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Public Information Statement
Issued by NWS Denver/Boulder, CO
Issued by NWS Denver/Boulder, CO
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000
NOUS45 KBOU 170045
PNSBOU
COZ030>051-172300-
Public Information Statement
National Weather Service Denver/Boulder CO
645 PM MDT SAT MAR 16 2024
...This week in metro Denver weather 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.
17 In 1966...high winds caused extensive minor damage across
metro Denver. A light plane was overturned at Stapleton
International Airport where northwest wind gusts to 55
mph were recorded. Winds gusted to 56 mph at Table Mesa
in Boulder
In 1989...strong winds raked metro Denver. West wind
gusts to 49 mph were clocked at Stapleton International
Airport.
In 2003...the first tornado of the season was sighted near
Strasburg. The small landspout touched down briefly...but
caused no damage.
17-18 In 1923...4.2 inches of snow fell over downtown Denver.
Northwest winds were sustained to 45 mph with gusts
to 49 on the 17th. Low temperature of zero degrees
on the 18th was the lowest of the month that year.
In 1944...heavy snow fell across metro Denver. The storm
started as rain on the 17th...but soon turned to snow.
Snowfall amounts totaled 8.5 inches in downtown Denver and
11.0 inches at Stapleton Airport. The highest wind
recorded during the storm was 23 mph on the 17th.
In 1961...a major winter storm dumped 10.7 inches of snow at
Stapleton Airport. Most of the snow...9.7 inches...fell
on the 18th. Winds were light.
In 1994...strong winds buffeted metro Denver. West winds
gusted to 51 mph at Stapleton International Airport on the
17th. Other significant wind gusts included 85 mph atop
Squaw Mountain south of Idaho Springs...and 82 mph at
Rollinsville southwest of Boulder...both on the 18th.
In 1996...a second storm in less than 3 days dumped heavy
snow in the mountains and foothills again...but snowfall
amounts across metro Denver ranged from only 2 to 4 inches.
The heavy snowfall resulted in several traffic accidents
along I-25 and I-70...south and west of Denver respectively.
The major accidents involved at least 30 cars and resulted
in several minor injuries. The accidents closed both
highways for a time. Snowfall totals included 13 inches
at Evergreen and 10 inches at Conifer. Snowfall totaled
only 0.7 inch at the site of the former Stapleton
International Airport. At Denver International Airport...
north winds gusted to 28 mph on the 17th and 39 mph on
the 18th.
In 2016...a combination of enhanced banding associated with
a strong upper level jet stream...and low level upslope
following the passage of a cold front...produced heavy
snowfall in northern mountains as well as in and near
the foothills of Boulder County. Storm totals included:
19.5 inches near Ward...16 inches near Allenspark...13.5
inches near Eldorado Springs; 13 inches at the National
Weather Service Office in Boulder and 5 miles east of
Boulder; 12.5 inches at Winter Park Ski Resort...12
inches at Eldora Ski Area; 11 inches...7 miles south of
Lyons and at Rollinsville; 10.5 inches at Aspen Springs...
and 9.5 inches near Blackhawk. In Denver and the
surrounding suburbs...storm totals included: 8.5 inches
in Broomfield...Lafayette and 5 miles northeast of
Westminster; 7 inches near Northglenn...6.5 inches in
Thornton and northwest Denver; with 6 inches at
Firestone. At Denver International Airport...an official
measurement of 4.7 inches of snow was observed.
17-19 In 1933...rain changed to snow on the evening of the 17th
and continued through mid-day of the 19th. Snowfall
totaled 5.6 inches with 0.83 inch of precipitation in
in the city. North winds were sustained to 38 mph with
gusts to 46 mph on the 18th and to 30 mph with gusts to
43 mph on the 19th.
In 2003...one of the worst blizzards since historic records
began in 1872 struck metro Denver with a vengeance. Heavy
wet snow accumulating to around 3 feet in the city and to
more than 7 feet in the foothills brought transportation
to a near standstill. North winds sustained to 30 mph with
gusts as high as 41 mph produced drifts to 6 feet in the
city. The estimated cost of property damage alone...not
including large commercial buildings...was 93 million dollars...
making it the costliest snowstorm ever. Mayor Wellington
Webb of Denver said..."This is the storm of the century...a
backbreaker...a record breaker...a roof breaker." Two people
died in Aurora from heart attacks after shoveling the heavy
wet snow. The National Guard sent 40 soldiers and 20 heavy
duty vehicles to rescue stranded travelers along I-70 east
of Gun Club Road. The heavy wet snow caused roofs of homes
and businesses to collapse. The snow also downed trees...
branches...and power lines. Two people were injured when the
roofs of their homes collapsed. In Denver alone...at least
258 structures were damaged. In Arvada...a roof collapse at
West Gate Stables killed a horse. Up to 135 thousand people
lost power during the storm...and it took several days for
power to be restored in some areas. Denver International
Airport was closed...stranding about 4000 travelers. The
weight of the heavy snow caused a 40-foot gash in a portion
of the tent roof...forcing the evacuation of that section of
the main terminal building. Avalanches in the mountains and
foothills closed many roads...including I-70...stranding
hundreds of skiers and travelers. Along I-70...an avalanche
released by the Colorado Department of Transportation...blocked
the interstate in both directions for several hours. Several
residences between Bakerville and Silver Plume were evacuated
because of the high avalanche danger. At Eldora Ski Area...270
skiers were stranded when an avalanche closed the main access
road. After the storm ended...a military helicopter had to
ferry food to the resort until the road could be cleared. The
heavy snow trapped thousands of residents in their foothills
homes in Jefferson County for several days. Two homes burned
to the ground when fire crews could not reach the residences.
Some schools remained closed well into the following week.
The storm officially dumped 31.8 inches of snow at the site of
the former Stapleton International Airport...the most snowfall
from a single storm since the all-time record snowfall of 37.5
inches on December 4-5...1913. The storm made March 2003 the
snowiest March on record...the 4th snowiest month on record...
and the 5th wettest March on record. The 22.9 inches of snow
on the 18th into the 19th was the greatest 24 hour snowfall
ever recorded in the city during the month of March. The
storm was also a drought-buster...breaking 19 consecutive
months of below normal precipitation in the city. Snowfall
across metro Denver ranged from 2 feet to more than 3 feet.
The highest amounts included: 40 inches in Aurora...38 inches
in Centennial and 6 miles east of Parker...37 inches at Buckley
AFB...35 inches in southwest Denver...34 inches in Louisville...
32 inches in Arvada...31 inches in Broomfield and Westminster...
and 22.5 inches in Boulder. In the foothills...snowfall ranged
from 3 feet to more than 7 feet. Some of the most impressive
storm totals included: 87.5 inches atop Fritz Peak and in
Rollinsville...83 inches at Cabin Creek...74 inches near Bergen
Park...73 inches northwest of Evergreen...72 inches in Coal Creek
Canyon...70 inches at Georgetown...63 inches near Jamestown...60
inches near Blackhawk...55 inches at Eldora Ski Area...54 inches
8 miles west of Sedalia...and 46.6 inches at Ken Caryl Ranch.
The storm was the result of a very moist...intense slow moving
Pacific system which tracked across the Four Corners and into
southeastern Colorado...which allowed deep easterly upslope
flow to form along the Front Range.
18 In 1883...0.3 inch of snow fell in downtown Denver. This
was the only measurable snowfall of the month.
In 1903...rain changed to sleet and then to snow...which became
heavy. Post-frontal snowfall totaled 7.0 inches over the
city. North winds were sustained to 51 mph with gusts as
high as 60 mph.
In 1905...northwest winds were sustained to 42 mph.
In 1914...northeast winds were sustained to 46 mph with
gusts to 56 mph behind a strong cold front. Snowfall
was 3.4 inches over the city...but most of the snow
melted as it fell. The estimated amount of melted snow
was 8.1 inches.
In 1920...a terrific windstorm occurred along the eastern
foothills. Two deaths were attributed to the storm and
some damage occurred. Both Denver and Boulder were
affected by the strong winds. West winds were sustained
to 51 mph with gusts as high as 66 mph in downtown Denver.
The strong winds did considerable damage to property...
wires...plate glass windows...and indirectly loss by fire.
The wind caused the death of one young girl by toppling
the side of a brick building on her as she was standing
on a corner waiting for a car. The wind was also
responsible for several severe auto accidents due to
blowing debris into the streets and blowing dust and dirt
into the eyes of drivers.
In 1954...west winds at sustained speeds of 40 mph and gusts
as high as 56 mph produced some blowing dust at Stapleton
Airport.
In 1979...heavy snow totaled 4 to 12 inches along the Front
Range from Denver north. I-25 was closed for a brief time
between Denver and Cheyenne. New snowfall totaled 4.3
inches at Stapleton International Airport where north
winds gusted to 29 mph.
In 1998...a major winter storm dumped heavy snow over areas
west from I-25 to the Continental Divide as strong upslope
conditions developed. Two to 3 1/2 feet of snow fell in
the foothills with 1 to 2 feet reported in west metro
Denver. Snowfall totals included: 38 inches at Silver
Spruce Ranch...2 miles south of Ward; 35 inches at Aspen
Springs; 33 inches near Blackhawk; 30 inches at Eldora;
29 inches in Coal Creek Canyon; 27 inches at Conifer...
Chief Hosa...and Nederland; 25 inches at Rollinsville and
Gross Reservoir; 21 inches at Evergreen; and 15 to 19
inches at Broomfield...Lakewood...and Table Mesa in Boulder.
Elsewhere across metro Denver...snowfall ranged from 8 to
14 inches. Snowfall totaled only 7.9 inches at the site
of the former Stapleton International Airport. East winds
gusted to 31 mph at Denver International Airport.
18-19 In 1927...heavy snowfall was 6.5 inches in downtown Denver.
Northwest winds were sustained to 28 mph on the 18th.
In 1974...heavy snowfall totaled 5.8 inches at Stapleton
International Airport where northeast winds gusted to
33 mph on the 19th.
In 2018...a storm system brought locally heavy snowfall to
the Palmer Divide south of Denver. Storm totals included
10.5 inches in Franktown...10 inches near Elizabeth and
The Pinery...9 inches at Ponderosa Park...with 5 inches in
Lone Tree. At Denver International Airport...just 0.7 inch
of snowfall was observed.
18-20 In 2020...a powerful storm system brought blizzard conditions
to the plains east of Interstate 25. Numerous roads
closures were posted east of Interstate 25 and over the
Palmer Divide. Highways closings included portions of
eastbound interstates 70 and 76 due to strong winds and
whiteout conditions. I-70 was also closed westbound into
the mountains due to heavy snow and numerous accidents.
In the Front Range Foothills...storm totals included: 23
inches near Nederland...22 inches at Aspen Springs...18.5
inches near Jamestown...17 inches at Genesee...15 inches at
Evergreen and 12 inches at Bergen Park. Along the urban
corridor...storm totals included: 11 inches at Centennial
and Ponderosa Park; 10.5 inches at Lone Tree...10 inches
near Commerce City...with 5 to 9 inches elsewhere including
6 inches at Denver International Airport. At Greeley and
Denver International Airport...north-northwest winds gusted
to 49 mph.
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 In 1969...high winds buffeted the Front Range foothills
causing damage in Boulder and Jefferson counties. A
freight train was derailed near the entrance to a canyon
20 miles west of Denver when some empty cars were caught
on a curve by a gust of wind. Two light planes were
heavily damaged at Jefferson County Airport. Winds
gusted to 105 mph at the National Center for Atmospheric
Research in Boulder...62 mph in downtown Boulder...and 80
to 90 mph at Boulder Airport. Northwest winds gusted to
49 mph at Stapleton International Airport.
In 1976...northwest winds gusted to 55 mph in Denver with
stronger winds along the foothills. The strong cold
winds kicked up some blowing dust...reducing the visibility
to near zero at times at Stapleton International Airport.
In 1982...high winds across metro Denver caused minor damage
to a few mobile homes at Lowry Air Force Base. West wind
gusts reached 51 mph at Stapleton International Airport
where visibility was briefly reduced to 1/4 mile in blowing
dust.
In 1995...strong winds associated with a Pacific cold front
blew across metro Denver. A west wind gust to 48 mph was
recorded at Denver International Airport. Winds gusted
to 59 mph at the site of the former Stapleton International
Airport.
In 2010...a storm system produced deep upslope and brought
heavy snow to areas in and near the Front Range. The
foothills of Boulder and Jefferson Counties were the
hardest hit. Storm totals included: 26 inches at
Coal Creek Canyon...25.5 inches...4 miles southeast of
Conifer; 25 inches at Genesee...24.5 inches near Kittredge...
23.5 inches...6 miles east of Nederland...20.5 inches...3
miles west of Jamestown...5 miles southeast of Aspen
Park and 5 miles southeast Idaho Springs; and 18 inches
near Ralston Buttes. In and around Denver...storm
totals included: 15 inches in Golden; 12.5 inches in
Boulder...11.5 inches at Lone Tree; 10.5 inches near
Castle Pines; 11 inches...6.5 miles southwest of Castle
Rock; 10 inches near Englewood...Highlands Ranch and 3
miles southwest of Wheat Ridge; 9 inches...4 miles
west of Arvada...Broomfield...Centenniel...Elizabeth and
Westminster; 8.5 inches...in southeast Denver and
Littleton; 7.5 inches in Louisville and near Thornton;
7 inches...4 miles south of Aurora...Lakewood and Niwot;
6.5 inches...4 miles northwest of Castle Rock...4 miles
northwest of Denver and Northglenn; 6 inches in
Brighton and 5 miles southeast of Sedalia. Officially...
1.7 inches of snow was measured at Denver International
Airport.
19-20 In 1912...post-frontal heavy snowfall of 6.3 inches was
measured in downtown Denver. North winds were sustained
to 28 mph with gusts to 30 mph on the 19th. The strong
cold front plunged temperatures from a high of 60 degrees
on the 19th to a low of 1 degree on the 20th.
In 1959...a major storm dumped heavy snowfall of 7.7 inches on
Stapleton Airport where north winds gusting to 44 mph
caused much blowing and drifting snow. Many highways were
blocked...and there was damage to phone lines along the South
Platte River. The storm started as rain and changed to
heavy wet snow...which froze on the lines causing the poles
to break. The storm caused 2 deaths over eastern Colorado.
In 2006...strong northerly winds...associated with a surface
low pressure system that intensified as it moved into the
central Great Plains...brought heavy wet snow to the eastern
foothills and northeastern plains of Colorado. The hardest
hit areas included the foothills of Boulder and Gilpin
counties. Storm totals included: 15 inches at Rollinsville...
14 inches at Aspen Springs...12.5 inches near Nederland...and
5.7 inches in the Denver Stapleton area. Strong winds...heavy
snow...and poor visibility forced the closure of Interstate 70
from Denver east to the Kansas state line. North winds
gusted to 32 mph at Denver International Airport on the 19th.
19-21 In 1888...heavy snowfall totaled 8.6 inches over downtown
Denver. North winds were sustained to 27 mph on the 19th.
20 In 1915...north winds were sustained to 40 mph with gusts
to 42 mph. Only a trace of snow fell.
In 1989...2 to 6 inches of snow fell along the Front Range
Urban Corridor with up to 9 inches in Boulder. Only 1.6
inches of snowfall were measured at Stapleton International
Airport where north winds gusted to 36 mph.
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.
21-22 In 1955...wind gusts to 98 mph were recorded at Rocky Flats
south of Boulder. Some damage and a few minor injuries
were reported in Boulder. Northwest winds were sustained
to 28 mph with gusts to 39 mph at Stapleton Airport on the
22nd.
In 1966...a vigorous cold front produced only 1.7 inches of
snowfall at Stapleton International Airport...but northeast
winds gusted to 49 mph on the 21st. Temperatures cooled
from a maximum of 66 degrees on the 21st to a minimum of
14 degrees on the 22nd. Strong winds occurred on both
days.
In 1992...an Arctic cold front produced upslope snow across
metro Denver mainly west of I-25. Castle Rock reported 6
inches of snow with 3 inches at Evergreen. At Stapleton
International Airport...only 1.5 inches of snowfall were
measured and northeast winds gusted to 18 mph on the 21st.
In 2021...a storm system produced a period of moderate to
heavy snowfall primarily over the southern Front Range
Foothills...and Palmer Divide. Storm totals ranged from
7 to 14 inches...heaviest around Conifer. Across the western
and southern Denver suburbs...storm totals ranged from 4 to
6 inches. At Denver International Airport...3.7 inches of
snowfall was observed.
22 In 1905...apparent post-frontal north winds were sustained to
49 mph.
In 1922...a vigorous cold front with north winds sustained to
41 mph brought only 0.6 inch of snowfall to the city.
These were the highest winds of the month.
In 1966...high winds caused extensive blowing snow that
impeded traffic and closed highways over a wide area of
eastern Colorado. Wind damage was widespread...but minor.
North wind gusts to 47 mph were recorded at Stapleton
International Airport where visibility was reduced as low
as 1/8 mile in blowing snow.
In 1975...a strong west wind gust to 51 mph was recorded at
Stapleton International Airport...while east of Denver
the strong winds caused minor property damage and
considerable blowing dust which closed several roads.
In 1979...near-blizzard conditions paralyzed the northeastern
quarter of the state. Strong winds and drifting snow
closed many roads...including I-25 and I-70. Power outages
darkened sections of metro Denver. Snow accumulations of
4 to 12 inches were measured over the plains with drifts
several feet deep. Only 3.5 inches of snow were recorded
at Stapleton International Airport where northeast winds
gusted to 39 mph causing some blowing snow.
In 1995...strong winds associated with a fast moving Pacific
cold front moved from the mountains into metro Denver.
Winds estimated at 60 to 75 mph picked up rocks and
shattered the windows of a car in Louisville. The strong
winds blew down and partially destroyed two houses under
construction just north of Thornton. West winds gusted
to 53 mph at Denver International Airport where the
visibility was briefly reduced to 1/2 mile in blowing dust.
In 2016...two brief but powerful gustnadoes developed along
a convergence line that formed in the suburbs just north
and west of Denver. Three power poles were knocked down.
In addition...a small storage shed was destroyed.
22-23 In 1936...heavy snowfall of 7.7 inches was measured in
downtown Denver. The heavy wet snowfall formed a thick
coating of snow on trees and shrubs...but caused little
damage. North winds were sustained to 15 mph.
In 1984...around a half foot of new snow fell across metro
Denver...causing flight delays at Stapleton International
Airport where snowfall totaled 6.0 inches and north winds
gusted to 31 mph. Up to a foot of snow fell in the
foothills. Icy roads produced numerous traffic accidents.
In 2011...Strong bora winds developed along the Front Range
following the passage of a storm system. Peak wind gusts
included: 87 mph at the National Wind Technology Center;
82 mph...6 miles northwest of Boulder; 72 mph at Front
Range Airport in Broomfield; 71 mph at Longmont; and 64
mph...4 miles west of Lakewood. At Denver International
Airport...a peak wind gust of 48 mph from the west was
observed on the 22nd.
In 2013...A wet early spring snowstorm brought heavy snow to
parts of the Front Range Foothills and Urban Corridor. The
heaviest snowfall occurred near the Front Range Foothills
and Palmer Divide. Near blizzard conditions forced the
closure of Interstate 70 east of Denver. In the foothills...
storm totals included: 14.5 inches near Conifer; 14 inches
just southwest of Eldorado Springs and Intercanyon; 13
inches near Indian Hills; 12.5 inches near Pinecliffe;
11.5 inches near Golden; 11 inches near Jamestown and
Roxborough; 10.5 inches near Brookvale and 10 inches at
Genesee. Across the Urban Corridor and Palmer Divide...
storm totals included: 12.5 inches...8 miles southeast of
Watkins; 10.5 inches in Boulder...Centennial and Northglenn;
9.5 inches...just south of Aurora; 9 inches in Westminster;
8 inches at Lafayette; 7.5 inches near Morrison; 7 inches
in Arvada...Bennett...Brighton; 6 inches in Highlands Ranch...
Longmont...Louisville and Thornton. Officially...11.6 inches
of snow fell at DIA from the evening of the 22nd to the
afternoon of the 23rd...which set a new two-day snowfall
record in Denver for the date. In addition...a peak wind
gust to 33 mph was observed from the east on the 22nd with
a gust to 30 mph from the north on the 23rd.
In 2016...a powerful blizzard developed across the Front
Range of Colorado late on the 22nd and continued through
much of the 23rd. The storm tracked east-southeast across
Utah on the 22nd...and then into southeast Colorado by the
morning of the 23rd. The storm rapidly intensified as it
reached eastern Colorado...producing extremely heavy and
intense snowfall with snowfall rates exceeding 3 inches
per hour at times. In addition to heavy snow...strong
winds gusting in excess of 50 mph east of I-25 produced
widespread blizzard conditions and zero visibilities. The
storm initially began with rain on the plains...but quickly
changed over to snow during the early morning hours of the
23rd. Snowfall rates of 1 to 2 inches per hour were
common...with several inches of snow already accumulating
for the morning commute. Many roads became impassable due
to the depth of fallen snow...drifting snow...and near zero
visibilities during the day. During the peak of the storm...
snowfall rates reached or exceeded 3 inches per hour.
Widespread road closures occurred...including I-76 from
northeast of Denver to the Nebraska state line...I-70 east
of Denver to the Kansas state line...and much of I-25...
from near Castle Rock to Colorado Springs. The Colorado
Department of Transportation estimated over two thousand
vehicles became trapped on I-25 near Monument Hill alone...
with hundreds of stuck or abandoned cars elsewhere.
Numerous power outages occurred as heavy wet snow
accumulated on trees...despite the strong winds. At the
peak...several hundred thousand residents along the Front
Range were without power. Denver International Airport
was closed for 7 hours during and just after the peak
of the blizzard...with around 1300 cancelled flights.
The power outages shut down the fuel farm pumps...the
deicing facility...as well as train service to the
concourses at the airport. Peña Boulevard...the main road
to the airport...was impassable for much of the day. It
was the first time since December 21...2006 that Denver
International Airport had been shut down due to extreme
winter weather conditions. One to 2 feet of snow fell
across much of the Front Range Foothills and Urban
Corridor. In the foothills of northern Jefferson
County...31.5 inches of snowfall measured at Pinecliffe.
Most of the snow fell within a 12-hr period from the
early morning into the afternoon. A peak wind gust of
59 mph recorded at Denver International Airport. South
of Denver...over the Palmer Ridge...12 to 18 inches of
snow was reported...with 6 to 10 inches across the
adjacent plains. The official snowfall measurement at
Denver International Airport was 13.1 inches. In
addition...the snow was very heavy and wet...with many
areas receiving 1 to 2 inches precipitation. In
the foothills...some locations received nearly 3 inches
of water from this storm.
22-24 In 1965...a vigorous cold front swept across metro Denver
late on the afternoon of the 22nd with east-northeast
winds gusting to 38 mph causing some blowing dust.
Snowfall from the storm totaled 4.4 inches at Stapleton
International Airport. Temperatures on the 22nd dropped
from a maximum of 63 degrees to 18 degrees in just 10 hours
and dipped to 3 degrees below zero on the morning of the
24th. Maximum temperatures warmed to only 19 degrees on
the 23rd and 18 degrees on the 24th.
23 In 1887...west winds sustained to 44 mph warmed the temperature
to a high of 66 degrees.
In 1910...southwest winds were sustained to 40 mph. The
chinook winds warmed the temperature to a high of 73
degrees.
In 1913...west winds were sustained to 40 mph with a gust
to 44 mph.
In 1951...a chinook wind gust to 56 mph was recorded at
Stapleton International Airport.
In 1957...strong north winds gusting to 62 mph reduced the
visibility at times to 1 mile in blowing dust at Stapleton
Airport as metro Denver dodged a major spring storm...
which produced heavy rain...snow...wind...and dust over
eastern Colorado on the 22nd through the 25th. Snow
drifted to 15-foot depths in some areas. All traffic
was blocked...power lines were downed...and livestock and
crop losses were high.
In 1994...strong winds raked the eastern foothills. While
the highest winds occurred north of metro Denver...wind
gusts to 74 mph were recorded atop Squaw Mountain near
Idaho Springs and to 70 mph at Rocky Flats north of
Golden. West wind gusts to 40 mph were recorded at
Stapleton International Airport.
In 2005...lightning struck the roof of a home in Paradise
Hills near Genesee. About 5 percent of the residence
was damaged by the resulting fire.
In 2018...intense outflow winds spread south to north across
Denver International Airport and points south and east.
Peak wind gusts included: 67 mph at Limon Airport...66 mph
near Bennett...63 mph at Denver International Airport...62
mph at Front Range Airport...61 mph...9 miles north of
Manila Village; with 58 mph at Woodlin School
23-24 In 1909...post-frontal rain on the 23rd changed to heavy snow
during the evening and continued through the morning of the
24th. Snowfall totaled 13.8 inches. Rain and melted snow...
totaled 2.43 inches...which was the record greatest 24 hour
precipitation ever recorded in March at that time. A
thunderstorm of moderate intensity occurred on the 23rd in
advance of the cold front. North winds were sustained to
27 mph overnight.
In 1990...several hours of freezing drizzle covered roadways
with a thin layer of "black ice" which caused nearly 100
traffic accidents across metro Denver. In Boulder...snow
and freezing rain caused numerous accidents and brief power
outages. Snow in Boulder ranged from an inch east of town
to 4 to 5 inches near Table Mesa. At times thunder was
heard during the snow. Snowfall totaled only 0.6 inch
at Stapleton International Airport where northwest winds
gusted to 30 mph on the 23rd.
In 1995...high winds developed late on the 23rd and continued
through the 24th. A few windows were blown out of a Denver
high rise building...spraying glass on the sidewalks and
streets below. Southeast winds gusted to 48 mph at Denver
International Airport on the 23rd.
In 1996...the third storm in 10 days brought heavy snow to
the mountains...foothills...and metro Denver. Snowfall
totaled 18 inches at Golden Gate Canyon and 10 inches
at Nederland in the foothills. Across metro Denver...
snowfall ranged from 4 to 8 inches. At the site of the
former Stapleton International Airport...snowfall totaled
6.5 inches with most of the snow occurring on the 24th.
North winds gusted to 34 mph at Denver International
Airport. As the storm moved east on the 24th and 25th...
blizzard conditions developed over northeastern Colorado
closing both I-70 and I-76 east of Denver.
In 2010...a powerful spring snowstorm swept across northern
Colorado. The heaviest snowfall occurred in and near the
Front Range Foothills and deep upslope developed. The
heavy...wet snow clung to tree limbs and power lines...which
caused 36500 electrical outages throughout Denver and the
surrounding metro area. Power outages also occurred in
Douglas and Elbert Counties. In addition...approximately
5 thousand travelers were stranded at Denver International
Airport due to flight cancellations and delays. Initially...
the snow fell at a rate of 2 to 4 inches per hour...between
Boulder and Denver...bringing the evening rush hour to a
complete halt. Countless motorists were stuck on U.S.
Highway 36 for several hours. Other road closures
included I-70...from Idaho Springs to Genesee and I-25 in
both directions...from Lincoln Avenue south to Greenland...
or about 15 miles south of Castle Rock. In and near the
Front Range Foothills and Palmer Ridge...storm totals
included: 26 inches at Coal Creek Canyon...23.5 inches...3
miles south of Evergreen; 22 inches at Aspen Springs...13
miles northwest of Golden and 3 miles west of Jamestown;
21.5 inches...3 miles north of Blackhawk...20 inches at
Genesee; 16 inches near Nederland; 14 inches near
Elizabeth and Strontia Springs Dam; 13 inches at Bergen
Park and 3 miles southeast of Indian Hills; 12.5 inches...
3 miles southwest of Conifer; 11.5 inches at St. Mary`s
Glacier. In Denver and the surrounding suburbs...storm
totals included: 15 inches at Lone Tree; 14 inches near
Highlands Ranch; 13 inches near Louisville...12.5 inches
at Aurora...Commerce City...Englewood and 5 miles west of
Littleton; 12 inches at Erie and Greenwood Village; 11
inches at Ralston Reservoir and Westminster; 10.5 inches
at the National Weather Service in Boulder...10 inches...
4 miles northeast of Castle Rock...Fredrick...Lakewood...3
miles southeast of Morrison and 4 miles southeast
of Watkins; 9.5 inches...3 miles southeast of Denver; 9
inches in Broomfield...Lafayette...Northglenn and Thornton;
8.5 inches near Federal Heights; 8 inches in Arvada...
Brighton and Wheat Ridge; 6 inches...5 miles southwest
of Hudson. Officially...10.8 inches of snow was measured
at Denver International Airport.
23-25 In 1891...rain changed to snow and totaled 8.8 inches in
downtown Denver. Most of the snow fell on the 24th.
Winds were light.
In 1964...heavy snowfall of 5.8 inches was measured at
Stapleton International Airport. North-northeast winds
gusted to 21 mph behind a cold front.
$$
- National Weather Service
- Central Illinois Weather Forecast Office
- 1362 State Route 10
- Lincoln, IL 62656
- 217-732-7321 (forecast recording) or 217-732-3089
- Page Author: ILX Webmaster
- Web Master's E-mail: w-ilx.webmaster@noaa.gov
- Page last modified: Sep 19th, 2023 19:10 UTC