October 2009 likely to make top 5 coldest in Denver

October 24, 8:35 AMDenver Weather ExaminerTony Hake

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October 2009 in Denver is likely to finish as one of the coldest
October's on record.

Do you feel like this October in the Mile High City has been cooler than normal? You are absolutely right and Denver’s October 2009 is likely to end up in ‘top 10’ status as one of the coldest October’s on record.

Earlier this month we set three low temperature records, one of which smashed a record that was on the books for more than a century.  Throughout the month, temperatures have remained consistently below normal.

Through Friday, Denver’s average temperature factoring in all the low and high temps each day has been 44.8 degrees. That is well below the historical mean for the month of 51 degrees (1971 to 2000). In fact, were the month to end today, that would set us up with a tie for number five on the coldest Octobers on record.

DENVER'S 10 COLDEST OCTOBERS - 1873-2008

39.0  1969
43.3  1925
43.9  2002
44.3  1923
44.8  1984 (2009?)
45.9  1970
46.3  1877
46.4  1913, 1919
46.6  1905
46.7  1873

If you look at the charts on the right and below, you can see that thus far this month temperatures have been consistently below normal with the exception of a few days early this past week. Looking at our most recent forecast, you will see that the cooler temperatures are expected to continue well through this next week and to the end of the month. It is almost a certainty we will stay on the ‘top 10’ list and it is possible we will climb further up the chart.

Interestingly enough, while it has been cool, it hasn’t been particularly wet. Thus far we are 0.08 inch below normal for precipitation for the month. Having said that, with a bit of moisture expected on Sunday and the potential for a major storm mid-week, that may very well change.

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