Tag Archives: record temperatures

Thornton Weather

Sunday brings another record day; March 2012 likely to go into record books

Leave a comment
Record setting high temperatures in Thornton.
March 2012 is on track to enter the record books as one of the warmest, driest and least snowiest since record-keeping began.

Another unseasonably mild day led to another high temperature record being tied on Sunday.  As the unseasonably warm weather continues, March 2012 is almost certain to go into the record books on a number of marks.

The temperature at Denver International Airport reached 75 degrees at 4:05pm Sunday afternoon.  This tied the record high temperature for the date last set in 1998.  This is far and above the normal for the date of 57 degrees.

Here in Thornton we were a bit cooler and reached a high temperature of 72.3 degrees.

The record-tying mark is the fifth time so far this month that the record high temperature was tied or broken.  Other days with record highs this month:

  • 76 degrees on March 23, which tied the old record of 76 set in 1967
  • 76 degrees on March 17, which broke the old record of 75 set in 1974
  • 75 degrees on March 16, which broke the old record of 74 set just one year ago in 2011
  • 74 degrees on March 13, which tied the old record of 74 set in 2007 and previous years

Officially Denver has recorded only a trace of snow this month and a scant 0.03 inch of precipitation.  Given the forecast for the coming week, it is likely the month will end with those totals.  If it does, March 2012 will go into the history books as the least snowiest and driest March on record.

In terms of temperatures, Denver’s overall average temperature for the month so far is at 47.0 degrees.  That would put the month in a tie for the fourth warmest March on record.  However with temperatures expected to remain unseasonably warm through the week, there is a good chance we will climb the ‘top 10’ list even further.

Click here for a list of the ‘top 10’ Marches.

Climatology, Thornton Weather

Denver sees hottest August on record; 10 weather records tied or broken during hot month

Leave a comment
August 2011 goes into the record books as the hottest August ever.
August 2011 goes into the record books as the hottest August ever.

As August 2011 came to a close and the numbers were crunched, they revealed what we already knew – it was one hot month!  In fact, in the final tally Denver tied or set 10 different records during the month.

From the National Weather Service, here is the list of records:

Denver’s record setting August 2011 – From the National Weather Service:

  1. August 2011 hottest Denver August with average temperature 77.0 degrees.  Previous record 76.8 degrees set in 1937.
  2. August 2011 became the 6th hottest Denver month.  Hottest was 77.8 during July 1934.
  3. 71 consecutive days above 80 degrees through August 31st.  Previous streak record 59 days set in 2002.
  4. Tied most August 90 degree days with 22.  Tied with 1995 and 1960.
  5. 18th – tied record high 98 last 1986
  6. 23rd – tied record high 98 last 2009
  7. 24th – record high 98 old 97 in 1936
  8. 25th – record high 99 old 96 in 1913
  9. 28th – record high 96 old 94 last 1969
  10. 28th – record high minimum temperature 67 old 66 last 2010
  11. 31st – tied record high 98 last 1960

How did Thornton compare?

Here in Thornton we were a bit cooler than what Denver’s official measurements at DIA recorded.  This is in large part due to our location further to the west.

When the typical afternoon cloud cover and thunderstorms develop in the summer, it can take more than an hour for those conditions to reach DIA.  As a result the station gets the benefit of a longer period of daytime heating. This works in Thornton’s favor as we stay a bit cooler.

For us, our overall average temperature for the month was 74.0 degrees – a full three degrees cooler than DIA.  That doesn’t mean it wasn’t hot for us as we recorded 20 days with 90 degree or hotter weather and every day saw 80 degrees or higher.

Are the Denver weather records really valid? Check out the stories from Examiner.com below for why they may not be.

  • Temperature records crumble; August on pace to be one of warmest on record
  • The fallacy of Denver’s climate records: Weather station move skews data
  • Do Denver weather and climate records have an asterisk attached?
  • Data shows Denver weather records skewed by move to DIA
  • Does it matter if Denver weather and climate records are skewed?
    • Thornton Weather

    Denver’s August heat on a record setting pace

    Leave a comment
    Denver has broken or tied seven different warm weather temperature records this month.
    Denver has broken or tied seven different warm weather temperature records this month.

    With the arrival of August we typically see a decrease in daytime high temperatures making the month one of the more pleasant in Denver.  This year however that has not been the case as we have seen records fall and we appear on our way into the record books with one of the hottest Augusts on record.

    With three days remaining in the month, Denver has tied or broken seven warm weather temperature marks so far.  These include:

    • August 18 – Denver ties the record high temperature for the date of 98°.  The mark was last set in 1986.
    • August 23 – The high temperature at DIA hits 98°.  This ties the record high for the date last set in 2009.
    • August 24 – Denver hits 98°. Breaks old record of 97° set in 1936
    • August 25 – Denver reaches 99°.  Breaks old record of 96° set in 1913.  Also marks the latest date in the year that Denver’s temperature reached 99 degrees.  Previously the date was August 16.
    • August 28 – Denver tops out at 96°.  Breaks old record of 94° set in 1969 and previous years
    • August 28 – The mercury only drops to 67° over the 24 hour period.  This sets a new record high minimum for the date.  The previous record was 66° set in 2010 and previous years.

    One important aspect to these records is that most of those marks would never have been reached were it not for the measurements being taken at DIA.  Other station’s closer to the historical Denver weather sites near Stapleton and downtown never approached as warm of temperatures.

    For more on the recent records and why they highlight problems with Denver’s climate records, head over to the Denver Weather Examiner.

    Thornton Weather

    In two days Denver ties on temperature record, breaks another

    Leave a comment
    One high temperature record was tied and another broken over the past two days.
    One high temperature record was tied and another broken over the past two days.

    If you thought with the kids heading back to school summer was coming to an end Mother Nature has other plans.  The hot weather continues and in the past two days it has reached record setting heights.

    Yesterday, August 23rd, Denver hit a high temperature of 98 degrees as measured at Denver International Airport.  This tied the previous record high for the date last set in 2009 and previous years.  Thornton fared a bit cooler as we ‘only’ reached 96 degrees.

    Despite forecasts calling for cooler temperatures today, the mercury just kept on climbing and topped out at 98 degrees at 3:17pm.  This broke the old record high temperature of the date of 97 degrees set 75 years ago in 1936.  Mercifully, Thornton again was cooler with a high of 95 degrees.

    As with all Denver records since 1995 when the National Weather Service moved the city’s official monitoring station to DIA, the records come with an asterisk.  That move of 12 miles has resulted in consistently higher temperatures than what is seen at the historical site at Stapleton or closer to downtown.

    Another official station, located at Denver City Park, provides evidence of this over the last two days.  The station is much closer to where historical records were taken and thus can be more accurately used to compare to the past.

    That station recorded a high of 97 degrees yesterday and 95 degrees today.  Neither of these would be records had Denver’s station not made the move to a different microclimate at DIA.

    Read more about this problem with Denver’s climate records on Examiner.com: The fallacy of Denver’s climate records: Weather station move skews data

    Thornton Weather

    Denver ties record high temperature; Cooler weather on the way

    Leave a comment
    Denver tied the record high temperature for March 16th.
    Denver tied the record high temperature for March 16th.

    Denver has tied 45 year old high temperature record for March 16th.  While we have enjoyed the warm weather, it has led to high fire danger but thankfully cooler weather is on the way.

    The high temperature as measured at Denver International Airport (DIA) reached 74 degrees at 2:25pm today.  This tied the record high for the date last set in 1966.

    Here in Thornton we were actually a good bit warmer as we hit a high of 78 degrees at 4:27pm.

    We were under a Red Flag Warning for most of the day today and it appears we will be under the same for at least the first part of Thursday.

    Cooler weather is expected to arrive however and Thursday night and Friday may very well see us receive some much needed moisture.  Click here for the latest forecast.

    For all the latest Thornton weather news, follow us on Twitter and join us on Facebook.

    Thornton Weather

    Denver ties temperature record for February 8th

    Leave a comment
    Record Cold Temperatures
    Denver tied a 78 year old record temperature for February 8th.

    We of course knew it was cold yesterday but now we know exactly how cold.  At Denver International Airport the high temperature yesterday only climbed to 8 degrees.  This ties the record low maximum for the date last set in 1933.

    Highlighting that is the fact that the “high” temperature occurred soon after midnight at 12:28am.  It was all downhill from there throughout the day as cold air settled in.  Daytime highs in Denver were only around 6 degrees.

    Here in Thornton we virtually matched the official Denver high as we climbed to 8.3 degrees.  That occurred right at midnight.

    Thornton Weather

    Temperature record falls – First time in 14 years Denver’s high temp did not get above zero

    Leave a comment
    Denver set a record low maximum temperature for this date.

    With bone chilling cold having settled in along the Colorado Front Range, we knew a weather record had to fall and one did.  Denver set a record low maximum temperature for February 1. 

    The official high temperature as measured at Denver International Airport only climbed to a high of -1 degrees.  This broke the previous record low maximum for this date of 2 degrees set in 1985.  Here in Thornton we fared a bit better hitting 2.7 degrees at 1:07pm.

    As noted by the National Weather Service, this is the first time since January of 1997 that Denver saw a high temperature below zero degrees.  On January 12th and 13th of the year, the high only reached to -1 degrees. 

    Will more records fall with this cold spell?  It is definitely possible.  Low temperatures overnight on Tuesday and into Monday morning are forecast to approach 18 degrees below zero.  The record low temperature for February 2nd is -17 set way back in 1901.

    Colorado Weather, Natural Disasters, Severe Weather, Thornton Weather, Weather History

    Ranking the top 10 Colorado weather events of the past 10 years

    Leave a comment
    The March 2003 blizzard that buried Thornton in snow was ranked as the top weather event of the past 10 years. (ThorntonWeather.com)
    The March 2003 blizzard that buried Thornton in snow was ranked as the top weather event of the past 10 years. (ThorntonWeather.com)

    There is a lot that can be said about the weather in Colorado but ‘boring’ is not usually a term associated with it.  Anyone who has lived in the Centennial State for very long quickly experiences a weather-related event that will give them memories for a lifetime. 

    From major snowstorms and blizzards to tornadoes, wildfires, scorching heat and damaging hail storms Colorado weather can and does bring it all to the table.  The Denver office of the National Weather Service has released a list of what local meteorologists rank as the top 10 weather events of the past 10 years.

    For some it may be a blizzard that buried the Mile High City in a heavy blanket of snow and brought everything to a standstill.  Others will remember the heavy smoke from fires burning in the mountains destroying hundreds of thousands of acres.  The tragedy tornadoes bring to Colorado in terms of destruction and loss of life may be what others remember.

    Over the past 10 years many memorable weather events have occurred that fully display the sheer variety of weather Colorado receives.  A team of meteorologists serving Colorado analyzed these events and ranked them based on meteorological intensity and their human and economic impact.

    Continue reading Ranking the top 10 Colorado weather events of the past 10 years →

    Thornton Weather

    Record high temperature set for December 3rd

    Leave a comment
    Not since Grover Cleveland was president has Denver had as warm of a December 3rd as today.
    Not since Grover Cleveland was president has Denver had as warm of a December 3rd as today.Not since Grover Cleveland was president has Denver had as warm of a December 3rd as today.

    If you looked at a thermometer late this morning or early this afternoon you might have found yourself wondering if the calendar that says it is December is correct.  Not since 1885 when Grover Cleveland was inaugurated as the 22nd president of the United States and  the Washington Monument was completed has Denver had as warm of temperatures on December 3rd as today. 

    At 11:41am this morning the temperature at the official Denver weather station at Denver International Airport reached 69 degrees.  Thornton topped that slightly as we recorded 70.2 degrees at 12:13pm. 

    As is often the case, the warmer temperatures have been brought on my strong winds.  Gusts this afternoon to 45mph are possible, particularly along the usual wind-prone areas in the foothills like   Highway 93 between Boulder and Golden.

    The warmth will be short-lived however as those winds bring in a cold front later this evening.  Overnight and into tomorrow some areas of the Front Range may see a wintry mix of snow and freezing drizzle.  Highs on Saturday will only reach the mid to upper 30s.  For the complete local Thornton forecast click here.

    Related (Examiner.com): Do Denver weather and climate records have an asterisk attached?

    ThorntonWeather.com note: Some media outlets, including KMGH Channel 7, are incorrectly reporting that Denver hit a high temperature of 70 degrees today and broke the record.  This is incorrect. 

    National Weather Service observations are initially reported in Celsius, rounded to the nearest whole degree – in today’s case, 21 degrees Celsius (70 degrees Fahrenheit).  However the true temperature is recorded to the nearest tenth of a degree.  Today’s actual high temperature was 20.6 degrees Celsius or 69 degrees Fahrenheit. 

    Yet another reason to rely on ThorntonWeather.com for your weather news and information!  😉

    Thornton Weather

    Mother Nature keeps the heat on – Another record high temperature set

    Leave a comment
    For the fourth time this month Denver set (or tied) a record high temperature.
    For the fourth time this month Denver set (or tied) a record high temperature.

    Mother Nature obviously hasn’t gotten the message that it is now September and fall is here.  Once again Denver broke a record high temperature – the fourth time we have tied or broken a record this month. 

    According to the National Weather Service the temperature at Denver International Airport reached 92 degrees at 3:55pm.  This shatters the old record high for the date of 89 degrees that was set twice, once in 1994 and before than in 1892.

    Here in Thornton we were a couple of degrees cooler as we reached a high of 89.7 degrees at 2:41pm.

    This is the fourth time this month that we have tied or set a new record high temperature and September 2010 may very well end up as one of the top 10 warmest on record. 

    As of midnight the average temperature in Denver during September had been 67.0 degrees.  If the month were to have ended then we would be in a tie with 1939 for the 7th warmest September on record (see list below). 

    With temperatures forecast to remain in the mid-80s on Wednesday and around 80 on Thursday it is very possible September 2010 will fit on that top 10 list somewhere.  We are certain to far exceed the average September temperature of 62.4 degrees. 

    DENVER’S 10 WARMEST SEPTEMBERS
    (1873-2009)

     68.3   1948
     68.2   1931, 1981
     68.0   1998 (cor)
     67.7   1933
     67.6   1947
     67.2   1994, 2005
     67.0   1939
     66.9   1990
     66.8   2001
     66.6   1977