Wind is always a factor on the plains and the fall usually brings a great deal of it, especially in November.  Our look back at this week in Denver weather history shows that event and snow are quite common this time of year.

From the National Weather Service:

From the 7th to the 8th:

In 1969…wind gusts to 48 mph in downtown Boulder caused minor damage.

On the 8th:    

In 1896…southwest Chinook winds sustained to 42 mph with gusts as high as 46 mph warmed the temperature to a high of 53 degrees.
 
In 1977 near-blizzard conditions in blowing snow caused the closure of I-70 to the west of Denver in clear creek canyon and east of Denver to Limon.  Northeast wind gusts to 46 mph were recorded at Stapleton International Airport where snowfall totaled only 1.1 inches.
 
In 1984…a rare November thunderstorm produced west winds gusting to 31 mph…but only 0.04 inch of rain at Stapleton International Airport.
 
In 1996…high winds gusting from 80 to 100 mph were recorded at Wondervu in the foothills southwest of Boulder.  West northwest winds gusted to 32 mph at Denver International Airport.
 
In 2006…the temperature in Denver climbed to a high of 80 degrees.  This was the first time the temperature had ever exceeded the 70’s in November since records began in 1872. This new all-time record maximum temperature for the month of November was also a new daily record and the highest temperature ever recorded so late in the season.

Continue reading November 8 to November 14 – This week in Denver weather history →

As we enter Denver’s second snowiest month, we of course see plenty of events involving that dominant weather condition.  Sadly we also see two occassions when the winter-like weather turned deadly.

• Don’t miss: November 2009 weather preview

From the 29th to the 1st:

In 1972…heavy snowfall totaled 15.5 inches at Stapleton International Airport.  However…the heaviest snow occurred on Halloween night when 7 inches fell on trick-or-treaters during a short 3-hour period.  I-25 was closed south of Denver.  North winds gusting to 29 mph caused some blowing snow on the 1st.  The snow started late on the 29th and ended during the mid afternoon on the 1st.  The greatest snow depth on the ground at Stapleton International Airport was 13 inches on the 1st.

From the 31st to the 1st:

In 1951…6.4 inches of snowfall were measured at Stapleton Airport.
 
In 1989…a Halloween storm dropped 3 to 6 inches of snow on metro Denver with the adjacent foothills receiving 5 to 10 inches.  Snowfall totaled 4.5 inches at Stapleton International Airport…where north winds gusted to 31 mph on the 31st.  Most of the snow fell on the evening of the 31st…but the storm left icy streets throughout metro Denver on the morning of the 1st…making it a “spooky” commute for many motorists.
 
In 2004…heavy snow fell in and near the foothills of Jefferson and Douglas counties.  Storm total snowfall included:  14.5 inches in Aspen Park…10 inches at Roxborough State Park and near Sedalia…8 inches near Bergen Park…and 7 inches in Highlands Ranch.  Snowfall totaled only 3.2 inches in the Denver Stapleton area.  Post-frontal northeast winds gusted to 41 mph at Denver International Airport.

On the 1st:

In 1896…northwest Chinook winds sustained to 40 mph with gusts to 46 mph warmed the temperature to a high of 60 degrees in the city.
 
In 1973…wind gusts to 92 mph were recorded in Boulder. West winds gusted to 41 mph at Stapleton International Airport where the Chinook winds warmed the temperature to a high of 70 degrees.
 
In 1989…a 39-year-old Lakewood man in a motorized wheelchair was found dead of exposure early in the morning after an overnight snowfall dumped 3 to 6 inches of snow across metro Denver.

From the 1st to the 2nd:

In 1892…snowfall totaled 5.0 inches in downtown Denver. This was the only snow of the month.
 
In 1956…heavy snowfall totaled 7.0 inches at Stapleton Airport.  The storm was accompanied by much blowing and drifting snow.  North winds gusted to 47 mph.
 
In 1991…the storm system which hit the Front Range at the end of October finished the job during the start of November.  Six inches of new snow were recorded at both Rollinsville and Morrison…while 2.9 inches of snow fell at Stapleton International Airport where northeast winds gusted to 17 mph.  The temperature climbed to a high of only 19 degrees on the 2nd…setting a record low maximum for the date.
 
In 1995…a winter storm dropped 5 to 8 inches of snow in the Front Range foothills.  The exception was at Golden gate canyon where a foot of new snow was measured.  Icy roads…fog…and blowing snow along I-70 in the foothills west of Denver caused dozens of accidents.  One man was killed when he lost control of his vehicle and was ejected when his truck hit a median and rolled over.  At least 20 other accidents involved minor injuries.  Only 1.0 inch of snow fell at the site of the former Stapleton International Airport where some freezing rain also fell.

Continue reading November 1 to November 7 – This week in Denver weather history →