Public Information Statement
Issued by NWS Denver/Boulder, CO
Issued by NWS Denver/Boulder, CO
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024 NOUS45 KBOU 140859 PNSBOU COZ030>051-142300- Public Information Statement National Weather Service Denver/Boulder CO 259 AM MDT SUN APR 14 2024 ...Today in metro Denver weather history... 10-14 In 1927...post-frontal rain on the 10th changed to snow on the 11th and continued through the 14th. Snowfall totaled 8.5 inches from precipitation of 1.28 inches. North winds were sustained to 26 mph with gusts to 29 mph on the 13th. 12-14 In 1933...heavy snowfall of 5.6 inches occurred in downtown Denver on the 12th and 13th behind a vigorous cold front... which presented an awe-inspiring spectacle as it approached the station during the late afternoon of the 12th. Brilliant white wind-torn cumulus clouds were sandwiched by a brownish- tan dust cloud at the surface and dark blue cumulus clouds above. The dust cloud storm rapidly enveloped the station with northeast winds sustained to 38 mph and gusts to 44 mph producing much blowing dust...which was accompanied by rapidly falling temperatures and rising pressure. Moist snowfall started in about an hour and continued to midday on the 13th. Record low temperatures of 17 and 15 degrees occurred on the 13th and 14th respectively. The high temperature of only 27 degrees on the 13th was a record low maximum for the date. 12-15 In 1927...snowfall totaled 8.5 inches in downtown Denver. Most of the snow fell on the 14th. Northwest winds were sustained to 27 mph during the storm. 13-14 In 1968...high winds struck Boulder. Sustained winds of 50 mph with gusts as high as 102 mph were recorded at the National Center for Atmospheric Research...while in downtown Boulder winds peaked to 73 mph. The winds damaged a building under construction and some homes in south Boulder. Northwest winds gusted to 35 mph at Stapleton International Airport on the 13th. In 1996...a potent spring storm strengthened just east of Denver. Blizzard conditions developed over eastern Adams and eastern Arapahoe counties. Strong northerly winds ranging from 25 to 50 mph...cold temperatures...and heavy snowfall combined to create very hazardous conditions. The strong winds whipped snow in drifts 3 to 4 feet high. High winds and heavy wet snow downed power lines and caused traffic accidents. Some roads were closed. Snowfall totaled 15 inches at Strasburg...while only 2.1 inches of snow fell at the site of the former Stapleton International Airport. North winds gusted to 40 mph at Denver International Airport on the 13th. In 2011...a potent spring snowstorm brought heavy snow to Front Range mountains and foothills. Storm totals included: 16.5 inches near Blackhawk; 16 inches at Nederland; 15.5 inches at Coal Creek Canyon and 5 miles northeast of Ward; 15 inches at Allenspark; 12.5 inches... 5 miles northwest of Idaho Springs; 12 inches at Echo Mountain Ski Area; and 10.5 inches near Georgetown. 13-15 In 1945...heavy snowfall totaled 9.8 inches in downtown Denver. Most of the snow...4.8 inches...fell on the 14th. Snow fell for a total of 53 consecutive hours. This was the second big snow in less than 2 weeks. The air mass was very cold for April. High temperatures of 21 degrees on the 14th and 32 degrees on the 15th were record low maximums for the those dates. 13-17 In 2001...a huge dust storm over southern and inner Mongolia during April 3rd through the 6th lifted desert dust into the jet stream. This dust cloud moved over metro Denver on the 13th and persisted through the 17th. The cloud created widespread haze...giving the sky a milkish cast due to the scattering of incoming solar radiation. 14 In 1872...high winds damaged buildings in the city. At 9:00 AM west winds commenced to blow a perfect gale... averaging 40 mph sustained until 9:00 PM. In 1904...west winds sustained to 40 mph with gusts to 48 mph warmed the temperature to a high of 74 degrees. In 1918...a thunderstorm produced hail that covered the ground to a depth of 1/2 inch. The stones varied in size from small shot to a cherry stone. Rain and melted hail totaled 0.70 inch. There was no reported damage. In 1935...northeast winds sustained to 30 mph caused a dust storm across the city. The visibility was greatly reduced by blowing dense dust. In 1970...strong winds caused mostly light but widespread damage to trees...roofs...power lines...and other property across the northeastern Colorado plains. Wind gusts of 45 to 60 mph were common. Southwest wind gusts to 44 mph occurred at Stapleton International Airport. In 1995...high winds spread from the foothills onto the plains. West winds gusted between 70 and 90 mph in the foothills and 50 to 70 mph on the plains. West winds were clocked to 51 mph at Denver International Airport. Most of the significant wind damage occurred north and east of metro Denver. 14-15 In 1873...on the 14th and 14th...north winds blew a gale during the afternoon on both days. Winds were brisk throughout each day. In 1902...from the 14th to the 15th...snowfall totaled 6.0 inches in downtown Denver. Most of the snow melted as it fell. Northeast winds were sustained to 20 mph. In 1910...strong winds occurred on the 14th and 15th. Northeast winds were sustained to 52 mph on the 14th. North winds were sustained to 44 mph on the 15th. In 1921...from the 14th to the 15th...heavy snowfall and strong winds produced near-blizzard conditions in the city. Snowfall totaled 10.0 inches. Strong north winds sustained to 48 mph with gusts to 54 mph on the 15th produced drifts to several feet in depth. The heavy wet snow caused extensive damage to trees...utility poles...and buildings. Precipitation from the storm was 1.73 inches. Very heavy snow also fell in the foothills. At Silver Lake...in the mountains west of Boulder...95 inches of snow fell in 32.5 hours on the 14th and 15th. In 1935...dense dust...apparently behind a dry cold front... enveloped the city at 1:00 PM on the 14th and persisted through the night. The dust blew into the city on northeast winds sustained to 30 mph with gusts to 32 mph. By mid-morning on the 15th...the dust had become light and continued as such into the evening. North winds were sustained to only 13 mph on the 15th. In 1999...from the 14th to the 15th...a spring storm dumped heavy snow over portions of metro Denver. Nearly 2 feet of snow fell in the foothills with half a foot to a foot over western and southern suburbs. The heavy snow alleviated drought conditions and associated high fire danger that prevailed during much of the winter season. Snowfall totals included: 22 inches in Coal Creek Canyon...20 inches at Wondervu...19 inches at Genesee...17 inches near Evergreen and Nederland and at Idaho Springs and Tiny Town...14 inches at Georgetown...13 inches at Morrison...10 inches near Sedalia...9 inches in south Boulder...8 inches at Highlands Ranch and Wheat Ridge...and 7 inches at Littleton and Parker. Only 3.4 inches of snow fell at the site of the former Stapleton International Airport. North-northwest winds gusted to 41 mph on the 15th at Denver International Airport. In 2021...a storm system produced bands of heavier snow in and near the Front Range Foothills...where storm totals ranged from 8 to nearly 14 inches. Further east...storm totals ranged from 3 to 7 inches...including 5.7 inches at Denver International Airport. $$