Denver Weather: The Front Range Is Bracing For The Coldest Easter In At Least 37 Years

DENVER (CBS4) - Last year Denver reached 70 degrees on Easter. This year is promising to be more than 30 degrees colder than 2019 with a good chance for snow.

Easter of course falls on a different date each year. It's the first Sunday after the first full moon following the spring equinox (the first day of spring). So because the date can vary by more than four weeks, it makes weather comparisons for the holiday somewhat complicated.

Nevertheless, this upcoming Sunday is expected to start around 24 degrees in the morning and climb no higher than 36 degrees in the afternoon for an average temperature of 30 degrees. The last time the average was that cold on Easter in Denver was 37 years ago. On April 3, 1983, Easter had a high of 38 degrees and a low of 21 for an average of 29.5 degrees.

It also appears likely that Easter 2020 will include snow. As of Wednesday afternoon, it's still too early to forecast exactly how much will accumulate along the Front Range. The last time measurable snow occurred on Easter Sunday was in 2016 when the airport officially reported 2 inches. Prior to that it was 2004 when there was 1 inch in Denver. Before 2004, it had been 19 years since measurable snow was recorded on Easter.

Because of COVID-19, all organized Easter Sunrise services have been canceled in Colorado for 2020 including the annual service at Red Rocks Amphitheatre.  The event usually attracts 11,000 people which exceeds the official capacity of Red Rocks by about 1,500 people.