Not since the 1888 to 1889 snow season has Denver seen less snow this far into the snow season than this year.
Amid record-setting snowfall in northern Europe this winter and blizzards on the U.S. East Coast, one place that normally sees its fair share of snow has been left high and dry. The Mile High City is facing a snow drought of near record proportions having thus far experienced its worst snow season in 122 years.
Denver’s snow season is from July through June and through the end of December Denver has recorded a mere 4.8 inches of snow. The majority of that (3.3 inches) was received from a pre-New Year’s storm on December 30th. Here in Thornton we have fared a mere 0.1 inch more snow for a total of 4.9 inches.
On average the city sees 25.6 inches from July through December and the pitiful show so far gives the 2010 to 2011 season a 20.8 inch snow deficit to date. Only one other time in the 128 years that snow records have been kept in Denver has so little snow been recorded to this point in the season.
One has to look back to the 1888 to 1889 season to find a more dismal snow season. It was that season 122 years ago that 3.8 inches of snow had been recorded by the end of December. The next worst season up to December was two seasons later when 5.5 inches was recorded.
The March 2003 blizzard that buried Thornton in snow was ranked as the top weather event of the past 10 years. (ThorntonWeather.com)
There is a lot that can be said about the weather in Colorado but ‘boring’ is not usually a term associated with it. Anyone who has lived in the Centennial State for very long quickly experiences a weather-related event that will give them memories for a lifetime.
From major snowstorms and blizzards to tornadoes, wildfires, scorching heat and damaging hail storms Colorado weather can and does bring it all to the table. The Denver office of the National Weather Service has released a list of what local meteorologists rank as the top 10 weather events of the past 10 years.
For some it may be a blizzard that buried the Mile High City in a heavy blanket of snow and brought everything to a standstill. Others will remember the heavy smoke from fires burning in the mountains destroying hundreds of thousands of acres. The tragedy tornadoes bring to Colorado in terms of destruction and loss of life may be what others remember.
Over the past 10 years many memorable weather events have occurred that fully display the sheer variety of weather Colorado receives. A team of meteorologists serving Colorado analyzed these events and ranked them based on meteorological intensity and their human and economic impact.
A Winter Storm Warning for snow and blowing snow will be in effect for Thornton. Click the image to view our Winter Weather Briefing page. (National Weather Service)
Update, 1:10pm – A lull in the storm. Snow will taper off for just a little bit this afternoon before picking back up before rush hour.
A Winter Storm Warning remains in effect and the National Weather Service is forecasting 5 to 10 inches total accumulation of snow. In Thornton we have recorded 1/2 inch so far and in the end we will likely be at the lower end of the forecast range. Click here to view the latest storm reports.
As expected the real story is the temperatures. Thornton hit its high temperature today of 32.5 degrees at 1:52am and it has all been downhill from there. With winds around 10 mph gusting to 20 mph wind chills have now dipped into the single digits.
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Original story, 7:25am – The snow and cold are running a bit behind but they are on their way. Thornton and the rest of the Denver metro are set to get our first winter storm of the season and a Winter Storm Warning has been issued.
A Winter Storm Warning for snow and blowing snow will go into effect for the Denver metro area at 9:00am and run through 6:00am on Friday. The storm system is pushing its way through northeastern Colorado and as it does temperatures will plummet and snow will begin to fall.
Look for the snow to gradually start this morning with the heaviest period being late this afternoon and into tonight. Total snow accumulations in Denver are forecast to be in the 5 to 10 inch range. Here in Thornton we will likely be on the lighter side of that range. The Front Range foothills and Palmer Divide may see up to a foot.
The snow that initially falls will likely melt due to the warm ground however as temperatures drop roads will become icy and slick. Extreme caution should be used, particularly late this afternoon and into tonight.
While we are looking at a decent bit of snowfall, there isn’t a lot of moisture in this system. As a result look for the snow to be light and fluffy. This will make it easy to shovel but when winds pick up it creates a blowing snow hazard and visibility may be impacted.
This sets the stage for near blizzard conditions, particularly in open areas to the northeast. The National Weather Service has indicated a Blizzard Warning may be issued in some areas later today if conditions warrant.
Temperatures are the other big aspect of this storm system. The mercury will be dropping throughout the day and by 5:00pm it will be down to 14 degrees with overnight lows approaching zero.
The winds, coupled with the bitter Arctic cold, will create dangerous wind chill conditions. Late afternoon will see wind chills near zero and overnight they will dip to near 15 degrees below zero.
Anyone planning outdoor activities or traveling needs to be prepared. Ensure you have adequate clothing and emergency supplies. For more information be sure to check out our Winter Weather Preparedness links below.
Airlines and Colorado Department of Transportation prepare for storm
At Denver International Airport (DIA) airlines began waiving fees for passengers wanting to change their travel plans. Continental, United and Frontier all said they were expecting delays and possibly cancellations from the storm and were operating accordingly. Our Airport & Flight Status page has details.
A Winter Storm Warning will go into effect Thursday morning. Thornton may see 5 to 10 inches of snow out of the system.
The National Weather Service has upgraded what was a Winter Storm Watch to a warning and is now forecasting 5 to 10 inches of snow. Everything seems to be aligning for Thornton and the rest of the Denver metro area to see its first winter storm of the season.
Most of the computers models are coming together with a solution that will pass a low pressure system across southern Colorado. This solution sets things up for a significant winter weather event with accumulating snow across most of northeastern Colorado.
The Winter Storm Warning will go into effect at 9:00am Thursday and run through 6:00am Friday and is for snow and blowing snow. Snow will gradually start Thursday morning in the pre-dawn hours and then increase in intensity before noon. Throughout the day and into early morning Friday the snow will continue.
Accumulations from 5 to 10 inches are possible with some isolated areas receiving more. The snow will be joined with gusty winds to 35 mph and bitter Arctic cold temperatures that will send wind chill temperatures plumetting.
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Tomorrow morning’s commute may be a bit messy depending on the timing of the start of the snow. The afternoon rush hour may be a doozy. The one possible consolation will be that the snow is likely to of the relatively dry type that we see this year so shoveling shouldn’t be too bad.
The cold that is accompanying this storm is the other notable aspect. Thursday will see a high temperature around 23 degrees – nearly 30 degrees cooler than today. Further that high temperature will be achieved around midnight. After that the mercury will fall to around 16 degrees by 6:00pm with wind chills into the single digits.
Overnight lows Thursday night will be near zero. Friday sees little in the way of improvement in terms of temperature with a forecast high of only 15 degrees. As the clouds clear out late Friday that will allow for even colder nighttime temperatures Friday night with the mercury likely dipping to below zero.
As this storm hits conditions will likely become hazardous for travel and residents should be prepared. For more information on what you can do to get ready and protect your family, be sure to check out the links below for our series on Winter Weather Preparedness.
Before and after pictures of the northeastern U.S. show the impact of the hurricane-looking storm. (NOAA)
From the southern United States to the mid-Atlantic and New England a major winter storm has had a wide impact in recent days. Some areas of the south recorded their first Christmas snow in decades and as the storm moved further northeast it turned into a major blizzard.
Snow fell as far south as Jacksonville, Florida over the holiday and areas further north recorded moderate snowfall. Huntsville, Alabama saw 6 inches of snow; Raleigh, North Carolina saw 8.5 inches and Gatlinburg, Tennessee recorded 8.0 inches.
Those totals are minimal however to what is being deposited on a large area from New York City to Boston. Central Park has reported 13 inches and Brooklyn 17.5 inches. In New Jersey Atlantic City reported 19.0 inches while Foxboro, Massachusetts has seen 11.5 inches.
Travel across the northeastern U.S. came to a standstill as travel by road, rail and air was impacted. Thousands of flights into and out of the area were canceled as airports in New York and New Jersey shuttered. Airlines at Denver International Airport were impacted by the storm and its ripple effect.
A furor erupted when the National Football League announced it would postpone the game between the Philadelphia Eagles and Minnesota Vikings and move it to Tuesday. The league cited concerns for fan safety however many were quick to point out that it is highly unusual for the NFL to postpone a game based on snow of any amount.
Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell told FOX, “It’s an absolute joke. We’re becoming a nation of wussies.”
Certainly it is hard to see Denver taking similar measures in the face of a snowstorm. 🙂
We have provided complete coverage of the storm on Examiner.com – Please follow the links below for more details:
Snow starts to pour into the Metrodome as the roof collapses. Watch the amazing video below. (FOX Sports)
The upper Midwest has been pounded my a major winter storm in the past 36 hours that has brought bone chilling cold and heavy snow to the region. One casualty of the snow was the roof of the home of the NFL’s Minnesota Vikings as the roof collapsed early this morning under the weight of 17 inches of snow.
Some areas in the region have seen more than 20 inches of snow and blizzard conditions have persisted as strong winds make things treacherous for travel. Winter weather warnings and advisories of one sort or another stretch across more than a dozen states from Wisconsin and Michigan down to Alabama and Georgia.
The Minnesota Vikings were originally scheduled to take on the New York Giants today in Minneapolis. The game was first pushed back to Monday after Minneapolis – St. Paul International Airport was closed yesterday stranding the Giants in Kansas City.
This morning the inflated roof of the Metrodome collapsed for the third time in its history. The fabric of the dome shredded and snow came pouring onto the field. Amazing new video released by FOX Sports (see below) shows the sights and sound of the collapse as it happened.
As for the game between the Giants and Vikings, it will be played tomorrow night at 5:20pm MST at Ford Field in Detroit.
The Denver Broncos don’t have this problem – of course we don’t have a roof on our stadium and for that matter we don’t have any snow either.
A brilliant sunrise over south Thornton. View more images in the slideshow below. (ThorntonWeather.com)
A very chilly morning yielded a beautiful sunrise over south Thornton this morning. ThorntonWeather.com was out for a walk and captured images of the brilliant red sky near the Spratt Lake facility.
With mostly clear skies temperatures Sunday morning dipped clear down to 14.7 degrees – the coldest day we have seen this season. Thankfully we will be warming up to above normal temperatures today as the forecast calls for a high of 54 degrees.
The images this morning not only include the spectacular sunrise but also lenticular and wave clouds.
Lenticular clouds are one of the least common types and typically only occur at high altitudes near mountains with strong winds – both of which Colorado has in abundance. These virtually stationary lens-shaped formations have been mistaken for UFO’s due to their rare appearance and unique saucer shapes.
Also known by their scientific name of altocumulus standing lenticularis, these clouds are not entirely unusual in Colorado on the Front Range during the winter. Strong jet winds force moist air to be pushed up by the rugged terrain of the adjacent Rocky Mountains. This creates a wave-like pattern of air flow that condenses at high altitudes (usually around 20,000 feet).
Below is a slideshow of some of the images we took this morning.
These stacked lenticular clouds hovered over Denver on the evening of December 8th. View more photos in the slideshow by clicking on the image. Photo: Alycia Gilliland
Colorado is home to many weather phenomena which is certainly part of its appeal. Our topography and geographic location allow us to experience a true four seasons and every type of weather.
Yesterday if you turned your eyes skyward you were treated to an amazing display of lenticular clouds, an unusual formation but one for which Colorado is a prime viewing spot.
Storm chaser and meteorology student Alycia Gilliland has captured some stunning photos in recent months of the sky and yesterday’s display provided another opportunity. As the sun began its decent late yesterday afternoon, Gilliland turned her camera skyward to capture beautiful images of “stacked” lenticulars.
Click on the image to the right to view a slideshow of Gilliland’s photos. You can learn more about lenticular clouds in our story on the Denver Weather Examiner.
Widespread snow from the Sierra Nevada to the Colorado Rockies snarled travel leading up to the Thanksgiving holiday. As the holiday weekend wraps up, NASA has released satellite imagery showing just thousands of square miles coated in a blanket of white.
Read more below the image.
NASA's Terra satellite captured stunning imagery of the pre-Thanksgiving snow across the western United States.
The winter weather conditions delayed flights and forced road closures starting last weekend and lasting up to Thanksgiving. Some of the snow totals from Saturday the 20th through Saturday the 27th include:
Salt Lake City, Utah – 9.9 inches
Pocatello, Idaho – 9.0 inches
Boise, Idaho -5.0 inches
Elko, Nevada – 8.4 inches
Yakima, Washington – 6.2 inches
Missoula, Montana – 8.4 inches
Much higher amounts were recorded in the higher elevations making for very happy ski resorts and skiers. Alpine Meadows near Lake Tahoe reported 8.5 feet of snow at mid-mountain. In Wyoming, Jackson Hole opened all of its runs on its opening day, the first time it has been able to do so in 45 years.
In western Colorado ski areas were very happy to receive the snow leading up to the busy holiday season with Steamboat having its best opening in 10 years. Loveland Ski Area reported nearly 3 feet of snow depth at mid-mountain.
The image released by NASA and taken by its Terra satellite show a wide swath of snow cover from Oregon across Nevada, Idaho and Utah to Colorado. Click on the image to the above left to view the full size, high resolution image.
From NASA:
In most of the western part of the United States, Thanksgiving Day came with a coating of snow. Ski resorts from California’s Lake Tahoe region to the Colorado Rockies reported several feet of snow from a storm system that passed through in the days before, bringing a welcome early opening to the ski season. Travelers throughout the West, however, did not share skiers’ enthusiasm for the weather. Winter weather advisories were causing flight delays and cancellations throughout the northwestern-most states. The same storm system that brought as six inches of snow to Utah and Idaho on November 23 also brought heavy snow to North Dakota and Minnesota the next day. Severe wind chill conditions were reported throughout the Great Plains on November 25 as well.
This image shows a portion of the western U.S. on November 25, 2010 (Thanksgiving Day). It was acquired by the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on NASA’s Terra satellite. White snow decorates the ground from California’s Sierra range eastward throughout Nevada, Utah, and Colorado, ending at the front range of the Rockies in Colorado. Further north along the top edge of the image, the snow runs solidly from Oregon to Idaho and Wyoming off the northern and eastern edges of the image.
Many long-time Denver residents believe it always snows on Halloween. Is it fact or fiction?
As a kid growing up in Denver it always seemed like Mother Nature put a damper on our trick-or-treating. Conventional wisdom in the Denver area is that it always seems to rain or snow on Halloween.
But, is there any truth to this urban legend? Or is this just one of those times where our memory doesn’t serve us quite right?
This year it looks like we have nothing to worry about but the National Weather Service has been kind enough to compile weather statistics just for Halloween. As it turns out, the thought of snow and rain on Octboer 31st isn’t just in our minds!
