Wind is always a factor on the plains and the fall usually brings a great deal of it, especially in November.  Our look back at this week in Denver weather history shows that event and snow are quite common this time of year.

From the National Weather Service:

From the 7th to the 8th:

In 1969…wind gusts to 48 mph in downtown Boulder caused minor damage.

On the 8th:    

In 1896…southwest Chinook winds sustained to 42 mph with gusts as high as 46 mph warmed the temperature to a high of 53 degrees.
 
In 1977 near-blizzard conditions in blowing snow caused the closure of I-70 to the west of Denver in clear creek canyon and east of Denver to Limon.  Northeast wind gusts to 46 mph were recorded at Stapleton International Airport where snowfall totaled only 1.1 inches.
 
In 1984…a rare November thunderstorm produced west winds gusting to 31 mph…but only 0.04 inch of rain at Stapleton International Airport.
 
In 1996…high winds gusting from 80 to 100 mph were recorded at Wondervu in the foothills southwest of Boulder.  West northwest winds gusted to 32 mph at Denver International Airport.
 
In 2006…the temperature in Denver climbed to a high of 80 degrees.  This was the first time the temperature had ever exceeded the 70’s in November since records began in 1872. This new all-time record maximum temperature for the month of November was also a new daily record and the highest temperature ever recorded so late in the season.

From the 8th to the 9th:

In 1897…west winds were sustained to 45 mph with gusts as high as 50 mph in the city.
 
In 1919…post-frontal heavy snowfall totaled 8.4 inches over downtown Denver.  Most of the snow…6.6 inches…fell on the 9th.  North winds were sustained to 26 mph with gusts to 30 mph on the 8th.
 
In 1950…a major winter storm dumped 10.4 inches of snow at Stapleton Airport with the most snow…7.8 inches…falling on the 8th.  East winds gusted to 31 mph at Stapleton Airport on the 8th.  Snowfall totaled 8.2 inches in downtown Denver.
 
In 1958…strong winds caused some damage in Boulder.  West- northwest winds gusted to 40 mph at Stapleton Airport on the 8th.
 
In 1975…heavy snowfall hit metro Denver.  Snowfall at Stapleton International Airport totaled 8.0 inches and east winds gusted to 21 mph.  Power outages caused by the storm affected over 10 thousand people in metro Denver.  In the foothills west of Denver…10 to 15 inches of snow fell. The storm produced the greatest 24-hour precipitation…1.29 inches…ever recorded during the month of November in the city.
 
In 1983…metro Denver received 4 to 8 inches of snow with the heaviest amounts near the foothills.  It was the first measurable snow of the season in Denver.  Only 1.8 inches of snow fell at Stapleton International Airport where north winds gusted to 20 mph.
 
In 1989…strong winds hit the Front Range.  On the 9th…the wooden frame of a house under construction in Boulder was blown down.  The previous evening a power outage blackened Nederland.  Wind gusts to 95 mph were recorded 4 miles south of Rollinsville with 97 mph on fritz peak near that town.  At Stapleton International Airport…northwest winds gusted to 45 mph on the 8th and to 38 mph on the 9th.
 
In 1998…another upslope snow event developed in the Front Range foothills.  The heaviest snowfall occurred in west central Jefferson County where 14 inches were measured 8 miles west of conifer.  Other snowfall totals included: 10 inches at evergreen and 9 miles northwest of Bergen Park; 9 inches at Genesee…Nederland…and near the Chief Hosa exit on I-70; and 8 inches in Coal Creek Canyon.  On the 9th…snowfall was 2.6 inches at the site of the former Stapleton International Airport.  North-northeast winds gusted to 30 mph at Denver International Airport on the 9th.

From the 8th to the 10th:

In 1985…Indian summer came to an abrupt end when a winter storm dumped 10 to 18 inches of snow in the Front Range foothills and 6 to 10 inches across metro Denver…snarling traffic and causing flight delays of up to 3 hours at Stapleton International Airport.  The temperature plunged from a high of 66 degrees on the 8th to a low of only 13 degrees on the 9th…after the passage of a vigorous cold front with northeast winds gusting to 32 mph.  The temperature climbed to only 19 degrees on the 10th…setting a record low maximum for the date.  Snowfall totaled 7.3 inches at Stapleton International Airport with most of the snow…7.1 inches…falling on the 9th.

On the 9th:

In 1939…a trace of snow fell over downtown Denver.  This snow…along with a trace of snow on the 2nd…was the only snow of the month…ranking it…along with other months…the second least snowiest November on record.  Precipitation of 0.01 inch was the only precipitation of the month…making this the second driest November on record.
 
In 1944…the first killing frost of the season occurred in the city when the low temperature dipped to 35 degrees. This is the latest date for a killing frost ever recorded in Denver.
 
In 1946…heavy snowfall totaled 7.7 inches over downtown Denver.  This was the second heavy snowfall in less than a week.  Northwest winds were sustained to 26 mph.
 
In 1995…strong downslope winds gusted between 50 and 57 mph at Erie and Boulder.  West wind gusts to 44 mph were recorded at Denver International Airport.

On the 10th:

In 1897…west Chinook winds sustained to 51 mph with gusts to 60 mph warmed the temperature to a high of 64 degrees.
 
In 1915…southwest winds were sustained to 41 mph with gusts as high as 44 mph.
 
In 1955…strong winds raked the eastern foothills.  A wind gust to 80 mph was recorded atop Rocky Flats south of Boulder where some damage occurred.
 
In 1995…snowfall totaled 6 to 9 inches in the foothills west of Denver…while only 2.2 inches of snow fell at the site of the former Stapleton International Airport. North-northeast winds gusted to 31 mph at Denver International Airport.
 
In 1998…strong Bora winds gusting from 70 to 92 mph coupled with blowing snow created whiteout and slick black ice conditions at the base of the foothills west of Denver. State Highway 93 between Golden and Boulder and C-470… Near the Morrison interchange were closed for several hours due to multiple car accidents.  Dozens of motorists were stranded until weather conditions improved.  A small motor home was a total loss when it caught fire after being blown on its side by strong crosswinds.  A man was injured when he was blown off a vehicle while attempting to rescue the occupants.  Wind gusts included:  92 mph atop Blue Mountain near Coal Creek Canyon…83 mph atop fritz peak near Rollinsville…and 77 mph at Jefferson County airport near Broomfield.  West winds gusted to 36 mph at Denver International Airport.
 
In 2000…freezing drizzle was widespread across northeastern Colorado with the heaviest amounts near the foothills in the evening.  The freezing drizzle made many highways icy and slick…which contributed to a number of traffic accidents.  Some highways across metro Denver were closed at times…including portions of State Highway 119 between Boulder and Longmont and U.S. 36 between Westminster and Boulder.  State Highway 93 between Boulder and Golden atop Rocky Flats became nearly impassable due to a coating of ice by late evening.

From the 10th to the 11th:

In 1911…a strong cold front produced snow and a cold wave. The temperature dropped 68 degrees from a high of 66 degrees at 12:40 pm on the 10th to a low of 2 degrees below zero at 7:15 am on the 11th.  The low temperature of 23 degrees at midnight on the 10th was also the high temperature on the 11th.  Northeast winds were sustained to 42 mph with gusts to 51 mph.  Snowfall was only 2.5 inches.
 
In 1982…up to 4 inches of snow fell over the higher terrain between Denver and Colorado springs.  Winds gusted to 50 mph along the foothills.  Rainfall totaled 0.27 inch with only 0.1 inch of snow on the 11th at Stapleton International Airport where north winds gusted to 39 mph. Dense fog with visibilities as low as zero persisted all day on the 10th.

On the 11th:

In 1901…a trace of rain fell in the morning…and a trace of snow fell in the afternoon.  This was the only snowfall and precipitation for the month…ranking it the driest November on record…along with November of 1899 and 1949.  The month also ranks as the second least snowiest November…along with Novembers in other years.
 
In 1903…northwest winds sustained to 45 mph with gusts to 56 mph warmed the temperature to a high of 56 degrees.
 
In 1912…rain changed to snow…which became heavy…and totaled 6.5 inches over downtown Denver.  Precipitation was 1.02 inches…the greatest calendar day precipitation ever recorded in November.  Northeast winds were sustained to 27 mph with gusts to 29 mph.
 
In 1919…light snow fell from an apparent clear sky during the early afternoon.  The first snow was observed at about 12:40 pm and continued at least 30 minutes before clouds could be seen forming…followed by the sky becoming totally cloudy. During this time the temperature fell from 50 degrees at noon to only 18 degrees at 100 pm and plunged to 6 degrees at 5:45 pm.  A low temperature of 2 degrees was recorded overnight.  Northeast winds were sustained to 33 mph with gusts to 36 mph between noon and 1:00 pm behind an apparent arctic cold front.  Snowfall was only 0.1 inch.
 
In 1949…north winds gusted to 50 mph at Stapleton Airport. A trace of rain fell.  Another trace of rain on the 15th was the only precipitation of the month…making the month one of the driest Novembers on record and the least snowiest with no snow.  This was the first November since 1882 without snow.
 
In 1959…strong northwest winds struck Boulder and the foothills causing some damage.  West winds gusted to 37 mph at Stapleton Airport.
 
In 1995…strong downslope winds gusting to 84 mph blew out a few car windows in Boulder County.  Winds gusted to 69 mph at Golden…Lakewood…and Table Mesa in Boulder. West-northwest winds gusted to 43 mph at Denver International Airport.
 
In 2000…heavy snow occurred in the foothills southwest of Denver and over monument ridge south of Denver. Snowfall totals included:  6.5 inches near Parker… 6 inches near Bergen Park…5 inches at Genesee and near Sedalia…and 4 inches at Coal Creek Canyon and St. Mary’s Glacier.  Snowfall totaled 1.6 inches at the site of the former Stapleton International Airport.
 
In 2003…strong downslope winds developed along the Front Range.  Peak wind reports included 91 mph atop Blue Mountain near Wondervu and 75 mph in Boulder. Damaging winds downed power lines in Boulder County. North of Golden…a semi-truck was blown over by the winds near the intersection of State Highways 72 and 93 atop Rocky Flats.  At the same location…blowing rocks shattered several car windows at an RTD park and ride. West winds gusted to 40 mph at Denver International Airport.

From the 11th to the 12th:

In 1922…a major storm dumped 14.1 inches of snowfall over downtown Denver.  The most snow on the ground was 10.5 inches at 6:00 pm on the 12th.  North winds were sustained to 21 mph on the 11th.  Temperatures were generally in the teens and 20’s.
 
In 1964…strong winds in Boulder caused power outages and minor damage.  Winds gusted to 42 mph in downtown Boulder. At Stapleton International Airport west winds gusted to 36 mph on the 11th and 35 mph on the 12th.
 
In 1976…snow and freezing drizzle caused icing on bridges… Overpasses and some main roads.  The elevated portion of I-70 was closed for a time during the afternoon of the 11th.  Snowfall totaled only 0.8 inch at Stapleton International Airport…where northeast winds gusted to 20 mph on the 11th.
 
In 1989…the temperature climbed to a maximum of 76 degrees on both days…setting new record highs for each day.
 
In 1995…hurricane force downslope winds whipped across the Front Range foothills overnight.  The National Center for Atmospheric Research in Boulder registered a peak wind gust to 124 mph with several more wind gusts over 100 mph. Utility poles and power lines were downed…leaving several hundred homes in Boulder without power.  Windows were blown out of cars in Boulder.  Other reports of strong wind gusts included:  108 mph atop squaw mountain west of Denver…104 mph at Table Mesa in Boulder…99 mph at Golden Gate Canyon… 85 mph at the Rocky Flats Environmental Technology site… 69 mph at Jefferson County Airport near Broomfield…and 62 mph in Lakewood.  West-northwest wind gusts to 40 mph were recorded at Denver International Airport on the 12th.

From the 11th to the 14th:

In 1970…heavy snowfall totaled 7.2 inches at Stapleton International Airport where northeast winds gusted to 22 mph on the 12th and 14th.  Most of the snow… 4.2 inches…fell on the 12th.

On the 12th:

In 1894…northeast winds were sustained to 42 mph with gusts to 48 mph behind an apparent dry cold front.
 
In 1903…west winds sustained to 40 mph with gusts to 45 mph warmed the temperature to a high of 57 degrees. A trace of snow was observed.
 
In 1922…heavy snowfall of 8.5 inches was measured over downtown Denver.
 
In 1974…strong winds gusting to over 80 mph caused local damage to houses and property along the foothills from Denver north.  Automobiles…homes…and power lines suffered damage in Boulder.  West winds gusted to 41 mph at Stapleton International Airport.

From the 12th to the 13th:

In 1961…heavy snowfall totaled 5.6 inches at Stapleton Airport.  East-northeast winds gusted to only 20 mph.

From the 12th to the 15th:

In 1909…light snowfall totaled 6.7 inches in downtown Denver over the 4 days.  This was the first measurable snowfall of the season.  Northeast winds were sustained to 15 mph on the 12th.

On the 13th:

In 1951…northwest wind gusts to 50 mph were recorded at Stapleton Airport.
 
In 1983…winds gusted to around 60 mph in and near the foothills.  There were scattered power outages and a few broken windows across metro Denver.  The strong winds did 10 thousand dollars in damage to awnings at the Brown Palace Hotel in downtown Denver.  West winds gusted to 46 mph at Stapleton International Airport.

From the 13th to the 14th:

In 1925…heavy post-frontal snowfall totaled 6.4 inches overnight in downtown Denver.  Northwest winds were sustained to 27 mph with gusts to 29 mph on the 13th.
 
In 1974…northwest winds gusted to 52 mph at Stapleton International Airport…warming the temperature to 60 degrees shortly after midnight on the 13th.  A cold front cooled temperatures into the 20’s by late morning and produced snowfall of 3.7 inches.  The low temperature dipped to 14 degrees on the 14th.
 
In 1993…an upper level low pressure system combined with a weak but moist upslope flow to produce heavy snow across metro Denver.  Snowfall amounts averaged 6 to 8 inches with up to 16 inches in the foothills at the Eldora Ski Area. Snowfall totaled 6.0 inches at Stapleton International Airport where north winds gusted to only 20 mph on the 14th.  Most of the snow fell on the 14th.
 
In 1994…heavy snow developed rapidly along the Front Range urban corridor with the heaviest snow over northwest metro Denver.  Sixteen to 18 inches of snow fell in Boulder… Lafayette…and Louisville.  This was the second heavy snowfall over northwest metro Denver in 10 days.  Eleven to 14 inches of snow were measured from Longmont southward into Aurora.  Snowfall totaled 12.1 inches at Stapleton International Airport where northeast winds gusted to 29 mph on the 13th.  Most of the snow…9.0 inches…fell on the 14th.
 
In 1997…heavy snow fell overnight in portions of Jefferson and Boulder counties.  About 5.5 inches of snow were reported in Boulder…while 4 inches were measured 12 miles southwest of Morrison and 6 miles southwest of Golden. Snowfall totaled only 1.8 inches at the site of the former Stapleton International Airport.  Northeast winds gusted to 26 mph at Denver International Airport.

On the 14th:

In 1874…west winds blew at gale speeds from midnight until mid afternoon when the winds abated.  The maximum sustained velocity was 48 mph.
 
In 1928…strong winds caused 3 hundred to 5 hundred dollars damage in Boulder.  Wind gusts to 70 mph were recorded at Valmont just east of Boulder.
 
In 2006…an upper level jet stream combined with a high surface pressure gradient behind a cold front to produce strong winds across metro Denver.  A wind gust to 66 mph was recorded in Longmont.  North winds were sustained to 38 mph with gusts to 52 mph at Denver International Airport where winds were strong and gusty most of the day.

From the 14th to the 15th:

In 1917…overnight rainfall was 0.03 inch.  This was the only measurable precipitation of the month…making it the 5th driest November on record.
 
In 1985…3 to 6 inches of snow fell across metro Denver. Snowfall totaled 3.8 inches at Stapleton International Airport where northeast winds gusted to only 13 mph.
 
In 2005…a winter storm that brought heavy snow to the mountains also spread heavy snow into the foothills to the west of Denver.  Snowfall totals included:  14 inches at aspen springs…13 inches near Pinecliffe…and 12 inches near Nederland.  Interstate 70 along with U.S. Highway 40 had to be closed near Idaho Springs due to snow…poor visibility in blowing snow…numerous accidents…and an increased avalanche danger.  High winds were recorded in the foothills on the 14th.  Winds gusted to 89 mph at Georgetown and to 91 mph on Sugarloaf Mountain west of Boulder.  Strong microburst winds associated with a dissipating rain shower gusted to 61 mph at Denver International Airport on the 14th.

From the 14th to the 18th:

In 1964…the first measurable snowfall of the season totaled 6.0 inches at Stapleton International Airport where northeast winds gusted to 32 mph on the 14th. Most of the snow…4.2 inches…fell on the 14th.  This was the only measurable snow of the month.