With the year in the rear-view mirror, we can now take a look back at Thornton’s weather for 2024. In doing so, we see that we recorded our warmest year of the past 18 years and while precipitation came in near average, most of that was seen early on.
The year started with a chill as January saw mercury readings a good bit below average for the month. However, it would end up being only one of two months during the year that didn’t see above average mercury readings.
From February through October, each month saw above average temperatures, some significantly warmer. November did, finally, see things cool down but then December came back to close out the year as the warmest December in 18 years.
Despite the warmth, we did enjoy above average precipitation for three out of the first four months of the year. Then, however, we began to see changes as seven of the next eight months all saw below average levels of precipitation.
We did have some notable weather events during the year.
In March, we saw a strong storm system produce heavy snowfall across much of the Denver metro area. Here in Thornton, we recorded a total of 10.8 inches between March 14th and 15th. Business and schools shut down and roads become quite difficult to travel. As usual, Denver’s official station way out at DIA lagged with only 5.7 inches. Click here to read the National Weather Service summary of the event.
Spring brings severe weather to the Front Range and Mother Nature delivered a doozy of a dose on May 30th. As the sun was setting, hail began to fall and grow in size, reaching from 1.5 inches to 2 1/4 inches in the north metro area including Thornton. Damage was extensive to vehicles and structures with cost estimates now expected to go over $1 billion. More from the NWS here.
As fall arrived, conditions were exceedingly dry and we waited for relief that usually comes in the form of snow. A prolonged period of it did finally arrive and from November 5th to November 9th, Thornton received 10.8 inches of the white stuff. To the south and southeast, the Palmer Divide and adjacent plains saw snowfall measuring in feet. The National Weather Service has more on this event here.
In the end Thornton saw an average annual temperature of 53.7 degrees. This is far above our 18-year running annual average of 50.8 degrees and made 2024 our warmest year during that period. Temperatures ranged from a high of 102.4 degrees on July 12th down to a low of -12.2 degrees on January 16th.
Out at Denver International Airport where the Mile High City’s official readings are taken, they recorded nearly the same. Denver’s official 2024 average came in at 53.9 degrees, well above the city’s 51.2 degrees annual average. This put 2024 in the books in a tie as the third warmest year on record in Denver.
Thornton saw precipitation levels near average with 14.56 inches being recorded during the year. This is in comparison to our 18-year running annual average of 15.27 inches. Four months had above average precipitation, eight were below.
In Denver, as measured at DIA, a precipitation total of 14.12 inches was recorded. This was close to but short of their long term annual average of 14.48 inches per year.
Click here to view Thornton’s 2024 climate report.
