Facts from public sources, not quotes. Where these numbers come from
Thornton snow behaves differently: sunny afternoons, cold nights and heavy spring storms. Here's what the city, NOAA and the National Weather Service say about it.
Get a free quote How it worksNorthglenn's normal January high is 48.0°F and its normal low is 19.0°F (NOAA, 1991–2020). The City of Thornton says that after major snow events, melt flows into shaded areas and refreezes into ice, and that unshoveled snow gets packed down and becomes ice.
Clear before the snow gets packed down by feet and tires. The city says shoveling all the way to the pavement prevents ice from forming.
North-facing walks, shaded drive aprons and the gutter line are where melt refreezes. Treat them before the evening cold sets in.
The city asks you to shovel snow onto the sun-exposed parts of your lawn and garden, not into roadways or bike lanes, so it melts instead of freezing in the gutter.
Park 6 inches to a foot from the curb so melting snow can drain, the city says.
The city encourages eco-friendly and pet-safe deicers because salty runoff can damage lawns and storm sewers.
Ice building up in the gutter in front of your home? The city says early notice through My Thornton helps it treat the ice before it builds.
Sources: NOAA NCEI, City of Thornton.
March is the snowiest month at the Northglenn station (8.2 inches), and April still averages 6.5 inches (NOAA). The National Weather Service in Boulder describes how the March 13–15, 2024 storm built on persistent, deep upslope flow, moist easterly air pushed up against the Front Range, and warns that warm spring storms like it can bring very heavy, wet snow when they turn from rain to snow.
That storm dropped 10 to 18 inches across most of the Denver metro, broke tree limbs and left an estimated 113,000 customers without power at some point, according to NWS Boulder. Heavy, wet snow is hard on backs, roofs, trees and snow blowers.
Heavy, wet snow broke tree limbs and caused scattered power outages in March 2024 (NWS Boulder). Run any generator outdoors only, at least 20 feet from windows, doors and garages.
The City of Thornton's tip for every storm. A wide pusher or a two-stage blower moves heavy snow without lifting it.
Rake heavy snow off the roof edge from the ground. Stay clear of power lines and never work from a ladder.
Sources: NOAA NCEI, National Weather Service Denver/Boulder.
| City | Sidewalk deadline | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Thornton | 24 hours from the time of the last accumulation | City of Thornton |
| Northglenn | 48 hours after snow, sleet or freezing rain stops | City of Northglenn |
| Westminster | 24 hours of the end of a storm | City of Westminster |
In an HOA or metro district? Your association may clear only the common areas. Check its rules, and remember the windrow from the city plow is yours to clear.
Want help? See tools in the Ice Fighter shop, read the winter travel advisories, or let a crew do it.
