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Weather History

October 4 to October 10: This week in Denver weather history

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This Week in Denver Weather History

A very eventful week in Denver weather history with a wide variety of events from snow to summer-like severe weather. Most notable is five years ago today when multiple tornadoes touched down in the Brighton area.  Read more about all the events below and scroll to a bottom for videos of the 2004 tornadoes.

From the National Weather Service:

From the 3rd to the 4th:

In 1969…the first snowfall of the season totaled 16.0 inches at Stapleton International Airport. There was a thunder snow shower on the evening of the 3rd…but otherwise little wind with the storm. The greatest snow depth on the ground was 8 inches due to melting. Heavy wet snow accumulated on trees…which were still in full leaf…and caused widespread damage from broken limbs and downed utility lines.

From the 3rd to the 5th:

In 1984…the remnants of pacific hurricane polo produced heavy rain over northeastern Colorado. Most locations received between 1.00 to 2.50 inches of rain…but 3.45 inches fell in Littleton. Rainfall totaled 1.73 inches at Stapleton International Airport…where north winds gusted to 24 mph.

On the 4th:

In 1912…sustained south winds to 55 mph with gusts to 60 mph raised the temperature to a high of 83 degrees… The warmest temperature of the month that year.

In 1924…west winds were sustained to 46 mph with gusts to 50 mph in the city. The apparent Bora winds cooled the temperature to a high of 57 degrees from a high of 70 degrees on the 3rd.

In 2004…several small tornadoes touched down near Brighton… Barr lake…and Hudson in Adams and southern weld counties. Most of these caused no damage. However…a small tornado 5 miles southeast of Brighton caused extensive damage to a recreational vehicle and severely damaged a barn. The barn was torn from its foundation…and the roof was thrown 100 feet. Four llamas in the barn were injured when it collapsed.

From the 4th to the 5th:

In 1997…unusually warm weather resulted in two temperature records. High temperature of 87 degrees on the 4th exceeded the old record set in 1922 by one degree. High temperature of 86 degrees on the 5th equaled the record set in 1990 and previous years.

On the 5th:

In 1962…unusually severe thunderstorms for this late in the season affected areas from Boulder northward. Hail up to golf ball size and strong gusty winds did much damage to roofs…windows…and signs in Boulder. Heavy rainfall caused local flooding.

In 1994…lightning caused a power outage to over 2400 homes for a few hours in and around Nederland in the foothills southwest of Boulder. Very strong winds accompanied the thunderstorm. Thunderstorm winds gusted to 60 mph and hail to 1/2 inch diameter fell in Lafayette. Strong microburst winds gusting to 69 mph near Strasburg caused an oil rig to topple onto two vehicles…injuring one person. The strong winds in the area also downed a few power poles… But caused power outages to only a few homes.

In 1995…strong winds spread from the foothills onto the plains. Wind gusts to 77 mph were reported atop squaw mountain west of Denver. On the plains…winds gusted to 60 mph at Kennesburg and to 62 mph near Strasburg. North winds gusted to 41 mph at Denver International Airport.

On the 6th:

In 1900…northwest winds were sustained to 40 mph with gusts as high as 50 mph in downtown Denver.

In 1903…northwest winds were sustained to 40 mph with gusts to 50 mph. The strong winds warmed the temperature to a high of 71 degrees in the city. The low reading was only 46 degrees.

In 1910…light smoke from forest fires drifted over the city.

In 1976…an arctic cold front brought light snow over the foothills above 6 thousand feet. Traffic was snarled at many locations. Only a trace of snow fell at Stapleton International Airport where rainfall totaled 0.20 inch and northeast winds gusted to 41 mph.

In 1991…the brilliant orange sunset was apparently the result of an extensive volcanic smoke layer in the upper atmosphere.

In 1994…strong west to northwest winds developed in the foothills above 9500 feet. A wind gust to 78 mph was recorded atop squaw mountain west of Denver and to 72 mph at ward northwest of Boulder. Northwest winds gusted to 35 mph at Stapleton International Airport.

In 2011…strong winds developed in and around the Denver area ahead of an approaching storm system. At the National Wind Technology Center…peak wind gusts ranged from 79 to 92 mph during the early morning hours. Across metro Denver…the strong winds toppled a few trees and damaged patio furniture. The wind caused a few flight delays at Denver International Airport due to a partial ground stoppage of incoming flights. Peak wind reports also included: 66 mph at Cedar Point…63 mph at Denver International Airport…60 mph at Buckley Air Force Base; 59 mph at Highlands Ranch; 58 mph at Deer Trail and Rocky Mountain Metro Airport in Broomfield; 55 mph at Bennett…Centennial Airport and City Park in Denver.

On the 7th:

In 1903…north winds were sustained to 40 mph with gusts to 48 mph.

In 1917…post-frontal northwest winds were sustained to 45 mph with gusts to 52 mph. Rain was mixed with a trace of snow…the first of the season. Precipitation totaled 0.22 inch and included the occurrence of hail even though no thunder was heard.

In 1950…strong winds caused a power outage in Boulder. This was the heaviest windstorm since January. Damage was minor. Northwest winds gusted to only 35 mph at Stapleton Airport.

In 1985…strong Chinook winds buffeted the Front Range foothills. Wind gusts between 60 and 70 mph were reported in Boulder and atop squaw mountain west of Denver. Southwest winds gusted to 41 mph at Stapleton International Airport.

From the 7th to the 8th:

In 1990…the season’s first snow occurred. Snowfall amounts varied from 3 to 7 inches across metro Denver. Snowfall totaled 4.0 inches at Stapleton International Airport where north winds gusted to 29 mph.

Continue reading October 4 to October 10: This week in Denver weather history →

Colorado Weather, Thornton Weather

Fall colors 2020: When and where to go for leaf peeping

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Rocky Mountain National Park is a prime spot for viewing the fall foliage. (Tony's Takes)
Rocky Mountain National Park is a prime spot for viewing the fall foliage. (Tony’s Takes)

This time of year many folks start thinking about heading to the hills west of Denver in search of gold – fall foliage gold.

Where to go?  Below are five of ThorntonWeather.com’s favorite ones near Denver – plus a few further out and some bonus ideas.  After that, we will tell you where you can find a great website that provides regular updates on viewing conditions.

I-70 Corridor – If you’re looking for the easiest route, then this one is for you.  Simply head west on I-70 about 110 miles to Avon.  Between Vail and Avon, both sides of I-70 are lined beautifully with aspen.

Rocky Mountain National Park – One of the most popular summer destinations in the state is of course also a prime spot to view aspen in all their glory.  Once in the park head toward Bear Lake.  Glacier Gorge Junction provides a beautiful spot and you of course also get to enjoy all the splendor that Rocky Mountain National Park has to offer.  Extend your viewing by taking Trail Ridge Road all the way through to the west side of the park and the Grand Lake and Granby area.

Peak to Peak Highway – This little road trip can be a dual purpose trip – gambling and fall foliage viewing!  Take U.S. 6 through Clear Creek Canyon and then 119 through Blackhawk and Central City.  You can of course stop there if your wallet is fat enough and donate some money to the casinos.  From there continue on 119 toward Nederland.  Take highway 72 toward Ward and Allenspark.  There you will find more golden aspen than you can imagine, all with the Continental Divide nearby.

Colorado Fall Foliage - Average Date of Peak Aspen Colors. Click for larger view. (ThorntonWeather.com)
Colorado Fall Foliage – Average Date of Peak Aspen Colors. Click for larger view. (ThorntonWeather.com)

Poudre Valley Canyon –  Heading north on I-25 take Colorado 14 west and into Poudre Canyon and Roosevelt National Forest.  As you continue west you will come very near timberline as you come to Cameron Pass.  Amazing views abound!

Guanella Pass – This is a nice, relatively short drive from Denver.  From C470 take 85 through Bailey and Conifer, a nice drive unto itself.  When you come to the town of Grant, take the Guanella Pass Scenic and Historic Byway north to Georgetown.  The air is pretty thin along the way as you climb in excess of 11,500 views through the Pike and Arapahoe National Forests.

A couple other possibilities further from the Front Range:

Leadville / Aspen – From Denver take I-70 west to Copper Mountain and then Colorado 91 south over Freemont Pass to Leadville. Along the way there are plenty of viewing opportunities and Leadville is a nice little town to make a stop. From here you can take Highway 24 north back through Minturn and Vail. To extend the drive, take Highway 24 south to Colorado 82 and head toward Aspen. You can stop by the Maroon Bells in White River National Forest to view some of the most photographed mountains in Colorado.

Cottonwood Pass – From Denver take Highway 285 to Buena Vista. Head west on Main Street for seven miles then west on County Road 344 / Colorado 82. From there you start the climb up Cottonwood Pass with absolutely stunning views from the top. If you are up for it, you can continue down the west side of the pass into the Taylor Park area.

Honorable mentions worth considering:

  • Boreas Pass between Breckenridge and Como (County Road 10)
  • Kenosha Pass on Highway 285 between Bailey and Fairplay
  • Independence Pass (Colorado 82 between Aspen and Twin Lakes)
  • Colorado 103 from Evergreen to Echo Lake. Throw in a drive up Mount Evans for a bonus.

If you do head out, be sure to send us your pictures for inclusion in our monthly photo slideshows!

For more information:

Weather History

September 27 to October 3: This week in Denver weather history

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This Week in Denver Weather History

With the end of summer and the arrival of fall, looking back at Denver weather history we start to see more mentions of snow.  It is of course not the only notable weather event this time of year.  We still have received severe thunderstorms, damaging winds, and 90 degree plus heat.

From the National Weather Service:

From the 25th to the 27th:

in 1996…an early season snowstorm brought heavy snow to the Front Range eastern foothills.  Snowfall totals included:  8 to 12 inches around Conifer…7 inches on Floyd Hill…and 6 inches at both bailey and Chief Hosa. Snowfall totaled only 4.7 inches at the site of the former Stapleton International Airport.  This was the first measurable snow of the season.  After the passage of a strong cold front…north winds gusted to 38 mph at Denver International Airport on the 25th.

From the 26th to the 28th:

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.

On the 27th:

In 1877…smoke from heavy forest fires in the mountains spread over the city on upper wind currents.

In 1935…the first snow of the season was 2.8 inches in downtown Denver.  The low temperature dipped to 31 degrees for the first freeze of the season.

From the 27th to the 28th:

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.

On the 28th:

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.

From the 28th to the 29th:

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.

On the 29th:

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.

In 2014…a storm system that moved through the area produced large hail and street flooding in parts of metro Denver and then spread east into the plains. The storm also caused multiple accidents. A semi became detached from a trailer… Blocking traffic on westbound Interstate 70 west of Tower Road. Downed power poles blocked a roadway on CO 79 near Bennett…at mile marker 10. In addition to the damaging winds…the storms produced large hail… From nickel to golfball size across southern and eastern portions of metro Denver. The hailstorm was the most damaging of the 2014 summer season…with insured losses that topped 213 million dollars. Insurance claims included 29297 automobile claims worth more than 87.2 million dollars and 14287 property claims for 126 million dollars…ranking the storm as the eighth most expensive to hit the state. At Denver International Airport…1.01 inches of rainfall was recorded which was the greatest 24-hr rainfall for the date. In addition…a peak wind gust to 38 mph was observed at the airport.

In 2015…severe thunderstorms developed over the foothills of Boulder County and Jefferson Counties…then moved south along the western suburbs of Denver. Areas north of Golden… around Lakewood and into northern Douglas County saw the heaviest rain and hail. The hail ranged in size from nickel to ping pong size.

On the 30th: Continue reading September 27 to October 3: This week in Denver weather history →

Climatology, Thornton Weather

October 2019 weather recap: An extraordinarily cold and snowy month

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There is little doubt that when folks’ memories go back October 2019’s weather, they will remember the snow and even more so, the cold. Numerous cold temperature records were broken and the month ended up as one of the coldest Octobers on record.

Things started off cool for the first few days and a bit of precipitation. We then warmed up and dried out, seeing our warmest temperatures of the month on the 7th, 8th and 9th. From there, it was mostly downhill.

The evening of the 9th saw a powerful storm system and cold front move across northeastern Colorado. Temperatures plummeted and we saw our first snowfall of the season. Denver officially saw a 70 degree temperature change from the 9th to the 10th, tying the period for the second largest two-day temperature swing in Denver history.

High pressure returned on the 12th and we warmed up and dried out again. Cool but non-dramatic conditions arrived for the 18th through the 23rd. We then saw our second snowfall on the 24th of the month.

A brief rebound saw us warm up and enjoy a day of warmer than normal temperatures on the 26th. Once again, Mother Nature dropped the hammer with cold and snow returning on the 27th. The final five days of the month saw us receive two shots of snow and temperatures more akin to what we would expect to see in January.

Overall, Thornton’s average temperature for the month was 42.8 degrees. This was far below the long term Denver average for October of 50.9 degrees and was Thornton’s second coldest October since ThorntonWeather.com came online in the fall of 2006.

Out at Denver International Airport where the Mile High City’s official measurements are taken, it was slightly warmer with an average of 43.7 degrees. That made the month the fourth coldest October in Denver weather history.

Denver saw six cold weather daily temperature records fall. Among them were a record low of 13 degrees on the 10th, a record low on the 11th, record low maximums on the 28th and the 29th, and then two more record low temperatures on the 30th and 31st.

In terms of precipitation, Denver averages 1.02 inches of liquid during the month of October.  Thornton bested that handily with 1.54 inches in our rain bucket. At DIA, it was drier with only 0.91 inches officially.

Snow was abundant in Thornton and Denver. Thornton received 17.6 inches of the white stuff while Denver came in at 12.5 inches. The Denver measurement made the month the 12th snowiest in Denver weather history.

Click here to view Thornton’s October 2019 climate report.

Thornton, Colorado's October 2019 Temperature Summary.
Thornton, Colorado’s October 2019 Temperature Summary.
Thornton, Colorado's October 2019 Precipitation Summary.
Thornton, Colorado’s October 2019 Precipitation Summary.
CLIMATE REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DENVER/BOULDER CO
230 PM MDT FRI NOV 1 2019

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

...THE DENVER CO CLIMATE SUMMARY FOR THE MONTH OF OCTOBER 2019...

CLIMATE NORMAL PERIOD 1981 TO 2010
CLIMATE RECORD PERIOD 1872 TO 2019

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            83   10/09        83       0       86  10/03
LOWEST              3   10/30        22     -19       18  10/15
AVG. MAXIMUM     58.5              65.3    -6.8     61.5
AVG. MINIMUM     28.9              36.6    -7.7     36.8
MEAN             43.7              50.9    -7.2     49.2
DAYS MAX >= 90      0               0.0     0.0        0
DAYS MAX <= 32      5               0.4     4.6        1
DAYS MIN <= 32     18               8.5     9.5        7
DAYS MIN <= 0       0               0.0     0.0        0 
PRECIPITATION (INCHES) 
RECORD
 MAXIMUM 4.17 1969
 MINIMUM T 1934
 TOTALS          0.91              1.02   -0.11     0.99 
DAILY AVG.       0.03              0.03    0.00     0.03 
DAYS >= .01         9               5.3     3.7        9
DAYS >= .10         4               2.4     1.6        3
DAYS >= .50         0               0.5    -0.5        0
DAYS >= 1.00        0               0.1    -0.1        0
GREATEST
 24 HR. TOTAL    0.22   10/29 TO 10/29

SNOWFALL (INCHES)
RECORDS
 TOTAL           12.5               4.0
RECORD OCTOBER   31.2   1969

DEGREE_DAYS
HEATING TOTAL     653               440     213      487
 SINCE 7/1        675               581      94      565
COOLING TOTAL       1                 5      -4        4
 SINCE 1/1        916               769     147     1026

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

WIND (MPH)
AVERAGE WIND SPEED              10.0
RESULTANT WIND SPEED/DIRECTION   1/209
HIGHEST WIND SPEED/DIRECTION    46/040    DATE  10/09
HIGHEST GUST SPEED/DIRECTION    57/030    DATE  10/09

SKY COVER
POSSIBLE SUNSHINE (PERCENT)   MM
AVERAGE SKY COVER           0.40
NUMBER OF DAYS FAIR           13
NUMBER OF DAYS PC             13
NUMBER OF DAYS CLOUDY          5

AVERAGE RH (PERCENT)     51


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

October 2019 top shots: Monthly photo slideshow

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The Mount Lindo cross glows over the city of Denver at twilight. (Bill Hutchinson)
The Mount Lindo cross glows over the city of Denver at twilight. (Bill Hutchinson)

October in Thornton can bring a wide variety of weather conditions, perfect for the photographer in all of us.

The month brings the changing of the colors at Colorado’s lower elevations and it is also is typically when we see our first freeze and first snow.

Couple those facts with our usual widely varying landscapes and wildlife and we have a month that is sure to bring in plenty of photo opportunities.

  • Slideshow updated October 31, 2019
  • To learn more about how to send your photo to us for inclusion in the slideshow, see below the slideshow.

Showcasing images captured by ThorntonWeather.com readers as well as some of our own, our monthly slideshow covers the entire gamut of weather-related imagery.

Sunsets, sunrises, wildlife and of course every type of weather condition are vividly depicted in images captured from yours and our cameras.

[flickr_set id=”72157711281326282″]

What is missing in the slideshow above?  Your photo!

Our monthly photo slideshow is going to feature images that we have taken but more importantly images that you have captured.  The photos can be of anything even remotely weather-related.

Landscapes, current conditions, wildlife, pets, kids.  Whimsical, newsy, artsy.  Taken at the zoo, some other area attraction, a local park, a national park or your backyard.  You name it, we want to see and share it!

Images can be taken in Thornton, Denver or anywhere across the extraordinary Centennial State.  We’ll even take some from out of state if we can tie it to Colorado somehow.

We’ll keep the criteria very open to interpretation with just about any image eligible to be shown in our slideshows.

What do you win for having your image in our slideshow?  We are just a ‘mom and pop’ outfit and make no money from our site so we really don’t have the means to provide prizes.  However you will have our undying gratitude and the satisfaction that your images are shared on the most popular website in Thornton.

To share you images with us and get them included in the slideshow just email them to us or share them with ThorntonWeather.com on any of the various social media outlets.  Links are provided below.

So come on, get those camera’s rolling!

Climatology, Thornton Weather

Thornton’s October 2019 preview: Fall arrives in earnest, usually brings first snow and freeze

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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.

  • 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.
Colorado Weather, Thornton Weather

Fall colors 2019: Where and when to go for the best leaf peeping

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Rocky Mountain National Park is a prime spot for viewing the fall foliage. (Tony's Takes)
Rocky Mountain National Park is a prime spot for viewing the fall foliage. (Tony’s Takes)

This time of year many folks start thinking about heading to the hills west of Denver in search of gold – fall foliage gold.

Where to go?  Below are five of ThorntonWeather.com’s favorite ones near Denver – plus a few further out and some bonus ideas.  After that, we will tell you where you can find a great website that provides regular updates on viewing conditions.

I-70 Corridor – If you’re looking for the easiest route, then this one is for you.  Simply head west on I-70 about 110 miles to Avon.  Between Vail and Avon, both sides of I-70 are lined beautifully with aspen.

Rocky Mountain National Park – One of the most popular summer destinations in the state is of course also a prime spot to view aspen in all their glory.  Once in the park head toward Bear Lake.  Glacier Gorge Junction provides a beautiful spot and you of course also get to enjoy all the splendor that Rocky Mountain National Park has to offer.  Extend your viewing by taking Trail Ridge Road all the way through to the west side of the park and the Grand Lake and Granby area.

Peak to Peak Highway – This little road trip can be a dual purpose trip – gambling and fall foliage viewing!  Take U.S. 6 through Clear Creek Canyon and then 119 through Blackhawk and Central City.  You can of course stop there if your wallet is fat enough and donate some money to the casinos.  From there continue on 119 toward Nederland.  Take highway 72 toward Ward and Allenspark.  There you will find more golden aspen than you can imagine, all with the Continental Divide nearby.

Colorado Fall Foliage - Average Date of Peak Aspen Colors. Click for larger view. (ThorntonWeather.com)
Colorado Fall Foliage – Average Date of Peak Aspen Colors. Click for larger view. (ThorntonWeather.com)

Poudre Valley Canyon –  Heading north on I-25 take Colorado 14 west and into Poudre Canyon and Roosevelt National Forest.  As you continue west you will come very near timberline as you come to Cameron Pass.  Amazing views abound!

Guanella Pass – This is a nice, relatively short drive from Denver.  From C470 take 85 through Bailey and Conifer, a nice drive unto itself.  When you come to the town of Grant, take the Guanella Pass Scenic and Historic Byway north to Georgetown.  The air is pretty thin along the way as you climb in excess of 11,500 views through the Pike and Arapahoe National Forests.

A couple other possibilities further from the Front Range:

Leadville / Aspen – From Denver take I-70 west to Copper Mountain and then Colorado 91 south over Freemont Pass to Leadville. Along the way there are plenty of viewing opportunities and Leadville is a nice little town to make a stop. From here you can take Highway 24 north back through Minturn and Vail. To extend the drive, take Highway 24 south to Colorado 82 and head toward Aspen. You can stop by the Maroon Bells in White River National Forest to view some of the most photographed mountains in Colorado.

Cottonwood Pass – From Denver take Highway 285 to Buena Vista. Head west on Main Street for seven miles then west on County Road 344 / Colorado 82. From there you start the climb up Cottonwood Pass with absolutely stunning views from the top. If you are up for it, you can continue down the west side of the pass into the Taylor Park area.

Honorable mentions worth considering:

  • Boreas Pass between Breckenridge and Como (County Road 10)
  • Kenosha Pass on Highway 285 between Bailey and Fairplay
  • Independence Pass (Colorado 82 between Aspen and Twin Lakes)
  • Colorado 103 from Evergreen to Echo Lake. Throw in a drive up Mount Evans for a bonus.

If you do head out, be sure to send us your pictures for inclusion in our monthly photo slideshows!

For more information:

Thornton Weather

October 2018 weather recap: Cooler than normal temps, near normal precipitation

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Fall arrived in earnest during the month of October 2018 as temperatures cooled considerably and we saw our first snowfall of the season.

The first two weeks of the month were notable for seeing 12 of 17 days with below normal temperatures. Five days in a row with measurable rain came from the 4th to the 9th and then on the 14th we saw that first snowfall.

The latter half of the month warmed up with above normal mercury readings being seen on all but the last two days of the October.  That same stretch of mild days also was one in which we saw no precipitation.

While the overall warm end of the month helped, we still saw overall monthly temperature readings well below normal.

Thornton’s average monthly temperature came in at 47.0 degrees. This is in comparison to Denver’s long term October average of 50.9 degrees, a near 4 degree difference.  Out at Denver International Airport where the Mile High City’s official readings are taken, it was a bit warmer with an average for the month of 49.2 degrees.

Here, we ranged from a high of 85.7 degrees on the 3rd down to a low of 18.1 degrees on the morning of the 15th. Denver saw a max of 86 degrees and a low of 18 degrees, each on the same days as our max and min.

Denver set two temperature records during the month.  The high temperature of only 27 degrees on the 14th set a new record low maximum for the date. This easily bested the old record of 36 degrees set in 1969. A record low temperature reading of 18 degrees on the 15th topped the previous record low for the date of 20 degrees set in 1970.

In terms of precipitation, Thornton recorded 1.01 inches between rain and snow melt.  Denver was very similar with a total of 0.99 inches.  Both measurements were close to the long term Denver average of 1.02 inches for the month.

Thornton saw a relatively minimal 2.8 inches of snowfall, all on the 14th. Denver recorded a bit more of the white stuff with 3.2 inches. Both were short of the October average of 4.0 inches.

Click here to view Thornton’s October 2018 climate report.

Thornton, Colorado's October 2018 temperature summary. (ThorntonWeather.com)
Thornton, Colorado’s October 2018 temperature summary. (ThorntonWeather.com)
Thornton, Colorado's October 2018 precipitation summary. (ThorntonWeather.com)
Thornton, Colorado’s October 2018 precipitation summary. (ThorntonWeather.com)
...THE DENVER CO CLIMATE SUMMARY FOR THE MONTH OF OCTOBER 2018...

CLIMATE NORMAL PERIOD 1981 TO 2010
CLIMATE RECORD PERIOD 1872 TO 2018

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            86   10/03        83       3       84  10/25
LOWEST             18   10/15        22      -4       13  10/27
AVG. MAXIMUM     61.6              65.3    -3.7     64.5
AVG. MINIMUM     36.8              36.6     0.2     35.7
MEAN             49.2              50.9    -1.7     50.1
DAYS MAX >= 90      0               0.0     0.0        0
DAYS MAX <= 32      1               0.4     0.6        0
DAYS MIN <= 32      7               8.5    -1.5       11
DAYS MIN <= 0       0               0.0     0.0        0

PRECIPITATION (INCHES)
RECORD
 MAXIMUM         4.17   1969
 MINIMUM            T   1934
TOTALS           0.99              1.02   -0.03     0.96
DAILY AVG.       0.03              0.03    0.00     0.03
DAYS >= .01         9               5.3     3.7        5
DAYS >= .10         3               2.4     0.6        4
DAYS >= .50         0               0.5    -0.5        0
DAYS >= 1.00        0               0.1    -0.1        0
GREATEST
 24 HR. TOTAL    0.31   10/07 TO 10/07           10/09 TO 10/09

SNOWFALL (INCHES)
RECORDS
TOTAL             3.2               4.0
RECORD NOVEMBER  38.9  1969

DEGREE_DAYS
HEATING TOTAL     487               440      47      455
 SINCE 7/1        565               581     -16      585
COOLING TOTAL       4                 5      -1        1
 SINCE 1/1       1026               769     257      881

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

WIND (MPH)
AVERAGE WIND SPEED              9.7
RESULTANT WIND SPEED/DIRECTION   2/186
HIGHEST WIND SPEED/DIRECTION    39/360    DATE  10/29
HIGHEST GUST SPEED/DIRECTION    49/360    DATE  10/29

SKY COVER
POSSIBLE SUNSHINE (PERCENT)   MM
AVERAGE SKY COVER           0.60
NUMBER OF DAYS FAIR            7
NUMBER OF DAYS PC             16
NUMBER OF DAYS CLOUDY          8

AVERAGE RH (PERCENT)     59

WEATHER CONDITIONS. NUMBER OF DAYS WITH
THUNDERSTORMS             5      MIXED PRECIP       2
HEAVY RAIN                0      RAIN               3
LIGHT RAIN               12      FREEZING RAIN      0
LIGHT FREEZING RAIN       0      HAIL               0
HEAVY SNOW                0      SNOW               3
LIGHT SNOW                6      SLEET              0
FOG                      11      DENSE FOG          4
HAZE                      2

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

October 2018 top shots: Monthly photo slideshow

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A gorgeous sunrise as seen at the Rocky Mountain Arsenal kicks off the second day of the month. (Bill Hutchinson)
A gorgeous sunrise as seen at the Rocky Mountain Arsenal kicks off the second day of the month. (Bill Hutchinson)

October in Thornton can bring a wide variety of weather conditions, perfect for the photographer in all of us.

The month brings the changing of the colors at Colorado’s lower elevations and it is also is typically when we see our first freeze and first snow.

Couple those facts with our usual widely varying landscapes and wildlife and we have a month that is sure to bring in plenty of photo opportunities.

  • Slideshow updated October 31, 2018
  • To learn more about how to send your photo to us for inclusion in the slideshow, see below the slideshow.

Showcasing images captured by ThorntonWeather.com readers as well as some of our own, our monthly slideshow covers the entire gamut of weather-related imagery.

Sunsets, sunrises, wildlife and of course every type of weather condition are vividly depicted in images captured from yours and our cameras.

[flickr_set id=”72157702277411875″]

What is missing in the slideshow above?  Your photo!

Our monthly photo slideshow is going to feature images that we have taken but more importantly images that you have captured.  The photos can be of anything even remotely weather-related.

Landscapes, current conditions, wildlife, pets, kids.  Whimsical, newsy, artsy.  Taken at the zoo, some other area attraction, a local park, a national park or your backyard.  You name it, we want to see and share it!

Images can be taken in Thornton, Denver or anywhere across the extraordinary Centennial State.  We’ll even take some from out of state if we can tie it to Colorado somehow.

We’ll keep the criteria very open to interpretation with just about any image eligible to be shown in our slideshows.

What do you win for having your image in our slideshow?  We are just a ‘mom and pop’ outfit and make no money from our site so we really don’t have the means to provide prizes.  However you will have our undying gratitude and the satisfaction that your images are shared on the most popular website in Thornton.

To share you images with us and get them included in the slideshow just email them to us or share them with ThorntonWeather.com on any of the various social media outlets.  Links are provided below.

So come on, get those camera’s rolling!

Weather History

October 28 to November 3: This week in Denver weather history

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This week in Denver weather history
October 28 to November 3: This week in Denver weather history

As we move further into fall, we see the predominant significant weather in our history during the period involves snowstorms.

From the National Weather Service:

27-28

In 1874…strong west winds in Boulder along with a reported tornado produced 150 dollars in damage.

In 1913…a strong cold front produced sustained northeast winds to 35 mph with gusts as high as 38 mph on the 27th. Overnight snowfall totaled 5.8 inches. Temperatures plunged to a low of 17 degrees on the morning of the 28th after a high of 60 degrees on the 27th.

27-30

In 2009…a powerful early season storm brought heavy snow to the Front Range. The combination of a deep northeasterly upslope flow coupled with abundant moisture and lift with the developing storm system produced an extended period of moderate to heavy snowfall. The heavy wet snow accumulated on trees and resulted in broken branches and scattered electrical outages. Interstates 70 and 76 were closed east of Denver. Numerous other roads and highways were shut down. The Red Cross set up numerous emergency shelters for stranded travelers. The blowing snow at Denver International Airport forced the cancellation of hundreds of flights. Schools were also closed. In the foothills storm totals included: 46 inches… 3 miles southeast of Pinecliffe; 42 inches…3 miles southwest of conifer; 34 inches…3 miles north of Blackhawk; 30 inches at Aspen Springs and near Evergreen… 23 inches at Roxborough Park…and 20 inches…3 miles south-southeast of Morrison. Across the urban corridor storm totals included: 25 inches in Highlands Ranch; 21.5 inches near Louisville…20.5 inches in Broomfield… 20 inches at Lafayette…17.5 inches in Boulder…17 inches in Westminster…16.5 inches in Erie; 15.5 inches in Arvada and 5 miles west-northwest of Littleton…15 inches in Littleton…14 inches in Englewood…13.5 inches in Lakewood and 6 miles north of Thornton; 13.3 inches at Denver International Airport…11 inches…4 miles south of Denver; 10.5 inches…2 miles north of Cherry Hills Village and Niwot.

28

In 1917…post-frontal snowfall totaled 6.5 inches in the city. North winds sustained to 30 mph with gusts to 33 mph caused the temperature to plunge from a high of 58 degrees to a low of 9 degrees by midnight.

In 1967…winds gusted to 65 mph in downtown Boulder…causing minor damage. South winds gusted to 32 mph at Stapleton International Airport.

In 1991…the first major snow of the season hit metro Denver as a cold arctic air mass moved over the area. Snowfall amounts across northeast Colorado ranged from 3 to 10 inches with 4.4 inches of snowfall recorded at Stapleton International Airport where north winds gusted to 22 mph. The low temperature dipped to 13 degrees.

In 1993…high winds buffeted the Front Range foothills. A wind gust to 83 mph was recorded atop Squaw Mountain…35 miles west of Denver…and a gust to 76 mph occurred near Rollinsville southwest of Boulder.

28-29

In 1993…an upper level disturbance combined with a moist upslope flow to bring heavy snow to portions of metro Denver. Snowfall amounts ranged from 5.4 inches at Stapleton International Airport to 14 inches in Boulder. New snowfall totaled 8 inches at Gross Reservoir in the foothills 5 miles southwest of Boulder. On the 28th…north winds gusted to 30 mph at Stapleton International Airport where the temperature climbed to only 25 degrees on the 29th…equaling the record low maximum for the date.

28-30

In 1971…a vigorous cold front plunged temperatures from a high of 70 degrees on the 27th to record low levels on the 29th and 30th. Snowfall totaled 3.1 inches at Stapleton International Airport where north winds gusted to 23 mph. Some freezing drizzle also fell on the 28th. Record daily low maximum temperatures of 32 degrees on the 28th and 25 degrees on the 29th were established along with a daily record minimum of 13 degrees on the 30th.

28-31

In 1929…rain changed to snow on the afternoon of the 28th and continued until midday on the 30th followed by intermittent light snow which continued through the 31st. Snowfall over the four days totaled 16.2 inches in the city. Most of the snow…8.5 inches…fell on the 29th with 6.1 inches on the 30th. Temperatures hovered in 20’s during most of the storm.

29

In 1917…the all-time lowest recorded temperature in October…2 degrees below zero…occurred. This is also the earliest below zero reading of the season.

In 1939…the first measurable snow of the season totaled 5.6 inches in downtown Denver. Post-frontal northeast winds were sustained to 28 mph.

In 1961…heavy snowfall measured 6.0 inches at Stapleton Airport where northeast winds gusted to 30 mph.

In 1973…strong winds caused some damage to homes…stores… And utility lines along the foothills from metro Denver south.

In 1981…high winds buffeted the Front Range foothills with gusts to 55 mph in south Boulder.

In 1996…high winds gusting from 70 to around 100 mph blasted metro Denver. One man was killed when a strong wind gust overturned a pop-up camper onto him while he was trying to secure it. In addition…five people at the Rocky Flats Environmental Test Facility received minor injuries when several windshields were blown out of their cars…spraying glass onto the occupants. Several trees and power lines were also downed. Two 75-foot high pine trees were uprooted at the Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Arvada. Property damage from the windstorm ran into the millions of dollars. The highest recorded wind gusts included: 101 mph at Jefferson County Airport near Broomfield…100 mph in Golden Gate Canyon…96 mph in Coal Creek Canyon…and 87 mph at upper Table Mesa in Boulder. West-northwest winds gusted to 43 mph at Denver International Airport. Insured damage from the wind storm totaled 5.2 million dollars…the third most costly storm of record in Colorado at the time.

In 2003…strong Chinook winds developed in and near the Front Range foothills. Winds gusting to 80 mph in Boulder downed several trees and power lines…causing damage and triggering scattered electrical outages. The combination of strong winds…very dry fuel conditions…and downed power lines sparked two large wildfires. The overland wildfire in Boulder County…near Jamestown…consumed nearly 3900 acres and destroyed 12 structures…including homes…trailers…and out-buildings. Preliminary damage estimates for the value of lost property was nearly one million dollars. In Douglas County…the Cherokee Ranch wildfire consumed 1200 acres and destroyed 4 structures. The large smoke plumes from both fires were highly visible across metro Denver. West winds gusted to 45 mph at Denver International Airport.

Continue reading October 28 to November 3: This week in Denver weather history →