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Weather History

September 28 to October 4: This Week in Denver Weather History

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This Week In Denver Weather History
September 28 to October 4: This Week in Denver Weather History

Late September and early October are usually relatively calm in Denver however that isn’t always the case. In our look back at his week in weather history, we see that heavy, wet snow can arrive causing extensive damage – and even death. Severe thunderstorms have also occurred bringing large hail and even torndoes.

From the National Weather Service:

26-28

In 1936…the heaviest snowfall ever recorded in September and the heaviest snowfall ever recorded so early in the season dumped a total of 16.5 inches of snow on downtown Denver and 21.3 inches at Denver municipal airport. The 15.0 inches of snow measured from 6:00 pm on the 27th to 6:00 pm on the 28th is the greatest 24 hour snowfall ever recorded in September. This was the first snow of the season. The snow was intermittent through the 26th…but continuous from early afternoon on the 27th to around midnight on the 28th…except for a period of rain during the afternoon of the 28th which contributed to a loss of depth on the ground. The greatest snow depth on the ground downtown was 13 inches with 8 inches at Denver municipal airport. There were no high winds with the storm and traffic was interrupted for only a short period. The storm produced property damage estimated at 7 million dollars. With trees and shrubs in full foliage…the leaves caught and held the heavy water-laden snow…until the branches snapped from the weight. More than 3000 workmen were called to remove the debris and snow from the city. The city firemen who were off duty…as well as all the reserves… Were asked to report to their stations. All schools in the city remained open…but attendance was only 50 percent of normal. Grade school students were sent home at noon on the 28th. The early storm caught stockmen with many cattle still in higher ranges. Warm weather followed the snow…which had all melted by the end of the month…except for a few inches in sheltered places.

27-28

In 1984…heavy snow fell over the plains and foothills. Snowfall amounts ranged from 2 to 5 inches on the plains with up to a foot at higher elevations in the foothills. The main problem caused by the storm was thousands of power outages caused by snow-laden tree limbs snapping and falling onto power lines. Over 15 thousand homes lost power in metro Denver. Some cars were damaged by falling trees and limbs. The snow also caused some flight delays at Stapleton International Airport where 5.1 inches of snow fell and northeast winds gusted to 29 mph. Maximum snow depth on the ground was 3 inches due to melting. The high temperature of only 34 degrees on the 28th was a record low maximum for the date and equaled the all-time record for the month at that time.

28

In 1877…heavy dense smoke from mountain forest fires spread over the city. The smoke was so dense that it obscured the sun at times.

In 1921…post-frontal northeast winds were sustained to 44 mph.

In 1953…a pacific cold front produced a west wind gust to 59 mph at Stapleton Airport where the visibility was briefly reduced to 3/4 miles in blowing dust. Strong winds were also widespread over Boulder during the afternoon.

In 1960…strong…gusty winds tore the roof from 6 units of a motel on West Colfax Avenue in Denver. The roofing sailed over the building and crashed down on a truck…wrecking it. The strong winds were the result of an apparent microburst.

In 1999…snow fell in the foothills west of metro Denver and over the plains. Snowfall totals included 7 inches at Conifer. At the site of the former Stapleton International Airport…3.1 inches of snow were measured. This was the first snow of the season. The heavy wet snow snapped branches from fully leafed trees…downing power lines and causing scattered outages.

In 2004…severe thunderstorms produced hail to 3/4 inch in diameter in Littleton and in Douglas County 14 miles northwest of Castle Rock.

In 2012…a weak tornado (ef-0) tornado touched down near Strasburg. No damage was reported.

28-29

In 1959…one of the heaviest September snow storms of record began as rain and changed to heavy wet snow. The storm caused heavy damage to trees and shrubbery…which were still in full leaf. The storm dumped 10.6 inches of snow at Stapleton Airport…the third heaviest September snow amount to date. Falling trees and limbs disrupted traffic…broke power and communication lines…and damaged buildings and cars. One man was killed in Denver by a falling tree limb…and four others died of heart attacks while shoveling snow or trying to move heavy tree limbs. Direct costs of the storm for cleaning up debris…repairing utility lines…and damage to buildings and other property across all of eastern Colorado were estimated to be over a half million dollars. The value of trees destroyed or damaged was estimated to exceed five million dollars. North-northeast winds gusted to 32 mph at Stapleton Airport on the 28th.

In 1985…an unusually cold air mass for this time of year settled over the area. Metro Denver received 8 to 12 inches of powdery snow. The 8.7 inches of snow that fell at Stapleton International Airport was the first measurable snow of the season and the city’s heaviest September snowfall since 1971. The snow caused flight delays of over 2 hours at Stapleton International Airport. I-70 was closed for a time west of Denver. Snow-laden tree limbs snapped over all of metro Denver…causing widespread power outages. Ten thousand people were without electricity for a time in Boulder. The morning of the 29th saw mid-winter temperatures along the Front Range. The temperature dipped to 17 degrees…the lowest temperature ever recorded in September in Denver. The high temperature of only 29 degrees on the 29th was a new record low maximum for the date and lowest ever recorded during the month of September. The low temperature of 21 degrees on the evening of the 28th set a new record low for the date. The cold weather persisted through the 1st with record minimum temperatures of 25 degrees set on the 30th and 27 degrees set on October 1st.

29

In 1966…a vigorous cold front moved thru metro Denver. North winds gusting to 51 mph kicked up billows of blowing dust…which briefly reduced the visibility to 1 mile at Stapleton International Airport. The cold air caused temperatures to drop rapidly from a high of 86 degrees to a low of 46 degrees by days end.

In 1985…the lowest temperature ever recorded in September… 17 degrees…occurred. The high temperature warmed to only 29 degrees…the all-time record low maximum for the month.

In 1994…the temperature reached a high of 91 degrees at Stapleton International Airport. This was the 60th day of the year that the temperature had reached 90 degrees or more…establishing a new record at that time. The previous record of 52 “90 degree days” occurred in 1978. Only 43 “90 degree days” were recorded at Denver International Airport during 1994.

In 1995…lightning struck a couple in Aurora as they were walking in the rain. The bolt struck the umbrella the man was carrying…injuring both the man and his wife.

In 2000…late afternoon thunderstorms produced strong wind gusts to 76 mph in Westminster…to 69 mph near Boulder…and to 60 mph at Jefferson County Airport near Broomfield. No damage was reported.

30

In 1898…south winds were sustained to 41 mph with gusts to 54 mph.

In 1940…a late season thunderstorm in the city caused one lightning death.

In 1944…the month ended with a trace of rain on this date and for the month. A trace of rain also occurred on the 4th…9th…and 10th. There was no measurable precipitation for the month. The total of a trace of precipitation for the month equaled the driest September on record first set in 1892.

In 2009…a trained spotter in Coal Creek Canyon…recorded a peak wind gust to 88 mph.

Continue reading September 28 to October 4: This Week in Denver Weather History →

Climatology, Thornton Weather

October 2013 weather recap: Cooler than normal temperatures, first snow recorded

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Thornton and Denver’s October 2013 was overall a relatively un-noteworthy month in terms of weather.  Temperatures were below normal and we did receive our first measurable snowfall of the season.

We started the first two days of the month with temperatures in the 70s.  That was followed by a cold front moving through and delivering 0.8” of snow in Thornton on the 4th while Denver recorded only a trace at DIA.

We then saw five days of dry conditions with temperatures warming back up into the 70s.  On the 10th the next system arrived and rain was recorded on four of the next five days in Thornton.  Cooler than normal temperatures were notable during the period and lasted for the next eight days.

On the 18th another shot winter-like weather arrived and Thornton saw its biggest snowfall yet of the season: 2.4 inches.  Out at the airport, Denver recorded 1.4 inches.

The next nine days from the 19th to the 27th were largely pleasant days but with light rain on two days during that time.  On the 28th another cold front and storm system moved in and chilly temperatures returned.  Thornton recorded a dusting of snow on the 30th.

Overall temperatures for the month averaged 47.7 degrees as measured officially at DIA.  Here in Thornton our average temperature was slightly cooler at 45.9 degrees.  Both marks were considerably cooler than the historical October average temperature of 50.9 degrees.

Temperatures in Thornton ranged from a high of 79.5 degrees on the 8th down to a low of 25.5 degrees on the 16th.  Denver’s high and low were similar with 79 degrees also on the 8th and 27 degrees on the 5th and 16th.

One temperature record was set in Denver during the month.  On October 5 the low temperature reading of 28 degrees tied the record low for the date last set in 1877.

In terms of precipitation, Thornton recorded 1.21 inches between rainfall and snowmelt.  Denver was drier recording only 0.72 inches.  The Mile High City historically averages 1.02 inches so Thornton was above average, Denver below.

With only small snowfalls recorded, it wasn’t a particularly white month.  Thornton measured a total of 3.3 inches while Denver recorded only 1.4 inches.  Both were below the October average of 4.0 inches.

Click here to view Thornton’s October 2013 climate summary report.

[pe2-image src=”http://lh4.ggpht.com/-D-mSqpy-pQc/UnQi63nQ0FI/AAAAAAAAA3Q/_8y6TRKhmuE/s144-c-o/October2013Temps.jpg” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/108306177534978229224/Misc?authkey=Gv1sRgCNPjmpm5l5PSOA#5941412203164913746″ caption=”Thornton’s October 2013 Temperatures.” type=”image” alt=”October2013Temps.jpg” pe2_single_image_size=”w560″ pe2_img_align=”left” ]

[pe2-image src=”http://lh5.ggpht.com/-d6PD6Dq3lto/UnQi_K0Q-dI/AAAAAAAAA3Y/L7pCMZAzn7E/s144-c-o/October2013Precip.jpg” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/108306177534978229224/Misc?authkey=Gv1sRgCNPjmpm5l5PSOA#5941412277039200722″ caption=”Thornton’s October 2013 Precipitation.” type=”image” alt=”October2013Precip.jpg” pe2_single_image_size=”w560″ pe2_img_align=”left” ]

CLIMATE REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BOULDER, CO
240 AM MDT FRI NOV 1 2013

...................................

...THE DENVER CO CLIMATE SUMMARY FOR THE MONTH OF OCTOBER 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              90   10/01/1892
 LOW               -2   10/29/1917
HIGHEST            79   10/08        90     -11       83  10/03
LOWEST             27   10/16        -2      29       24  10/27
                        10/05
AVG. MAXIMUM     60.0              65.3    -5.3     62.2
AVG. MINIMUM     35.5              36.6    -1.1     35.9
MEAN             47.7              50.9    -3.2     49.0
DAYS MAX >= 90      0               0.0     0.0        0
DAYS MAX <= 32      0               0.4    -0.4        1
DAYS MIN <= 32     12               8.5     3.5       11
DAYS MIN <= 0       0               0.0     0.0        0

PRECIPITATION (INCHES)
RECORD
 MAXIMUM         4.17   1969
 MINIMUM            T   1934
TOTALS           0.72              1.02   -0.30     1.22
DAILY AVG.       0.02              0.03   -0.01     0.04
DAYS >= .01         8               5.3     2.7        5
DAYS >= .10         3               2.4     0.6        3
DAYS >= .50         0               0.5    -0.5        2
DAYS >= 1.00        0               0.1    -0.1        0
GREATEST
 24 HR. TOTAL    0.25   10/18 TO 10/18           10/24 TO 10/25
                        10/03 TO 10/04                    10/25 TO 10/25
                                                          10/25 TO 10/25
 STORM TOTAL       MM                                 MM
 (MM/DD(HH))            MM                    10/25(00) TO 10/25(00)
                                                 10/25(00) TO 10/25(00)5
                                                 10/25(00) TO 10/25(00)5

SNOWFALL (INCHES)
RECORDS
 TOTAL             MM   MM
TOTALS            1.4               4.0

DEGREE_DAYS
HEATING TOTAL     525               440      85      488
 SINCE 7/1        608               581      27      557
COOLING TOTAL       0                 5      -5        1
 SINCE 1/1        999               769     230     1236

FREEZE DATES
RECORD
 EARLIEST     09/08/1962
 LATEST       06/08/2007
EARLIEST      10/04             10/07
LATEST                          05/05
......................................................

WIND (MPH)
AVERAGE WIND SPEED              8.8
RESULTANT WIND SPEED/DIRECTION   1/180
HIGHEST WIND SPEED/DIRECTION    40/270    DATE  10/10
HIGHEST GUST SPEED/DIRECTION    48/270    DATE  10/10

SKY COVER
POSSIBLE SUNSHINE (PERCENT)   MM
AVERAGE SKY COVER           0.50
NUMBER OF DAYS FAIR           12
NUMBER OF DAYS PC             14
NUMBER OF DAYS CLOUDY          5

AVERAGE RH (PERCENT)     61

WEATHER CONDITIONS. NUMBER OF DAYS WITH
THUNDERSTORM              0     MIXED PRECIP               0
HEAVY RAIN                0     RAIN                       3
LIGHT RAIN                9     FREEZING RAIN              0
LT FREEZING RAIN          1     HAIL                       0
HEAVY SNOW                1     SNOW                       2
LIGHT SNOW                4     SLEET                      0
FOG                      13     FOG W/VIS <= 1/4 MILE      9
HAZE                      4

-  INDICATES NEGATIVE NUMBERS.
R  INDICATES RECORD WAS SET OR TIED.
MM INDICATES DATA IS MISSING.
T  INDICATES TRACE AMOUNT.
Thornton Weather, Weather History

Trick or treat? Denver’s Halloween weather can be frightful but perhaps not as often as believed

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Scary weather on Halloween in Denver? While it is oftentimes thought to be, that isn't usually the case.
Scary weather on Halloween in Denver? While it is oftentimes thought to be, that isn’t usually the case. (iStockPhoto)

Longtime residents of the Mile High City oftentimes have a belief that the weather on Halloween is frightful more often than not. A look at the empirical data shows that while some years have seen scary weather, most times it isn’t too bad.

Denver has been recording snowfall since 1882. In the 131 Halloweens from then until 2012, snow has fallen on October 31 just 22 times, or a mere 17%. That means historically there is less than a 1 in 6 chance of snow on All Hallows’ Eve.

Interestingly enough, there are better chances of snow falling on the day before Halloween and the day after. October 30 has recorded snowfall 21% of the time (28 times) and November 1 on 22% of the days (29 times).

Snow depth, measurable snow on the ground in the morning, has been recorded in the Mile High City since 1921. During those 91 years, snow was on the ground on Halloween morning 16% of the time (15 days).

Here again, there was snow on the ground more often on October 30 and November 1 than on Halloween itself. October 30 comes in with snow on the ground 17% of the time (16 times) and November 1 21% of the time (19 times).

However, when you combine the number of times snow was on the ground the day before, the day after or on Halloween itself, you can see where the perception of snowy Halloweens began. Totaling the three yields 50 days or 55% of the years.

Average temperatures on Halloween are actually relatively comfortable. Daytime highs average 51 degrees and lows dip to 31 degrees on average.

The highest temperature on the date was 79 degrees in 1950. The record low temperature for October 31 was recorded in 1991 at 10 degrees.

A few of the more notable Halloweens on record:

  • 2004 – The most recent time Denver received snow on Halloween when 1.4 inches was recorded.
  • 2002 – A white Halloween and a very cold one! 1.2 inches of snow was recorded and temperatures during prime trick-or-treating time were only in the mid to upper teens. The high temperature that day, 19 degrees, stands as the record low maximum temperature for October 31.
  • 1972 – The snowiest Halloween on record. The high temperature that day was only 30 degrees with a low of 15 degrees. Eight inches of snow fell that day followed by an additional 5.8 inches on November 1.

What does Halloween 2013 hold in terms of weather? Click here for the latest forecast.

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Astronomy

Hunter’s Moon brightens the early morning sky

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Sunday morning the virtually full moon brightened the landscape.  Captured just before dawn, the image below is technically two days late to be one of the truly full Hunter’s moon but it still appears fully lit.

The Hunter’s Moon is the traditional term for the second full moon of autumn, following the Harvest Moon, the first of the season.  Typically this makes it the full moon we see in October but it can sometimes fall in November.

The name is popularly attributed to Native Americans and said to be named such because it meant it was time to go hunting and prepare for the arrival of winter.

More than folklore, there is something unique about the Hunter’s Moon.  See below the image for more details.

A very bright moon lights up the landscape two days after the full Hunter’s Moon. Click the image for a larger view.
A very bright moon lights up the landscape two days after the full Hunter’s Moon. Click the image for a larger view. (ThorntonWeather.com)

From EarthSky.org:

But the Hunter’s Moon is also more than just a name. Nature is particularly cooperative around the time of the autumn equinox to make the full moonrises unique around this time.

Here’s what happens. On average, the moon rises about 50 minutes later each day. But when a full moon happens close to the autumnal equinox – either a Harvest or a Hunter’s Moon – the moon (at mid-temperate latitudes) rises only about 30 to 35 minutes later daily for several days before and after the full moon.

Why? The reason is that the ecliptic – or the moon’s orbital path – makes a narrow angle with the evening horizon around the time of the autumn equinox. The narrow angle of the ecliptic results in a shorter-than-usual rising time between successive moonrises around the full Hunter’s Moon.

These early evening moonrises are what make every Hunter’s Moon special. Every full moon rises around sunset. After the full Hunter’s Moon, you’ll see the moon ascending in the east relatively soon after sunset for a few days in a row at northerly latitudes.

Thornton Weather

Denver ties record low temperature for October 4

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Record Cold TemperaturesWith a Freeze Warning in place following yesterday’s cold front, we knew it was going to be cold and it certainly has been.  In fact, it was record-setting.

Just before midnight, the mercury at Denver International Airport dropped to 28 degrees.  This tied the record low temperature for the date, October 4, last set 136 years ago in 1877.

Thornton nearly matched the official Denver numbers with a low of 28.5° recorded at 11:57 p.m.  This was our coldest reading since May 3.

The storm system that moved through brought snow to a good part of the Denver metro area.  Here in Thornton we measured 0.8”, our first snowfall of the season.  A total 0.39″ of liquid precipitation (rain and snow melt) was recorded in our bucket.

Inexplicably, the National Weather Service is showing no snow was measured at DIA yesterday morning.  This despite the fact that numerous firsthand accounts and pictures posted to social media showed the airport did indeed have measureable snowfall.

We are reaching out to the NWS to get an explanation for the discrepancy and will update this post if / when we receive a response.

  • Don’t miss a thing when it comes to our ever-changing weather! Be sure to ‘like’ us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter and add us to your Google+ circles.
Thornton Weather

September 28 to October 5: This Week in Denver Weather History

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This Week In Denver Weather History
September 28 to October 5: This Week in Denver Weather History

While it appears Denver will escape September snow, our look back at this week in weather history shows that isn’t always the case. Additionally, while not common, even early fall can bring severe weather with damaging wind, lightning and even tornadoes.

From the National Weather Service:

28-29

In 1959…one of the heaviest September snow storms of record began as rain and changed to heavy wet snow. The storm caused heavy damage to trees and shrubbery…which were still in full leaf. The storm dumped 10.6 inches of snow at Stapleton Airport…the third heaviest September snow amount to date. Falling trees and limbs disrupted traffic…broke power and communication lines…and damaged buildings and cars. One man was killed in Denver by a falling tree limb…and four others died of heart attacks while shoveling snow or trying to move heavy tree limbs. Direct costs of the storm for cleaning up debris…repairing utility lines…and damage to buildings and other property across all of eastern Colorado were estimated to be over a half million dollars. The value of trees destroyed or damaged was estimated to exceed five million dollars. North-northeast winds gusted to 32 mph at Stapleton Airport on the 28th.

In 1985…an unusually cold air mass for this time of year settled over the area. Metro Denver received 8 to 12 inches of powdery snow. The 8.7 inches of snow that fell at Stapleton International Airport was the first measurable snow of the season and the city’s heaviest September snowfall since 1971. The snow caused flight delays of over 2 hours at Stapleton International Airport. I-70 was closed for a time west of Denver. Snow-laden tree limbs snapped over all of metro Denver…causing widespread power outages. Ten thousand people were without electricity for a time in Boulder. The morning of the 29th saw mid-winter temperatures along the Front Range. The temperature dipped to 17 degrees…the lowest temperature ever recorded in September in Denver. The high temperature of only 29 degrees on the 29th was a new record low maximum for the date and lowest ever recorded during the month of September. The low temperature of 21 degrees on the evening of the 28th set a new record low for the date. The cold weather persisted through the 1st with record minimum temperatures of 25 degrees set on the 30th and 27 degrees set on October 1st.

29

In 1966…a vigorous cold front moved thru metro Denver. North winds gusting to 51 mph kicked up billows of blowing dust…which briefly reduced the visibility to 1 mile at Stapleton International Airport. The cold air caused temperatures to drop rapidly from a high of 86 degrees to a low of 46 degrees by days end.

In 1985…the lowest temperature ever recorded in September… 17 degrees…occurred. The high temperature warmed to only 29 degrees…the all-time record low maximum for the month.

In 1994…the temperature reached a high of 91 degrees at Stapleton International Airport. This was the 60th day of the year that the temperature had reached 90 degrees or more…establishing a new record at that time. The previous record of 52 “90 degree days” occurred in 1978. Only 43 “90 degree days” were recorded at Denver International Airport during 1994.

In 1995…lightning struck a couple in Aurora as they were walking in the rain. The bolt struck the umbrella the man was carrying…injuring both the man and his wife.

In 2000…late afternoon thunderstorms produced strong wind gusts to 76 mph in Westminster…to 69 mph near Boulder…and to 60 mph at Jefferson County Airport near Broomfield. No damage was reported.

30

In 1898…south winds were sustained to 41 mph with gusts to 54 mph.

In 1940…a late season thunderstorm in the city caused one lightning death.

In 1944…the month ended with a trace of rain on this date and for the month. A trace of rain also occurred on the 4th…9th…and 10th. There was no measurable precipitation for the month. The total of a trace of precipitation for the month equaled the driest September on record first set in 1892.

In 2009…a trained spotter in Coal Creek Canyon…recorded a peak wind gust to 88 mph.

Continue reading September 28 to October 5: This Week in Denver Weather History →

Thornton Weather

Thornton’s October weather preview: First freeze, first snow usually coming

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Thornton, Colorado October weather preview.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.

For complete details on our historical October weather and what we can expect in the coming month, read our complete October weather preview here.

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Thornton Weather

October 2012 Thornton weather recap: A relatively calm month

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ThorntonWeather.com October 2012 Weather Recap
A late month snow in October 2012 covered the nearby Flatirons in a blanket of white. (ThorntonWeather.com)

The Colorado Front Range saw a relatively calm month in October 2012 but also a change in the hot and dry pattern we had been stuck in.  Temperatures were below normal for the first time in months and above average precipitation was recorded.

October 2012 started out with an average day on the first but the 2nd and 3rd of the month brought temperatures above 80 degrees.

That warm weather didn’t last long however as a cold front moved in on the 4th and brought much cooler temperatures.  Denver officially recorded its first snow of the season on the 5th (0.4 inch at DIA) however Thornton missed out and did not record any with that system.

Temperatures remained cooler than normal for most of the first half of the month.  On the 13th we received a light dose of rain (0.13 inch in Thornton) while Denver recorded a more generous 0.55 inch.

A calm period followed through the third week of the month.  Temperatures were generally mild though and above normal.

Big changes arrived on the 24th as a large upper level trough and cold front moved in.  Thornton recorded a combined total of 5.7 inches of snow on the 25th and 26th.  Denver recorded 5.1 inches at the airport during the period.

The closing days of the month brought a return to warmer than normal temperatures and dry conditions.

Overall Thornton recorded an average temperature during October 2012 of 47.6 degrees.  Denver’s temperature averaged 49.0 degrees which was 1.9 degrees below normal.

Temperatures in Thornton ranged from a high of 85.0 degrees on the 3rd down to a low of 22.8 degrees on the 27th.  Officially Denver recorded a monthly high of 83.0 degrees and a low of 24 degrees on those same dates.

The only temperature record set occurred on the 20th when the morning temperature at DIA dropped to 50 degrees.  This tied the record low minimum for the date that was also set in 1939 and 1947.

In terms of precipitation, the little bit of rain at the start and middle of the month followed by the snow helped to drive up precipitation totals.  Here in Thornton we recorded 0.99 inch of precipitation during the month while DIA measured 1.22.  Denver’s total was 0.20 inch above normal.  Denver’s snowfall total for the month of 5.5 inches was 1.5 inches above normal.

Click here to view the ThorntonWeather.com climatology report for October 2012.

ThorntonWeather.com October 2012 Temperatures

ThorntonWeather.com October 2012 Precipitation

Denver’s Official October 2012 Climate Summary

...THE DENVER CO CLIMATE SUMMARY FOR THE MONTH OF AUGUST 2012...

CLIMATE NORMAL PERIOD 1981 TO 2010
CLIMATE RECORD PERIOD 1872 TO 2012

WEATHER         OBSERVED          NORMAL  DEPART  LAST YEAR`S
                 VALUE   DATE(S)  VALUE   FROM    VALUE  DATE(S)
                                          NORMAL
................................................................
TEMPERATURE (F)
RECORD
 HIGH             105   08/08/1878
 LOW               40   08/26/1910
                        08/25/1910
                        08/24/1910
HIGHEST            98   08/27        87      11       99  08/25
                        08/03
                        08/06
                        08/09
LOWEST             47   08/17        40       7       55  08/20
AVG. MAXIMUM     91.0              87.2     3.8     92.7
AVG. MINIMUM     58.9              57.9     1.0     61.3
MEAN             75.0              72.5     2.5     77.0
DAYS MAX >= 90     20              11.5     8.5       22
DAYS MAX = .01         1               8.6    -7.6        3
DAYS >= .10         1               4.3    -3.3        1
DAYS >= .50         0               1.2    -1.2        0
DAYS >= 1.00        0               0.3    -0.3        0
GREATEST
 24 HR. TOTAL    0.11   08/11 TO 08/11           08/03 TO 08/03

SNOWFALL (INCHES)
RECORDS
 TOTAL            0.0  NO SNOW EVER RECORDED IN AUGUST
TOTALS            0.0  NO SNOW EVER RECORDED IN AUGUST

DEGREE_DAYS
HEATING TOTAL       0                10     -10        0
 SINCE 7/1          0                16     -16        0
COOLING TOTAL     319               244      75      382
 SINCE 1/1       1122               688     434      863

FREEZE DATES
RECORD
 EARLIEST     09/08/1962
 LATEST       06/08/2007
EARLIEST                        10/07
LATEST                          05/05
..................................................

WIND (MPH)
AVERAGE WIND SPEED              9.9
RESULTANT WIND SPEED/DIRECTION   3/217
HIGHEST WIND SPEED/DIRECTION    38/330    DATE  08/30
HIGHEST GUST SPEED/DIRECTION    45/330    DATE  08/30

SKY COVER
POSSIBLE SUNSHINE (PERCENT)   MM
AVERAGE SKY COVER           0.50
NUMBER OF DAYS FAIR            8
NUMBER OF DAYS PC             22
NUMBER OF DAYS CLOUDY          1

AVERAGE RH (PERCENT)     34

WEATHER CONDITIONS. NUMBER OF DAYS WITH
THUNDERSTORM              4     MIXED PRECIP               0
HEAVY RAIN                0     RAIN                       0
LIGHT RAIN                9     FREEZING RAIN              0
LT FREEZING RAIN          0     HAIL                       0
HEAVY SNOW                0     SNOW                       0
LIGHT SNOW                0     SLEET                      0
FOG                       0     FOG W/VIS
Thornton Weather

Frightening weather? A look at Denver’s Halloween weather history

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Many long-time Denver residents believe it always snows on Halloween. Is it fact or fiction?

As a kid growing up in Denver it always seemed like Mother Nature put a damper on our trick-or-treating.  Conventional wisdom in the Denver area is that it always seems to rain or snow on Halloween.

But, is there any truth to this urban legend?  Or is this just one of those times where our memory doesn’t serve us quite right?

This year it looks like we have nothing to worry about but  the National Weather Service has been kind enough to compile weather statistics just for Halloween.  As it turns out, the thought of snow and rain on Octboer 31st isn’t just in our minds!

Get all the details in our Denver Halloween statistics and info page!  Click here!

Will it snow this Halloween?  Get the latest forecast here.

Natural Disasters

Video: Live Weather Channel coverage of Hurricane Sandy

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Hurricane SandyHurricane Sandy is fast approaching the U.S. East Coast and is on target for landfall in southern New Jersey this evening.  The effects of the storm are already being felt across a large part of the Mid-Atlantic region.

The Weather Channel is of course providing 24 / 7 coverage of the historic storm on television and the network now has a live feed of its broadcast available that can be viewed below.  You can also view WeatherNation TV here for news from an alternative source.

For more resources to monitor the storm, check out this story from the Natural Disasters Examiner: Hurricane Sandy: Resources for monitoring and preparing for ‘Frankenstorm’.