Public Information Statement Issued by NWS Denver/Boulder, CO
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NOUS45 KBOU 140859
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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.
$$