November 12 to November 18: This Week in Denver Weather History

Wind and snow are two hallmarks of Denver’s November weather and we see an abundance of those events in our look back at this week in Denver weather history. Damaging wind makes numerous appearances as does wintry weather.

From the National Weather Service:

10-13

In 2014…an Arctic cold front associated with a strong storm system over the northern Rockies blasted into northeastern Colorado.  The temperature in Denver plummeted from the high of 64 degrees at 4:37 pm to 34 degrees by 5:53 pm.  The temperatures continued to fall and dropped into the teens by early evening.  The Arctic airmass remained entrenched over the region…with the high temperatures failing to reach the teens from the 11th through the 13th.  This was the first time since records have been taken in Denver…dating back to 1872…that there were three consecutive days with the maximum temperatures remained below 20 degrees in the month of November.  In addition to the frigid temperatures…0.1 inch of snowfall was observed on 11th at Denver International Airport…which marked the first measureable snowfall for the season. An additional 2.2 inches of snowfall was measured on the 12th.  Several temperature records were broken.  A record low max of 16 degrees on the 11th broke the previous record of 19 set back in 1916.  A record low max of 6 degrees on the 12th broke the previous record of 9 degrees…also set in 1916.  The record low of -13 on the 12th…shattered the previous record of -4 degrees set back in 1872.  Even more impressive…the record low of -14 degrees on the 13th broke the previous record of -3 degrees set back in 1916.

11-12

In 1922…a major storm dumped 14.1 inches of snowfall over downtown Denver. The most snow on the ground was 10.5 inches at 6:00 pm on the 12th. North winds were sustained to 21 mph on the 11th. Temperatures were generally in the teens and 20’s.

In 1964…strong winds in Boulder caused power outages and minor damage. Winds gusted to 42 mph in downtown Boulder. At Stapleton International Airport west winds gusted to 36 mph on the 11th and 35 mph on the 12th.

In 1976…snow and freezing drizzle caused icing on bridges… Overpasses and some main roads. The elevated portion of I-70 was closed for a time during the afternoon of the 11th. Snowfall totaled only 0.8 inch at Stapleton International Airport…where northeast winds gusted to 20 mph on the 11th.

In 1989…the temperature climbed to a maximum of 76 degrees on both days…setting new record highs for each day.

In 1995…hurricane force downslope winds whipped across the Front Range foothills overnight. The National Center for Atmospheric Research in Boulder registered a peak wind gust to 124 mph with several more wind gusts over 100 mph. Utility poles and power lines were downed…leaving several hundred homes in Boulder without power. Windows were blown out of cars in Boulder. Other reports of strong wind gusts included: 108 mph atop Squaw Mountain west of Denver…104 mph at Table Mesa in Boulder…99 mph at Golden Gate Canyon… 85 mph at the Rocky Flats environmental technology site… 69 mph at Jefferson County Airport near Broomfield…and 62 mph in Lakewood. West-northwest wind gusts to 40 mph were recorded at Denver International Airport on the 12th.

11-14

In 1970…heavy snowfall totaled 7.2 inches at Stapleton International Airport where northeast winds gusted to 22 mph on the 12th and 14th. Most of the snow… 4.2 inches…fell on the 12th.

12

In 1894…northeast winds were sustained to 42 mph with gusts to 48 mph behind an apparent dry cold front.

In 1903…west winds sustained to 40 mph with gusts to 45 mph warmed the temperature to a high of 57 degrees. A trace of snow was observed.

In 1922…heavy snowfall of 8.5 inches was measured over downtown Denver.

In 1974…strong winds gusting to over 80 mph caused local damage to houses and property along the foothills from Denver north. Automobiles…homes…and power lines suffered damage in Boulder. West winds gusted to 41 mph at Stapleton International Airport.

12-13

In 1961…heavy snowfall totaled 5.6 inches at Stapleton Airport. East-northeast winds gusted to only 20 mph.

In 2011…hurricane force winds…up to 115 mph… downed trees in and power lines across the Front Range Mountains and Foothills. Scattered outages were reported in Gilpin County.  In Boulder…a woman received minor injuries when she was struck in the head by a falling tree limb. Three women near Georgetown received minor injuries when they were pelted by glass shards after a barrage of wind driven rocks and dirt shattered their windshield. Peak wind gusts included: 109 mph…6 miles north-northwest of Berthoud Pass; 101 mph atop Kenosha Pass…100 mph… 2 miles south-southwest of Loveland Pass; 99 mph…7 miles west-northwest of Berthoud; 92 mph at Blackhawk; 90 mph…3 miles south-southwest of Boulder; 87 mph…2 miles west-northwest of Aspen Springs and at Pickle Gulch; 84 mph at Loveland Pass and Lyons; 82 mph at the National Wind Technology Center; 80 mph at Dumont and 78 mph near Rollinsville and Ward. At Denver International Airport…west winds gusted to 52 mph on the 12th.

12-15

In 1909…light snowfall totaled 6.7 inches in downtown Denver over the 4 days. This was the first measurable snowfall of the season. Northeast winds were sustained to 15 mph on the 12th.

» Click here to read the rest of November 12 to November 18: This week in Denver weather history

A bit of a change in the unseasonably warm weather we have been experiencing thanks to a cold front that moved through last night. However, the change will serve only to return temperatures to near normal levels so it will be tough to complain.

The day starts out with mostly sunny skies above. High level clouds will build in the morning leading to partly sunny skies in the afternoon. Winds start out from the southwest then will see a shift from the north later.

In terms of temperatures, things start out pretty chilly early on but then will steadily warm up. Look for a high today in the low 50s. Average for the date is 52 degrees and we should be right near that.

Tonight, partly clear skies will be above with overnight lows around 34 degrees.

Warmer-than-normal temperatures return for tomorrow and Friday then we cool back down for the weekend, perhaps see a shower overnight Friday into Saturday AM. More in the extended forecast here.

Another good looking day ahead for Thornton. Temperatures will once again be well above normal but we do expect to see some high clouds in the mix.

The day starts out mostly clear but then upper level moisture will lead to increased clouds and partly sunny skies for most of the day. Winds will be light and out of the south this morning then shift to come from the north in the afternoon.

Temperatures start out on the chilly side but will warm quickly with the rising sun and send us toward a high in the mid to upper 60s.

Tonight, skies will clear and lows will dip to just below freezing as cooler air moves in.

Probably the only thing bad about today’s weather is that it is a workday so most folks will be stuck inside and unable to enjoy it. We will enjoy very mild temperatures about 15 degrees above normal and plenty of sun.

The day starts off a bit chilly but once the sun comes up, temperatures will warm quickly. Highs today will come close to the 70 degree mark. Average for the date is 53 degrees. The record high for today’s date is 75 degrees (1999) and we will be short of that.

We will see a few clouds early then should see some easing leading to mostly sunny skies. Conditions will be calm, winds light and out of the south.

Tonight, mostly clear skies will be above and lows will be dropping to the mid to upper 30s.

What lies ahead for the rest of the week? Check out the extended weather forecast here.

The three day period is going to offer up a triple play of near identical weather each day. We expect to see plenty of sun, calm conditions and temperatures right near normal throughout.

For Friday, mostly sunny skies will be above and temperatures will top out in the mid-50s. Tonight, a few more clouds will settle in and lows will dip to right near the freezing mark.

Veterans Day looks to be much like today, perhaps with temps a couple of degrees warmer. Again, mostly sunny skies will be above. Saturday night into Sunday morning we will have mostly clear skies and lows again bottoming out around freezing.

The weekend closes out on Sunday with lots of sun and highs again in the mid-50s.

It looks to be a great weekend! Please remember to take the time to say thank you to those who have served and sacrificed for this great nation.

A nice, quiet fall day ahead for us. Cooler air has pushed in and that will drop temps a bit but all-in-all it will be a pleasant one.

We start out with some cloud cover then should see things clear later this morning leading to mostly sunny skies for most of the day. Winds will be light and out of the northeast, conditions dry and calm. Temperatures start out on the cold side and below freezing then will warm to a high around the 50 degree mark.

Tonight, lows will again dip below freezing under partly sunny skies.

After a day in which highs failed to even reach the freezing mark, we see a nice change back toward warmer conditions today.

Today the day starts out with some clouds and a bit of patchy fog in a few areas. That will clear off this morning and leave us with sunny skies for much of the middle of the day then we see a few clouds arrive in the late afternoon and evening.

Temperatures start out cold but then will see steady gains as we head toward a high in the low 50s. Overall conditions will be calm and dry.

Tonight, a few clouds build and lows will drop to the upper 20s.