Tag Archives: weather record

Denver sets another temperature record, reaches 100° for 8th time this year

Denver reaches 100° or higher for the 8th time this year, the most 100° or higher days ever recorded in the Mile High City. (National Weather Service)
Denver reaches 100° or higher for the 8th time this year, the most 100° or higher days ever recorded in the Mile High City. Click for a larger view. (National Weather Service)

As we discussed earlier in our June weather recap, this summer has thus far been exceedingly warm.  Mother Nature seems intent on keeping that going, at least at the outset of July.

At 4:36pm today the temperature at Denver International Airport reached 101°.  This breaks the high temperature record for July 2 of 100° last set in 2007.

Most notably however is the fact that this was the 8th time that Denver has met or exceeded the 100° mark.  This is the first time since record keeping began in Denver in 1872 that this has happened.  See the image to the right for details.

Here in Thornton we were a bit cooler today “only” reaching 98.3° at 2:40pm.  This was the 11th straight day of 90° temperatures or above for us.

The heat looks to continue at least until Thursday.  After that we are closely watching a change in weather patterns that may not only bring cooler temperatures but also much-needed precipitation.

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One for the history books as June 25 ties Denver’s all-time record high temperature

Record setting high temperatures in Thornton.
Another scorcher in Denver as June 25, 2012 will go into the record books as only the third time the Mile High City registered 105 degrees.

For the fourth day in a row Denver’s temperature broke the 100 degree mark and once again set records in the process.  Not only did June 25, 2012 break the record high for the date, it also tied the highest temperature ever recorded in the Mile High City.

Weather record keeping began in Denver in November of 1871.  In the nearly 141 years since, only twice has Denver reached 105 degrees – until today.

At 3:34pm the mercury at Denver’s official monitoring station at Denver International Airport reached 105 degrees. This tied the highest temperature ever recorded in the Mile High City which has only been seen twice before. The two previous times were on July 20, 2005 and August 8, 1878.

This of course is a record for June 25 itself as well. The previous record high temperature for June 25 was 100 degrees set in 1991.

The 105 degree reading also is the warmest temperature ever recorded in June. The old record was 104 degrees set on June 26, 1994.

And finally this makes the fourth day in a row that Denver has seen 100+ degree temperatures. Only three other times have that many or more consecutive days recorded readings above the century mark. With forecasts calling for at least one more day of 100+ degree temperatures, the streak may live on.

Thornton sets high temperature marks too

Thornton’s temperatures climbed today as well and broke the 100 degree mark for the third time this month.  At 3:53pm ThorntonWeather.com recorded a high of 103° (102.9°).  This is the highest temperature recorded by our site since it came online in October 2006.

Denver’s Longest Streaks of 100 Degrees or more

  • July 4 to July 8, 1989 – Five days (101, 101, 102, 102, 103)
  • July 19 to July 23, 2005 – Five days (101, 105, 104, 102, 102)
  • June 29 to July 2, 1990 – Four days (102, 102, 102, 100)
  • June 22 to June 25, 2012 – Four days – and counting (102, 104, 101, 105)

Related: Denver’s 100+ degree days since 1871

Another record tumbles as Denver breaks the 100 degree mark for the third day in a row

Record setting high temperatures in Thornton.
Denver topped out at 102 degrees on June 24 setting a record for the date.

As officially measured at Denver International Airport, the mercury in Denver today topped out at 102 degrees at 3:35pm.  This easily breaks the old record for June 24th of 100 degrees set in 2007.

Here in Thornton we fell just shy of the 100 degree mark today as we topped out at 99.3 degrees at 3:55pm.  This follows on 102.2 degrees on Saturday and 100.2 degrees on Friday.

This makes it the third day in a row with Denver seeing 100 degrees or warmer temperatures.  Only four other times since recordkeeping began in 1878 have there been three or more 100 degree days in a row in the Mile High City.

Denver has recorded 100 degrees or warmer only 73 times including today.  Weather forecasts currently call for 100+ degree temperatures for at least the first part of the week giving a chance that the current streak will continue.

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High temperature records fall once again in Denver, Thornton

Record setting high temperatures in Thornton.
High temperature records fall once again in Denver

Saturday brought another extraordinarily hot day across northeastern Colorado.

In Denver the mercury climbed to 104° at 4:57pm.  This broke the record high temperature for June 23rd of 102° set back in 1954.

This also ties the mark for the warmest temperature ever recorded in Denver during the month of June.  The only other time 104° was also recorded was on June 26, 1994.

Here in Thornton we reached 102.2° at 4:09pm.  This is the highest temperature recorded by ThorntonWeather.com since we came online in October 2006.  Our previous highest temperature was 101.6° on July 17, 2010.

The heat wave continues the record-setting heat we have seen this month in the Mile High City.  High temperature records have been set on June 4, June 17, June 18, June 22 and now June 23.

Denver hits 100 degrees on June 18, breaks another record

Record setting high temperatures in Thornton.
Denver set a high temperature record of 100° on Monday, June 18, 2012.

A record-setting day in the Mile High City.  At 2:57pm today the temperature at DIA climbed to 100 degrees thus breaking the record high for the date.  The old record was 99 degrees last set in 1990.

Also, the date will go down in history as having had the record high minimum as the mercury dipped to only 69 degrees at 5:38am.  That handily beat the previous record of 66 degrees set in 1940.

Here in Thornton we weren’t quite as warm.  Our high temperature topped out at 97.5 degrees at 4:23pm.  On the other end, our morning low was considerably cooler as we dropped to 60.3 degrees at 6:08am.

The National Weather Service also points out some interesting information about today’s heat:

“Although official records are not recorded for an average daily temperature…a few interesting statistics have been found for today’s excessive warmth. Today’s average daily temperature was a very warm 84.5 degrees. When we look at the average daily temperatures for this date in history…today was by far the warmest for June 18th. The old warmest average daily high temperature for June 18th was 81.5 degrees set back in 1936.”

“The average daily temperature of 84.5 degrees also ties with June 24th, 1954 as the 2nd warmest daily average ever for the month of June in Denver.

“The warmest daily average temperature for the month of June is 85.5 degrees and it occurred on June 27th, 1990.”

Denver sets high temperature record for June 17

Record setting high temperatures in Thornton.
Denver set a high temperature record of 98° on Sunday, June 17, 2012.

A record breaking Sunday in Denver as the mercury topped out at 98 degrees at 4:25pm.  This breaks the high temperature record for the date of 97 degrees set in 2007.

Here in Thornton we were slightly cooler with the high reaching 97.1 degrees at 3:20pm.

More record-setting heat is forecast for Monday as the mercury is expected to soar to 100 degrees.  The record for June 18 is 99 degrees set in 1990 and could very well tumble.  Get the latest forecast here: http://www.thorntonweather.com/forecast.php

Denver sets new record high temperature for June 4

Record setting high temperatures in Thornton.
Denver set a high temperature record of 94° on Tuesday, June 4.

As officially measured at Denver International Airport, the Mile High City hit a high temperature of 94° at 2:25pm. This broke the old record high temperature for the date of 93° set in 2010, 1990 and 1977.

The problem? No other reliable station in the metro area came anywhere near that high of a temperature reading.

For comparison, Rocky Mountain Regional Airport saw 91°, Centennial 88°, Boulder 91°, Denver City Park 90°, Stapleton 90° and here in Thornton we recorded 91°.

Once again we see how the move of Denver’s official monitoring station to DIA are altering our climate records.  For more details on this controversial topic: The fallacy of Denver’s climate records: Weather station move skews data

March 2012 goes into the Denver weather history books on a number of marks

Record setting high temperatures in Thornton.
March 2012 goes into the history books as the driest, least snowiest and 2nd warmest March on record in Denver.

The month of March in Denver is typically known for its snow and corresponding chilly temperatures.  That however was certainly not the case for March 2012 as the Mile High City saw one of its warmest and driest Marches on record.

From the start of the month to the end, March’s temperatures were well above normal.  While we would normally see days with temperatures in the 50s, we instead saw 70s and even a couple of 80+ degree days.

The historical overall average temperature for the month of March is 40.4 degrees (based on 1981 to 2010 normals).  March 2012’s average of 49.2 degrees was an astonishing 8.8 degrees above normal.

This sends the month into the record books as the second warmest March ever recorded in Denver.  The number one spot is held by March 1910 which saw an average of 50.4 degrees.

Here in Thornton, we were actually slightly warmer than the official Denver measuring station at DIA.  Our monthly average temperature came in at 49.6 degrees.

Individually, six days set or tied high temperature records for Denver:

  • 74 degrees on March 13 which tied the old record of 74 set in 2007 and previous years
  • 75 degrees on March 16 which broke the old record of 74 set just one year ago in 2011
  • 76 degrees on March 17 which broke the old record of 75 set in 1974
  • 76 degrees on March 23 which tied the old record of 76 set in 1967
  • 75 degrees on March 25 which tied the old record of 75 set in 1998 and previous years
  • 81 degrees on March 31 which broke the old record of 80 set in 1946

In terms of precipitation, March 2012 will now hold the marks for the driest and least snowiest on record.

The rain bucket at Denver International Airport saw a mere 0.03 inch of liquid precipitation.  This was far below the average of 0.92 inch and easily puts March 2012 into the books as the number one driest March on record.  The previous record holder was 1908 when 0.11 inch was recorded.

March is historically Denver’s snowiest month averaging 10.7 inches.  This year the month only brought a trace of snow on three days.  The previous least snowiest March occurred in 1883 when 0.3 inch of the white stuff was recorded.

Just like Denver, Thornton saw an extraordinary lack of snow and precipitation.  We as well recorded 0.03 inch of precipitation but we did manage to record 0.40 inch of snow, all on the morning of the 2nd.

Click here to view the March 2012 climate summary for Thornton.

CLIMATE REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BOULDER, CO
1026 AM MDT SUN APR 1 2012

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

...THE DENVER CO CLIMATE SUMMARY FOR THE MONTH OF MARCH 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              84   03/26/1971
 LOW              -11   03/28/1886
HIGHEST            81   03/31        84      -3       76  03/21
LOWEST             16   03/02       -11      27       14  03/05
AVG. MAXIMUM     65.5              54.4    11.1     58.7
AVG. MINIMUM     32.9              26.4     6.5     27.8
MEAN             49.2              40.4     8.8     43.3
DAYS MAX >= 90      0               0.0     0.0        0
DAYS MAX <= 32      0               1.9    -1.9        1
DAYS MIN <= 32     14              23.6    -9.6       24
DAYS MIN <= 0       0               0.1    -0.1        0

PRECIPITATION (INCHES)
RECORD
 MAXIMUM         4.56   1983
 MINIMUM         0.11   1908
TOTALS           0.03R             0.92   -0.89     0.35
DAILY AVG.       0.00              0.03   -0.03     0.01
DAYS >= .01         2               5.9    -3.9        8
DAYS >= .10         0               2.4    -2.4        1
DAYS >= .50         0               0.3    -0.3        0
DAYS >= 1.00        0               0.1    -0.1        0
GREATEST
 24 HR. TOTAL    0.03   03/01 TO 03/02           03/28 TO 03/28
                                                          03/28 TO 03/28
                                                          03/28 TO 03/28
 STORM TOTAL       MM                                 MM
 (MM/DD(HH))            MM                    03/28(00) TO 03/28(00)
                                                 03/28(00) TO 03/28(00)8
                                                 03/28(00) TO 03/28(00)8

SNOWFALL (INCHES)
RECORDS
 TOTAL             MM   5
TOTALS              T               11.7

DEGREE_DAYS
HEATING TOTAL     483               763    -280      666
 SINCE 7/1       4863              5202    -339     4817
COOLING TOTAL       0                 0       0        0
 SINCE 1/1          0                 0       0        0

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

WIND (MPH)
AVERAGE WIND SPEED              11.5
RESULTANT WIND SPEED/DIRECTION   5/203
HIGHEST WIND SPEED/DIRECTION    46/180    DATE  03/18
HIGHEST GUST SPEED/DIRECTION    58/190    DATE  03/18

SKY COVER
POSSIBLE SUNSHINE (PERCENT)   MM
AVERAGE SKY COVER           0.50
NUMBER OF DAYS FAIR            9
NUMBER OF DAYS PC             20
NUMBER OF DAYS CLOUDY          2

AVERAGE RH (PERCENT)     34

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

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

$$

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

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.