder. West winds gusted to 40 mph at Denver International Airport where the temperature warmed to a high of 54 degrees.
26-27
In 1944…heavy snowfall totaled 8.0 inches in downtown Denver. Most of the snow…7.0 inches…occurred on the 26th when northwest winds were sustained to 17 mph.
In 1973…at Stapleton International Airport…only 3.8 inches of snowfall were measured and north winds gusted to 40 mph causing some blowing snow…while over the Colorado eastern plains heavy snow accompanied by high winds created widespread blizzard conditions closing many highways.
In 1994…the combination of an upper level storm system and moist upslope winds brought heavy snow and cold temperatures to metro Denver and much of eastern Colorado. Snowfall across metro Denver averaged 5 to 7 inches. Snowfall totaled 3.8 inches at Stapleton International Airport where east winds gusted to 21 mph on the 26th.
In 2000…snow…heavy in the mountains…spread over the foothills and metro Denver. Eight inches of snow were measured at Bergen Park and near Evergreen. Snowfall totaled 3.8 inches at the site of the former Stapleton International Airport.
26-1
In 1888…a protracted warm spell lasted a week. Maximum temperatures ranged from 62 degrees on the 29th to an all-time record high for the month of 76 degrees on the 27th. Daily record high temperatures of 76…69…and 71 occurred on the 27th…28th…and 30th respectively. Record high minimum temperatures of 47 and 34 occurred on the 26th and 27th.
27
In 1888…the highest recorded temperature in January…76 degrees…occurred.
In 1967…strong winds caused a power outage in Boulder.
In 1984…this was the last day of 63 consecutive days with snow cover of one inch or more in Denver. This longest period of snow cover on record began with the thanksgiving weekend blizzard on November 26-27…1983… When 21.5 inches of snow fell at Stapleton International Airport. Additional snowfall during December and January prolonged the event. Snow depth on the ground to the nearest inch was measured once daily at 5:00 am MST.
27-28
In 1899…snowfall totaled 6.2 inches in the city. Northeast winds were sustained to 36 mph with gusts to 40 mph on the 28th.
In 1965…high winds raked the Front Range foothills. West winds gusted to 89 mph on Table Mountain in Boulder…87 mph at Rocky Flats…and 54 mph at Stapleton International Airport. Damage and minor injuries occurred in Boulder and western metro Denver. Four men were injured by wind- caused accidents while working on construction…2 in Denver and 2 in Boulder. There was extensive damage to power lines… Buildings…signs…and trees. Some minor accidents were caused by blowing dust and debris. Blown dust accumulated 2 to 3 feet deep on some lawns in northern metro Denver suburbs. Dust blew into buildings and homes.
In 1989…the heaviest snowstorm of the winter dumped 9 to 15 inches of snow across metro Denver. Snowfall totaled 8.8 inches at Stapleton International Airport with most of the snow…8.6 inches…falling on the 28th. Strong north winds gusting to 46 mph whipped the snow into 2-foot drifts and reduced visibility in blowing snow. The foothills received up to 18 inches of snow. The snow fell on a weekend…so closures and other disruptions were minimal. The public reported thunder in Arvada…Wheat Ridge…and Boulder on the evening of the 27th. A thunderstorm produced snow pellets at Stapleton International Airport during the early morning hours of the 28th. This was the first thunderstorm in the city during January since 1932.
In 1996…winds to hurricane force were reported across the Front Range foothills in the wake of a pacific storm system. Recorded wind speeds included: 86 mph at the National Center for Atmospheric Research southwest of Boulder…86 mph atop Squaw Mountain west of Denver…and 75 mph at Jefferson County Airport in Broomfield. West-northwest winds gusted to 48 mph at Denver International Airport on the 28th.
In 2009…high winds buffeted the foothills of Boulder and Jefferson counties. Peak wind gusts included: 101 mph at Eldora Ski Resort…100 mph…6 miles northwest of Boulder; 84 mph at NCAR Mesa Lab…79 mph…5 miles northwest of Boulder; and 75 mph at the National Wind Technology Center. In Nederland…a wind turbine recently installed was damaged by the high winds. A peak wind gust of 38 mph occurred at Denver International Airport on the 28th.
A screen capture shows the moment of impact during one of a series of accidents on I-25 Saturday, January 4, 2014. (YouTube / coach tone)
As temperatures dropped and the snow fell Saturday across Colorado, roads became ice-coated and driving conditions worsened. Video captured near Colorado Springs captured a harrowing multi-car pileup on Interstate 25 that highlighted the dangerous road conditions.
Posted by a user Anthony Salazar to KOAA-5 television’s Facebook page, the video is taken from an overpass in the Colorado Springs area on Saturday, January 4.
Showing I-25 southbound, some drivers are shown exercising appropriate caution on the icy roads and proceeding slowly. Calamity ensues when others are less aware of the conditions.
As we begin the new year the winter chill begins to set in. While January can see its share of extremes, the month historically sees stable temperatures and is usually relatively dry.
January ranks as the second coldest month in Denver next to December with average temperatures remaining virtually the same from the start to the end of the month. In terms of snowfall, the month only ranks as the fourth snowiest and it is not uncommon for it to be quite dry.
What does January 2013 hold for us? Indications are that we may very well continue the recent pattern of below normal temperatures and relatively dry conditions.
Looking back at January 2013 the numbers reveal a month that wasn’t particularly extraordinary by any measure. Temperatures were slightly below average and precipitation was a bit less than normal.
The first half of the month was notable for cold while the second half for the most part was considerably warmer.
Temperatures for the first three days were well below normal before we entered a brief period with above average temperatures. That was followed by very cold days on the 12th and 13th when high temperatures only reached the teens. Most of the following two weeks were notable for highs in the 50s and 60s.
The month started out extraordinarily dry with a mere 0.3 inch of snow being recorded during the first 27 days. On the 28th though we received a decent little shot of snow to drive up the numbers.
The average temperature for the month came in at 29.7 degrees. This was a full degree below the Denver January average of 30.7 degrees. At the official Denver station at Denver International Airport, the monthly average was slightly warmer at 30.3 degrees.
Temperatures in Thornton ranged from a high of 67.8 degrees on the 24th down to a low of -2.4 degrees on the 15th. Denver recorded a highest temperature of 66 degrees, also on the 24th, and a low of -12 degrees on the 12th.
There were no temperature records set during the month.
In terms of precipitation, an anemic 0.21 inch was measured in Thornton while Denver fared better with 0.31 inch. The January average is 0.41 inch so both locations were a good bit below normal.
Snowfall was similarly light with Thornton recording 3.7 inches, most of which fell during the storm on the 28th and 29th. Out at DIA Denver officially measured 4.6 inches for the month. Average for January is 7.0 inches.
None of the precipitation or snowfall measurements were records.
Thornton, Colorado January 2013 Temperature Summary. (ThorntonWeather.com)Thornton, Colorado January 2013 Precipitation Summary. (ThorntonWeather.com)
From the National Weather Service:
...THE DENVER CLIMATE SUMMARY FOR THE MONTH OF JANUARY 2013...
CLIMATE NORMAL PERIOD 1981 TO 2010
CLIMATE RECORD PERIOD 1872 TO 2013
WEATHER OBSERVED NORMAL DEPART LAST YEAR`S
VALUE DATE(S) VALUE FROM VALUE DATE(S)
NORMAL
................................................................
TEMPERATURE (F)
RECORD
HIGH 76 01/27/1888
LOW -29 01/09/1875
HIGHEST 66 01/24 76 -10 66 01/21
LOWEST -12 01/12 -29 17 -6 01/11
AVG. MAXIMUM 44.6 44.0 0.6 50.3
AVG. MINIMUM 16.0 17.4 -1.4 21.6
MEAN 30.3 30.7 -0.4 36.0
DAYS MAX >= 90 0 0.0 0.0 0
DAYS MAX = .01 4 4.1 -0.1 4
DAYS >= .10 1 0.9 0.1 1
DAYS >= .50 0 0.0 0.0 0
DAYS >= 1.00 0 0.0 0.0 0
GREATEST
24 HR. TOTAL 0.22 01/28 TO 01/29
SNOWFALL (INCHES)
RECORDS
TOTAL 24.3 1992
TOTALS 4.6 7.0
DEGREE_DAYS
HEATING TOTAL 1067 1063 4 891
SINCE 7/1 3300 3531 -231 3325
COOLING TOTAL 0 0 0 0
SINCE 1/1 0 0 0 0
FREEZE DATES
RECORD
EARLIEST 09/08/1962
LATEST 06/08/2007
EARLIEST 10/07
LATEST 05/05
..................................................
WIND (MPH)
AVERAGE WIND SPEED 8.8
RESULTANT WIND SPEED/DIRECTION 4/205
HIGHEST WIND SPEED/DIRECTION 38/290 DATE 01/24
HIGHEST GUST SPEED/DIRECTION 45/290 DATE 01/24
SKY COVER
POSSIBLE SUNSHINE (PERCENT) MM
AVERAGE SKY COVER 0.50
NUMBER OF DAYS FAIR 8
NUMBER OF DAYS PC 20
NUMBER OF DAYS CLOUDY 3
AVERAGE RH (PERCENT) 48
WEATHER CONDITIONS. NUMBER OF DAYS WITH
THUNDERSTORM 0 MIXED PRECIP 0
HEAVY RAIN 0 RAIN 0
LIGHT RAIN 1 FREEZING RAIN 0
LT FREEZING RAIN 0 HAIL 0
HEAVY SNOW 1 SNOW 1
LIGHT SNOW 5 SLEET 0
FOG 7 FOG W/VIS
January 27 to February 2: This Week in Denver Weather History
High wind and heavy snow events dominate our look back at this week in Denver weather history. Most notable is a major snowstorm just last year that helped to provide at least some relief from tinder dry conditions. Hopefully we can see some of that this year!
From the National Weather Service:
25-27
In 1897…a cold spell resulted in three temperature records. Low temperature of 14 degrees below zero on the 27th was a record minimum for the date. High temperatures of only 3 degrees on the 25th and 2 degrees on the 26th were record low maximums for the dates. Very light snow or flurries fell on the 25th and 26th at times.
26-27
In 1944…heavy snowfall totaled 8.0 inches in downtown Denver. Most of the snow…7.0 inches…occurred on the 26th when northwest winds were sustained to 17 mph.
In 1973…at Stapleton International Airport…only 3.8 inches of snowfall were measured and north winds gusted to 40 mph causing some blowing snow…while over the Colorado eastern plains heavy snow accompanied by high winds created widespread blizzard conditions closing many highways.
In 1994…the combination of an upper level storm system and moist upslope winds brought heavy snow and cold temperatures to metro Denver and much of eastern Colorado. Snowfall across metro Denver averaged 5 to 7 inches. Snowfall totaled 3.8 inches at Stapleton International Airport where east winds gusted to 21 mph on the 26th.
In 2000…snow…heavy in the mountains…spread over the foothills and metro Denver. Eight inches of snow were measured at Bergen Park and near Evergreen. Snowfall totaled 3.8 inches at the site of the former Stapleton International Airport.
26-1
In 1888…a protracted warm spell lasted a week. Maximum temperatures ranged from 62 degrees on the 29th to an all-time record high for the month of 76 degrees on the 27th. Daily record high temperatures of 76…69…and 71 occurred on the 27th…28th…and 30th respectively. Record high minimum temperatures of 47 and 34 occurred on the 26th and 27th.
27
In 1888…the highest recorded temperature in January…76 degrees…occurred.
In 1967…strong winds caused a power outage in Boulder.
In 1984…this was the last day of 63 consecutive days with snow cover of one inch or more in Denver. This longest period of snow cover on record began with the Thanksgiving weekend blizzard on November 26-27…1983… When 21.5 inches of snow fell at Stapleton International Airport. Additional snowfall during December and January prolonged the event. Snow depth on the ground to the nearest inch was measured once daily at 5:00 am MST.
27-28
In 1899…snowfall totaled 6.2 inches in the city. Northeast winds were sustained to 36 mph with gusts to 40 mph on the 28th.
In 1965…high winds raked the Front Range foothills. West winds gusted to 89 mph on Table Mountain in Boulder…87 mph at Rocky Flats…and 54 mph at Stapleton International Airport. Damage and minor injuries occurred in Boulder and western metro Denver. Four men were injured by wind- caused accidents while working on construction…2 in Denver and 2 in Boulder. There was extensive damage to power lines… Buildings…signs…and trees. Some minor accidents were caused by blowing dust and debris. Blown dust accumulated 2 to 3 feet deep on some lawns in northern metro Denver suburbs. Dust blew into buildings and homes.
In 1989…the heaviest snowstorm of the winter dumped 9 to 15 inches of snow across metro Denver. Snowfall totaled 8.8 inches at Stapleton International Airport with most of the snow…8.6 inches…falling on the 28th. Strong north winds gusting to 46 mph whipped the snow into 2-foot drifts and reduced visibility in blowing snow. The foothills received up to 18 inches of snow. The snow fell on a weekend…so closures and other disruptions were minimal. The public reported thunder in Arvada…Wheat Ridge…and Boulder on the evening of the 27th. A thunderstorm produced snow pellets at Stapleton International Airport during the early morning hours of the 28th. This was the first thunderstorm in the city during January since 1932.
In 1996…winds to hurricane force were reported across the Front Range foothills in the wake of a pacific storm system. Recorded wind speeds included: 86 mph at the National Center for Atmospheric Research southwest of Boulder…86 mph atop Squaw Mountain west of Denver…and 75 mph at Jefferson County Airport in Broomfield. West-northwest winds gusted to 48 mph at Denver International Airport on the 28th.
In 2009…high winds buffeted the foothills of Boulder and Jefferson counties. Peak wind gusts included: 101 mph at Eldora Ski Resort…100 mph…6 miles northwest of Boulder; 84 mph at NCAR Mesa Lab…79 mph…5 miles northwest of Boulder; and 75 mph at the national wind technology center. In Nederland…a wind turbine recently installed was damaged by the high winds. A peak wind gust of 38 mph occurred at Denver International Airport on the 28th.
27-31
In 1951…a major storm dumped 10.1 inches of snowfall at Stapleton Airport. Most of the snow…8.3 inches…fell on the 29th. Cold arctic air accompanied the snow. Several temperature records were set…including record low maximum temperatures of 4 on the 28th and 4 below zero on the 29th and record low temperatures of 12 below zero on the 29th and 24 below zero on the 31st. Temperatures were below zero for 45 consecutive hours.
The 2012 / 2013 snow season has been dismal and while December brought some hope for recovery, recent weeks have seen snowpack decline once again. For the drought and fire weary state of Colorado the data does not bode well.
For the north-central Colorado mountains, the January 22 snowpack is at its second lowest level to date since 1979. Only 1981 saw worse results this far into the season.
According to the latest Colorado SNOTEL reports, the South Platte, North Platte and Upper Colorado River basins are at 57%, 65% and 60% of normal respectively. Statewide Colorado snowpack is a dismal 62% of average.
Is there hope? Mother Nature certainly works on her own schedule so it is possible we could see a recovery. However the latest 3-month outlook from the Climate Prediction Center forecasts warmer and drier than normal temperatures.
North-central Colorado snowpack through January 22. Click the image for a larger view. (NRCS)
January 20 to January 26: This Week in Denver Weather History
Damaging wind events dominate our look back at this week in Denver weather history. Also making appearances are extreme cold and significant snowstorms.
14-21
In 1930…a protracted cold spell occurred when low temperatures plunged below zero on 8 consecutive days. The coldest low temperatures of 20 degrees below zero on the 17th and 19 degrees below zero on the 16th were record minimums for the dates. High temperatures during the period ranged from 18 on the 18th to zero on the 20th. Two degrees on the 15th was a record low maximum temperature for the date.
15-23
In 1962…a protracted cold spell kept metro Denver in the deep freeze for more than a week. From the 15th thru the 23rd…low temperatures were zero or below for 9 consecutive days…but a daily record low was set only on the 22nd when the temperature dipped to 14 degrees below zero. A record low maximum for the date was also set on the 22nd when the temperature climbed to only 11 degrees. The coldest high temperature was 3 degrees above zero on the 21st…which did not break the record. The protracted cold was broken for only a few hours on the afternoon of the 20th when Chinook winds warmed the temperature to a high of 38 degrees before another surge of cold arctic air plunged temperatures back into the deep freeze that evening. The severe cold caused much damage to water systems. A woman was frozen to death at Morrison. There were other deaths attributable to the weather…including traffic deaths and heart attacks from overexertion.
18-20
In 1958…snowfall totaled 6.9 inches at Stapleton Airport where east-northeast winds gusted to 26 mph on the 18th.
18-24
In 2005…a week of mid-winter unseasonably warm weather pushed high temperatures into the 60’s or more on all but one day. During the period…the highest temperature of 70 degrees on the 20th was a new record maximum for the date. Low temperatures remained above freezing on 4 of the days.
19-20
In 1935…snowfall of only 0.8 inch during the evening of the 19th was the only measurable snowfall of the month. The light snow developed behind an arctic cold front as temperatures plunged to a low of 13 degrees below zero on the 20th. High temperature of only 2 degrees on the 20th was a record low maximum for the date. Northeast winds were sustained to 16 mph on the 19th.
In 1986…Chinook winds gusting to 39 mph at Stapleton International Airport provided record breaking warmth. The warmest temperature of the month…68 degrees on the 19th…was also a record high for the date. The low temperature of 41 degrees on the 20th equaled the record high minimum for the date.
In 1991…a strong cold front moved south across metro Denver. Upslope conditions produced 3 to 6 inches of snow along the Front Range with 5 inches in Westminster and 4 inches in Thornton. Snowfall measured 4.9 inches at Stapleton International Airport where north winds gusted to 31 mph.
20
In 1894…northwest winds were sustained to 40 mph with gusts to 45 mph in the city.
In 1911…west Chinook winds sustained to 46 mph warmed the temperature to a high of 62 degrees.
In 1975…a warm Chinook wind produced a west wind gust to 53 mph at Stapleton International Airport. Winds were much stronger near the foothills…where 80 mph winds in Boulder caused damage to homes…buildings…power lines… And autos.
In 1986…high winds buffeted the foothills from Denver north. The strongest reported wind was 72 mph in Fort Collins. A wind gust to 39 mph was reported at Stapleton International Airport in Denver.
In 1996…high winds developed for a short time in the Front Range foothills in the wake of a weak upper level disturbance. Wondervu recorded a peak wind gust to 90 mph… While winds gusted to 84 mph atop squaw mountain near Idaho Springs. West winds gusted to only 29 mph at Denver International Airport.
In 2011…a snowboarder and his dog were killed when he triggered an avalanche in the backcountry northeast of Berthoud Pass.
20-21
In 1973…a major storm produced 7.5 inches of snowfall at Stapleton International Airport where north winds gusted to 32 mph causing some blowing snow.
In 2002…high winds developed over portions of the northern mountains and Front Range foothills. Several trees were blown down in Gilpin County along State Highways 119 and 46. Wind gust reports included: 90 mph 11 miles north of Central City…83 mph near Fritz Peak…76 mph at Aspen Springs…and 80 mph at Nederland. West winds gusted to only 39 mph at Denver International Airport on the 20th.
When a cold front pushed through Colorado late last week not only did it bring bitter cold temperatures, it also brought a great deal of wind to the state’s southeastern plains. NASA’s Aqua satellite was able to capture images of the ensuing dust storm as the cold front pushed through.
As wind speeds increased dust was thrown aloft in southeastern Colorado on Friday, January 11. The intensity of the dust storm was undoubtedly aided by the dry landscape in what is the most parched part of the state.
Satellite imagery captured the dust storm as it moved into Kansas.
NASA writes:
Although the dust was thickest in western Kansas, many of the source points for the storm were in Colorado. One dust plume arose roughly 70 kilometers (40 miles) south of Colorado Springs. In Kansas, the eastern edge of the dust storm spanned 240 kilometers (150 miles) and the dust was thick enough to completely hide the land surface below, especially east of Goodland. Salina.com reported that the blowing dust reduced visibility to a quarter of a mile (0.4 kilometers).
The Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on NASA’s Aqua satellite captured this image of a dust storm in southeastern Colorado and western Kansas on January 11, 2013. (NASA)
Weather, natural disasters & climate news and information.
The stage is set for Thornton to receive its most significant snowfall of the season thus far. Up in the high country snowfall will be measured in feet.
As we begin the new year the winter chill begins to set in. While January can see its share of extremes, the month historically sees stable temperatures and is usually relatively dry.
