- Warnings
- Observations
- Forecasts
- Text Messages
- Forecast Models
- Climate
- Weather Safety
- Education/Outreach
- Information Center
- Contact Us
RSS Feeds
Public Information Statement
Issued by NWS Denver/Boulder, CO
Issued by NWS Denver/Boulder, CO
Versions:
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21 22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
000
NOUS45 KBOU 310045
PNSBOU
COZ030>051-312300-
Public Information Statement
National Weather Service Denver/Boulder CO
645 PM MDT SAT MAR 30 2024
...This week in metro Denver weather history...
29-31 In 1970...snowfall totaled 6.0 inches at Stapleton
International Airport. Heavy snow accumulation in Boulder
on the 29th caused the collapse of a carport at an apartment
building...damaging 11 automobiles. Northeast winds gusted
to 24 mph at Stapleton International Airport.
30-31 In 1896...heavy snowfall totaled 7.5 inches in downtown
Denver. Northwest winds gusted to 26 mph.
In 1897...rain changed to snow during the early morning of
the 30th and totaled 6.2 inches before ending during
the late morning of the 31st. Northwest winds were
sustained to 35 mph with gusts to 46 mph.
In 1929...heavy snowfall of 7.0 inches was recorded over
downtown Denver. Northwest winds were sustained to
23 mph on the 30th.
In 1953...heavy snowfall totaled 8.6 inches at Stapleton
Airport where northeast winds gusted to 23 mph.
In 1955...a vigorous cold front produced north winds at 40 mph
with gusts as high as 54 mph at Stapleton Airport. Rain
and snow showers and blowing dust accompanied the front.
Snowfall totaled only 0.1 inch at Stapleton Airport on
the 31st.
In 1988...snow began falling on the afternoon of the 30th and
continued through the 31st...burying metro Denver. Twelve
to 18 inches of snow fell in the foothills to the west of
Denver and Boulder with 6 to 12 inches across the rest of
metro Denver. The storm disrupted aircraft operations
at Stapleton International Airport where snowfall totaled
7.1 inches and north winds gusting to 32 mph reduced the
visibility to less than 1/4 mile at times...causing air
traffic delays of 2 to 3 hours.
In 2000...heavy snow once again developed over the foothills
and the higher terrain to the south of metro Denver.
Snowfall totals from the storm included: 16 inches atop
Squaw Mountain...15 inches near Rollinsville...13 inches
near Evergreen...12 inches near Morrison...11 inches in
Coal Creek Canyon...10 inches near Blackhawk and in
Eldorado Springs...9 inches at Ken Caryl Ranch and Larkspur...
and 8 inches near Elizabeth. Snowfall totaled only 4.1
inches at the site of the former Stapleton International
Airport. North winds gusted to 32 mph at Denver
International Airport on the 30th.
In 2005...a strong spring storm intensified over the
eastern plains of Colorado and produced near-blizzard
conditions to the east and southeast of Denver overnight.
North to northwest winds from 20 to 35 mph with gusts
to 50 mph produced extensive blowing snow and caused
near zero visibilities at times and snow drifts from
2 to 4 feet in depth. Snowfall amounts included:
12 inches near Bennett...8 inches around Castle Rock...
7 inches near Sedalia...and 6 inches near Parker.
Only 0.3 inch of snow was reported at Denver Stapleton.
At Denver International Airport...north winds gusted to
37 mph on the 30th and 36 mph on the 31st.
In 2014...on the evening of the 30th...high based showers
and thunderstorms produced microburst winds over northern
Jefferson...eastern Boulder and southwest Weld Counties.
Peak wind reports included: 77 mph at White Ranch Open
Space; 72 mph...2 miles north of Longmont; 67 mph near Erie
and Firestone; 60 mph near Mead and 59 mph...5 miles
northwest of Henderson; with 53 mph at Denver Internatinal
Airport. The wind downed power lines in Weld County which
sparked a small fire. High winds then developed in the
Front Range Foothills and Urban Corridor through the
morning of the 31st. Peak wind gusts included: 98 mph
near Gold Hill; 77 mph near Eldorado Springs; 61 mph at
Centennial Airport; 59 mph at Buckley Air Force; with 44
mph at Denver International Airport.
31 In 1873...high winds damaged buildings in the city.
Northwest winds with sustained velocities to near 40 mph
blew from 9:00 AM until sunset.
In 1937...north to northeast winds sustained to 25 mph with
gusts to 32 mph produced a light dust storm in the city
during the afternoon.
In 1971...wind gusts to 92 mph were recorded in the South
Hills area of Boulder. At the National Bureau of Standards
in Boulder sustained winds of 46 mph with gusts to 83 mph
were measured. Damage was minor. Northwest winds gusted
to 41 mph at Stapleton International Airport.
In 1983...high winds with gusts to 70 mph in Boulder caused
minor damage.
31-1 In 1876...heavy snow began during the night and lasted all
day on the 31st and through the morning of the 1st. The
average depth of snow fall was 10 to 12 inches...but strong
winds whipped the snow into drifts of 8 to 10 feet deep on
the streets of the city. Precipitation from the storm was
1.03 inches on the 31st and 0.37 inch on the 1st.
In 1891...heavy moist snowfall totaled 18.0 inches in the
city. Northeast winds were sustained to 20 mph with gusts
to 24 mph on the 31st.
In 1936...northeast winds sustained to 21 mph produced a
light dust storm in the city.
In 1975...a major storm dumped 9.3 inches of snowfall at
Stapleton International Airport where northwest winds
gusted to 41 mph. Rain changed to snow on the afternoon
of the 31st...reducing the visibility to as low as 1/8 mile.
Snow continued all day on the 1st and accumulated to a depth
of 8 inches on the ground. The minimum temperature of 10
degrees on the 1st set a new record low for the date.
31-2 In 1980...the second major blizzard in 5 days buried much of
eastern Colorado under 6 to 12 inches of snow. Some drifts
were up to 22 feet high. Hundreds of travelers were
stranded. Over 3000 families were without power.
Livestock losses were high. Metro Denver escaped the
main brunt of this storm. At Stapleton International
Airport...only 6.3 inches of snow fell over the 3-day period
and north winds gusted to only 22 mph on the 1st.
31-3 In 1979...total snowfall of 6.6 inches was measured at
Stapleton International Airport where north winds gusted
to 31 mph on the 31st. The greatest accumulation of snow
on the ground was 3 inches on the 1st.
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.
1 In 1987...a vigorous cold front produced 2.3 inches of snowfall
at Stapleton International Airport where northeast winds
gusted to 39 mph. The temperature dropped from a maximum of
59 degrees at mid-morning to a low of 25 degrees at midnight.
1-2 In 1963...from the 1st to 2nd...strong winds buffeted metro
Denver...while wind-whipped fires consumed grassland on the
plains. A child was injured by a wind blown falling tree in
Castle Rock. Southwest winds gusted to 52 mph at Stapleton
Airport...causing some blowing dust. The worst fire storm
burned over 25 thousand acres of grazing land in southern
Weld County near Roggen northeast of Denver.
In 1984...from the 1st to the 2nd...a snowstorm with near-
blizzard conditions over eastern Colorado closed many roads...
including I-70 and I-76 east of Denver and I-25 between
Denver and Colorado Springs. At Stapleton International
Airport...snowfall totaled only 2.5 inches...but north winds
gusted to 45 mph on the 2nd.
In 1999...from the 1st to the 2nd...moist upslope conditions
allowed heavy snow to develop in the Front Range foothills
where snowfall totals included: 10 inches at Aspen Park and
Evergreen; 9 inches at Turkey Creek; 8 inches at Idaho
Springs and Genesee; 7 inches at Aspen Springs...Crow Hill...
Intercanyon...and Lake George. In metro Denver snowfall
totals included: 10 inches south of Sedalia; 8 inches in
Littleton; 7 inches at Morrison; 6 inches at Highlands Ranch;
and 4 to 5 inches in Northglenn...Parker and near Louisville.
Snowfall totaled 4.7 inches at the site of the former
Stapleton International Airport.
1-3 In 1945...snow fell across metro Denver for a total of 51
consecutive hours. While the storm was not accompanied by
excessive snow...the long duration made the event a heavy
snow producer. Snowfall totaled 10.7 inches in downtown
Denver with 9.5 inches recorded at Stapleton Airport. North
winds were sustained to 21 mph on the 1st; otherwise winds
were not strong. The air mass was very cold for April.
The high temperatures of 26 on the 2nd and 17 on the 3rd
were record low maximums for the dates. The latter was also
a record low maximum for the month. Warm weather following
the storm quickly melted the snow.
In 1973...heavy snow fell at Stapleton International Airport
where 8.7 inches were measured. Snow began late on the 1st
and continued through early morning on the 3rd. Thunder
accompanied the snow during the late morning and afternoon
of the 2nd. North winds gusted to 33 mph on the 2nd and
37 mph on the 3rd. Snow only accumulated to a depth of
5 inches on the ground due to melting.
In 1977...from the 1st to the 3rd...a foot of snow fell in
Boulder and Broomfield. The Denver-Boulder Turnpike was
closed for an hour after numerous minor traffic accidents.
At Stapleton International Airport...snowfall totaled 4.7
inches and southeast winds gusted to 32 mph on the 2nd.
The greatest depth of snow on the ground was only 3 inches
due to melting.
2 In 1894...northwest winds were sustained to 42 mph with
gusts to 48 mph. The warm chinook winds warmed the
temperature to a high of 70 degrees.
In 1925...north winds were sustained to 40 mph with gusts
to 42 mph.
In 1957...a heavy snow storm dumped 17.3 inches of snow at
Stapleton Airport. Strong gusty north winds to 31 mph
reduced visibilities to 1/8 mile at times and created
blizzard conditions. The 24-hour snowfall had been
exceeded only twice in previous records...and the 24 hour
precipitation of 2.05 inches was the third heaviest of
previous record during April.
In 1959...a cold front produced strong gusty winds across
metro Denver. North winds gusting to 50 and 60 mph caused
some minor damage to power lines and signs and caused dust
storms on the plains east of Denver. A wind gust to 49 mph
was recorded at Stapleton Airport.
In 1966...northwest winds gusting to 52 mph produced blowing
dust...which briefly reduced the visibility to 1 mile at
Stapleton International Airport.
In 1975...the all-time lowest recorded temperature in April...
2 degrees below zero...occurred. This is also the latest
below zero reading for the season.
In 1982...a strong windstorm struck all of metro Denver...
causing minor damage. Wind gusts to 127 mph were recorded
at Rocky Flats south of Boulder...116 mph at Wondervu...100
mph at Jefferson County Airport in Broomfield...and 56 mph at
Stapleton International Airport. The strong winds whipped
up blowing dust...briefly reducing the visibility to 3/4 mile.
In 1986...heavy thunderstorms produced wind gusts to about 70
mph in Boulder. A severe thunderstorm wind gust to 62 mph
was recorded at Stapleton International Airport. The strong
winds kicked up thick clouds of blowing dust severely
restricting surface visibility.
In 1997...a Pacific storm left heavy snow in the foothills with
lesser amounts across the city. Snowfall totaled 12 inches
near Blackhawk...11 inches at Golden Gate Canyon...10 inches
at Conifer and Crowhill...9 inches at Evergreen...5 inches
at Sedalia...and 4 inches at Castle Rock and Morrison. Only
2.1 inches of snow fell at the site of the former Stapleton
International Airport. Northwest winds gusted to 21 mph
at Denver International Airport.
In 1998...a major spring storm brought heavy snow to metro
Denver and the foothills. Snowfall totals ranged from
12 to 22 inches in the foothills with 4 to 12 inches across
metro Denver. Snowfall totals included: 22.5 inches near
Conifer...13 inches in Coal Creek Canyon...12 inches near
Blackhawk...Eldora...and Genesee; 10 inches near Evergreen
and Nederland...9 inches in Lakewood...8 inches in Broomfield
and northwest Denver...and 7.0 inches at the site of the
former Stapleton International Airport. Northeast winds
gusted to 31 mph at Denver International Airport.
In 2002...snowfall was only a trace at the site of the former
Stapleton International Airport. This was the only snowfall
of the month...ranking the month...along with previous months...
the 2nd least snowiest on record.
2-3 In 1955...from the 2nd to the 3rd...strong west to southwest
winds raked metro Denver on both days. Sustained winds as
high as 37 mph with gusts to 60 mph were recorded at
Stapleton Airport where the visibility was reduced to 1/4
mile in blowing dust.
In 1974...from the 2nd to the 3rd...a heavy snowfall of 6.7
inches was accompanied by northeast wind gusts to 33 mph
which produced some blowing snow across metro Denver. Over
eastern Colorado many highways and schools were closed due
to near-blizzard conditions from the storm.
In 1986...from the 2nd to the 3rd...the worst snow storm of the
season blasted metro Denver. Heavy snow and high winds
combined to close roads...schools...and airports. Portions
of all interstate highways out of Denver were closed at
times. The snow came after an exceptionally mild late
winter and early spring; trees and bushes had already
bloomed and leafed out. The snow and wind snapped many
of these...causing power outages. Total snowfall amounts
in metro Denver ranged from 1 to 2 feet with 2 to 3 feet
in the foothills. Snowfall totaled 12.6 inches at
Stapleton International Airport where north winds gusting
to 39 mph reduced the visibility to 1/8 mile in snow and
blowing snow. Most of the snow fell on the 3rd when
temperatures hovered around 30 degrees for most of the day.
The heavy snow halted traffic and closed businesses. A 59-
year-old man was found dead from exposure in northwest
Denver. The roof of a toy store in Northglenn collapsed.
A 100 thousand square foot section of a greenhouse roof
collapsed in Golden...destroying over a million dollars worth
of plants.
In 2000...from the 2nd to the 3rd...a combination of strong
instability and moist upslope winds allowed for a heavy...
wet spring snowstorm to develop in and near the Front
Range foothills. The heaviest snow occurred in southern
Jefferson County. Storm totals included: 14 inches near
Conifer...12 inches near Evergreen and on Floyd Hill; 11
inches near Blackhawk...Morrison...and Tiny Town; 10 inches
at Aspen Springs and Eldora Ski Area; 9 inches at Chief
Hosa; and 8 inches at both Golden Gate Canyon and
Rollinsville. Only 2.1 inches of snow fell at
the site of the former Stapleton International Airport.
North winds gusted to 36 mph at Denver International
Airport on the 2nd.
In 2014...from the 2nd to the 3rd...a storm system brought
moderate to heavy snow to the Front Range Mountains...
Foothills and Urban Corridor. Storm totals in the
mountains and foothills included: 21.5 inches...8 miles
north of Blackhawk; 15.5 inches near Rollinsville...15
inches at Aspen Springs...14.5 inches near Ward...12 inches...
6 miles southwest of Evergreen; 11 inches at Cabin Creek
and 12 miles south-southwest of Georgetown...10 inches at
Winter Park...8 inches near Conifer...Georgetown and Gross
Reservoir; 7.5 inches at Bailey and Intercanyon. In the
Urban Corridor...storm totals included: 9.5 inches near
Highlands Ranch...7 inches at Boulder...6 inches near
Castle Rock...with 5.5 inches at Lakewood and Morrison.
At Denver International Airport...3.4 inches of snowfall was
observed.
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...from the 2nd to the 4th...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...from the 2nd to the 5th...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 In 1872...skies were cloudy and threatening until 11:30 AM
when it commenced to rain and continued to rain until
3:00 PM...when it turned into heavy snow with a very brisk
north wind. Snow continued all night. Telegraph wires
were downed between Denver and Cheyenne...and the night
report could not be sent. Precipitation (rain and melted
snow) measured 0.82 inch.
In 1887...north winds were sustained to 43 mph.
In 1894...northwest winds were sustained to 41 mph with gusts
to 50 mph. The warm chinook winds on the 2nd became a
bora as the temperature warmed to a high of only 52 degrees.
In 1900...southeast winds were sustained to 52 mph with gusts
as high as 61 mph.
In 1945...the temperature warmed to only 17 degrees...the
all-time record low maximum for the month.
In 1968...a snow storm of unusual severity for so late in the
season caused ground blizzard conditions with near zero
visibility in snow at times and severe drifting of snow
over portions of northeastern Colorado and metro Denver.
Highways were blocked to the north of Denver and to
Colorado Springs. Rain at the start of the storm
contributed to power and communications outages. In
metro Denver...snowfall totaled 7.0 inches at Stapleton
International Airport where north winds gusted to 45 mph.
In 1978...a tornado was sighted by a National Weather
Service observer 3 miles north of Stapleton International
Airport near the Rocky Mountain Arsenal. Security police
on the Arsenal called it a large dust devil...but four
commercial airline pilots confirmed the phenomenon as a
tornado or funnel cloud.
In 1981...a snowstorm hit northeastern Colorado...dumping 6 to
12 inches of snow in the foothills and 4 to 8 inches on the
plains north of Denver. Snowfall totaled only 2.0 inches at
Stapleton International Airport where north winds gusted
to 24 mph.
In 1985...strong winds of 60 to 70 mph occurred in the
foothills. The driver of a car in Nederland was slightly
injured when the wind toppled an utility pole onto his
vehicle. Northwest winds gusted to 53 mph at Stapleton
International Airport where the visibility was briefly
reduced to 2 miles in blowing dust.
In 1989...a northwest wind gust to 51 mph was recorded at
Stapleton International Airport.
In 2011...high winds developing along the Front Range during
the early morning hours. Peak wind gusts included: 92 mph...
7 miles northwest of Berthoud; 75 mph...2 miles west of
Castle Rock; and 65 mph...2 miles west of Elbert. West
winds gusted to 49 mph at Denver International Airport.
3-4 In 2017...a storm system brought a period of locally heavy
snow to portions of the Front Range Foothills. The heaviest
snowfall occurred in and near the foothills of Clear Creek...
southern Boulder...northern Jefferson and Gilpin Counties.
Storm totals included: 16 inches at Eldorado Springs...15
inches at Echo Lake...14 inches at St. Mary`s Glacier and
Winter Park Ski Area...13.5 inches at Genesee...13 inches
near Tiny Town...12.5 inches near Allenspark and Idaho
Springs and 11 inches near Conifer. Across the rest of
the Front Range mountains and foothills...the western
suburbs of Denver and Boulder...storm totals ranged from
4 to 8 inches. At Denver Interational Airport...only 0.1
inch of snowfall was observed.
3-5 In 1996...from the 3rd to the 5th...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...from the 3rd to the 6th...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...from the 3rd to the 6th...a prolonged heavy snowstorm
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 Crowhill...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.
4-5 In 1900...from the 4th to the 5th...rain changed to heavy snow
and totaled 7.8 inches in downtown Denver overnight. A
thunderstorm on the 4th produced hail. Precipitation
totaled 1.50 inches.
In 1911...north to northwest winds were sustained to 42 mph
on the 4th and to 41 mph on the 5th.
In 2002...from the 4th to the 5th...a whitish-colored haze
engulfed metro Denver on both days. The haze was the result
of a huge windstorm that kicked up dust and sand from the
Gobi Desert in Mongolia and China during the latter half
of March. Westerly winds aloft transported the dust cloud
across the Pacific Ocean and over the western United
States...depositing some of it on Colorado.
In 2009...from the 4th to the 5th...a blizzard developed over
the northeast plains of Colorado. Most of the Urban
Corridor was spared from the blizzard...with the exception
of eastern Adams and eastern Arapahoe Counties. The
combination of strong wind and heavy snow snapped 14 power
lines along State Highway 36...near Strasburg. In Arapahoe
County...7 poles were snapped in Bennett. Interstate 70 was
closed in both directions east of Denver. At Denver
International Airport...a peak wind gust of 63 mph was
observed from the north...breaking the previous record of
62 mph established in 1986. Officially...only 0.3 inches of
snowfall was measured at Denver International Airport.
4-7 In 1909...post-frontal rain changed to heavy snow on the
afternoon of the 4th and continued through mid-morning of
the 7th. Total snowfall was 18.7 inches...but most of the
snow...14.0 inches...fell from 6:00 PM on the 4th to 6:00 PM
on the 5th. North to northeast winds were sustained to
32 mph on the 4th and to 30 mph on the 7th. Total
precipitation from the storm was 1.78 inches.
5 In 1873...a heavy rain and hail shower in the afternoon
changed to snow...and accumulated to 6 inches on the
streets at 9:00 PM. Precipitation (rain and melted snow)
totaled 0.56 inch.
In 1925...southeast winds were sustained to 46 mph with gusts
to 50 mph. This was the strongest wind of the month that
year.
In 1950...a well developed dust devil was observed 4 to 5
miles south-southwest of Stapleton Airport for about 8
minutes.
In 1977...the earliest date of the last freeze of the season
occurred when the temperature dipped to a low of 31 degrees.
In 1988...a wind gust to 74 mph was recorded at Rollinsville.
West winds gusted to 35 mph at Stapleton International
Airport.
In 1990...a heavy...wet snow fell in many areas in and along
the Colorado Front Range. Snowfall amounts of 4 to 7
inches were common around the Boulder area with lesser
amounts elsewhere. Only 2.0 inches of snow fell at
Stapleton International Airport where north winds gusted
to 28 mph. Icy roads contributed to numerous fender-benders
and a 20-vehicle pileup near the junction of I-70 and I-25
in the city.
In 2000...high winds developed in the Front Range foothills...
from about I-70 northward. Peak wind gusts included: 83
mph at the National Center for Atmospheric Research in
Boulder...75 mph near Louisville...and 70 mph at the National
Wind Technology Center...south of Boulder. West winds
gusted to 41 mph at Denver International Airport.
In 2005...a surface low pressure center deepened over eastern
Colorado and produced damaging high winds across metro
Denver. The strong wind gusts ranging from 50 to 70 mph
damaged roofs and fences. Cross-winds blew several empty
semi-trailers on their sides along I-70 and I-76 east of
Denver. Peak north wind gusts included: 60 mph near
Bennett and Keenesburg...59 mph near Brighton...and 53 mph
at Denver International Airport. Over the Palmer Divide
south of Denver...the high winds combined with heavy snow
to produce blizzard conditions. Snowfall accumulations
ranged from 3 to 8 inches over eastern Douglas and western
Elbert counties. Snowfall totals included: 8 inches at
Sedalia...4 inches near Castle Rock...and 3.5 inches near
Franktown.
5-6 In 1939...3.0 inches of snow fell in downtown Denver. North
winds were sustained to 34 mph on the 5th and to 26 mph on
the 6th. The strong winds caused considerable drifting of
snow. Several highways leading into the city were closed
during the height of the storm due to poor visibility.
Streets and highways became coated with ice in places.
The temperature dipped to 11 degrees early on the 6th.
This was the coldest reading of the month that year.
Most vegetation was not far enough advanced to be injured
by the cold temperatures...although a few buds froze on
early shrubbery.
In 1949...strong winds in Boulder caused limited minor damage.
West-northwest winds were sustained to 24 mph with some
higher gusts at Stapleton Airport.
5-7 In 1916...rain changed to snow behind a cold front on the
5th and totaled 4.5 inches in the city. A thunderstorm
produced snow on the 6th. North winds were sustained to
35 mph with gusts to 38 mph on the 7th.
6 In 1904...northwest winds were sustained to 40 mph with gusts
to 48 mph.
In 1919...post-frontal rain changed to snow but totaled only
0.1 inch. However...north winds were sustained to 40 mph
with gusts to 44 mph in the city.
In 1954...a vigorous cold front produced northeast winds at 38
mph with gusts as high as 50 mph. The strong winds briefly
reduced visibility to 1 1/2 miles in blowing dust at
Stapleton Airport.
In 1972...wind gusts to 68 mph were recorded at the National
Bureau of Standards in Boulder. Winds peaked to 54 mph in
downtown Boulder. Minor damage was reported. Northwest
winds gusted to 44 mph at Stapleton International Airport
where the strong chinook winds warmed the temperature to
a high of 80 degrees...equaling the record maximum for the
date.
6-7 In 1872...rain changed to snow overnight. Snow with high
north winds continued all day on the 7th. Precipitation
(rain and melted snow) totaled 0.50 inch. Due to problems
on the lines...the morning weather report was not sent by
telegraph until 3:10 PM and the midnight report was not
sent at all.
In 1957...from the 6th to the 7th...heavy snowfall totaled
6.6 inches at Stapleton Airport where north winds gusted
to 46 mph. This was the second heavy snow event in less
than 4 days.
In 1969...winds gusting as high as 50 to 60 mph caused only
light damage along the eastern foothills. The strong
winds contributed to the spread of a forest fire near
Boulder. Sustained winds of 25 mph with gusts to 53 mph
were recorded in Boulder. Southwest winds gusted to 38
mph on the 6th and 44 mph on the 7th at Stapleton
International Airport.
In 1980...from the 6th to the 7th...high winds howled along
the foothills each day. A wind gust to 72 mph was recorded
in Lakewood. The strong winds blew a camper top off a
pickup truck in Denver. At Stapleton International Airport...
west winds gusted to 41 mph on both days.
In 1998...from the 6th to the 7th...a spring storm brought a
mix of snow and thunder to metro Denver...the foothills...and
Palmer Divide. Conifer and Elizabeth both measured 4
inches of new snow. On the 6th...only 0.1 inch of snow fell
at the site of the former Stapleton International Airport
where thunder was heard on both days. Precipitation
totaled 0.60 inch at Denver International Airport where
west winds gusted to 43 mph on the 6th.
6-8 In 1973...from the 6th to the 8th...a major spring snowstorm
dumped 11.6 inches of snowfall over metro Denver. North
wind gusts of 30 to 35 mph produced some blowing snow.
Most of the heavy wet snow...10.1 inches...fell on the 7th
when temperatures remained in the 20`s. Snow accumulated
on the ground to a maximum depth of 9 inches. Low
temperature of 5 degrees on the 8th was a new record minimum
for the date and the lowest for so late in the season.
$$
- National Weather Service
- Des Moines, IA Weather Forecast Office
- 9607 NW Beaver Drive
- Johnston, IA 50131-1908
- 515-270-2614
- Page Author: DMX Webmaster
- Web Master's E-mail: w-dmx.webmaster@noaa.gov
- Page last modified: Sep 19th, 2023 19:10 UTC