Denver Records Earliest 80 Degree Temperature In 143 Year Climate Record
DENVER (CBS4) - The calendar might still show winter, but it felt more like early summer across Colorado on Monday.
For the second day in a row new record high temperatures were set across the region.
Denver's high of 81°F at Denver International Airport on Mar. 16 broke the previous record of 75°F set in 2012.
It was also the earliest 80°F temperature recorded in Denver since the climate record began in 1872.
The previous earliest 80°F reading was recorded on Mar. 18, 1907, when the high was 82°F.
It was even warmer in downtown Denver where the temperature hit 83°F at nearby City Park.
Other records set on Mar. 16 include 84°F in Pueblo, 80°F in Colorado Springs, 84°F in Burlington and 83°F in Yuma.
An unofficial temperature of 90°F was reported by CBS4 Weather Watcher Dakota McGee near Wray.
It was also very warm in the mountains where CBS4 Weather Watcher Mark Mannheimer reported a high of 67°F in Silverthorne.
March is known for being an extreme weather month across Colorado.
While residents of Denver were sweltering in record heat on Mar. 16, 2015, on the same date just 12 years prior, preparations were being made for one of the biggest snow storms on record.
The infamous St. Patrick's Day storm dropped 31.8 inches of snow on the city between Mar. 17-19, 2003.
Meteorologist Chris Spears writes about stories related to weather and climate in Colorado. Check out his bio or follow him on Twitter @ChrisCBS4.
