120 Years Ago Today, Denver Set Two Weather Records That Still Stand

DENVER (CBS4) - It's not often a meteorologist will use the words "cool" or "chilly" when forecasting Denver's weather during the month of July.

But on July 10, 1895, that was the headline of the day when the high only reached 53°F.

It's the coldest high temperature ever measured during the month of July in the Mile High City.

The low that morning was 45°F which is also a current record for July 10.

The National Weather Service Office in Boulder has temperature records for Denver that date back to 1872.

There have been more than a few chilly overnight lows during early summer in Denver.

26 of the 31 days during July have record lows in the 40s.

The coldest July low temperature was 42°F set on July 31, 1873 and again on July 4, 1903.

July 10 is not only a memorable day for weather history in Denver, its also one for the entire planet.

The hottest temperature ever measured on Earth was recorded on July 10, 1913, in Death Valley, California.

A thermometer in Greenland Ranch, now called Furnace Creek Ranch, topped out at 134°F, using a maximum thermometer housed inside of a regulation weather bureau instrument shelter.

The site has an elevation of 179 feet below sea level.

Meteorologist Chris Spears writes about stories related to weather and climate in Colorado. Check out his bio or follow him on Twitter @ChrisCBS4.