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.

Continue reading November 8 to November 14 – This week in Denver weather history →

As we enter Denver’s second snowiest month, we of course see plenty of events involving that dominant weather condition.  Sadly we also see two occassions when the winter-like weather turned deadly.

• Don’t miss: November 2009 weather preview

From the 29th to the 1st:

In 1972…heavy snowfall totaled 15.5 inches at Stapleton International Airport.  However…the heaviest snow occurred on Halloween night when 7 inches fell on trick-or-treaters during a short 3-hour period.  I-25 was closed south of Denver.  North winds gusting to 29 mph caused some blowing snow on the 1st.  The snow started late on the 29th and ended during the mid afternoon on the 1st.  The greatest snow depth on the ground at Stapleton International Airport was 13 inches on the 1st.

From the 31st to the 1st:

In 1951…6.4 inches of snowfall were measured at Stapleton Airport.
 
In 1989…a Halloween storm dropped 3 to 6 inches of snow on metro Denver with the adjacent foothills receiving 5 to 10 inches.  Snowfall totaled 4.5 inches at Stapleton International Airport…where north winds gusted to 31 mph on the 31st.  Most of the snow fell on the evening of the 31st…but the storm left icy streets throughout metro Denver on the morning of the 1st…making it a “spooky” commute for many motorists.
 
In 2004…heavy snow fell in and near the foothills of Jefferson and Douglas counties.  Storm total snowfall included:  14.5 inches in Aspen Park…10 inches at Roxborough State Park and near Sedalia…8 inches near Bergen Park…and 7 inches in Highlands Ranch.  Snowfall totaled only 3.2 inches in the Denver Stapleton area.  Post-frontal northeast winds gusted to 41 mph at Denver International Airport.

On the 1st:

In 1896…northwest Chinook winds sustained to 40 mph with gusts to 46 mph warmed the temperature to a high of 60 degrees in the city.
 
In 1973…wind gusts to 92 mph were recorded in Boulder. West winds gusted to 41 mph at Stapleton International Airport where the Chinook winds warmed the temperature to a high of 70 degrees.
 
In 1989…a 39-year-old Lakewood man in a motorized wheelchair was found dead of exposure early in the morning after an overnight snowfall dumped 3 to 6 inches of snow across metro Denver.

From the 1st to the 2nd:

In 1892…snowfall totaled 5.0 inches in downtown Denver. This was the only snow of the month.
 
In 1956…heavy snowfall totaled 7.0 inches at Stapleton Airport.  The storm was accompanied by much blowing and drifting snow.  North winds gusted to 47 mph.
 
In 1991…the storm system which hit the Front Range at the end of October finished the job during the start of November.  Six inches of new snow were recorded at both Rollinsville and Morrison…while 2.9 inches of snow fell at Stapleton International Airport where northeast winds gusted to 17 mph.  The temperature climbed to a high of only 19 degrees on the 2nd…setting a record low maximum for the date.
 
In 1995…a winter storm dropped 5 to 8 inches of snow in the Front Range foothills.  The exception was at Golden gate canyon where a foot of new snow was measured.  Icy roads…fog…and blowing snow along I-70 in the foothills west of Denver caused dozens of accidents.  One man was killed when he lost control of his vehicle and was ejected when his truck hit a median and rolled over.  At least 20 other accidents involved minor injuries.  Only 1.0 inch of snow fell at the site of the former Stapleton International Airport where some freezing rain also fell.

Continue reading November 1 to November 7 – This week in Denver weather history →

Halloween week is historically pretty eventful when it comes to weather.  Wind is always a factor this time of year as gusty Chinook winds can come flying down the mountians and foothills and cause a great deal of damage.  Snow of course also becomes more frequent as we get closer to our second snowiest month (November).

From the National Weather Service:

From the 24th to the 25th:

In 1921…rainfall totaled 0.35 inch overnight behind an apparent cold front.  North winds were sustained to 40 mph with gusts to 46 mph on the 25th.  Temperatures plunged from a high of 73 degrees on the 24th to a low of 39 degrees on the 25th.
 
In 1923…rain overnight changed to snow during the morning. The heavy snowfall accumulated to 12.0 inches before ending on the morning of the 25th.  Post-frontal north winds were sustained to 22 mph with gusts to 23 mph on the 24th.
 
In 1997…one of the worst and deadliest blizzards of the decade developed over eastern Colorado as deep east to northeast flow associated with a vigorous upper level low pressure system over the four corners…combined with a strong arctic air mass over the central great plains. Snowfall totals across metro Denver ranged from 14 to 31 inches.  The heaviest snowfall occurred in the foothills west and southwest of Denver where 2 to 4 feet of snow were measured.  Sustained winds to 40 mph with gusts as high as 60 mph produced zero visibilities and extremely cold wind chill temperatures from 25 below to 40 below zero.  Winds whipped the snow into drifts 4 to 10 feet deep.  Several major and interstate highways were closed as travel became impossible.  Red cross shelters were set up for hundreds of travelers who became stranded when they had to abandon their vehicles.  Four people died in northeastern Colorado as a result of the blizzard.  None of the deaths were in metro Denver.  At Denver International Airport…4 thousand travelers were stranded when the airport was forced to shut down.  At least 120 cars were abandoned along Pena Blvd….the only arterial leading into and out of dia.  The blizzard cost air carriers at least 20 million dollars.  Thousands of cattle died in the storm over northeastern Colorado…resulting in losses totaling 1.5 million dollars.  Some of the more impressive snowfall totals included:  51 inches at Coal Creek Canyon; 48 inches at silver spruce ranch…near ward; 42 inches at Intercanyon…in the foothills southwest of Denver; 37 inches at Sedalia; 35 inches at aspen springs and Conifer in the foothills west of Denver; 31 inches at Eldorado Springs… Southeast Aurora…and Englewood; and 30 inches on Table Mesa in Boulder.  Snowfall totaled 21.9 inches at the site of the former Stapleton International Airport…setting a new 24-hour snowfall record of 19.1 inches for the month. Snowfall totaled only 14 inches at Denver International Airport where north winds gusted to 39 mph on the 24th. High temperature of only 21 degrees on the 25th equaled the record low maximum for the date first set in 1873. Low temperature of only 3 degrees on the 26th set a new record minimum for the date.

On the 25th:

In 1925…a vigorous cold front produced north winds sustained to 42 mph with gusts to 52 mph.  Post-frontal snowfall was only 0.4 inch during the late afternoon and early evening.
 
In 1959…northwest winds gusted to 55 mph at Stapleton Airport.
 
In 1997…the high temperature warmed to only 21 degrees… The record low maximum for the month.  The same temperature also occurred on October 30…1991.

Continue reading October 25 to October 31 – This week in Denver weather history →

This week is an extremely eventful one in Denver weather history with a wide variety of conditions having been experienced in the past.  Wind and snow are probably the two most dominant items, none more so than the blizzard that struck 12 years ago on the 24th.  That storm ravaged the city, closed the airport and highways and was responsible for four deaths.

From the National Weather Service:

From the 17th to the 19th:

In 1908…a moist…heavy…wet snowfall totaled 13.0 inches in downtown Denver over the 3 days.  Rain from early morning on the 17th changed to snow by late afternoon and continued through the late morning of the 19th.  Due to temperatures in the 30’s and melting…the most snow on the ground was only 5.0 inches at 6:00 pm on the 18th.  Northwest to northeast winds were sustained between 12 and 20 mph during the storm.  Precipitation totaled 1.82 inches.

On the 18th:

In 1875…the haze was so dense that the mountains were not visible from downtown Denver for most of the day.
 
In 1937…a vigorous cold front produced north winds sustained to 32 mph with gusts to 41 mph.  Rain and snow totaled 0.16 inch.  Post-frontal snowfall of 0.8 inch was the only snowfall of the month.
 
In 1960…post-frontal upslope rain changed to snow. Snowfall was 2.2 inches at Stapleton Airport where precipitation (rain and melted snow) totaled 1.58 inches.
 
In 1971…wind gusts to 48 mph were recorded in downtown Boulder.  West winds gusted to 30 mph at Stapleton International Airport.
 
In 1999…heavy snow developed in the foothills west of metro Denver with lesser amounts across the city.  Snowfall totals included:  7 inches near Nederland…6 inches in Boulder…and 5 inches at Chief Hosa.  Only 1.2 inches of snow were measured at the site of the former Stapleton International Airport.

From the 18th to the 23rd:

In 2003…an extended warm spell resulted in 5 new temperature records.  The high temperature of 84 degrees on the 18th equaled the record high for the date.  High temperatures of 86 degrees on the 19th…83 degrees on the 21st…and 84 degrees on the 22nd were record highs for the dates.  Low temperature of 49 degrees on the 23rd was a record high minimum for the date.  Low temperatures during the period were in the 40’s and lower 50’s.

On the 19th:

In 1887…northwest winds sustained to 42 mph were recorded in the city.
 
In 1982…3 to 6 inches of snow fell over northwest metro Denver…including Boulder.  Only 1.2 inches of snowfall were recorded at Stapleton International Airport where north winds gusted to 35 mph.  This was the first measurable snowfall of the season.

Continue reading October 18 to October 24 – This week in Denver weather history →

A very eventful week of weather in Denver weather history.  Many notable items have occurred and many also incorporate one of two conditions – wind or snow.  Probably the most famous event was the Bronco Blizzard on October 15, 1984.  That storm which hit its height during a Monday Night Football game between the Broncos and the Packers is probably one of the most memorable ever for longtime Denver residents.

10-11

In 1986…the first significant snowstorm of the season produced 2 to 5 inches of snow over metro Denver with 5 to 10 inches in the foothills west of Denver.  Wondervu recorded the most snow from the storm…13 inches.  The heavy wet snow caused numerous power outages.  The storm was accompanied by strong north winds with gusts to 41 mph recorded on the 10th.  The first snowfall of the season totaled 3.1 inches at Stapleton International Airport with only one inch on the ground due to melting.  The strong cold front accompanying the storm cooled the temperature from a high of 73 degrees on the 10th to a high of only 33 degrees on the 11th…which was a record low maximum for the date.

10-12

In 1969…the second heavy snowstorm in less than a week dumped nearly a foot of snow across metro Denver and plunged the area into extremely cold temperatures for so early in the season.  Snowfall totaled 11.0 inches at Stapleton International Airport.  North winds gusting to 26 mph produced drifts up to 2 feet deep.  Temperatures dipped from a high of 52 degrees on the 10th to a record low for the date of 10 degrees on the 12th.  There was additional damage to trees and power and telephone lines from heavy snow accumulations and icing.  Travel was restricted or blocked by drifting snow in both the mountains and on the plains east of Denver.

11

In 1997…damaging winds ahead of an approaching storm system developed in the foothills and spread across metro Denver. Winds gusted to 88 mph at Conifer…71 mph at the National Center for Atmospheric Research on the mesa in Boulder… And 53 mph at Denver International Airport.  Several trees and street signs were blown down with scattered power outages reported throughout metro Denver.  In Arvada…a car window was blown out by a strong wind gust.

11-12

In 1901…an apparent cold front produced northeast winds sustained to 42 mph with gusts to 48 mph on the 11th. General rain changed to snow overnight and totaled 2.0 inches.  This was the first snowfall of the season. Total precipitation was 0.32 inch.

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

A very eventful week in Denver weather history with a wide variety of events from snow to summer-like severe weather.  Most notable is five years ago today when multiple tornadoes touched down in the Brighton area.  Read more about it below and check out the video on Examiner.com.

From the National Weather Service:

From the 3rd to the 4th:

In 1969…the first snowfall of the season totaled 16.0 inches at Stapleton International Airport.  There was a thunder snow shower on the evening of the 3rd…but otherwise little wind with the storm.  The greatest snow depth on the ground was 8 inches due to melting.  Heavy wet snow accumulated on trees…which were still in full leaf…and caused widespread damage from broken limbs and downed utility lines.

From the 3rd to the 5th:

In 1984…the remnants of pacific hurricane polo produced heavy rain over northeastern Colorado.  Most locations received between 1.00 to 2.50 inches of rain…but 3.45 inches fell in Littleton.  Rainfall totaled 1.73 inches at Stapleton International Airport…where north winds gusted to 24 mph.

On the 4th:

In 1912…sustained south winds to 55 mph with gusts to 60 mph raised the temperature to a high of 83 degrees… The warmest temperature of the month that year.
 
In 1924…west winds were sustained to 46 mph with gusts to 50 mph in the city.  The apparent Bora winds cooled the temperature to a high of 57 degrees from a high of 70 degrees on the 3rd.
 
In 2004…several small tornadoes touched down near Brighton… Barr lake…and Hudson in Adams and southern weld counties. Most of these caused no damage.  However…a small tornado 5 miles southeast of Brighton caused extensive damage to a recreational vehicle and severely damaged a barn.  The barn was torn from its foundation…and the roof was thrown 100 feet.  Four llamas in the barn were injured when it collapsed.

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

With the end of summer and the arrival of fall, looking back at Denver weather history we start to see more mentions of snow.  It is of course not the only notable weather event this time of year.  We still have received severe thunderstorms, damaging winds, and 90 degree plus heat.

From the National Weather Service:

From the 25th to the 27th:

in 1996…an early season snowstorm brought heavy snow to the Front Range eastern foothills.  Snowfall totals included:  8 to 12 inches around Conifer…7 inches on Floyd Hill…and 6 inches at both bailey and Chief Hosa. Snowfall totaled only 4.7 inches at the site of the former Stapleton International Airport.  This was the first measurable snow of the season.  After the passage of a strong cold front…north winds gusted to 38 mph at Denver International Airport on the 25th.

From the 26th to the 28th: 

In 1936…the heaviest snowfall ever recorded in September and the heaviest snowfall ever recorded so early in the season dumped a total of 16.5 inches of snow on downtown Denver and 21.3 inches at Denver municipal airport.  The 15.0 inches of snow measured from 6:00 pm on the 27th to 6:00 pm on the 28th is the greatest 24 hour snowfall ever recorded in September.  This was the first snow of the season.  The snow was intermittent through the 26th…but continuous from early afternoon on the 27th to around midnight on the 28th…except for a period of rain during the afternoon of the 28th which contributed to a loss of depth on the ground.  The greatest snow depth on the ground downtown was 13 inches with 8 inches at Denver municipal airport.  There were no high winds with the storm and traffic was interrupted for only a short period.  The storm produced property damage estimated at 7 million dollars.  With trees and shrubs in full foliage…the leaves caught and held the heavy water-laden snow…until the branches snapped from the weight.  More than 3000 workmen were called to remove the debris and snow from the city.  The city firemen who were off duty…as well as all the reserves… Were asked to report to their stations.  All schools in the city remained open…but attendance was only 50 percent of normal.  Grade school students were sent home at noon on the 28th.  The early storm caught stockmen with many cattle still in higher ranges.  Warm weather followed the snow…which had all melted by the end of the month…except for a few inches in sheltered places.

On the 27th:

In 1877…smoke from heavy forest fires in the mountains spread over the city on upper wind currents.
 
In 1935…the first snow of the season was 2.8 inches in downtown Denver.  The low temperature dipped to 31 degrees for the first freeze of the season.

Continue reading September 27 to October 3 – This week in Denver weather history →

Looking back at this week in Denver history we start to see more of the signs that summer is coming to an end and fall and winter are right around the corner.  Summer-like severe weather can still occur but we also start to see more cold temperatures and occasions with snow become more prevelant.

From the National Weather Service:

20   

In 1921…an apparent Bora produced northwest winds sustained to 44 mph with gusts to 64 mph.
 
In 1955…hail stones 1/2 to 3/4 inch in diameter were reported across parts of the city of Denver.
 
In 1992…weather observers at Buckley Air National Guard base sighted two tornados southeast of the base.  The tornados were short-lived and caused no injuries or damage.

20-21

In 1963…heavy rain and hail caused local flooding in southeast Denver.  Thunderstorm rainfall was only 0.60 inch at Stapleton Airport on the 20th.
 
In 1983…the cold front on the 19th brought an unusually cold air mass into metro Denver for so early in the season.  The temperature dipped to a daily record minimum of 28 degrees on both days.
 
In 1995…a vigorous late summer storm brought the season’s first heavy snow to portions of metro Denver.  Millions of trees were damaged and power lines downed as 4 to 8 inches of heavy wet snow settled on fully leafed trees in the Boulder and Denver areas.  Branches snapped and trees split under the weight of heavy snow…downing power lines. Firefighters responded to numerous transformer fires. Around 100 thousand people were left without electricity in Boulder and Denver areas alone.  It took over a week to fully restore power to some areas.  Insurance claims were estimated to be around 6 million dollars to homes in metro Denver and about 500 thousand dollars in damage to automobiles.  It was estimated that about 80 percent of 125 million dollars worth of city owned trees in Denver were damaged.  Snowfall totaled 7.4 inches at the site of the former Stapleton International Airport where the greatest depth of snow on the ground was only 4 inches due to melting.  Temperature records were set on the 21st when the thermometer dipped to a record low reading of 27 degrees and climbed to a high of only 36 degrees… Setting a record low maximum for the date.  North winds gusted to 29 mph at Denver International Airport on the 20th.

Continue reading September 20 to September 26 – This week in Denver weather history →

Weather conditions in Colorado can of course vary greatly and we always see that in our weekly look back in the history books.  For this week, we see a dizzying array of weather events from record setting temperatures in the 90’s and summer-like thunderstorms with tornadoes to an early arrival of winter that brought a foot of snow!

From the National Weather Service:

13   

In 1899…west winds were sustained to 43 mph with gusts to 46 mph.
 
In 1928…northwest winds were sustained to 41 mph with gusts to 45 mph.
 
In 1937…an apparent dry microburst produced brief north winds sustained to 31 mph with gusts to 41 mph.  There was a trace of rain.
 
In 1982…torrential rains drenched both the foothills and plains from Denver north.  While the heaviest rain occurred north of Denver…just east of Denver 2 1/3 inches of rain fell in 5 hours along with hail that caused minor damage to a few airplanes.  Thunderstorm rainfall totaled 0.83 inch at Stapleton International Airport.
 
In 1993…an upper level system combined with a cold and moist upslope flow to bring the heaviest snowfall to metro Denver for so early in the season.  Snowfall from the storm totaled 5.4 inches at Stapleton International Airport; however…most of the snow melted as it fell leaving a maximum of one inch on the ground at any one time.  North winds gusted to 21 mph at Stapleton International Airport where a record low temperature of 33 degrees for the date was observed.
 
In 2002…Friday the 13th proved to be bad luck for several motorists when heavy thunderstorm rainfall caused flooding on I-25 in central Denver.  Water rose several feet under the Logan Street overpass…inundating several vehicles. Some motorists were rescued…while others simply waited atop their cars for the flood water to recede.  The highway had to be closed in both directions for about 3 hours.  The flooding was exacerbated by poor drainage due to the construction along the highway.  A 12-foot drainage pipe had not yet been installed beneath the underpass.  The deluge also flooded several businesses along Broadway.

Continue reading September 13 to September 19 – This week in Denver weather history →