Public Information Statement
Issued by NWS Denver/Boulder, CO
Issued by NWS Denver/Boulder, CO
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NOUS45 KBOU 280045
PNSBOU
COZ030>051-282300-
Public Information Statement
National Weather Service Denver/Boulder CO
645 PM MDT SAT APR 27 2024
...This week in metro Denver weather history...
27-28 In 1919...rainfall totaled 2.03 inches for the two days...
along with a trace of snowfall. Northwest winds were
sustained to 24 mph with gusts to 26 mph on the 27th.
In 1975...high winds gusting to 85 mph severely damaged a
mobile home in Boulder and caused other minor damage.
West winds gusted to 46 mph at Stapleton International
Airport on the 28th.
In 1996...heavy snow fell over portions of the Front Range
foothills west of Denver. Snowfall amounts ranged from
4 to 7 inches. Only 0.3 inch of snow fell at the site of
the former Stapleton International Airport. North winds
gusted to 41 mph at Denver International Airport on the
27th.
28 In 1894...southwest winds were sustained to 35 mph with gusts
as high as 60 mph.
In 1896...apparent post-frontal bora winds from the northwest
were sustained to 43 mph with gusts as high as 56 mph.
Rainfall totaled 0.22 inch.
In 1990...high winds raked the northeastern plains and eastern
foothills from Boulder north. Wind gusts to 70 mph were
recorded in Boulder. West winds gusted to 41 mph at
Stapleton International Airport.
In 2001...a 21-year-old man was struck by lightning along the
shoulder of I-225 near Parker Road. His brother`s car had
broken down and he stopped to help. The bolt briefly
stopped the man`s heart and caused the right side of his
body to go numb.
In 2003...severe thunderstorms produced large hail across
southern metro Denver. Hail to 1 3/4 inches in diameter
fell in Englewood and 2 miles east of Centennial Airport.
Hail as large as 1 1/2 inches in diameter fell in Aurora
near Cherry Creek. Other large hail reports included
1 inch hail near Bennett...and 7/8 inch hail in Greenwood
Village and at Centennial Airport.
28-29 In 1950...snowfall totaled 6.3 inches at Stapleton
Airport...but only 3.5 inches over downtown Denver.
In 1960...heavy snow fell at Stapleton Airport where
8.6 inches of snow were measured. North winds gusted to
38 mph. Most of the snow...6.9 inches...fell on the 29th.
In 2017...a late spring storm brought heavy snow to areas
in and near the Front Range Foothills and Palmer Divide.
Storm totals included: 25 inches near Genesee...19 inches
at Evergreen...18 inches near Nederland...16.5 inches near
Idledale...16 inches near Pinecliffe...15 inches at
Kittredge...14 inches at Ken Caryl and near Roxborough
State Park...12.5 inches near Elizabeth...12 inches in
Eldorado Springs...11 inches near Brookvale and 12 miles
northwest of Golden...with 10.5 inches at Lone Tree.
Heavier snow occurred over the western and southern
suburbs of Denver. Storm totals included: 10 inches in
Littleton...8 inches at Centennial...3 miles southeast of
Denver and near Greenwood Village...7 inches near Wheat
Ridge...6 inches in Arvada and Castle Pines...with 5 inches
in Boulder. Across the northern part of Denver...lesser
amounts of 1 to 4 inches were reported. At Denver
International Airport...2.4 inches of snowfall was
observed.
29 In 1898...apparent thunderstorm winds were sustained from
the southwest to 58 mph with gusts to 66 mph.
In 1909...north winds were sustained to 44 mph behind an
apparent cold front. These were the strongest measured
winds of the month that year.
In 1962...heavy snowfall totaled 6.4 inches at Stapleton
Airport where northeast winds gusted to only 17 mph.
Snow fell all day...but the most on the ground was only
1 inch due to melting.
In 1991...two men were struck by lightning while golfing in
Cherry Hills just south of Denver. The two received only
minor burns. Shortly afterward...lightning struck a home in
Cherry Hills Village several times...leaving numerous holes
in the roof. No injuries were reported.
In 1993...localized strong winds occurred at Jefferson County
Airport near Broomfield where gusts to 63 mph were recorded.
The strong winds were the result of a probable microburst.
In 2000...several severe thunderstorms producing large hail
and destructive winds rumbled across northern metro Denver.
Thunderstorm wind gusts reached 81 mph near Hudson with
hail as large as 3/4 inch in diameter at Longmont. Several
homes and vehicles sustained damage. The strong winds
uprooted trees and downed utility poles...causing scattered
outages. Lightning sparked a house fire in Boulder. The
fire damaged a portion of the roof and a bedroom on the
third floor. Thunderstorm winds gusted to 53 mph at Denver
International Airport.
In 2003...lightning struck a chimney at a residence in Hiwan
in Evergreen...sending stones flying as far as 150 feet.
Electrical equipment in some nearby homes also failed.
Damage to the residence...in addition to electrical
equipment...was estimated at 100 thousand dollars.
Severe thunderstorms produced large hail to 1 inch in
diameter near Hudson and Sedalia and to 3/4 inch near
Parker. Hail as large as 1 3/4 inches was measured 9 miles
north of Sedalia.
In 2014...high winds occured east of Interstate 25. Peak wind
gusts included: 71 mph just north of Strasburg; 68 mph at
Denver International Airport; 62 mph near Elizabeth; 58 mph
at Front Range Airport in Watkins and 11 miles east of Parker.
29-30 In 1964...several weeks of dry weather and windy conditions
across the Great Plains to the east caused noticeable
suspended dust to invade metro Denver. At Stapleton
International Airport east winds gusted to 28 mph and
visibility was reduced to 5 miles.
In 1989...a late season snowstorm dropped 2 to 4 inches of
snow across metro Denver with 6 to 12 inches in the
foothills. Snowfall totaled 3.9 inches at Stapleton
International Airport where northeast winds gusted to
23 mph and the greatest snow depth on the ground was
2 inches due to melting.
In 1991...a Pacific storm dumped heavy wet snow across metro
Denver. The foothills were hit the hardest where snowfall
amounts ranged from 16 inches at Evergreen to 5 inches at
Idaho Springs. Lower elevations of metro Denver received
5 to 9 inches of snowfall with 5 inches in Boulder and 7.0
inches at Stapleton International Airport where northeast
winds gusted to 25 mph. The weight of the snow caused
power lines to fall and tree limbs to snap...producing power
outages in parts of Denver...Aurora...and Westminster.
In 1999...heavy snow fell overnight in the foothills above
7500 feet elevation. Snowfall totals included: 13 inches
near Rollinsville...10 inches near Evergreen...8 inches at
Blackhawk and Nederland...and 7 inches at Conifer. Only
rain fell across the city with 2.13 inches recorded at
Denver International Airport.
29-2 In 1954...a major storm dumped 10.1 inches of snowfall at
Stapleton Airport. Most of the snow...7.5 inches...fell on
the 29th and 30th. The maximum snow depth on the ground
was 5 inches on the 30th due to melting. No strong winds
accompanied the storm.
30 In 1896...northwest winds were sustained to 55 mph with gusts
as high as 64 mph in the city.
In 1960...the minimum temperature dipped to 22 degrees
at Stapleton Airport. The sub-freezing cold damaged
fruit trees and some other crops in the area.
In 1967...west winds gusted to 51 mph at Stapleton
International Airport. Winds were strong and gusty
across all of metro Denver.
In 1972...hail 1/2 to 3/4 inches in diameter fell at
Stapleton International Airport. Northwest winds gusted
to 35 mph.
In 1980...a cold air funnel touched down several times near
Louisville.
In 1983...mothball-size hail fell in Wheat Ridge.
In 1992...the all-time highest recorded temperature in April...
90 degrees...occurred. This is also the earliest 90 degree
reading for the season. In addition...the temperature
dipped to a low of only 56 degrees...setting a record high
minimum for the date.
In 1995...hail...up to 3/4 inch in diameter...fell at Denver
International Airport. The hail was soft...lasted for only
8 to 10 minutes...and caused no damage.
In 2002...drought conditions started to have an effect on
greater metro Denver. April...normally the third snowiest
month of the year in Denver averaging just over 9 inches of
snow...ended with only a trace of snow...ranking the month...
along with previous Aprils...the 2nd least snowiest on
record. The month ended with only 0.23 inch of liquid
precipitation making the month the 3rd driest on record.
Mountain snowpack was less than half of normal for this
time of year. A statewide drought emergency was declared
by the Governor.
In 2003...a small tornado touched down 10 miles east of Hudson...
but did no damage. Hail as large as 3/4 inch in diameter
fell in Aurora near Cherry Creek.
In 2004...post-frontal upslope flow produced light snowfall
across metro Denver. Snowfall was 4.0 inches at Denver
Stapleton...while the temperature hovered in the lower 30`s
all day. The high temperature was only 33 degrees...a
record low maximum for the date. The low temperature of
30 degrees was not a record. North winds gusted to 20 mph
at Denver International Airport.
30-1 In 1980...to the west of Denver...heavy rain changing to snow
buried the foothills above 7 thousand feet in 4 to 8 inches
of snow. Precipitation in the foothills ranged from 1 to 3
inches...which caused some local flooding. Rain fell at
lower elevations. Rainfall at Stapleton International
Airport totaled 1.05 inches from the storm.
1 In 1902...northwest winds were sustained to 68 mph with
gusts as high as 74 mph in the city during the early
morning. The apparent very strong chinook winds warmed
the temperature to a high of 78 degrees.
In 1912...south winds were sustained to 42 mph with gusts
as high as 58 mph. South to southwest winds were strong
all afternoon.
In 1935...a moderate duststorm blew into the city at around
2:00 PM on northwest winds sustained to 17 mph with gusts
to 19 mph. Later in the afternoon...the dust receded to
the east in advance of a rainstorm from the west.
In 1988...very strong winds behind a vigorous cold front
produced a blinding dust storm that closed I-70 east of
Denver. Northeast winds over metro Denver peaked to 45
mph at Stapleton International Airport...but only kicked
up some blowing dust. The temperature plunged from a
high of 76 degrees at midday to 36 degrees at midnight as
light rain changed to light snow.
In 1991...3/4 inch diameter hail fell at Standley Lake in
northwest metro Denver.
In 1999...heavy snow developed in the foothills above
7 thousand feet elevation. Snow totals included:
10 inches at Rollinsville...7 inches near Conifer...and
6 inches atop Crow Hill. Rain fell across metro Denver.
In 2015...a teenager was critically injured when he struck
by lightning near Town Center Mall in Aurora. He was
standing on a hill in an open field. A severe
thunderstorm produced hail up to quarter size near
Evergreen.
1-2 In 1903...from the 1st to the 2nd...post-frontal rain changed
to light snow overnight...but totaled only 2.0 inches.
This was the last snow of the season. Northeast winds
were sustained to 45 mph with gusts to 48 mph on the 1st.
1-5 In 1898...from the 1st to the 5th...snowfall totaled 15.5
inches in downtown Denver. Most of the snow...6.2 inches...
fell on the 3rd. Most of the snow melted as it fell.
The greatest snow depth on the ground was only 2.5 inches
on the 3rd at 8:00 PM. This was the only snowfall during
the month. Northeast winds were sustained to 22 mph on
the 1st.
2 In 1874...strong winds upset two railroad passenger coaches
near Georgetown. The baggage was retrieved and placed in
a heavy...large wagon. The passengers then seated
themselves on top of the baggage. Another strong gust
of wind upset the wagon. The driver`s shoulder was
dislocated...and a passenger`s leg was badly injured.
In Denver...northwest winds increased and blew in gusts
and heavy winds were observed on the ridge tops. On
the Kansas Pacific R.R. east of Denver...the wind was so
strong that it blew the train back several lengths...which
caused the train to be about 7 hours late arriving in
the city.
In 1901...south winds were sustained to 50 mph with gusts to
60 mph from an apparent thunderstorm with hail.
In 1944...snowfall of 8.3 inches was accompanied by a
thunderstorm. This was the last snowfall of the season
and the only snow of the month. Northwest winds were
sustained to 25 mph.
In 1955...southwest winds at speeds of 37 mph with gusts as
high as 58 mph caused some blowing dust at Stapleton
Airport.
In 1983...1 inch diameter hail fell a few miles south of
Bennett.
In 1984...3/4 inch diameter hail fell in Northglenn.
In 1988...I-70 east of Denver was closed for the second
straight day...this time due to snow and blowing snow
producing up to 2 foot drifts. While only 2 to 4 inches
of snow fell across metro Denver...Strasburg...just east of
Denver...received a foot of snow. North winds peaked to
51 mph at Stapleton International Airport where snowfall
totaled only 1.3 inches.
In 1995...lightning struck a house in Westminster sparking an
attic fire.
In 2015...a sudden wind gust associated with a dissipating
thunderstorm caught some flags attached to a lift and
tipped it. Two men were injured when a lift at Civic Center
Park in Denver fell on them during Cinco de Mayo
festivities. Both men suffered from head injuries...one was
in serious condition.
2-3 In 1979...heavy rain changed to snow on the 2nd and continued
on the 3rd. Snowfall totaled 3.9 inches at Stapleton
International Airport...where northwest winds gusted to 26
mph. The greatest depth of snow on the ground was only 1
inch at midday on the 2nd due to melting. Total
precipitation for the 2 days was 1.65 inches.
2-4 In 1987...from the 2nd to the 4th...a slow moving storm brought
rain...wind...and snow to metro Denver. Rainfall totaled
1.04 inches at Stapleton International Airport where north
winds gusted to 48 mph on the 3rd. The foothills received
5 to 10 inches of snow.
2-5 In 2001...from the 2nd to the 5th...a very slow moving Pacific
storm system became parked near the Four Corners region...
which allowed heavy snow to develop above 6500 feet in the
foothills with a mix of rain and snow over lower elevations
of metro Denver. Snowfall totals included: 21 inches atop
Crow Hill and at Idaho Springs; 19 inches near Blackhawk;
and 18 inches in Coal Creek Canyon...Genesee...and 11 miles
southwest of Morrison. Snowfall totaled 6.2 inches at the
site of the former Stapleton International Airport.
Precipitation (rain and melted snow) totaled 2.09 inches at
Denver International Airport where north winds gusted to 30
mph on the 2nd.
3 In 1898...heavy snowfall of 6.2 inches fell over downtown
Denver. Most of the snow melted as it fell. The greatest
snow depth on the ground was 2.5 inches during the evening.
In 1907...the all-time lowest recorded temperature in the
month of May...19 degrees...occurred.
In 1925...an apparent microburst produced sustained northeast
winds to 44 mph with gusts to 52 mph. Rainfall was only
0.01 inch in downtown Denver.
In 1981...lightning struck 9 golfers at the South Suburban
Golf Course. None were injured seriously.
In 1983...hail 1 1/2 inches in diameter fell at Green
Mountain west of Lakewood...with 3/4 inch stones reported
in Lakewood.
In 1986...a thunderstorm wind gust to 51 mph was recorded at
Stapleton International Airport.
3-5 In 1908...rain changed to snow on the evening of the 3rd
and continued through the early evening of the 5th.
Snowfall totaled 10.0 inches over downtown Denver.
This was the last measurable snow of the season.
Precipitation totaled 1.51 inches. North winds were
sustained to 23 mph on the 3rd...33 mph on the 4th...and
21 mph on the 5th. Three temperature records were set.
High temperatures of 30 degrees on the 4th and 38 degrees
on the 5th were record low maximum temperatures for the
dates. The reading on the 4th was also the all-time
record low maximum for the month of May.
In 2007...a slow moving Pacific storm system...from the
Desert Southwest...brought a period of unsettled weather
to the region. During the 3-day period...locally heavy
snow was reported over parts of the Front Range Foothills.
Storm totals included: 15 inches near Conifer...14.5
inches west of Jamestown...13.5 inches; 6 miles southwest
of Evergreen...and 12.5 inches at Pine Junction. Severe
thunderstorms...producing large hail...up to one inch in
diameter were observed in the vicinity of Boulder and
Hudson. Lightning struck a residence in Jefferson County.
The roof was hit...causing the attic to catch fire.
At Denver International Airport...lightning struck a
United Airlines jet as it was pushing away from
the gate. The passengers were taken off the jet and put
on another plane.
4 In 1893...northwest winds were sustained to 42 mph.
In 1971...a funnel cloud was sighted 10 miles southwest
of Boulder. Hail stones to 1 inch in diameter fell in
southeast Denver...but caused only minor damage.
In 2006...a severe thunderstorm produced hail to 1.00 inch
in diameter in Aurora near Cherry Creek Reservoir.
In 2010...high winds downed trees and power lines across
parts of the Front Range Foothills and Urban Corridor.
Downed power lines sparked a 12-acre wildfire near
Conifer. In Boulder...Longmont and Louisville...the wind
damaged roofs and broke windows and skylights. Peak
wind gusts included: 75 mph in northwest Longmont...71 mph
at the National Wind Technology Center and 4 miles south-
southwest of Superior...61 mph at Broomfield and 56 mph in
Erie. At Denver International Airport...a peak wind gust
to 46 mph was observed.
4-5 In 1986...the 4th to the 5th...high winds buffeted the
foothills. Wind speeds of 60 to 75 mph were recorded in
Boulder. At Stapleton International Airport...west winds
gusted to 45 mph on the 4th and to 40 mph on the 5th.
In 2000...a brief warm spell resulted in setting two daily
high temperature records. The temperature climbed to
highs of 87 degrees on the 4th and 89 degrees on the 5th.
4-8 In 1969...from the 4th to the 8th...heavy rains caused
flooding on Boulder Creek in Boulder...which resulted in
one death on the 7th. Flooding also occurred on Bear
Creek in Sheridan and on the South Platte River in Denver.
Rain over most of the eastern foothills started late on
the 4th and continued with only brief interruptions in
many areas until the morning of the 8th. Very high rates
of rainfall occurred on the 6th and 7th with the greatest
intensities in a band along the foothills from about 25
miles southwest of Denver northward to Estes Park. Storm
totals by both official and unofficial measurements
exceeded 10 inches over much of this area and were over 12
inches in some localities. Heavy snow fell in the higher
mountains and in the foothills later in the period. The
saturation of the soil resulted in numerous rock and land
slides...and the heavy run-off caused severe damage along
many streams and flooding on the South Platte River. Many
foothill communities were isolated as highways were blocked
and communications disrupted. Roads were severely damaged
over a wide area...and a large number of bridges washed out.
Many roads were closed due to the danger from falling
rocks. A building in Georgetown collapsed from the weight
of heavy wet snow. In Boulder...a man drowned when caught
by the flooding waters of Boulder Creek...and a patrolman was
injured. Rainfall totaled 7.60 inches in Boulder with
9.34 inches recorded at the Public Service Company electric
plant in Boulder Canyon. In Morrison...rainfall totaled
11.27 inches in 4 days. Heavy rainfall totaled 4.68 inches
at Stapleton International Airport over 3 days from the 5th
through the 7th. Rainfall of 3.14 inches was recorded in 24
hours on the 6th and 7th. Downstream flooding continued
along the South Platte River until the 12th when the flood
crest reached the Nebraska line.
$$