- 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
000
NOUS45 KBOU 140045
PNSBOU
COZ030>051-142300-
Public Information Statement
National Weather Service Denver/Boulder CO
645 PM MDT SAT APR 13 2024
...This week 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.
15 In 1874...light snow developed around daybreak and became
moderate to heavy by mid-morning and continued into the
early evening. While most of the snow melted as it fell...
total precipitation from the melted snow was 0.95 inch.
This would make the estimated snowfall nearly 10 inches.
In 1963...high winds were widespread across metro Denver.
West winds gusted to 63 mph in Denver at Stapleton Airport
with sustained winds of 35 mph and gusts to 70 mph in
downtown Boulder. The winds caused extensive damage to
buildings and other property. Visibility was briefly
reduced to 1/2 mile in blowing dust at Stapleton Airport.
In 1998...another spring storm brought heavy snow to the
foothills. Thirty to 40 vehicles were involved in
accidents along I-70 near Georgetown. The combination
of poor visibilities...slick roads...and careless drivers
led to the multi-car pileups. Only minor injuries were
reported. The accidents forced the closure of all of
I-70`s eastbound lanes. Snowfall totals included 12
inches at Genesee and 10 inches at Aspen Springs...Chief
Hosa...Georgetown...near Morrison...and on North Turkey
Creek. Only 0.1 inch of snow fell at the site of the
former Stapleton International Airport. East winds
gusted to 30 mph at Denver International Airport.
In 2002...unseasonable warm weather resulted in two records
being broken. The high temperature of 84 degrees was a
record maximum for the date. The low temperature of 57
degrees was a record high minimum for the date.
15-16 In 1900...from the 15th to the 16th...heavy rainfall totaled
2.33 inches. A trace of snow was mixed with the rain at
times.
In 1950...from the 15th to the 16th...thunderstorms and heavy
rain behind a cold front produced 2.13 inches of rain in
24 hours at Stapleton Airport.
In 2003...a fast moving Pacific storm system moved across
Colorado allowing strong winds to develop over the eastern
foothills and metro Denver from the 15th to the 16th.
Northwest winds gusted to 59 mph at Denver International
Airport late in the evening of the 15th.
In 2016...1.22 inches of precipitation was measured at Denver
International Airport which was the greatest daily amount
for the month.
In 2020...a potent storm system dropped out of the northern
Rockies and produced moderate to heavy snow over portions
of the Front Range mountains...foothills and adjacent
plains. The heaviest snow fell in and near the foothills
north of I-70. In the mountains and foothills...storm
totals included: 30 inches near Jamestown...27 inches
near Nederland...22 inches near Allenspark...21 inches near
St Mary`s Glacier...18 inches in Estes Park...16 inches near
Crescent Village and Deer Ridge...15.5 inches near Aspen
Springs...and 15 inches near Pinecliffe. In Boulder...16.9
inches of snow helped to establish a new seasonal snowfall
record of 151.2 inches. The previous seasonal snowfall
record in Boulder was 142.9 inches in 1908-1909. Along
the I-25 corridor...storm totals included: 14.5 inches in
Niwot...13.5 inches in Frederick...13 inches in Broomfield...
12 inches in Lafayette and near Longmont...10.5 inches in
Arvada...10 inches in Erie...Louisville...and Westminster...7
inches in Brighton...6.5 inches in Edgewater and
Northglenn...and 5.5 inches in Greeley. Snowfall totaled
1.9 inches at Denver International Airport.
In 2021...a storm system produced bands of heavy snow in
and near the Front Range Foothills. Storm totals included:
13.8 inches at St. Mary`s Glacier...12.9 inches at Aspen
Park...10 inches in Genesee...9.5 inches at Ken Caryl...9
inches in Crescent Village...8.5 inches in Arvada and
Westminster...8 inches at Evergreen and Sedalia...with
3 to 7 inches elsewhere. At Denver International Airport...
5.7 inches inches of snowfall was observed.
15-17 In 1922...from the 15th to the 17th...heavy snowfall totaled
9.0 inches in downtown Denver. Most of the snow...6.0 inches...
fell on the 16th. This was the third major snowstorm in a
week. Northwest winds were sustained to 43 mph with gusts
to 47 mph on the 15th.
In 2016...a powerful spring snowstorm brought heavy...wet snow
to areas in and near the Front Range Foothills and Palmer
Divide. Storm totals generally ranged from 2 to 4 feet in
the foothills with 1 to 2 feet in the mountain west of
Denver and along the Palmer Divide. Along the I-25 Corridor
storm totals ranged from 6 to 20 inches...with highest
amounts across the western and southern suburbs. Some of
those totals included: 16 inches in Aurora and Superior...15
inches at the National Weather Service Office in Boulder...
14.5 inches in Broomfield...13.5 inches in Westminster...
officially 12.1 inches at Denver International Airport...12
inches in Louisville...11.5 inches in Arvada...11 inches near
Englewood...and 10.5 inches near Wheat Ridge. At Denver
International Airport...there were 852 flight cancellations...
most of which occurred on the 16th. The heavy wet snowfall
broke trees limbs and caused scattered power outages. Over
five thousand customers were without power on the 16th...and
over two thousand on the 17th. Xcel Energy brought in extra
crews from surrounding states to help restore power and
minimize outage times through the storm. Numerous but mostly
temporary road closures from 1 to 5 hours occurred throughout
the storm. This included portions of I-70 east and west of
Denver...Highway 103 from Idaho Springs to Evergreen and
Highway 119 through Black Hawk.
16 In 1960...a wind storm struck all of metro Denver. Estimated
wind gusts up to 80 mph were registered in Boulder. At
Stapleton Airport sustained west-northwest winds over
50 mph with gusts as high as 70 mph produced some blowing
dust. The high winds damaged buildings...power and telephone
lines...and signs. Five people were injured in metro Denver
as a result of the wind storm. Blowing dust reduced
visibility at times. The winds were strong and gusty for
most of the day.
16-17 In 1944...from the 16th to the 17th...heavy snowfall totaled
7.5 inches in downtown Denver. Northwest winds were
sustained to 18 mph on the 16th.
16-18 In 2009...from the 16th to the 18th...a potent spring storm
brought heavy snow to locations in and near the Front Range
Foothills. A deep easterly upslope produced nearly 5 feet
of snow in parts of the foothills. The heavy snow resulted
in the closure of Interstate 70...from Golden west to Vail...
for approximately 16 hours. The heavy snow snapped power
lines in Evergreen and Nederland. The ensuing outages
affected 14200 residents. In the Front Range Foothills...
storm totals included: 56 inches...3 miles south of
Rollinsville; 54 inches...3 miles southeast of Pinecliffe;
43 inches at Aspen Springs...42 inches at Evergreen...38
inches near Conifer...37 inches at St. Mary`s Glacier...and
34 inches near Nederland. Along the Urban Corridor and
Palmer Divide...the heaviest snow occurred above 5500 feet
on the 17th. Storm totals included: 22 inches...8.5 miles
southwest of Franktown; 18 inches...10 miles south-southeast
of Buckley Air Force Base; 17 inches near Cherry Creek and
7 miles south of Sedalia...16 inches...6.5 miles southwest of
Castle Rock; 15 inches near Beverly Hills...12 inches near
Highlands Ranch and Lafayette...with 11 inches in Broomfield.
Elsewhere storm totals ranged from 4 to 10 inches.
Only 2.6 inches of snow was observed at Denver International
Airport. The 24-hr precipitation for the day however was
1.16 inches...which established a new record for April 17th.
17 In 1889...northwest winds were sustained to 48 mph.
In 1899...apparent post-frontal north winds were sustained
to 42 mph with gusts as high as 48 mph.
In 1935...light dust moved over the city behind an apparent
dry cold front...which produced northeast winds to 19 mph
with gusts to 20 mph.
In 1978...winds estimated to 70 mph occurred in Morrison.
Northwest winds gusted to 49 mph at Stapleton International
Airport.
In 2000...strong pre-frontal winds and widely scattered
thunderstorms caused high winds to develop across northern
metro Denver and portions of the northeast plains. Peak
wind gusts included 75 mph at Louisville. South winds
gusted to only 28 mph at Denver International Airport.
In 2002...strong southwest winds in advance of a cold front
gusted to 52 mph at Denver International Airport.
In 2003...severe thunderstorms produced 1 inch diameter hail
7 miles east of Brighton. Strong thunderstorm winds blew
out an auto windshield near Denver International Airport
where south winds gusted to 48 mph.
17-18 In 1878...the wind blew violently all day on the 17th with
a maximum sustained velocity of 40 mph. Dust hung over
the city like a cloud. The relative humidity was zero
nearly all day. A terrific gale blew overnight. There
was much damage to buildings...signs...fences...etc. Some
wind gusts were so strong as to jar buildings to their
foundations. The station anemometer recorded sustained
winds to 50 mph with higher gusts before it was damaged
by the winds. The winds moderated during the day on the
18th and ended at sunset.
In 1894...post-frontal rain changed to snow on the 17th
around sunrise and continued through 9:00 AM on the 18th.
Snowfall totaled 10.5 inches...but most of the snow melted
as it fell. The high temperature warmed to only 35 degrees
on the 17th after a high of 76 on the 16th. Northeast
winds were sustained to 30 mph with gusts to 32 mph on
the 17th.
In 1998...from the 17th to the 18th...more spring snow fell
across metro Denver and in the foothills. Snowfall totals
included: 11 inches at Golden Gate Canyon...10 inches at
Highlands Ranch...9 inches at Elizabeth...8 inches at
Broomfield and Morrison...and 7 inches at Chief Hosa...
Evergreen...Littleton...and Sedalia. Snowfall totaled only
3.2 inches at the site of the former Stapleton
International Airport. North winds gusted to 22 mph at
Denver International Airport.
17-19 In 1920...snow fell across the city continuously for 57 hours...
from the early morning of the 17th until 11:40 AM on the
19th. The heavy wet snowfall totaled 18.2 inches with the
greatest accumulation on the ground of 12 inches. Winds
during the storm were strong with sustained speeds in
excess of 27 mph for over 40 consecutive hours...which
created near-blizzard conditions. The highest recorded
wind speeds were 44 mph with gusts to 50 mph from the
north on the 17th and 39 mph with gusts to 48 mph from
the northwest on the 18th. The strong winds piled the
snow into high drifts which stopped all Denver traffic.
Railroads were blocked with only one train entering the
city on the 19th. All interurban trains were blocked...as
were the 13 trolley lines. Thus...many workers were unable
to get home at night and filled all of the downtown hotels
to capacity. No grocery or fuel deliveries were possible...
except milk and coal to hospitals and to families with
babies. No lives were lost in the city...but several people
perished in surrounding districts. Stock losses were heavy
on the plains. Temperatures during the storm were in the
20`s.
18 In 1877...strong winds blew all day with an average sustained
velocity of 36 mph. The maximum sustained velocity was
60 mph. No significant damage was reported.
In 1903...northwest winds were sustained to 48 mph with gusts
to 53 mph.
In 1936...light dust spread over the city from the east on
southeast winds gusting to 25 mph. The surface visibility
was reduced to about 2 miles at times.
In 1940...this date marked the start of the longest period
without snow...200 days...through November 3...1940. A trace
of snow fell on both April 17...1940...and November 4...1940.
In 1963...strong winds were prevalent all day across metro
Denver. West-northwest winds gusting to 60 mph produced
some blowing dust at Stapleton Airport.
In 1971...a microburst wind gust to 59 mph produced some
blowing dust at Stapleton International Airport.
In 1978...high winds caused much blowing dust over the plains.
Wind gusts from 80 to 96 mph were reported in Boulder with
80 mph measured on Lookout Mountain. Northwest winds
gusted to 43 mph at Stapleton International Airport.
In 2000...high winds developed in the foothills of Boulder
County. Peak wind gusts included 71 mph at the National
Center for Atmospheric Research Mesa Lab near Boulder.
In Aurora...three workers were injured when strong winds
caused a home under construction to partially collapse.
Two received minor injuries...while the third worker had
to be hospitalized with severe back injuries. South
winds gusted to 47 mph at Denver International Airport.
In 2002...strong northeast winds behind a cold front gusted
to 53 mph at Denver International Airport where some
blowing dust briefly reduced the visibility to 3 miles.
18-19 In 1884...a major storm dumped 13.8 inches of snowfall on
downtown Denver. Most of the snow...10.0 inches...fell on
the 18th. Light rain on the early morning of the 18th
changed to heavy snow at 8:00 AM and became light after
2:00 PM but continued until 4:00 AM on the 19th. The
snow melted nearly as fast as it fell. There were only
3 inches on the ground early on the morning of the 19th.
In 1941...from the 18th to the 19th...heavy snowfall totaled
8.4 inches over downtown Denver. Northeast winds were
sustained to 17 mph.
In 1993...from the 18th to the 19th...sporadic high winds
occurred across metro Denver. Peak wind gusts included
97 mph at Rollinsville...80 mph in southwest Boulder...and
55 mph at Stapleton International Airport. The strong
winds snapped a pine tree top...about 15 feet long and 8
inches in diameter...which crashed through the roof of a
church in Evergreen...causing one thousand dollars in damage.
Wind gusts of 50 to 60 mph damaged 3 homes under
construction in Broomfield. Northwest winds gusted to 55
mph at Stapleton International Airport.
In 1995...from the 18th to the 19th...the second spring storm
of the month dumped heavy snow in the foothills. The upslope
flow along with areas of thunder snow dropped 6 to 12 inches
of snow in the foothills west of Denver and Boulder. Snowfall
totaled 4.6 inches at the site of the former Stapleton
International Airport...but most of the snow melted as it fell.
East winds gusted to 29 mph at Denver International Airport
on the 18th.
18-20 In 1966...from the 18th to the 20th...sub-freezing temperatures
caused thousands of dollars in damage to fruit trees across
metro Denver. Minimum temperatures were in the teens each
morning and failed to reach above freezing on the 19th. The
low temperature of 13 on the 20th set a new record minimum
for the date. Snowfall totaled 5.7 inches at Stapleton
International Airport during the period.
19 In 1899...northwest winds were sustained to 48 mph with
gusts as high as 60 mph in the city.
In 1941...the last snow of the season...0.4 inch...occurred...
marking the end of the shortest snow season...167 days.
The first snow of the season...a trace...occurred on
November 4...1940.
In 1954...strong gusty winds raked metro Denver for most of
the day producing some blowing dust. At midday...a severe
dust devil was sighted in the Westwood area of southwest
Denver.
In 1955...cold west winds at 52 mph with gusts as high as 69
mph were recorded at Stapleton Airport where blowing dust
reduced the visibility to 1/2 mile.
In 1960...the second wind storm in 3 days produced sustained
west winds up to 44 mph with gusts as high as 58 mph at
Stapleton Airport. Winds were strong and gusty most of
the day...but no damage was reported.
In 1963...the second windy day in a row produced west-
northwest wind gusts to 52 mph at Stapleton Airport.
In 1971...a tornado occurred in the southwest corner of Weld
County about 10 miles west-northwest of Brighton. The
storm moved through a farm yard damaging equipment and
structures. The strong tornadic winds lifted a stock tank
over 2 fences into a corral 150 feet away. Later...a
tornado touched down briefly west-southwest of Buckley
Field...8 miles southeast of Stapleton International
Airport. No damage was reported.
In 1985...high winds occurred in the foothills. Winds gusted
to 97 mph atop Squaw Mountain in the foothills west of
Denver. West winds gusted to 37 mph at Stapleton
International Airport.
In 1987...a powerful cold front produced high winds and
engulfed metro Denver in huge clouds of blowing dust that
lowered the visibility to as little as 100 yards. The cold
front generated winds as high as 72 mph at Brighton...67 mph
in Thornton...and 54 mph at Stapleton International Airport.
Winds of 50 to 70 mph were common along the Front Range from
Denver north. The high wind gusts flipped a light plane
taxiing at Stapleton International Airport...slightly
injuring two people on board. The cold front dropped the
temperature from a high of 80 degrees at 3:00 pm to a low of
33 degrees at midnight. Nearly an inch of snow...0.8 inch...
fell at Stapleton International Airport before midnight.
In 1988...a tornado touched down in Fort Lupton...following a
path 50 to 75 yards wide for 2 1/2 blocks. The twister
damaged roofs on 2 schools and broke numerous windows;
about 10 houses were damaged and several cars had windows
blown out. Several trees were downed.
In 1989...winds were clocked to 68 mph in Wheat Ridge.
Microburst winds gusted to 35 mph at Stapleton International
Airport.
In 1996...high winds gusting from 70 to near 100 mph developed
in the Front Range foothills and adjacent plains. Numerous
power outages were reported as power lines and poles were
downed. The high winds blew the chimney off the roof of a
house in Westminster. Numerous homes received minor shingle
damage. Some of the stronger wind gusts included: 98 mph
at Jefferson County Airport in Broomfield...91 mph atop Squaw
Mountain west of Denver...and 75 mph atop Table Mesa near
Boulder. West northwest winds gusted to 45 mph at Denver
International Airport.
In 2001...westerly chinook winds...gusting as high as 40 mph at
Denver International Airport...prevented the low temperature
from dropping below 51 degrees...setting a new record high
minimum for the date. The high temperature of 77 degrees
was not a record.
In 2005...severe thunderstorms produced large hail across
metro Denver. Hail as large as 1 1/4 inches in diameter
was measured in Arvada. Hail to 1 inch in diameter fell in
Westminster...Northglenn...and Thornton. Hail to 7/8 inch
was reported near Brighton...Barr Lake...and Castle Rock.
Hail to 3/4 inch fell in Elizabeth and Broomfield and near
Golden...Brighton...and Fort Lupton.
19-20 In 1892...rain on the 18th changed to snow on the 19th and
totaled 6.0 inches over downtown Denver into the 20th.
Total precipitation was 1.56 inches. North winds were
sustained to 26 mph on the 19th.
In 1907...a major storm dumped 18.0 inches of snowfall in
downtown Denver. Much of the heavy wet snow melted as
it fell. The most snow on the ground was 7.0 inches at
6:00 PM on the 19th. North to northeast winds were
sustained to 42 mph on the 19th and to 21 mph on the
20th. High temperatures were in the low to mid 30`s
with low readings around 20.
In 2021...moderate to heavy snow occurred in and near the
Front Range Foothills...with the heaviest amounts in and
near the foothills of Boulder and northern Jefferson
counties. Storm totals ranged from 8 to 16 inches in
those areas...with 2 to 7 inches across the rest of the
I-25 Corridor. The National Weather Service Office in
Boulder measured 8.9 inches...with a measurement of 3.1
inches of snowfall at Denver International Airport.
19-21 In 1984...a large snowstorm buried most of Colorado under a
thick mantle of wet snow. Total snow amounts ranged from
10 to 20 inches across metro Denver and a whopping 20 to
40 inches in the adjacent foothills. The snow closed roads
and damaged electrical transformers...causing numerous power
outages. Nearly 14 inches (13.6) of snow fell at Stapleton
International Airport where the combination of snow and
wind closed all but one runway...resulting in the cancellation
of many flights. Both I-70 and I-76 were closed to the east
of Denver.
19-22 In 1933...a major storm dumped 16.8 inches of snowfall over
downtown Denver when rain changed to snow during the early
morning of the 20th and continued through midday of the
22nd. Most of the snow fell on the 21st. Due to melting...
the most snow on the ground was 10.5 inches at 6:00 PM on the
21st. Before the snow started...a strong cold front on the
evening of the 19th produced north winds sustained to 35 mph
with gusts to 37 mph. The strong winds deposited a thin
layer of dust on the city. North to northwest winds were
sustained to 31 mph with gusts to 35 mph on the 20th and to
29 mph with gusts to 32 mph on the 21st.
20 In 1874...light snow fell for most of the day...but melted almost
as fast as it fell. The flakes...as large as 1 1/2 inches in
diameter during the afternoon...resembled white feathers.
Precipitation from melted snow was only 0.21 inch in the
city. Snowfall was much heavier in the mountain parks
where snow depths were reported between 3 and 5 feet from
the storms of the 15th and 20th. The heavy snow resulted
in the deaths of hundreds of cattle and sheep.
In 1875...the city was enveloped in a severe wind and sand
storm. For nearly 30 minutes before the storm...it could
be seen moving toward the city from the northwest as a black
wall of clouds extending only 10 degrees above the horizon.
At 5:30 PM...the sand was sweeping past in such clouds that
objects at a distance of only 10 yards were not visible.
The streets were entirely deserted. The greatest velocity
of wind during the storm was 36 mph from the north-northwest.
The storm diminished by 7:00 PM. Swarms of grasshoppers were
seen today and were reported in all parts of the territory.
In 1897...southwest winds were sustained to 46 mph with gusts
to 50 mph. The apparent chinook winds warmed the
temperature to a high of 76 degrees.
In 1905...apparent post-frontal north winds were sustained to
43 mph.
In 1912...west winds were sustained to 42 mph with an extreme
velocity of 48 mph.
In 1958...strong chinook winds gusted to 52 mph at Stapleton
Airport.
In 1981...3/4 inch hail fell in Lakewood with up to one half
inch of rain in a few minutes across northern sections of
of the City of Denver. Thunderstorm rainfall totaled
0.39 inches at Stapleton International Airport...where
1/4 inch hail was also measured.
In 1987...6 to 12 inches of heavy snow fell in the foothills.
Only 2.5 inches of snow fell at Stapleton International
Airport where the usual flight delays occurred.
In 2005...severe thunderstorms produced large hail across
metro Denver. Hail as large as 1 3/4 inches in diameter
fell at Denver International Airport. Hail to 3/4 inch
in diameter fell in and near Golden and near Hudson...
Keenesburg...Barr Lake...and Bennett.
In 2013...an avalanche pushed a group of six snow boarders
into the Sheep Creek gully of Loveland Pass. This is
near but outside the Loveland Ski Area boundary. Five of
the six members of the group died as they were completely
buried. The avalanche is the deadliest in Colorado since
1962 when seven people were killed when a slide buried
residents at Twin Lakes near Independence Pass.
20-22 In 1957...strong and gusty south to southeast winds raked
metro Denver each day. The strongest wind gust of 55 mph
occurred on the 21st when blowing dust briefly reduced the
visibility to 3/4 mile at Stapleton Airport.
20-23 In 1989...unusually warm weather resulted in several daily
temperature records being broken in Denver. The high
temperature of 89 degrees on the 21st exceeded the record
maximum for the month at that time. Daily record high
temperatures were either exceeded or equaled with 83
degrees on the 20th...88 degrees on the 22nd...and 85
degrees on the 23rd. The low temperature of 55 degrees
on the 22nd equaled the record high minimum for the date.
$$
- National Weather Service
- Green Bay, WI Weather Forecast Office
- 2485 South Point Road
- Green Bay, WI 54313-5522
- 920-494-2363
- Page Author: GRB Webmaster
- Web Master's E-mail: w-grb.webmaster@noaa.gov
- Page last modified: Sep 19th, 2023 19:10 UTC