With a ridge building, we will once again find ourselves stuck with very warm, relatively dry conditions. There is, however, hope for relief this coming weekend.

For today, A few clouds will be around early then those will clear leading to sunny skies for the balance of the day. Highs today will be topping out in the mid-90s.

Tonight, it will be mostly clear above with lows in the low to mid-60s.

Looking ahead, that ridge will dominate things leading to continued hot weather through Friday. At that point, it appears the ridge will break down ushering in cooler temperatures and a better chance for precipitation. See the extended weather forecast for details.

July 2,2021 – Absolutely gorgeous skies over Margaret Carpenter Park. (LE Worley)

Colorado offers outdoor opportunities unlike any other state and while the summer heat settles in, photos of the amazing scenes across our state provide a view into why we love it here so much.

The weather this time of year has a pretty standard pattern of quickly warming temperatures followed by afternoon thunderstorms that can cool things down.  These storms sometimes provide a good bit of ‘excitement’ and are a prime photo subject.

• Slideshow updated July 25, 2021

Recreationalists head outdoors and take advantage of urban, suburban and rural opportunities.  As they do, our abundant wildlife that is found just about anywhere comes into focus.

Showcasing images captured by ThorntonWeather.com readers as well as some of our own, our monthly slideshow covers the entire gamut of weather and nature related imagery.   Sunsets, sunrises, wildlife and of course every type of weather condition are vividly depicted.

To learn more about how to send your photo to us for inclusion in the slideshow, see below the slideshow.

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!

• Email: info@ThorntonWeather.com
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Colorado’s unofficial severe weather season is during the months of May and June.  However, as we look back in Denver weather history, we see that July can oftentimes hold its own.  Many occurrences of flooding, scorching heat, and even tornadoes have been recorded.  Most notably, this week marks the 24th anniversary of the Big Thompson Flood – Colorado’s deadliest weather disaster ever.

7-25

In 1934…a streak of 15 consecutive days of 90 degrees ranked 5th on the list of hot streaks.  The record of 24 consecutive days was established in the summer of 2008.

13-5

In 2008…a streak of 24 consecutive days of 90 degrees shattered the previous record of 18 consecutive days established in 1901 and 1874.   Ironically…no new single day record high temperatures were set in the month of July. In August however…a record of 104 degrees was set on the 1st…and another record of 103 degrees was set on the 2nd. In addition…a record low min of 70 degrees was set on August 2nd.

18-2

In 1987…a streak of 16 consecutive days of 90 degrees ranked 4th on the list of hot streaks.  The record of 24 consecutive days was established in the summer of 2008.

20-25

In 1965…heavy showers and thunderstorms doused metro Denver with significant rain each day.  Rainfall for the six days totaled 5.16 inches at Stapleton International Airport. Massive rainfall occurred on the 20th…21st…and 25th… Flooding streets and basements and causing streams to overflow.  The heaviest rainfall…2.05 inches…at Stapleton International Airport occurred on the 25th.

24-25

In 2003…maximum temperature of 100 degrees on the 24th was a record high for the date.  Low temperature of 73 degrees on the 25th was a record high minimum for the date.

25

In 1875…brief heavy rain and hail lasted only 5 minutes… But the 1/4 inch diameter hail covered the ground to a depth of 1/2 inch and made the streets look like there had been snowfall.  There was much crop damage…especially to corn…and some sheep were killed.  Precipitation totaled 0.51 inch in the city.

In 1896…a heavy thunderstorm produced sustained northwest winds to 45 mph with gusts to 50 mph and 1.02 inches of rain.

In 1965…a cloudburst dumped 1.99 inches of rain in 30 minutes at Stapleton International Airport.  The storm was accompanied by strong winds gusting to 70 mph.  The heavy rain flooded numerous streets in east Denver and Aurora. One inch diameter hail accompanied a cloudburst…9 miles southwest of Denver.  A funnel cloud was sighted 25 miles northwest of Denver.  In Aurora…there were unofficial reports of 2.30 inches of rain in 40 minutes and 3.30 inches of rain in 30 to 40 minutes.  Rainfall totaled 2.05 inches at Stapleton International Airport.  Rainfall of 2.42 inches for 24 hours on the 24th and 25th was the second greatest on record for July.

In 1977…a tornado touched down briefly in Aurora southeast of Cheery Creek Reservoir.  No damage was reported. A funnel cloud was sighted for 4 minutes by national weather service personnel 10 miles north of Stapleton International Airport near Henderson.

In 1991…heavy rain…up to half an inch in 10 minutes…caused flooding in Westminster…Northglenn…and north Denver where a section of railroad track was washed away.  At Stapleton International Airport…heavy thunderstorm rain totaled 1.85 inches and briefly reduced the visibility to 1/4 mile. Hail to 1/8 inch in diameter was also measured.  A tornado touched down briefly near Fort Lupton.  No damage was reported.

In 1998…heavy monsoonal thunderstorm rains caused flooding and flash flooding in eastern and southern sections of metro Denver…including Englewood and Aurora…when about 2 to 3 inches of rain inundated the area.  Both I-25 and I-70 were closed for 2 to 3 hours as several low lying areas became impassable due to the high waters.  The water was estimated to be 15 feet deep in one flooded underpass along I-25.  As a result…the freeway was closed from south of 6th avenue to university blvd.  Standing water forced the closure of I-70 at gun club road east of Denver.  In Englewood…U.S. Highway 285 was closed…when high water made it impassable.  Several cars were reportedly floating down the roadway near Sheridan Blvd.  In Aurora…the intersection at Yale Ave. And chambers rd. Was flooded by high water up to 4 feet deep when a spillway on the high line canal was breached.  Lightning also knocked out 11 transformers across metro Denver…causing several small fires and scattered power outages.  Flood and flash flooding also occurred north of Strasburg when as much as 2.51 inches of rain fell in an hour.  The deluge resulted in considerable flooding of local streets and County roads.  Torrential rainfall of 2 to 3 inches in less than an hour triggered a flash flood in Virginia Canyon.  County Road 279 between Idaho Springs and Central City was closed for two days to clear debris from mudslides.  Several cars in Idaho Springs were washed off the road…and numerous basements were flooded in town.  Thunderstorm rainfall totaled 2.69 inches at Denver International Airport.

In 2001…lightning struck two homes in Lafayette…damaging the roof and attic of one and shorting out the electrical system in another.  Hail to 1 3/4 inch in diameter was measured 7 miles north of Castle Rock with 3/4 inch hail 7 miles north of Sedalia.

In 2005…heavy thunderstorm rain in the vicinity of the overland wildfire burn scar triggered a mudslide in Jamestown.  Rocks the size of bowling balls…along with silt and mud slid down the mountain into the town.  No one was injured.  One parked car was buried by the debris.

In 2006…heavy thunderstorm rainfall caused flash flooding 1 mile north of the town of Westcreek in southwestern Douglas County.  Several maintenance roads were washed out by the floodwaters.

» Click here to read the rest of July 25 to July 31: This week in Denver weather history

A bit of a break from the heat for us this weekend, finally. We also will see some of that monsoon moisture that has been hitting the mountains work its way to lower elevations.

For Friday, it will be the hottest day of the week. Mostly sunny skies start us off and highs will be in the low-90s. This afternoon brings a decent chance for storms, particularly closer to evening. Overnight tonight, partly clear skies will be above with just a slight chance for a lingering shower.

Saturday will see cloud cover increase as moisture aloft increases as well. Highs will be in the upper 80s under partly clear skies. The afternoon will once again bring chances for thunderstorms. Saturday night into Sunday morning, skies will clear and any storm activity will end by midnight. Overnight lows will be in the low 60s.

The weekend closes out quite nicely. Look for mostly sunny skies Sunday with highs right near average for the date of 90 degrees. Some scattered thunderstorm activity can be expected in the afternoon. Have a great weekend!

No real change from recent weather today as we will continue to be quite warm. Unfortunately, thunderstorm chances are a bit slim but at least we should see less smoke.

Sunny to mostly sunny skies will be above this morning then a gradual increase in cloud cover follows this afternoon. Some isolated thunderstorm activity will be seen in the afternoon and evening although coverage will not be great. Highs today will again reach the mid-90s.

Tonight, any storm activity will end not long after dark then skies will be partly clear. Overnight lows will be in the mid-60s.

Today will continue our very warm, smoky weather. On the plus side, we do stand at least a chance for some thunderstorms.

Mostly sunny but hazy skies start us off this morning. The afternoon and evening will see cloud cover increase. High temperatures will again be topping out in the low to mid-90s. After noon, scattered thunderstorms are expected to develop, offering some relief from the heat and, hopefully, some moisture.

Tonight, a stray storm or two will still be possible until about midnight. After that, skies will begin to clear. Overnight lows will be in the mid-60s. Keep an eye out for those storms here.

Today’s weather forecast looks much like yesterday’s. Temperatures will be a good ways above normal and hazy skies from smoke will be above.

Mostly sunny skies will be above although they will be obscured by patchy wildfire smoke. Overall conditions remain dry. Highs will be topping out in the mid-90s.

Tonight, the smoke should ease some and mostly cloudy skies will be above. Lows will be in the mid-60s.

No break from the heat today, or for that matter for the rest of the week. Look for above normal temps today with some haze from smoke.

Sunny skies with haze from wildfire smoke will be with us for the majority of the day. A few clouds may appear in the mid to late afternoon. We will be dry today with some breezy winds later. High temperatures will be reaching the mid-90s.

Tonight, expect the smoke to linger with mostly clear skies. Lows will be in the low to mid-60s.

This week in weather history we really begin to see the arrival of monsoon season and the heavy rains and flooding it can bring to the Thornton and Denver area.  Be sure to check out the events on the 23rd and what the heavy rain brought to the Thornton area in 2004.

1-31

In 2012…it was the hottest July on record in Denver since weather records began in 1872. The average temperature for the month was 78.9 degrees which was 4.7 degrees above normal. There were 27 days in which the high temperature equaled or exceeded 90 degrees…which established a new record. There were also 7 days in which the temperature equaled or exceeded 100 degrees which tied the record set in 2005.

7-25

In 1934…a streak of 15 consecutive days of 90 degrees ranked 5th on the list of hot streaks.  The record of 24 consecutive days was established in the summer of 2008.

13-5

In 2008…a streak of 26 consecutive days of 90 degrees shattered the previous record of 18 consecutive days established in 1901 and 1874.   Ironically…no new single day record high temperatures were set in the month of July. In august however…a record of 104 degrees was set on the 1st…and another record of 103 degrees was set on the 2nd. In addition…a record low min of 70 degrees was set on august 2nd.

16-18

In 1997…an extended hot spell resulted in 3 temperature records being set. The maximum temperature reached 98 degrees on each of the days…setting records on the 16th and 18th. The low temperature of 71 degrees on the 17th was a record high minimum for the date. The high temperature reached 100 degrees on the 17th at the site of the former Stapleton International Airport.

18

In 1874…the temperature climbed to 90 degrees or more for the 18th consecutive day…setting a record. The record was equaled from July 6th through the 23rd in 1901.

In 1902…a thunderstorm produced northwest winds sustained to 45 mph with gusts to 48 mph along with rain and hail. Total precipitation was 0.53 inch.

In 1911…a shower produced north winds sustained to 44 mph.

In 1958…1 1/2 inch diameter hail fell 9 miles west-southwest of Stapleton Airport.

In 1981…a thunderstorm bombed Evergreen with about 2 inches of rain in 45 minutes. A heavy hailstorm left 5 to 7 inches of hail on the ground in some places and stopped the Colorado Open Golf Tournament at Hiwan.

In 1985…over 2 inches of rain doused the southwest suburbs of Denver. Street flooding occurred in the Montbello area of northeast Denver.

In 1992…nickel size hail fell across central Douglas County near Castle Rock and Sedalia. One inch diameter hail fell in Castle Rock.

In 1993…thunderstorm winds gusted to 60 mph at Strasburg east of Denver.

In 2004…heavy thunderstorm rainfall caused flooding over parts of the Virginia Canyon Road near Idaho Springs. Several sections of the roadway were washed out. The road was closed temporarily for repairs.

18-19

In 2003…heavy rain producing thunderstorms caused flash flooding across southern metro Denver.  Automated rain gages measured 2 to 3 inches of rain in less than an hour.  The heavy rainfall caused many intersections and underpasses to flood…stranding motorists.  Sections of I-25 and I-225 were closed due to the high water.

18-2

In 1987…a streak of 16 consecutive days of 90 degrees ranked 4th on the list of hot streaks.  The record of 24 consecutive days was established in the summer of 2008.

19

In 1875…recent heavy rains produced high waters on many creeks and rivers in the area…which threatened the destruction of property at some locations.  Cherry Creek in the city was running the highest in 10 years.  Heavy rain in the mining regions over the last 2 days resulted in water running “everywhere” and the suspension of some work.

In 1881…a thunderstorm passing across the city produced lightning with no rain.  A woman was seriously injured when struck by lightning several blocks from the weather office in downtown Denver.

In 1934…the temperature reached a high of 100 degrees in downtown Denver.

In 1965…hail…rain…and lightning hit west metro Denver. Hail stones as large as 1 1/2 inches in diameter accumulated to a depth of 2 inches in Evergreen where 2.95 inches of rain in 2 hours caused some flooding in the business section of the town.  Lightning caused some power outages.

In 1973…two funnel clouds were observed 5 miles southeast of Littleton.  The same funnel clouds were observed for 20 minutes…5 miles west and 5 miles west-southwest of Arapahoe County airport…now Centennial Airport.

In 1975…lightning injured a man in Denver and caused power outages in Aurora…Lakewood…Westminster…and west Denver.

In 1984…strong thunderstorm winds gusting to 45 mph shattered 7 large plate glass windows at Stapleton International Airport.

In 1985…a tornado touched down in the surrey ridge area of northern Douglas County…just west of I-25.  Ten homes were damaged; one under construction was nearly destroyed.  Two vehicles were thrown off I-25 injuring three people.  A pick-up truck was thrown 50 feet by the twister.  In addition…a cluster of severe thunderstorms pounded all of metro Denver with torrential rain…hail…and wind.  The heaviest rain fell in Aurora where one location reported 2.37 inches in just 40 minutes.  One location in northeast Aurora received a total of 4.30 inches from the storm. There was extensive street and basement flooding…and a number of roads were damaged or washed out.  An Aurora boy suffered minor injuries when he was washed into a drainage ditch.  Golf ball size hail in Aurora piled up to 5 inches deep.  An inch of rain fell in 20 minutes at Stapleton International Airport…closing it to air traffic for an hour.  Up to 1 1/2 inches of rain fell in just 15 minutes over central Denver with the high water closing I-25.  The water was so deep on the freeway…that one vehicle was completely submerged and people were diving into the water from the freeway overpass.  Three homes in Littleton were damaged by lightning.  Wind blew out several windows from a high rise apartment building in southeast Denver. Rainfall totaled 1.51 inches at Stapleton International Airport.

In 1997…torrential rain and damaging hail pummeled eastern sections of metro Denver.  Hail up to 1.25 inches in diameter fell at the national weather service office on the site of the former Stapleton International Airport.  The hail continued for about 15 minutes and accumulated to a depth of 2 to 3 inches…causing extensive damage to cars in the area.  Heavy rainfall totaled 3.83 inches in about an hour from the nearly stationary thunderstorm.  Numerous cars stalled along I-70…and several homes were flooded in east Denver.  The roof of a building collapsed under the weight of the water.  The next day several “fatalities” were discovered near the national weather service office; two prairie dogs were found dead along with three rabbits that either drowned or were killed by the large hail.

In 1999…lightning struck two residences in Littleton…but caused only minor damage.  Lightning triggered a fire at a residence in cherry hills village.  A small portion of the roof and ceiling were damaged before the fire could be extinguished.

In 2000…hail as large as 1.25 inches in diameter fell near Roggen northeast of Denver.

In 2004…heavy rainfall caused flooding on the Virginia Canyon Road near Idaho Springs…which had to be closed for repairs.

In 2006…the temperature climbed to a high of 100 degrees.  The high temperature was not a record maximum for the date.

In 2007…a severe thunderstorm produced large hail…up to 1 inch in diameter…about 6 miles north of Northglenn.

In 2016…two men at the Indian Tree Golf Course in Arvada were struck by lightning when they sought shelter from a rapidly developing thunderstorm under a tree. One man died from his injuries while the other suffered minor injuries. Very heavy rainfall was observed across central and southern parts of Denver. The storm dropped around 1.5 inches of rainfall in 30 minutes and caused minor street flooding. Nickel size hail was reported west of Pine in central Jefferson County.

19-23

In 2005…the high temperature climbed above 100 degrees on each of the 5 days with readings of 101 on the 19th…105 on the 20th…104 on the 21st…and 102 on both the 22nd and 23rd. A new record maximum temperature for the month of July of 105 degrees was set on the 20th…which also equaled the all time record maximum for Denver of 105 degrees first set on august 8th in 1878.  Daily maximum temperature records were set on each day…and the 5 day period equaled the record for the most consecutive days of 100 degrees or more first set from July 4th through 8th in 1989.  The intense heat resulted in a high use of electricity for cooling purposes.  The demand for electric power exceeded the supply and rolling black-outs… Each lasting about an hour…were scheduled across metro Denver during the afternoons and early evenings.

» Click here to read the rest of July 18 to July 24: This week in Denver weather history

R & R! That is what in our forecast for a while. 😉 Until we return, please continue to use our website for the latest weather conditions, radar, forecasts and more.