Heavy rain rewrites history at Denver International Airport
Denver, Colorado, was drenched in record-breaking rain on Sunday, May 26, toppling a precipitation record that had held for 75 years. According to the National Weather Service in Boulder, 1.39 inches (35.3 mm) of rain were measured at Denver International Airport (DIA), beating the previous daily high of 1.31 inches (33.3 mm) recorded in 1950.
This storm was part of a soggy and stormy Memorial Day weekend that swept across Colorado, bringing hail, downpours, and even tornadoes in parts of the northeast Plains. While Denver avoided the most extreme conditions, it did experience continuous rainfall that far exceeded typical levels for the date. Normally, May 26 sees an average of just 0.07 inches (1.8 mm) of precipitation, making Sunday’s rainfall nearly 20 times greater than usual.
Rain impacts stretch beyond the capital
Other parts of the Denver metro area also recorded notable rainfall totals. The National Weather Service measured 1.58 inches (40.1 mm) in Lone Tree and 2.10 inches (53.3 mm) in Aurora, highlighting the widespread nature of the wet weather system.
Communities from Grant and Shawnee along U.S. 285 to Centennial also reported hail, though conditions were less intense than those seen further east in the Plains.
More storms ahead for the Denver area
According to Pinpoint Weather Meteorologist Travis Michels, rainy conditions will continue to affect Denver throughout the week. The second half of Memorial Day was expected to bring additional showers and thunderstorms, with rain chances lingering daily through Friday.
Residents should prepare for continued weather fluctuations, and monitor forecasts closely through Denver’s interactive weather radar, weather alerts, and the FOX31 News app. The Pinpoint Weather team plans to deliver updates multiple times daily, ensuring locals remain informed about any developing storm activity or severe weather alerts across Colorado.
