Spring may officially be five days away but you wouldn’t know it from today’s weather. The mercury climbed steadily under sunny skies and Denver set a high temperature record.
As measured at Denver International Airport, the Mile High City topped out at 79 degrees. This easily bested the old mark of 76 degrees set in 2013.
Here in Thornton we were one degree warmer reaching 80 degrees. This was Thornton’s warmest temperature reading since October 25 of last year.
Another high temperature record is in danger of falling tomorrow as well. The record high for March 16 is 75 degrees set in 2012. Forecast highs for the day are right at that same mark.
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On June 3, 1981 a tornado struck Thornton in what is the worst twister to have struck the Denver metro area. Are you ready should disaster strike again? Image courtesy the City of Thornton archives.
Severe weather is a fact of life in Colorado – from blizzards to tornadoes we can and do see it all. Each year the weather is responsible for claiming lives in our state and across the nation and the threat is very real. Storm spotter training allows you to learn how to protect yourself and your family while providing a public service.
Education is key to knowing how to protect you and your family. Whether you want to be an official storm spotter or maybe just want to learn more about severe weather, storm spotter training can provide you an incredible opportunity to learn.
The storm spotter program is a nationwide program with more than 280,000 trained spotters. These volunteers report weather hazards to their local National Weather Service office providing vital information when severe strikes. Data from spotters include severe wind, rain, snow measurements, thunderstorms and hail and of course tornadoes.
Storm spotters are part of the ranks of citizens who form the Nation’s first line of defense against severe weather. There can be no finer reward than to know that their efforts have given communities the precious gift of time–seconds and minutes that can help save lives.
By completing one of these training classes you can become an official storm spotter. When severe weather strikes, you can report it by calling a special toll free number or submit your report via the National Weather Service’s website.
These are great sessions for anyone wanting to learn more about the severe weather we experience in Colorado, whether you want to be an official spotter or not. All training is free. Topics include:
Below are the dates, times and locations announced thus far with the first occurring on Sunday, February 16. We will try to keep this updated but you can click here for any new dates on the National Weather Service website.
Schedule updated 3/8/15:
March, 2015 – Upcoming
Day
City, State
Time
Location
10
Denver, CO(Denver County)
7:00pm MDT
Denver Police District #3
1625 South University Blvd
Denver, CO
Contact Information: DenverCERT@Denvergov.org
16
Holyoke, CO(Phillips County)
1:00pm MDT
Phillips County Events Center
22505 US Highway 385, Holyoke, CO 80734
March 8 to March 14: This week in Denver weather history
Our look back at Denver weather history for the week reminds us that although the calendar says it is March, it is still very much winter. Numerous mentions of snow, blizzards and related winter conditions are quite prevelant and we are reminded that March after all is our snowiest month.
From the National Weather Service:
6-8
In 1932…snowfall totaled 6.3 inches in downtown Denver. Most of the snow…5.2 inches…fell on the 8th. Northeast winds gusted to 20 mph on the 6th.
7-8
In 1878…snow from the evening of the 7th until noon of the 8th totaled only 5 inches in downtown Denver. Apparent heavier snow over the plains along with strong winds drifted the snow into high drifts…which delayed trains for several days and caused a great loss of livestock. Melting of the snow caused a rise in Cherry Creek…which resulted in much damage. Precipitation from the storm totaled only 0.50 inch in Denver.
In 2000…high winds developed in and near the Front Range foothills…as well as parts of the northeast Colorado plains as another pacific storm system moved across the area. Several trees and power lines were downed near Blackhawk…Boulder…and in Coal Creek Canyon. About 30 homes in the Pinebrook Hills subdivision in Boulder were evacuated when downed power lines sparked a grassfire. The winds eventually shifted the fire onto itself…thus allowing firefighters to contain the two acre blaze. Several roofs were blown off barns…sheds… And garages. Two semi-trailers were blown over…one along c-470 between Golden and Morrison and another north of Denver on I-25. Wind gusts reached 101 mph on Rocky Flats…100 mph at the nearby National Wind Technology Center…90 mph at Blackhawk and atop Blue Mountain…92 mph in south Boulder…73 mph in Coal Creek Canyon…72 mph in Golden…and 70 mph at Louisville. Northwest winds gusted to 45 mph on the 7th and to 49 mph on the 8th at Denver International Airport.
8
In 1878…winds started to increase at 4:00 am and blew steadily at sustained speeds of 36 to 40 mph with a maximum sustained speed of 60 mph around 11:00 am. Snowfall of 5.0 inches occurred in the city…but much more snow fell on the plains…which blockaded trains bound for the city for several days.
In 1898…northwest winds sustained to 53 mph with gusts to 60 mph warmed the temperature to a high of 67 degrees.
In 1908…light snowfall of 0.8 inch produced only 0.01 inch of precipitation. This along with the 0.10 inch of precipitation on the 21st resulted in the driest March on record with a total of 0.11 inch of precipitation.
In 1986…temperatures climbed from a record high minimum of 45 degrees to a record maximum of 72 degrees for the day.
In 2005…a vigorous cold front moved a wall of blowing dust across metro Denver during the mid-morning. At Denver International Airport…north winds sustained to 48 mph with gusts as high as 55 mph…along with very light rain which changed to snow…briefly reduced the surface visibility to 1 mile. A thunderstorm formed over Arvada. With the passage of the cold front…the temperature plunged 11 degrees in just 16 minutes at Denver International Airport where precipitation was only 0.01 inch along with 0.1 inch of snow.
8-9
In 1992…a major blizzard struck metro Denver. The storm was preceded by thunderstorms with small hail during the afternoon of the 8th. By evening…with the passage of a strong arctic cold front…snow began falling. Strong north to northeast winds at 30 to 40 mph with gusts to 52 mph produced near zero visibilities in blizzard conditions across metro Denver. By the morning of the 9th…snowfall amounts up to a foot and a half were reported with drifts of 2 to 4 feet. Many roads were closed including I-70 east of Denver and I-25 both north and south of Denver. Many homes and stores were temporarily without power. Snowfall amounts included: 18 inches at Conifer…13 inches in Boulder and Denver…12 inches at Brighton and Morrison…and 10 inches at Aurora. Snowfall totaled 12.4 inches at Stapleton International Airport where north winds gusting as high as 52 mph reduced the visibility to zero at times in heavy snow and blowing snow.
In 2002…high winds occurred in the foothills west of Denver. Winds gusted to 95 mph near Fritz Peak and to 73 mph near Nederland.
8-10
In 1989…unusually warm weather set four daily temperature records in Denver. The high temperature of 74 degrees on the 8th exceeded the record. Records were equaled on the 9th with a high of 77 degrees and the 10th with a high of 79 degrees. The low temperature of 42 degrees on the 10th set a new record high minimum for the date.
9
In 1918…northwest winds sustained to 44 mph with gusts as high as 52 mph occurred during the early morning hours.
In 1960…west-northwest winds gusted to 51 mph at Stapleton Airport.
In 1980…high winds were recorded in the foothills with a wind gust to 84 mph at Wondervu. Northwest winds gusted to 38 mph at Stapleton International Airport.
In 1982…strong Chinook winds buffeted the foothills in Boulder. Wind gusts of 60 to 90 mph toppled a microwave dish antenna and blew the shell off a camper. West winds gusted to 47 mph at Stapleton International Airport.
In 1986…high winds in the foothills with gusts of 60 to 70 mph were reported at Golden Gate Canyon and in Boulder. Northwest winds gusted to 35 mph at Stapleton International Airport.
9-10
In 1904…strong Chinook winds raked the city for 2 days. On the 9th…west winds sustained to 53 mph with gusts to 62 mph warmed the temperature to a high of 55 degrees. On the 10th…west winds were sustained to 48 mph with gusts to 54 mph. The high temperature was 58 degrees.
In 2013…a storm system brought heavy snow to areas in and near the Front Range mountains and foothills where storm totals included: 13 inches at Berthoud Pass SNOTEL…12 inches at Arapahoe Ridge; 11 inches…5 miles southwest of Golden; 10.5 inches near Kittridge; 10 inches at Lake Eldora and Pine Junction; 9.5 inches near Conifer…9 inches…near Bailey and 9 miles east-northeast of Nederland…Joe Wright and Strontia Springs. Along the urban corridor…some storm totals included: 8.5 inches at Highlands Ranch and near Morrison; 8 inches in Arvada; 7 inches…5 miles northeast of Westminster; 6.5 inches at Centennial…lone tree and Wheat Ridge; 6 inches in west Denver…Hygiene…Lyons and Thornton…5.5 inches in Broomfield; with 5 inches in Aurora and the former Stapleton International Airport. Across the Palmer Divide and northeast plains of Colorado…storm totals ranged anywhere from 2 to 10 inches. The combination of snow and strong wind produced blizzard conditions and forced the closure of Interstate 70 east of Denver. Sustained winds of 25 to 35 mph with gusts to 45 mph produced near zero visibilities at times and snowpacked roads. Snowdrifts from 2 to 4 feet deep were reported. As a result…many of the roadways became impassable. Officially…Denver international recorded 5.4 inches of snowfall on the 9th. In addition…a peak wind gust to 38 mph was observed from the north.
9-11
In 1927…rain changed to heavy snow behind a cold front and totaled 7.7 inches over downtown Denver. North winds were sustained to 37 mph with an extreme velocity to 38 mph on the 11th.
In 1955…a strong windstorm raked the eastern foothills. A wind gust to 95 mph was recorded at Rocky Flats with a gust to 60 mph measured at Valmont. Damage in Boulder totaled 10 thousand dollars. Minor injuries also occurred. The strong winds were associated with a vigorous cold front that produced northwest winds at 40 mph with gusts as high as 52 mph at Stapleton Airport where the visibility was briefly reduced to 3/4 mile in blowing dust on the 10th.
In 1968…5.5 inches of snow fell at Stapleton International Airport where northeast winds gusted to 24 mph on the 10th.
The United States begins Daylight Savings Time at 2:00am on Sunday, March 8, 2015.
The biannual ritual of changing our clocks to adjust for Daylight Savings Time occurs this Saturday night providing yet another signal of the changing of seasons. The United States will ‘spring forward’ one hour at 2:00am Sunday morning as we begin Daylight Savings Time.
The ritual of changing our clocks twice a year can be met with some resistance as some people struggle to adjust their body’s internal clock. The start of Daylight Savings Time can be particularly problematic given the one hour less sleep people receive on the night of the change.
However, longer days as we head into the milder months are a very real benefit and for many worth the inconvenience of a lost hour of sleep. The time change definitely has big effects on how much daylight we enjoy during our normal waking hours.
On Saturday, prior to the change, sunset will occur at 5:56pm but on Sunday the sun won’t disappear over the horizon until 6:57pm. This affords folks more time in the evening to get started on those spring-time chores and allows us to get outside and enjoy the warming weather.
The March Equinox is also on the horizon. Spring officially begins at 4:45pm on March 20.
This year Daylight Savings Time will come to an end on November 1.
Some of the recent history of Daylight Savings Time (from Wikipedia):
Daylight saving time in the United States was first observed in 1918. Most areas of the United States currently observe daylight saving time, with the exceptions being the states of Arizona and Hawaii along with the territories of Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, and the Northern Mariana Islands.
From 1987 to 2006, daylight saving time in the United States began on the first Sunday of April and ended on the last Sunday of October. The time was adjusted at 2:00 AM (0200) local time (as it still is done now).
Since 2007, daylight saving time starts on the second Sunday of March and ends on the first Sunday of November, with all time changes taking place at 2:00 AM (0200) local time. In 2011, daylight saving time began on March 13 and will end on November 6.
The month of February was quite generous in terms of snowfall pushing our seasonal total thus far above normal. The month of March usually offers healthy snowfall giving us an opportunity to add to those numbers. While there is good snow potential in March, the month also typically brings much warmer temperatures.
March is historically Denver’s snowiest month and brings about 20% of our annual snowfall. Heavy, wet spring snow storms can oftentimes bring the entire month’s snowfall total in one monstrous snow.
We also start the transition to spring and severe weather season and the month typically brings our first thunderstorms of the year. Temperatures climb throughout the month and by the end our average daytime highs are near 60 degrees.
The month of February was quite an interesting one in terms of its weather. Overall temperatures for the first half of the month were well above normal but the latter half saw the bottom fall out and as it did, significant snowfall accumulated.
The first day of February brought a healthy shot of snowfall and cold temperatures. From there, things dried out and warmed up considerably. Thirteen consecutive days were then seen with above normal mercury readings. Only one of those thirteen saw precipitation in the form of a light snow on the 4th of the month.
From the 15th through the end of the month, the mercury plunged and only two temperature readings were at or above normal – all the rest were below, some significantly so. Additionally, Thornton saw 8 days in the last two weeks of the month with measureable snowfall. Out at the airport, Denver saw similarly snowy conditions and set a record for snowfall during the month of February.
Despite the cold close to the month, overall the month of February saw warmer than average temperatures. Thornton’s month averaged 34.3 degrees, just a bit above the long term Denver average for the month of 32.5. The Mile High City was warmer than normal as well with an average reading of 33.8 degrees for the month.
Temperatures in Thornton ranged from a spring-like high of 75.9 degrees on the 7th of the month down to a low of 0 degrees on the morning of the 27th. Denver’s warmest and coldest readings came on those same dates with 74 degrees and -6 degrees.
Denver set or tied four temperature records for the month. On February 6th a maximum reading of 70 degrees was a record for the date. That same day a low temperature of 46 degrees set a record high minimum for the date. The next day, the 7th, a record high of 74 degrees was set as was a record high minimum of 41 degrees.
In terms of precipitation, the month was quite generous. On average Denver receives 0.37 inch of liquid precipitation during February. Thornton saw 1.81 inches while Denver tallied 1.25 inches.
Snowfall was a big part of the month’s story. We did not receive any large storms but rather prolonged ones that delivered steady, healthy doses. Thornton totaled 26.7 inches during the month. Out at Denver International Airport, they lagged the totals in the rest of the metro area with a reading of 22.4 inches.
Denver’s reading of 22.4 inches, while lower than ours, allowed February 2015 to go into the weather history books as the snowiest February on record in the Mile High City. This just eased out the now number two, February 1912, which recorded 22.1 inches.
Thornton, Colorado February 2015 Temperature Summary. (ThorntonWeather.com)Thornton, Colorado February 2015 Precipitation Summary. (ThorntonWeather.com)
CLIMATE REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BOULDER, CO
1124 AM MST MON MAR 2 2015
...................................
...THE DENVER CO CLIMATE SUMMARY FOR THE MONTH OF FEBRUARY 2015...
CLIMATE NORMAL PERIOD 1981 TO 2010
CLIMATE RECORD PERIOD 1872 TO 2015
WEATHER OBSERVED NORMAL DEPART LAST YEAR`S
VALUE DATE(S) VALUE FROM VALUE DATE(S)
NORMAL
................................................................
TEMPERATURE (F)
RECORD
HIGH 77 02/28/2006
02/04/1890
LOW -25 02/01/1951
02/08/1936
HIGHEST 74 02/07 66 8 68 02/16
LOWEST -6 02/27 -2 -4 -19 02/05
AVG. MAXIMUM 46.6 46.2 0.4 42.3
AVG. MINIMUM 21.0 18.9 2.1 14.1
MEAN 33.8 32.5 1.3 28.2
DAYS MAX >= 90 0 0.0 0.0 0
DAYS MAX <= 32 7 3.9 3.1 8
DAYS MIN <= 32 24 26.9 -2.9 26
DAYS MIN <= 0 2 1.3 0.7 5
PRECIPITATION (INCHES)
RECORD
MAXIMUM 2.01 1934
MINIMUM 0.01 1970
TOTALS 1.25 0.37 0.88 0.19
DAILY AVG. 0.04 0.01 0.03 0.01
DAYS >= .01 10 5.3 4.7 4
DAYS >= .10 5 0.7 4.3 1
DAYS >= .50 0 0.0 0.0 0
DAYS >= 1.00 0 0.0 0.0 0
GREATEST
24 HR. TOTAL 0.40 02/15 TO 02/16 02/04 TO 02/04
SNOWFALL (INCHES)
RECORDS
TOTAL 22.4 2015
TOTALS 22.4 5.7
DEGREE_DAYS
HEATING TOTAL 864 908 -44 1022
SINCE 7/1 4113 4439 -326 4519
COOLING TOTAL 0 0 0 0
SINCE 1/1 0 0 0 0
FREEZE DATES
RECORD
EARLIEST 09/08/1962
LATEST 06/08/2007
EARLIEST 10/07
LATEST 05/05
.....................................................
WIND (MPH)
AVERAGE WIND SPEED 9.4
RESULTANT WIND SPEED/DIRECTION 2/205
HIGHEST WIND SPEED/DIRECTION 44/010 DATE 02/21
HIGHEST GUST SPEED/DIRECTION 43/040 DATE 02/04
SKY COVER
POSSIBLE SUNSHINE (PERCENT) MM
AVERAGE SKY COVER 0.60
NUMBER OF DAYS FAIR 5
NUMBER OF DAYS PC 15
NUMBER OF DAYS CLOUDY 8
AVERAGE RH (PERCENT) 60
WEATHER CONDITIONS. NUMBER OF DAYS WITH
THUNDERSTORM 0 MIXED PRECIP 0
HEAVY RAIN 0 RAIN 0
LIGHT RAIN 1 FREEZING RAIN 0
LT FREEZING RAIN 0 HAIL 0
HEAVY SNOW 4 SNOW 8
LIGHT SNOW 13 SLEET 0
FOG 12 FOG W/VIS <= 1/4 MILE 8
HAZE 9
- INDICATES NEGATIVE NUMBERS.
R INDICATES RECORD WAS SET OR TIED.
MM INDICATES DATA IS MISSING.
T INDICATES TRACE AMOUNT.
March 1 to March 7: This week in Denver weather history
Looking at this week in Denver weather history, it is easy to see whyMarch is known as Denver’s snowiest month. There are numerous instances of major winter storms dumping snow on the city that was measured not in inches – but feet!
From the National Weather Service:
28-1
In 1875…6 inches of snow fell from 3:15 pm on the 28th to 1:00 am on the 1st. Precipitation for the two days was 0.50 inch.
29-1
In 1896…snowfall totaled 5.5 inches in the city. Northeast winds gusted to 24 mph.
In 1948…snowfall totaled 5.9 inches in downtown Denver. North winds were sustained to 15 mph.
1
In 1904…west winds were sustained to 42 mph with gusts as high as 58 mph. The Chinook winds warmed the temperature to a high of 67 degrees.
In 1906…snowfall was heavy and totaled 7.5 inches over downtown Denver. Northeast winds were sustained to 37 mph.
In 1940…snowfall was heavy and totaled 7.7 inches in downtown Denver.
In 1943…6.0 inches of snow fell over downtown Denver. North winds were sustained to 19 mph.
In 1956…west-northwest wind gusts to 52 mph were recorded at Stapleton Airport.
In 1961…a wind gust to 65 mph was recorded at the Colorado building in downtown Boulder. The high winds caused some minor damage. Northwest winds gusted to 43 mph at Stapleton International Airport.
In 1974…a wind gust to 77 mph was recorded in Boulder. Southwest winds gusted to 37 mph at Stapleton International Airport.
In 2002…upslope conditions caused heavy snow to develop in and near the eastern foothills. Snow totals included 14 inches at Eldorado Springs and near Genesee; 13 inches atop Lookout Mountain; 12 inches in Coal Creek Canyon; 10 inches in Nederland and just east of Boulder; 9 inches in Boulder and Morrison; and 8 inches at Broomfield…Erie… Golden…Louisville…and Littleton. Snowfall totaled 6.5 inches at the site of the former Stapleton International Airport. Northeast winds gusted to 31 mph at Denver International Airport.
1-2
In 1969…heavy snowfall totaled 7.0 inches at Stapleton International Airport where north-northwest winds gusted to 18 mph.
In 1988…3 to 6 inches of snow fell over metro Denver. Snowfall totaled 3.2 inches at Stapleton International Airport where north winds gusted to 32 mph.
In 2003…localized heavy snow developed in the foothills of Jefferson County. Storm totals included: 12.5 inches near Conifer…11 inches in the foothills southwest of Boulder…and 10 inches near Genesee. Only 0.9 inch of snow fell at the site of the former Stapleton International Airport.
2
In 1904…west winds sustained to 52 mph with gusts to 60 mph warmed the temperature to a high of 68 degrees. Snowfall was 0.4 inch in the evening.
In 2008…a storm system brought heavy snow to portions of the Front Range foothills; as well as localized blizzard conditions to areas along the palmer divide. In the foothills of Jefferson and Park counties storm totals included: 16 inches at Genesee…14 inches…4 miles south of Evergreen; 13 inches…3 miles southeast of Pinecliffe; 12 inches…5 miles west-southwest of Conifer; 10 inches at Evergreen and 5 miles west of Littleton. Along the Palmer Divide…south and southeast of Denver… The combination of gusty northerly winds and snow caused localized blizzards. Storm totals included: 7 inches… 2 miles east of Castle Rock; 6 inches…4 miles east of Parker and 2 miles northwest of Elizabeth; and 5 inches near Castle Pines. The wind…gusting to 35 mph…stirred up snow drifts from 1 to 3 feet in depth. Northeast winds gusted up to 49 mph at Denver International Airport; and 2.0 inches of snow was observed at the former Stapleton International Airport.
2-3
In 1901…strong northwest winds raked the city for 2 days. On the 2nd…winds were sustained to 55 mph with gusts to 62 mph. The Chinook winds warmed the temperature to a high of 72 degrees…a record maximum for the date. On the 3rd…winds were sustained to 61 mph with gusts as high as 65 mph. The high temperature was 59 degrees.
In 1964…heavy snowfall of 6.3 inches was measured at Stapleton International Airport. East winds gusted to only 20 mph behind a cold front.
In 1978…5.0 inches of snowfall were measured at Stapleton International Airport where northeast winds gusted to 24 mph on the 2nd. The passage of a cold Canadian front kept temperatures only in the teens and 20’s on the 2nd after a high temperature of 33 degrees shortly after midnight. The temperature…after a morning low of 3 degrees below zero…climbed to only 14 degrees on the 3rd…setting a record low maximum for the date.
2-4
In 1963…heavy wet snow was accompanied by strong gusty winds across metro Denver. Snowfall totaled 11.6 inches at Stapleton Airport where north winds gusting to 44 mph caused much blowing and drifting snow. Hazardous driving conditions resulted in many traffic accidents.
In 1976…snowfall totaled 8.0 inches at Stapleton International Airport where…on the 4th…northeast winds gusted to 31 mph reducing the visibility to as low as 1/4 mile. Maximum snow depth on the ground was 7 inches. Nine inches of snow were measured in Boulder.
February 5, 2015 – The day ends with a gorgeous sunset. (Michelle Jones)
February signifies the start of the climb toward warmer temperatures for the year. Cold and snow though do intrude but, coupled with milder conditions, there are lots of photo opportunities as can be seen in our monthly slideshow.
The month is one of our least snowiest of the year but it isn’t unusual to see the landscape blanketed in white. Warming temperatures through the month can bring the onset of spring fever and gives residents the opportunity to enjoy some prolonged time outdoors on the mild days. Cold or mild, snowy or dry, our scenery is almost always gorgeous.
Slideshow updated February 28, 2015
To learn more about how to send your photo to us for inclusion in the slideshow, see below the slideshow.
Showcasing images captured by ThorntonWeather.com readers as well as some of our own, our monthly slideshow covers the entire gamut of weather-related imagery.
Sunsets, sunrises, wildlife and of course every type of weather condition are vividly depicted in images captured from yours and our cameras.
[flickr_set id=”72157650674219772″]
What is missing in the slideshow above? Your photo!
Our monthly photo slideshow is going to feature images that we have taken but more importantly images that you have captured. The photos can be of anything even remotely weather-related.
Landscapes, current conditions, wildlife, pets, kids. Whimsical, newsy, artsy. Taken at the zoo, some other area attraction, a local park, a national park or your backyard. You name it, we want to see and share it!
Images can be taken in Thornton, Denver or anywhere across the extraordinary Centennial State. We’ll even take some from out of state if we can tie it to Colorado somehow.
We’ll keep the criteria very open to interpretation with just about any image eligible to be shown in our slideshows.
What do you win for having your image in our slideshow? We are just a ‘mom and pop’ outfit and make no money from our site so we really don’t have the means to provide prizes. However you will have our undying gratitude and the satisfaction that your images are shared on the most popular website in Thornton.
To share you images with us and get them included in the slideshow just email them to us or share them with ThorntonWeather.com on any of the various social media outlets. Links are provided below.
February 22 to February 28: This week in Denver weather history
Our look back at this week in Denver weather history contains much of what you would expect to see this time of year – high winds, snow storms, and cold but also a rare February thunderstorm.
From the National Weather Service:
21-22
In 1909…a major storm dumped 12.9 inches of heavy snowfall over the city. North winds were sustained to 37 mph on the 22nd. Temperatures during the storm hovered in the 20’s.
22
In 1893…northwest winds were sustained to 36 mph with gusts to 50 mph.
In 1900…northwest winds sustained to 40 mph with gusts to 45 mph warmed the temperature to a high of 61 degrees.
In 1910…a cold front caused a remarkably sharp drop in temperature from 43 degrees at 3:00 am to only 3 degrees at 8:30 am. These were the high and low temperatures for the day. Early west winds switched to northeast behind the front.
In 1927…west winds were sustained to 42 mph with a measured maximum velocity to 60 mph.
In 1954…strong and gusty west winds persisted throughout the day. The highest wind gust recorded at Stapleton Airport was 58 mph.
In 1960…snowfall totaled 5.9 inches…producing near-blizzard conditions in snow and blowing snow at Stapleton Airport where northeast wind gusts to 40 mph reduced visibility to 1/2 mile.
In 1986…high winds occurred in the foothills. Wind gusts of 65 to 70 mph were reported at Golden Gate Canyon…and a peak gust of 83 mph was recorded at Echo Lake. Northwest winds gusted to only 29 mph at Stapleton International Airport.
In 1988…a wind gust to 83 mph was recorded in Boulder with 80 mph clocked at Rollinsville. Northwest winds gusted to 45 mph at Stapleton International Airport.
In 1996…wind gusts to 63 mph were reported in western Elbert County. Southwest winds gusted to 45 mph at Denver International Airport.
In 1999…strong post-frontal…bora winds developed over the foothills and spread over the northeast plains. Peak wind gusts included: 87 mph at Golden Gate Canyon; 84 mph at Wondervu; 80 mph at the National Center for Atmospheric Research mesa lab; 75 mph at the Rocky Flats Environmental Test Facility; 74 mph at Jefferson County Airport near Broomfield; 72 mph at the Gamow Tower on the University of Colorado campus in Boulder; and 60 mph at Bennett. West to northwest winds gusted to 44 mph at Denver International Airport.
In 2000…thunder was heard across much of metro Denver. Thunderstorms over southwest metro Denver produced 1/4 to 1/2 inch diameter hail at Pinehurst Country Club. A thunderstorm at Denver International Airport produced wind gusts to 34 mph. This was only the 6th time since 1891 that thunder had been reported in February.
22-23
In 1985…a snowstorm struck the eastern foothills with 8 to 15 inches of new snow. Three to 7 inches of new snow fell across metro Denver and parts of I-70 were closed at times. Snowfall totaled only 3.3 inches at Stapleton International Airport where northeast wind gusts to 29 mph were recorded.
In 1992…a snow storm dumped heavy snow in the Front Range foothills. Conifer received 12 inches of new snow with 7.5 inches at Aspen Springs. Snow only dusted the plains and metro Denver…but winds were strong with a gust to 43 mph from the north at Stapleton International Airport where snowfall totaled only 0.3 inch. This was the only measurable snowfall of the month…equaling the record for the least snowiest February first set in 1970. Rare thunder for February accompanied the snow during the early morning hours of the 23rd.
In 1999…strong Chinook winds developed on a very localized scale overnight in and near the foothills of northern Jefferson and southern Boulder counties. Peak wind reports included: 82 mph at the Rocky Flats Environmental Test Facility…80 mph at the National Center for Atmospheric Research mesa lab in Boulder…77 mph near Nederland…and 75 mph atop the Gamow Tower on the University of Colorado campus in Boulder.
In 2012…a strong upper level jet stream produced high winds along the Front Range. In Boulder…the strong winds snapped power poles and toppled trees. As a result…about 7 thousand Xcel Energy customers were without power for several hours. The high winds overturned a tractor-trailer on foothills highway overpass…north of Valmont road. The driver suffered minor injuries. A parked car was totaled when it was crushed by a fallen tree near the university of Boulder. The strong winds were also responsible for two Boulder County wildfires which consumed a total of 65 acres. Colorado Department of Transportation officials closed U.S. 36 at McCaslin Boulevard in both directions after the wind caused damage to the pedestrian overpass. Metal siding from the overpass fell into highway; fortunately there were no injuries. In total…electrical outages affected 46 thousand customers along the Front Range. Damage to roofs…siding… Garage doors and fences was also reported. Peak wind gusts included: 93 mph near Lyons; 88 mph at NCAR Mesa Lab; 85 mph…2 miles southwest of Rocky Flats; 82 mph…5 miles northwest of Boulder; 81 mph…2 miles north of Longmont…4 miles east-northeast of Nederland…the National Wind Technology Center and near Wondervu; 80 mph at the junction of highways 72 and 93; 79 mph at the Boulder Municipal Airport; 78 mph…6 miles northwest of Boulder; 77 mph at Rocky Mountain Municipal Airport; 76 mph atop Berthoud Pass; 75 mph near Aspen Springs; 70 mph at Longmont Municipal Airport; 64 mph at Erie Municipal Airport. At Denver International Airport…peak wind gusts of 53 mph on the 22nd and 55 mph on the 23rd were observed.
22-29
In 1960…heavy snowfall of 6.1 inches at Stapleton Airport on the 22nd and 23rd marked the beginning of a protracted cold spell which lasted until the end of the month. The cloudy… Cold weather was accompanied by occasional light snow or flurries and fog. New record low temperatures for the dates were set on the 24th thru the 29th with the lowest temperature of 11 degrees below zero on the 28th. The seven consecutive days of low temperatures of zero or below had been exceeded in duration only 4 times previously. New low maximum temperatures for the dates were set on the 23rd… 24th…and the 26th thru the 29th with the lowest maximum temperature of 8 degrees recorded on the 26th.
23
In 1904…west winds sustained to 42 mph with gusts as high as 60 mph warmed the temperature to a high of 63 degrees.
In 1907…a thunderstorm…relatively rare in February…was observed over the city. The chance of occurrence is around once every ten years.
In 1977…while 60 to 100 mph winds produced a huge dust storm over much of eastern Colorado…only an experimental windmill at the Rocky Flats nuclear plant was destroyed in the Denver area. Winds at Rocky Flats were clocked to 90 mph. Northwest winds gusted to 46 mph at Stapleton International Airport.
In 1986…wind gusts to 79 mph were clocked at Echo Lake in the foothills west of Denver.
In 1992…a rare February thunderstorm occurred. This was only the 5th time since 1891 that thunder has been heard in February.
In 1994…periodic high winds occurred over the higher elevations of the Front Range eastern foothills. The strongest wind gusts reached 87 mph atop Squaw Mountain near Idaho Springs. Southwest winds gusted to only 25 mph at Stapleton International Airport.
In 1996…high winds gusting as high as 76 mph were reported along the Front Range foothills and adjacent urban corridor. Wind gusts to 70 mph were reported atop Table Mesa near Boulder and to 63 mph in Broomfield. West winds gusted to 38 mph at Denver International Airport.
In 2012…bands of moderate to heavy snow…associated with a strong upper level jet…formed over the southern Front Range foothills…Palmer Divide and southern Denver suburbs. Storm totals included: 10 inches…2 miles west-northwest of Highlands Ranch and Kiowa; 9.5 inches near Castle Rock and Littleton; 8 inches at Aspen Springs and Marston Reservoir; 7.5 inches at Evergreen and Louviers; 7 inches…5 miles south-southwest of Arapahoe Park; with 4 to 6 inches elsewhere. Officially…Denver International Airport observed 1.9 inches of snowfall.
23-24
In 1935…northwest winds sustained to 37 mph with gusts as high as 47 mph produced considerable blowing dust behind a cold front on the 23rd. The dust was dampened by 7.0 inches of snowfall over downtown Denver from the late evening of the 23rd through the evening of the 24th.
In 1997…heavy snow fell in the foothills. Snowfall totals included 8 inches at sunshine canyon northwest of Boulder… And 6 inches at Morrison. Snowfall totaled only 2.4 inches at the site of the former Stapleton International Airport. East winds gusted to only 22 mph at Denver International Airport on the 23rd.
23-25
In 1912…a severe winter storm dumped 14.2 inches of snowfall over downtown Denver. Snow fell continuously from 9:40 am on the 23rd until 9:15 pm on the 25th with most of the snow… 9.2 inches…on the 24th. Temperatures were mostly in the 20’s. Northeast winds were sustained to 20 mph on the 24th.
As of 5:00am this morning, Denver’s February 2015 ranks as the sixth snowiest February on record.With more snow expected mid-week, it is highly likely the month will climb up the rankings.
How does Thornton compare? Denver’s total for the month is 17.7″ but we are ahead of that at 19.4″.
It should be noted that Denver’s measurement is taken at DIA and has been since 2008. Prior to that it was taken at Stapleton (1950-2007) and downtown (1882-1949). This year Stapleton is at 22.9″ for the month, enough that it would rank as the snowiest February on record had the official location for measuring snowfall not been moved.
Snowiest Februarys on record in Denver, Colorado. (ThorntonWeather.com)
Weather, natural disasters & climate news and information.
Spring may officially be five days away but you wouldn’t know it from today’s weather. The mercury climbed steadily under sunny skies and Denver set a high temperature record.
