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Weather History

April 11 to April 17 – This week in Denver weather history

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April 11 to April 17 - This week in Denver weather history
April 11 to April 17 - This week in Denver weather history

We are far from finished with winter weather as is clearly shown in our look back at this week in Denver weather history.  There are many occurrences of snowstorms wreaking havoc in the Mile High City.  One such notable event was just five years ago when 1 to 2.5 feet of snow was dumped on the Front Range.

7-12

In 1959…snow falling over a 5-day period totaled 20 to 30 inches just east of the mountains…while over the plains blizzard conditions closed schools and blocked highways. The second big storm in two weeks dumped 16.4 inches of snowfall on Stapleton Airport with the most…11.6 inches… Occurring on the 8th.  East winds gusted to 37 mph on the 9th.  Temperatures dipped into the single digits on the mornings of the 7th and 12th when 7 degrees were registered.  Low temperature records for the dates were set on the 9th…10th…and 12th.  The cold temperatures caused streets to glaze with ice…resulting in the death of a pedestrian who was struck by a car in Denver.  Three people died from heart attacks while shoveling the heavy… Wet snow.

9-11

In 1951…heavy snowfall totaled 9.4 inches at Stapleton Airport.  The storm was accompanied by strong northeast winds gusting to 43 mph.
 
In 1953…heavy snowfall occurred at Stapleton Airport where 7.9 inches of snow were measured.  North winds gusted to 29 mph.
 
In 1994…6 to 14 inches of heavy snow buried much of eastern Colorado…closing many schools and I-70 from east of Denver to the Kansas border.  Rain changed to snow on the 9th…and snow continued through the 11th.  Snowfall totaled 5.7 inches at Stapleton International Airport…but maximum snow depth on the ground was only 3 inches on the 10th due to melting.  East winds gusted to 26 mph on the 9th.
 
In 1995…a major spring storm dumped 8 to 16 inches of snow in the foothills west of Denver.  Snowfall totaled 8.3 inches at the site of the former Stapleton International Airport…but most of the snow melted as it fell with the maximum snow depth on the ground of only 2 inches.  Five-to 6-inch snow accumulations occurred over southern portions of metro Denver and eastward onto the plains.  Northeast winds gusted to 36 mph at Denver International Airport on the 10th.  I-70 was closed for several hours east of Watkins to the Kansas border due to drifting snow and near whiteout conditions.  High temperature of only 29 degrees on the 10th was a record low maximum for the date.

9-12

In 1901…rain changed to snow and totaled 10.8 inches in downtown Denver over the 4 days.  Northeast winds were sustained to 28 mph with gusts to 31 mph on the 11th. Temperatures hovered in the 30’s.

10-11

In 1979…a heavy snow storm produced near-blizzard conditions across eastern Colorado with 10 to 20 inches in the foothills and 4 to 8 inches over the plains.  Winds to 35 mph combined with the snow to produce drifts at least 3 feet deep…closing many roads and causing power outages. Travel was interrupted south of Denver when the storm closed both I-25 and State Highway 83.  Snowfall totaled only 3.8 inches at Stapleton International Airport where northeast winds gusted 37 mph…causing some blowing snow on the 11th.
 
In 2001…a potent spring storm dumped heavy snow over metro Denver and the adjacent foothills…while a blizzard roared across the plains to the east of Denver.  Snowfall amounts ranged up to a foot and a half across metro Denver and in the foothills.  North to northwest winds at sustained speeds of 40 to 50 mph with gusts as high as 60 mph piled the snow into drifts of 3 to 6 feet deep.  I-25 southbound was closed at lincoln avenue.  I-70 to the east was closed at gun club road.  The combination of heavy wet snow and damaging winds resulted in widespread electrical outages. Denver International Airport was completely shut down for the first time in its brief 6-year history.  Power surges and outages crippled the airport’s massive computer systems. The airport was closed at 5:00 am and did not re-open until mid-afternoon on the 11th.  The power outages resulted in businesses and schools closing.  Over all of northeastern Colorado…there were 220 thousand customers without power… The worst outage in Xcel energy’s history.  Repairs totaled 1.6 million dollars.  Across metro Denver…snow totals included:  18 inches in southeast Aurora…16 inches at centennial airport and Parker…14 inches at Broomfield… 13 inches in Louisville…12 inches at Lakewood and Morrison… 11 inches at Ken Caryl and Thornton…10 inches at the site of the former Stapleton International Airport and in Wheat Ridge…9 inches in Westminster…and 8 inches in Littleton. Thunderstorms preceded the start of the snow on the afternoon of the 10th and were embedded in the snow storm during the early morning hours of the 11th at Denver International Airport where northwest winds gusted to 60 mph on the 11th.  Snow storm totals in the foothills included:  17 inches at Genesee…16 inches at Rollinsville… 14 inches at Intercanyon…13 inches in Coal Creek Canyon and near Evergreen…11 inches at Aspen Springs and Chief Hosa…10 inches at Blackhawk…and 9 inches atop Crow Hill.
 
In 2005…a strong spring storm produced blizzard conditions in areas to the east of Denver and south of I-76 and near- blizzard conditions across metro Denver.  The combination of heavy snow and strong winds forced the closure of Denver International Airport…stranding thousands of travelers. Long stretches of I-25…I-70…and I-76 were also closed due to extensive blowing and drifting snow.  Snow amounts ranged from 1 to 2.5 feet in and near the eastern foothills and over the Palmer Divide.  Drifts were 2 to 5 feet in depth.  Downed power lines caused scattered electrical outages.  Storm total snowfall amounts in and near the foothills included:  31 inches near Conifer; 27.5 inches in Aspen Springs; 25.5 inches near Sedalia and Blackhawk; 25 inches near Bergen Park and around Genesee; 24.5 inches at Pine Junction and Roxborough park; 24 inches southwest of Boulder; 23.5 inches at Ken Caryl; 23 inches atop Crow Hill and near Larkspur…Evergreen…and Nederland; 21 inches at Eldora Ski Area; 18 inches at Eldorado Springs and near Castle Rock; 17 inches near Chatfield Reservoir and Perry Park; and 16 inches near Jamestown.  Across the city storm total snow amounts were:  22.5 inches in Aurora; 22 inches at Bennett; 20 inches near Arapahoe park and in centennial… Littleton…and south Denver; 17.5 inches near Bennett; 16 inches in Thornton; 15 inches in Lakewood; 14.5 inches in wheat ridge and near Englewood; 14 inches at Lone Rree and in Arvada; and 9.9 inches at Denver Stapleton.  North winds were sustained from 25 to 35 mph with gusts to 46 mph at Denver International Airport on the 10th.

Continue reading April 11 to April 17 – This week in Denver weather history →

Weather History

April 4 to April 10 – This week in Denver weather history

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April 4 through April 10 - This week in Denver weather history
April 4 through April 10 - This week in Denver weather history

As we discussed in our April preview, the month is Denver’s third snowiest month behind March and November.  Our look back in Denver weather history for this week clearly shows that the month can bring not only snow, but lots of it.  If we look just at the last decade or so, we see significant snowstorms occurring in 1997, 2001, 2004 and 2005.  Will that happen this year?  Also notable are damaging wind events including one in 1999 that caused $20 million in damage.

31-4

In 1905…much rain and some snow occurred over the 5 days behind an apparent cold front.  Precipitation totaled 2.00 inches.  There was a thunderstorm on the 3rd.  Snowfall totaled 3.0 inches on the 4th.  North winds were sustained to 34 mph on the 1st and 2nd and to 30 mph on the 3rd. High temperatures during the period ranged from the upper 30’s to the lower 40’s.  Low temperatures were in the upper 20’s and lower 30’s.

2-4  

In 1934…snowfall totaled 8.2 inches in downtown Denver from the afternoon of the 2nd through the early morning of the 4th.  Most of the snow…6.8 inches…fell on the 3rd. Rain changed to snow behind a strong cold front on the afternoon of the 2nd.  The cold front first appeared as a long-cigar shaped squall cloud to the north of the city. Strong north winds at sustained speeds of 33 mph with gusts to 43 mph produced much blowing dust and an abrupt fall in temperature…from a high of 68 on the 2nd to a low of 22 on the 3rd.
 
In 1964…a major storm dumped 10.9 inches of heavy wet snow on Stapleton International Airport where northeast winds gusted to 35 mph.  Most of the snow…10.0 inches…fell on the 3rd.

2-5

In 1918…snowfall totaled 12.4 inches over downtown Denver. Most of the snow fell on the 3rd and 4th.  Temperatures were in the 20’s and 30’s.  Northwest winds were sustained to 24 mph on the 2nd.

3-5

In 1996…the foothills west of Denver received 6 to 8 inches of new snow.  Only 0.8 inch of snow fell at the site of the former Stapleton International Airport…along with some freezing drizzle on the 4th and 5th.  North-northeast winds gusted to 30 mph at Denver International Airport on the 3rd.

3-6

In 1898…snowfall totaled 8.7 inches in downtown Denver over the 4 days.  Northeast winds were sustained to 48 mph with gusts as high as 60 mph on the 3rd.
 
In 1983…a prolonged heavy snow storm blanketed the area along with very cold temperatures.  The greatest amounts of snow fell in the foothills where 24 to 42 inches were measured.  A foot of snow fell in Boulder.  Snow fell for 50 consecutive hours at Stapleton International Airport on the 3rd through the 5th with a total snowfall of 8.8 inches and a maximum accumulation on the ground of 6 inches on the 5th.  In Denver…the mercury failed to rise above freezing for 3 consecutive days…on the 4th…5th…and 6th…for the first time ever in April.  Five daily temperature records were set from the 4th through the 6th. Record low temperatures of 12 degrees occurred on the 5th with 7 degrees on the 6th.  Record low maximum temperatures of 25 degrees occurred on the 4th…27 degrees on the 5th… And 28 degrees on the 6th.

4

In 1888…southwest winds were sustained to 40 mph.
 
In 1915…Chinook winds from the northwest were sustained to 40 mph with gusts to 43 mph.  The winds warmed the temperature from a low of 44 degrees to a high of 67 degrees.
 
In 1935…light dust enveloped the city during the day on southwest winds sustained to 23 mph with gusts to 27 mph.
 
In 1985…north winds gusted to 53 mph at Stapleton International Airport where the visibility was briefly reduced to less than a mile by blowing dust and a snow shower.
 
In 1987…microburst winds gusted to 51 mph at Stapleton International Airport.
 
In 1997…heavy snow developed over western portions of metro Denver and along the palmer divide.  As a strong surface low pressure system intensified over the plains…moist upslope flow developed across metro Denver producing strong north winds at 20 to 40 mph and some blowing snow. Snowfall totaled 12 inches at Conifer with 4 to 7 inches at Crow Hill…Evergreen…and Morrison.  Thunderstorm rain changed to snow across the city with 2.0 inches of snowfall measured at the site of the former Stapleton International Airport where precipitation (rain and melted snow) totaled 0.70 inch.  North-northwest winds gusted to 43 mph at Denver International Airport.

Continue reading April 4 to April 10 – This week in Denver weather history →

Weather History

March 28 to April 3 – This week in Denver weather history

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March 28 to April 3 - This week in Denver weather history
March 28 to April 3 - This week in Denver weather history

Looking at historical weather records can oftentimes provide insight into what weather we can expect over a given period of time.  As we saw this past week, while the calendar says spring, Old Man Winter can return very quickly.  Our look at this week in Denver weather history we see much of the same – major snowstorms and blizzards that impact travel and knock out power to residents.  Also, these spring snowstorms are often moisture-laden and their sheer weight can be damaging. 

27-28

In 1951…heavy snowfall totaled 6.5 inches at Stapleton Airport where north winds gusted to 38 mph on the 27th and 41 mph on the 28th.
 
In 1972…heavy snowfall of 6.2 inches was measured at Stapleton International Airport…where northeast winds gusted to only 21 mph.
 
In 1980…a major blizzard struck the northeastern Colorado plains…closing both I-70 and I-76 to the east of Denver for a time.  Some areas received 1 to 2 feet of snow.  Drifts were 4 to 8 feet high.  The storm killed many young livestock.  At Stapleton International Airport…snowfall totaled 6.7 inches from the storm and north winds gusted to 29 mph.
 
In 2002…high winds developed in the foothills west of metro Denver.  Winds gusted to 81 mph near Fritz Peak…72 mph at Rollinsville…and 70 mph at Blackhawk.  West winds gusted to 51 mph on the 27th and to 45 mph on the 28th at Denver International Airport where the temperature warmed to a high of 69 degrees on the 28th.

27-29

In 1948…high winds raked Boulder.  A wind gust to 75 mph was recorded at Valmont.  Sustained winds in excess of 35 mph were estimated in Boulder.  Minor damage was reported.
 
In 1961…heavy snowfall totaled 9.5 inches at Stapleton Airport over the 3 day period.  Most of the snow…5.3 inches…fell on the 28th.  Winds were generally light and gusted to only 22 mph from the north.

28   

In 1886…the lowest recorded temperature in March…11 degrees below zero…occurred.
 
In 1911…a thunderstorm produced snowfall of 0.4 inch…which was the only measurable snowfall of the month…making the month the second least snowiest March on record.
 
In 1962…a vigorous cold front produced strong winds across eastern Colorado.  North winds gusted to 46 mph at Stapleton Airport where visibility was briefly reduced to 3/4 mile in blowing dust.  A construction worker was injured in Aurora when he was struck by a windblown piece of plywood.

28-29

In 1891…rain changed to snow and totaled 9.7 inches in the city.  Northeast winds were sustained to 12 mph with gusts to 28 mph on the 28th.
 
In 1910…a strong cold front brought much wind…rain…and snow to the city.  Rain on the 28th changed to snow early on the 29th.  Snowfall totaled only 2.8 inches…but north winds were sustained to 50 mph on the 29th. Precipitation from the storm totaled 0.96 inch.
 
In 1994…moist upslope winds combined with an upper level system to dump 5 to 7 inches of snow along the eastern foothills and across metro Denver.  Snowfall totaled 6.3 inches at Stapleton International Airport where northeast winds gusted to 39 mph.  Thirteen inches of new snow were measured at the Eldora Ski Area west of Boulder.

Continue reading March 28 to April 3 – This week in Denver weather history →

Thornton Weather, Weather History

March 21 to March 27 – This week in Denver weather history

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March 21 to March 27 - This week in Denver weather history
March 21 to March 27 - This week in Denver weather history

This may be the first full week of spring officially but as any longtime Colorado resident will tell you, spring-like weather is not a given this time of year.  As we look back at this week in Denver weather history, it is very clear that oftentimes Old Man Winter insists on hanging around for a bit longer.

18-21

In 1907…a warm spell resulted in 6 daily temperature records.  Record maximum temperatures of 82 degrees occurred on the 18th with 81 degrees on the 19th and 80 degrees on the 20th.  Record high minimum temperatures of 52 degrees occurred on the 19th and 20th with 54 degrees on the 21st.

19-21

In 1888…heavy snowfall totaled 8.6 inches over downtown Denver.  North winds were sustained to 27 mph on the 19th.

20-21

In 1878…warm days with high temperatures in the lower 70’s in the city…caused snow to melt on the palmer divide…which caused the waters in Cherry Creek to rise. The high…rapid running water damaged a home and eroded bridge footings and abutments.  Some bridges became unsafe for the passage of trains.
 
In 1904…southwest winds sustained to 48 mph with gusts to 60 mph warmed the temperature to a high of 68 degrees on the 20th.  The high was only 42 degrees on the 21st behind a cold front…which produced 1.3 inches of snow and northeast winds sustained to 27 mph overnight.
 
In 1923…post-frontal rain changed to heavy snow and totaled 8.2 inches over the city.  North winds were sustained to 27 mph with gusts to 29 mph on the 20th. This was the second major snow in a week.
 
In 1932…rain changed to heavy snow…which totaled 6.2 inches in downtown Denver.  North winds gusted to 22 mph on the 21st.
 
In 1948…heavy snowfall totaled 7.2 inches over downtown Denver.
 
In 1952…a major snow storm produced north wind gusts to 35 mph and dumped 16.9 inches of snowfall on Stapleton Airport.  The maximum snow depth on the ground was 13 inches due to melting.
 
In 2000…heavy snow fell in and near the foothills of Douglas and Jefferson counties.  Snowfall totals included:  9 inches near tiny town and 7 inches in Littleton.  Snowfall totaled only 1.8 inches at the site of the former Stapleton International Airport. North winds gusted to 34 mph at Denver International Airport on the 20th.

20-22

In 1944…heavy snow fell over metro Denver for a total of 36 hours.  The storm dumped 18.5 inches of snowfall over downtown Denver and 12.2 inches at Stapleton Airport. Fortunately…there were no strong winds with the storm. North winds to only 19 mph were recorded on the 21st.

21

In 1898…an apparent Canadian cold front produced strong winds and plunged temperatures from a high of 56 degrees to a low of 8 degrees late in the day.  North winds were sustained to 48 mph with gusts to 60 mph.
 
In 1908…light snowfall of 1.3 inches produced 0.10 inch of precipitation.  This…along with the 0.01 inch of precipitation on the 8th…resulted in the driest March on record with a total of 0.11 inch of precipitation.
 
In 1916…southwest winds were sustained to 46 mph with a gust to 48 mph.  The Chinook winds warmed the temperature to a high of 62 degrees.
 
In 1923…heavy snowfall totaled 8.0 inches in downtown Denver.
 
In 1953…northwest winds gusting to 57 mph briefly reduced visibility to 3/4 miles in blowing dust at Stapleton Airport.
 
In 1981…rain changed rapidly to snow…but totaled only 2.8 inches at Stapleton International Airport.  North winds gusting to 35 mph produced much blowing snow and reduced the visibility to a half mile at times.  Over the higher elevations of south metro Denver…4 to 6 inches of snow were measured.

Continue reading March 21 to March 27 – This week in Denver weather history →

Thornton Weather, Weather History

March 14 to March 20 – This week in Denver weather history

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March 7 to March 13 - This week in Denver weather history
March 14 to March 20 - This week in Denver weather history

Think winter is over?  Don’t count on it.  A quick look back at this week in Denver weather history illustrates why.  Many occurrences of winter-like weather can intrude as we see and we don’t even have to look very far back.  It was this week that the March Blizzard of 2003 struck – one of the worst snowstorms in Denver history.

9-19 

In 1906…an extended cold and blustery period occurred with light snow totaling 14.4 inches over 11 consecutive days. The greatest amount of snow on a single day was 4.0 inches on the 15th.  Only a trace of snow fell on the 12th and 17th. High temperatures were below freezing for the entire period. The coldest were 14 degrees on the 16th and 18 degrees on the 17th.  Both readings were record low maximums for the dates. Low temperatures were mostly in the single digits.  The coldest were 2 degrees below zero on the 16th and 5 degrees below zero on the 19th.  Northeast winds were sustained to 22 mph on the 9th.  North winds were sustained to 36 mph on the 10th…32 mph on the 13th…and 22 mph on the 15th.

12-16

In 1880…a protracted cold spell resulted in 8 temperature records being set.  Record low temperatures for the date were set when the temperature dipped to 10 degrees below zero on the 13th and 14th…8 degrees below zero on the 12th and 15th…and 4 degrees below zero on the 16th. Daily record low maximum temperatures were set with 11 degrees on the 12th…12 degrees on the 13th…and 19 degrees on the 15th.

13-14

In 1996…a storm system moving across northern Colorado dumped heavy snow in the mountains and foothills and across metro Denver where snowfall ranged from 5 to 10 inches.  A foot of new snow was measured at Nederland with 11 inches at Conifer.  Snowfall totaled 8.0 inches at the site of the former Stapleton International Airport.  Northeast winds gusted to 30 mph at Denver International Airport on the 13th.

13-15

In 1906…snowfall totaled 8.0 inches over downtown Denver.

Continue reading March 14 to March 20 – This week in Denver weather history →

Thornton Weather, Weather History

March 7 to March 13 – This week in Denver weather history

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March 7 to March 13 - This week in Denver weather history
March 7 to March 13 - This week in Denver weather history

As we talked about in our March weather preview, Denver can see the entire gamut of weather conditions this time of year and our look back at this week in history shows that.  There are of course plenty of the famous March snowstorms including big ones in 1992 and 1998.  We also see the usual high winds such as was the case in 2000 and even extreme cold as we saw over an extended period in 1906.

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6-7

In 1981…a storm dumped 4 to 8 inches of snow over higher elevations between Denver and Colorado springs.  At Stapleton International Airport…north winds gusted to 16 mph and snowfall totaled only 2.5 inches.
 
In 1998…heavy snow fell over portions of metro Denver and the adjacent foothills.  Snowfall totals included 11 inches at Chief Hosa…10 inches near Evergreen…8.5 inches in Broomfield…8 inches at Bailey…and 7 inches at both Standley Lake and Thornton.  Elsewhere…snowfall across metro Denver ranged from 3 to 6 inches with 4.9 inches measured at the site of the former Stapleton International Airport.  North winds gusted to 26 mph at Denver International Airport on the 7th.  Several accidents occurred along area roads and highways when they became icy and snowpacked.

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  

In 1872…heavy rain started shortly after midnight and soon turned to sleet…which continued to just after sunrise…the ground at that time not even being white. At about 7:00 am the worst snow storm of the winter commenced and continued until 10:00 pm…snowing heavily nearly all the time.  North winds averaged a sustained speed of 25 mph.  About 8 inches of snow fell…but it drifted too much to obtain a direct measurement.
 
In 1901…northwest winds were sustained to 40 mph with gusts as high as 58 mph.  The strong Chinook winds warmed the temperature to a high of 70 degrees.
 
In 1902…northwest winds were sustained to 45 mph with gusts to 53 mph.
 
In 1950…strong north winds at 40 mph with gusts as high as 60 mph produced a dust storm across metro Denver.  At Stapleton Airport…blowing dust reduced visibility to as low as 1/4 mile for most of the day.
 
In 1972…northwest winds gusted to 51 mph at Stapleton International Airport.  The Chinook winds warmed temperatures to a high of 64 degrees.
 
In 1984…a wind gust to 63 mph was recorded at Golden Gate Canyon west of Denver.  West winds gusted to 39 mph at Stapleton International Airport.

Continue reading March 7 to March 13 – This week in Denver weather history →

Thornton Weather, Weather History

February 28 to March 6 – This week in Denver weather history

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February 28 to March 6 - This week in Denver weather history
February 28 to March 6 - This week in Denver weather history

Wild weather is a fact of life in Denver and in Colorado in general.  We see that consistently in the history books and this week demonstrates that.  As usual we see high wind events and extreme cold.  Also notable is that as we enter the month of March, we start to see occurrences of those heavy, wet spring snows that can wreak havoc. 

From the National Weather Service:

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.
27-28 in 1918…heavy snowfall totaled 9.6 inches in downtown Denver.  Most of the snow…8.4 inches… Fell on the 27th.
 
In 1931…a major winter storm dumped 12.0 inches of heavy snowfall over downtown Denver.  This is the greatest 24 hour snowfall ever recorded during the month of February. North winds gusted to 18 mph on the 28th.
 
In 2006…a warm spell resulted in 3 temperature records. The high temperature of 73 degrees on the 27th equaled the record high for the date.  High temperature of 77 degrees on the 28th was a record high for the date and equaled the all time record high temperature for February first set on February 4…1890.

28

In 1896…northwest winds were sustained to 54 mph with gusts to 65 mph.  The winds warmed the temperature to a high of 56 degrees.  This was the second consecutive day of strong winds in the city.
 
In 1958…at Stapleton Airport… Snowfall totaled 5.3 inches and northeast winds gusted to 24 mph.

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

In 1896…southwest winds were sustained to 41 mph with gusts to 60 mph.  This was the third consecutive day that strong winds occurred in the city.
 
In 1992…Chinook winds gusted to only 25 mph at Stapleton International Airport…but warmed the temperature to a high of 70 degrees…which equaled the record for the date first set in 1940.
 
In 2004…only light snow fell across metro Denver… While a blizzard raged across northeast Colorado.  Both I-70 and I-76 were closed to the east of Denver by winds gusting to 60 mph producing drifting snow to depths of 2 to 6 feet. Snowfall was only 1.6 inches at the Denver Stapleton site. North winds gusted to 41 mph at Denver International Airport.

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.

Continue reading February 28 to March 6 – This week in Denver weather history →

Thornton Weather, Weather History

February 21 to February 27 – This week in Denver weather history

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February 21 to February 27 - This week in Denver weather history
February 21 to February 27 - This week in Denver weather history

Snow and wind dominate our look back at this week in Denver weather history.  Just last year, high winds on the Boulder Turnpike blew a trailer into oncoming traffic damaging two cars and injuring one driver.  40 years ago, a protracted cold spell resulted in seven consecutive days with low temperatures dropping to zero or below.  Those are just two of the many events – see more below.

19-21

In 1971…heavy snowfall totaled 9.0 inches at Stapleton International Airport where north winds gusted to only 16 mph.  Most of the snow occurred on the 19th and 20th. The 24 hour snowfall of 8.2 inches was the greatest in February since 1953.

20-21

In 1997…heavy snow fell in the foothills.  Snowfall totals included:  16 inches at Eldora Ski Area; 15 inches at South Turkey Creek; 14 inches at Conifer and Morrison; and 11 inches at Blackhawk…Evergreen…and Intercanyon.  Only 1.0 inch of snow fell at the site of the former Stapleton International Airport.  Northeast winds gusted to 32 mph at Denver International Airport on the 20th.

21

In 1901…northwest winds sustained to 43 mph with gusts to 46 mph warmed the temperature to a high of 55 degrees.
 
In 1935…strong west to northwest winds sustained to 30 mph with gusts to 34 mph produced considerable blowing dust. The Chinook winds warmed the temperature to a high of 60 degrees.
 
In 1967…west winds gusting to 53 mph produced some blowing dust at Stapleton International Airport.  Winds were strong and gusty all day.
 
In 1988…high winds were reported along the foothills with 90 mph in east Boulder where the winds knocked out a few street and traffic lights.  The strong winds whipped a grass and timber fire in Boulder canyon.  The fire threatened some homes for a time…but was extinguished before causing any significant property damage.  West winds gusting to 35 mph at Stapleton International Airport warmed the temperature to a high of 63 degrees.

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.

Continue reading February 21 to February 27 – This week in Denver weather history →

Thornton Weather, Weather History

February 14 to February 20 – This week in Denver weather history

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February 14 to February 20 - This week in Denver weather history
February 14 to February 20 - This week in Denver weather history

Many notable weather events have occurred in Denver this week in the past, some recently.  It was just last year that a windstorm knocked down trees and powerlines in Boulder.  Three years ago, we saw an end to 61 days straight with snow cover – the second longest streak in Denver history.

13-14

In 1895…a cold air mass settled over the city.  High temperatures of only 4 degrees on the 13th and 8 degrees on the 14th were record low maximum temperatures for each day.  Low temperatures were 6 degrees below zero on the 13th and 5 degrees below zero on the 14th…but were not records.  Light snow totaled only 0.4 inch.  Winds were light.
 
In 1960…snowfall totaled 6.1 inches and north-northwest winds gusted to 39 mph at Stapleton Airport.
 
In 1967…high winds were widespread along the foothills where wind gusts of 60 to 90 mph were common.  A wind gust to 108 mph was measured at the National Center for Atmospheric Research in Boulder.  Sustained winds of 50 to 55 mph with gusts as high as 70 mph were recorded in downtown Boulder. An estimated 3 thousand dollars in damage occurred to mobile homes in Boulder.  Power lines were downed over a wide area.  At Stapleton International Airport…west winds gusted to 32 mph on the 13th and southwest winds gusted to 48 mph on the 14th.
 
In 1972…winds gusted to 67 mph at the National Bureau of Standards in Boulder.  Wind gusts to 49 mph were measured in downtown Boulder.  West winds gusted to 26 mph at Stapleton International Airport.
 
In 2001…heavy snow fell across metro Denver and in the foothills.  Snowfall totals included:  8 inches at Evergreen; 7 inches atop Crow Hill and in Lakewood; 6 inches in Denver…Doubleheader…Eldorado Springs… Morrison…and Pine Junction.  Snowfall totaled 4.8 inches at the site of the former Stapleton International Airport. Northeast winds gusted to 33 mph at Denver International Airport on the 13th.

14  

In 1918…southwest winds were sustained to 41 mph with a measured extreme velocity to 46 mph.
 
In 1987…metro Denver received only 3 to 4 inches of snow… But the foothills west of Boulder received up to 11 inches of snow.  Snowfall totaled 4.2 inches at Stapleton International Airport where north winds gusted to 31 mph.
 
In 1988…winds gusted to 81 mph at Echo Lake.
 
In 2002…high winds developed in the Front Range foothills during the early morning hours.  Winds gusted to 84 mph… 11 miles north of central city.  West winds gusted to 43 mph at Denver International Airport.
14-15 in 1960…heavy snowfall totaled 6.1 inches at Stapleton Airport.
 
In 1965…5.4 inches of snow fell at Stapleton International Airport behind a cold front.  North-northeast winds gusted to 32 mph.  Winds were strong and gusty all day and caused considerable blowing snow…contributing to hazardous driving conditions mainly to the east of Denver.
 
In 1984…a snow and wind storm howled across eastern Colorado closing I-70 east of Denver.  This was the second blizzard in less than 4 days.  Only 0.5 inch of new snow fell at Stapleton International Airport…but north winds gusted to 51 mph.

Continue reading February 14 to February 20 – This week in Denver weather history →

Thornton Weather, Weather History

February 7 to February 13 – This week in Denver weather history

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February 7 to February 13 - This week in Denver weather history
February 7 to February 13 - This week in Denver weather history

You can tell how eventful a week in Denver weather history is by the length of these articles and this one is a long one for sure.  In history we have seen Arctic cold, spring-like warmth, major snowstorms and blizzards and hurricane force winds.  There is even a rare thunderstorm that dropped a bit of hail.

30-7

In 1985…a cold front on the 29th produced a protracted cold spell as arctic air remained entrenched across metro Denver. While the only daily temperature record set was a low maximum reading of 2 degrees on February 3rd…minimum temperatures plunged well below zero on 9 consecutive days. The coldest readings were 15 degrees below zero on January 31st and 14 degrees below zero on February 5th.

31-8

In 1963…warm weather that began with the strong Chinook winds on the 31st and 1st continued through the 8th. Maximum temperatures through the period ranged from 52 degrees on the 2nd to 76 degrees on the 5th…which was a new record high for that date.

31-12

In 1899…a protracted cold spell lasted almost two weeks. Low temperatures plunged below zero on all days but February 9th with a reading of 6 degrees.  The coldest low temperature of 22 degrees below zero on February 6th was a record low for the date.  Low temperatures of 20 degrees below zero occurred on both February 11th and 12th… But only the 11th remains as the record minimum for the date.  High temperature of only 5 degrees below zero on February 11th was a record low maximum for the date.  High temperatures climbed to only zero degrees on both February 2nd and 3rd…but were not records.  Intermittent light snow or flurries fell during the period.  The most snowfall…2.0 inches…occurred on February 2nd.

1-9

In 1883…a protracted cold period occurred when low temperatures dipped below zero for 9 consecutive days. Low temperatures ranged from 22 degrees below zero on the 4th to 2 degrees below zero on the 1st and 6th.  High temperatures ranged from 10 below zero on the 3rd to 23 on the 9th.  Several temperature records were set that still stand today.  Record lows of 18 below and 22 below zero occurred on the 3rd and 4th.  Record low maximum readings of 2 below and 10 below zero occurred on the 2nd and 3rd.  The high of only 10 below zero on the 3rd is the coldest maximum temperature ever recorded in Denver.

5-11

In 1978…the 5th marked the start of a record 7 consecutive days of dense fog at Stapleton International Airport.  The heavy fog reduced the visibility to 1/4 mile or less for a period of time on each of these days.  Light snow and/or freezing drizzle occurred on most days.  Fog reducing visibility to less than 7 miles was recorded at Stapleton International Airport on 11 consecutive days through the 15th.  During the period 5-14…the cold thick fog deposited heavy rime ice up to 5 inches thick on power lines and poles over a wide area of eastern Colorado…causing a major electrical power outage disaster.

Continue reading February 7 to February 13 – This week in Denver weather history →