Is April 25 the ‘perfect date’ for Denver weather?

DENVER (KDVR) — Denver weather on Thursday is looking quite nice, with a high of 76 degrees and a low of 47 degrees.

“Miss Congeniality” fans may remember April 25 as the “perfect date,” when it’s “not too hot, not too cold,” and “all you need is a light jacket,” as one character put it.

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But is April 25 the perfect date when it comes to weather in Denver? That is ultimately up to one’s own opinion, but some historical data insights might help Coloradans to describe their own perfect date.

April 25 temperature, precipitation records

On average, the high for April 25 in Denver is 63 degrees, and the average low is 36 degrees, according to historical data recorded by the National Weather Service.

This year, the high temperature is forecast to exceed the average high by 10 degrees. The highest temperature ever recorded on April 25 in Denver was 83 degrees in 1987.

While the temperatures for April 25 are on average mild, and indeed just right for a light jacket, the date has a history of storms.

Pinpoint Weather Meteorologist Travis Michels notes that the “perfect date” in Denver’s weather history has a pattern of storms with rain changing into snow.

For example in 1935, about a foot of snow fell in the city. However, it melted quickly and was not enough to disrupt traffic. That was the most snowfall Denver has ever seen on April 25 since record-keeping began in 1872, according to the NWS.

A more extreme example happened in 1877. According to the NWS, a couple of small buildings had roofs collapse due to the weight of the snow and tree branches, though the snowfall totaled 1.3 inches. That same day, a stockman lost 17 horses and several cattle due to the snow and the cold, according to the NWS.

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More recently, a thunderstorm on April 25, 2016 produced hail up to one inch in diameter near Castle Rock.

This year, there is a chance for storms on the “perfect date.” The forecast for Thursday includes a 20% chance of storms, but most of the impact will be concentrated in the northeast corner of the state, where large hail and gusty winds are possible.

As for Denver, mostly sunny skies will make for a warm day with temperatures reaching the upper 70s. A brisk wind is expected to pick up just after sunset, only reaching about 14 mph.

What is a meteorologist’s “perfect date” for Denver weather?

Pinpoint Weather Meteorologist Travis Michels said April 25 does not fit his idea of the perfect date when it comes to weather in Colorado. He said there had been one too many storms recorded on April 25 in history, and he prefers a date when the weather is more consistently warm and mild.

“It’s not a bad day, today is great, but we’re above average,” Michels said. “I really like the end of September and the middle of September, me personally.”

Michels decided his idea of the “perfect date” would be Sept. 22. He explained that the day has similar temperatures as the average day in mid-May, however, it’s less likely for a storm to happen in September as monsoon season typically wraps up around the end of August.

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Sept. 22 has much fewer reports of significant storm events in Denver compared to April 25, though there have been a few years where snow fell downtown on Sept 22.

If your idea of the “perfect date” involves spending time outdoors in the mountains, Michels added that he prefers September when the snow has melted and there is not so much mud.

Anyone can check the historical records for their idea of the “perfect date” on the National Weather Service website.

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