Snow and wind are the two dominant weather conditions seen on our look back at this week in Denver weather history.  Three years ago, the second of two major winter storms buried Denver and closed highways.  Two years ago, damaging winds that downed trees and caused power outages occurred. 

25-31

In 1980…temperatures were unusually warm during the week between Christmas and new year’s.  High temperatures for the week ranged from the mid-50’s to the mid-70’s.  Four temperature records were set.  Record highs occurred on the 26th with 68 degrees…the 27th with 75 degrees…and the 30th with 71 degrees.  A record high minimum temperature of 41 degrees occurred on the 27th.

26-27

In 1954…a major storm dumped heavy snow across metro Denver. Snowfall totaled 8.6 inches at Stapleton Airport.  The storm produced the heaviest snowfall of the calendar year and was the only measurable snowfall in December.
 
In 1987…a snowstorm stalled in northeastern Colorado…giving metro Denver its worst winter storm in 4 years.  Total snowfall from the storm ranged from 12 to 18 inches on the east side…1 to 2 feet in Boulder County…and 2 to 3 feet in western and southern parts of metro Denver.  The largest reported snowfall was 42 inches at Intercanyon in the foothills southwest of Denver.  Snowfall totaled 14.9 inches at Stapleton International Airport.  Winds were light on the 26th…but increased as high as 40 mph on the 27th… Creating near-blizzard conditions and forcing complete closure of Stapleton International Airport for about 8 hours.  The strong winds whipped drifts to 5 feet high on the east side of town.  All interstate Highways leading from Denver were closed on the 27th.

26-28

In 1979 a heavy snow storm dumped 6 to 10 inches of snow over the metro area and 15 to 20 inches at Boulder with up to 2 feet in the foothills west of Boulder.  Heavy snowfall totaled 6.0 inches at Stapleton International Airport where north winds gusted to 21 mph.  Most of the snow… 4.8 inches…fell on the 27th.

27

In 1895…west Chinook winds sustained to 44 mph with gusts to 48 mph warmed the temperature to a high of 52 degrees.
 
In 1901…an apparent cold front produced sustained north winds to 41 mph with gusts to 48 mph.
 
In 1957…northwest winds gusting to 52 mph produced some blowing dust across metro Denver.
 
In 1975…a northwest wind gust to 53 mph was recorded at Stapleton International Airport.
 
In 1976…a strong pacific cold front moving across metro Denver produced a northwest wind gust to 53 mph at Stapleton International Airport.
 
In 1990…high winds raked the eastern foothills with a wind gust to 84 mph clocked on fritz peak near Rollinsville. The strong northwest winds of 50 to 70 mph whipped newly fallen snow over higher areas into billowy clouds several hundred feet high that could be seen from most locations across metro Denver.
 
In 1996…another round of high winds developed over portions of the Front Range foothills during the morning hours. Several wind gusts from 70 to 100 mph were reported at Wondervu southwest of Boulder.  West-northwest winds gusted to 38 mph at Denver International Airport.
 
In 2005…a trained weather observer in Georgetown recorded a wind gust to 94 mph.  No damage was reported.
 
In 2007…a winter storm brought heavy snow to portions of the urban corridor and adjacent plains.  Storm totals generally ranged from 3 to 7 inches.  Locally heavier bands produced up to 10 inches of snow.  In the urban corridor…storm totals included:  10 inches…10 miles south-southeast of Buckley AFB and at Castle Pines; 9.5 inches…4 miles south-southeast of Aurora and Kassler; 7.5 inches…2 miles southeast of Highlands Ranch; 7 inches in Aurora and Sedalia; 6.5 inches in Arvada…4 miles east of Denver and Lafayette; 6 inches in Castle Rock and Thornton.  A measurement of 5.4 inches was taken at the former Stapleton International Airport.  The official total for the month was 20.9 inches; making it the 6th snowiest December on record.

Continue reading December 27 to January 2 – This week in Denver weather history →

The week leading up to Christmas is hectic enough but when you through in severe weather, it can be overwhelming.  This week marks a number of notable weather events in Denver weather history but two stand out.  Most recently was the storm three years ago that became the seventh biggest snowstorm in Denver weather history.  Of course probably the most memorable for longtime Denver residents is the Christmas Eve storm of 1982 that buried the city for the holiday and for days afterwards.

• Related: The Christmas Eve blizzard of 1982 – The best of Denver storms

From the National Weather Service:

17-24

In 1924…a prolonged cold spell occurred after mild temperatures during the first half of the month.  Most low temperatures dipped below zero with the coldest reading of 15 degrees below zero occurring on the 24th. The high temperature of only 5 degrees on the 18th was a record low maximum for the date.

18-24

In 1998…a vigorous cold front with north winds gusting as high as 38 mph at Denver International Airport on the 18th dropped temperatures from a high of 51 degrees to a low of just 6 degrees before midnight.  The arctic air mass that settled over metro Denver produced intermittent light snow and a week-long protracted cold spell that caused low temperatures to plunge well below zero for 6 consecutive nights.  The coldest temperature was 19 degrees below zero on the morning of the 22nd.  High temperatures climbed only into the single digits on 4 consecutive days…from the 19th through the 22nd.  At least 15 people…mostly homeless… Were treated for hypothermia at area hospitals.  The bitter cold weather was responsible…either directly or indirectly… For at least 5 fatalities.  Three of the victims died directly from exposure.  The cold weather also caused intermittent power outages.  Following the cold snap… Thawing water pipes cracked and burst in several homes and businesses…causing extensive damage.  Only one temperature record was set.  The high temperature of only 7 degrees on the 19th set a record low maximum for the date.

19-20

In 1982…high winds buffeted the eastern foothills.  At midday on the 19th…gusts of 75 to 80 mph were recorded in the Table Mesa area of Boulder.  A gust to 62 mph was clocked in Boulder on the evening of the 20th.
 
In 1989…strong winds howled at mountain top level in clear creek and Gilpin counties.  Speeds reached 97 mph on the summit of Squaw Mountain and 84 mph one mile south of Rollinsville.  Northwest winds gusted 35 mph at Stapleton International Airport on the 20th.

19-23

In 1990…a surge of very cold arctic air invaded metro Denver.  Many temperature records were broken as the mercury remained at or below zero for 85.5 hours at Stapleton International Airport…making it the third longest period of subzero readings in 118 years of record keeping.  On the morning of the 22nd…the mercury plunged to 25 degrees below zero…which equaled the all time record low temperature for the month set on December 24…1876. In the foothills southwest of Denver at tiny town…the mercury plunged to 33 degrees below zero on the morning of the 21st.  On the same morning at Castle Rock the temperature dipped to 26 degrees below zero.  During the period…other daily temperature records were set at Denver…including:  record low maximum of 3 degrees below zero on the 20th and a record low of 17 degrees below zero on the 23rd.  The record low was equaled with 16 degrees below zero on the 20th and 21 degrees below zero on the 21st.  Snowfall totaled 2.7 inches at Stapleton International Airport from the 19th through the 21st.

20   

In 1894…southwest winds were sustained to 40 mph with gusts to 48 mph.  The Chinook winds warmed the temperature to a maximum of 69 degrees…which was a record high temperature for the date.  The minimum temperature dipped to only 33 degrees.
 
In 1903…northwest Chinook winds sustained to 54 mph with gusts to 60 mph warmed the temperature to a high of 58 degrees.
 
In 1948…strong winds occurred along the eastern foothills from Boulder north.  Wind gusts to 45 mph were recorded at Valmont with a gust to 30 mph at Boulder airport.  Some damage occurred.  Wind gusts to 50 mph caused some blowing dust at Stapleton Airport.
 
In 1957…strong Chinook winds…gusting to 51 mph from the northwest…warmed the afternoon temperature to a high of 54 degrees.
 
In 1981 high winds were reported in the foothills with a peak gust of 87 mph recorded at Wondervu.
 
In 1992…strong Chinook winds raked the eastern foothills with 69 mph recorded at Table Mesa in south Boulder. Southwest winds gusted to only 21 mph at Stapleton International Airport.
 
In 1996…five construction workers were injured…two seriously…when a sudden wind gust blew over a 30-foot- high retaining wall they were working on in western Lakewood.  The scaffolding they were standing on collapsed…and some were pinned under the rubble for 15 minutes.  Wind gusts of 60 to 75 mph were reported in the area.  Southwest winds gusted to only 24 mph at Denver International Airport.
 
In 2004…strong downslope winds developed over the eastern mountain slopes and spread over metro Denver.  Peak wind gusts approached 100 mph along the foothills of Boulder County.  In superior…a 1200-square-foot section of roof was peeled off the gymnasium at monarch high school. Two semi-trailers were toppled on Colorado Highway 58 at McIntyre Street and another at c-470 and West Bowles Avenue.  Two airplanes were damaged by wind-blown debris at Jefferson County airport.  The high winds forced the closure of State Highway 93 between Golden and Boulder for approximately two hours.  Insurance agents estimated 650 to 850 homes suffered wind damage in the Boulder and Louisville areas.  In addition…downed trees and power lines left about 1000 residents…mainly in the Boulder area…without electricity.  At least three people suffered minor injuries in the storm.  Peak wind reports included:  95 mph in superior…92 mph at Jefferson County airport…85 mph in Golden…81 mph in Boulder…80 mph in Broomfield and Evergreen…and 79 mph in Louisville.  West northwest winds gusted to 59 mph at Denver International Airport.

Continue reading December 20 to December 26 – This week in Denver weather history →

December can of course be cold and that is why Chinook winds are sometimes welcomed as they bring warm air to the Front Range.  However, those winds can also cause a great deal of damage if they blow too hard and we see that in our look back at this week in Denver weather history.  Particularly notable were winds on December 14th & 15th which caused accidents, toppled power poles and fences, ripped off roofs and more. 

From the National Weather Service:

2-17 

In 1939…more than 2 weeks of unseasonably warm weather made the month the 3rd warmest on record.  Seven daily temperature records were set…including the all time record high temperature for the month of 79 degrees on the 5th.  Daytime highs were balmy with 14 days in the 60’s and 70’s.  Low temperatures dipped to freezing or below on only 5 days.  The period was dry with only a trace of snow on the 12th.

3-15 

In 1972…a protracted cold spell held an icy grip on metro Denver when maximum temperatures never reached above freezing for 10 consecutive days from the 3rd through the 12th and minimum temperatures dipped below zero on eleven consecutive days from the 5th through the 15th. Daily low temperature records were set with 15 degrees below zero on the 5th…17 degrees below zero on the 6th… And 18 degrees below zero on the 10th.  Daily record low maximum readings were set with 3 degrees on the 6th and 6 degrees on the 9th.  The very cold temperatures were caused by 3 to 5 inches of snow cover and a Canadian air mass.

9-13 

In 1961…cold arctic air produced a protracted cold period. The temperature plunged to 16 degrees below zero on the 10th…establishing a new record for the date and the coldest reading since 25 degrees below zero on February 1… 1951.  Low temperatures dipped below zero on 5 consecutive days with 9 degrees below zero on the 9th…16 below on the 10th…10 below on the 11th…and 12 below on both the 12th and 13th.  High temperatures reached only 3 degrees on the 10th and 6 degrees on the 11th.

11-13

In 1940…5.4 inches of snow fell across downtown Denver. This was the only snowfall of the month.  Temperatures were quite cold on the 13th with a high of 6 degrees and a low of 2 degrees below zero.
 
In 1984…up to 6 inches of new snow fell over metro Denver… Hampering flight operations at Stapleton International Airport where snowfall totaled 3.8 inches and east winds gusted to 25 mph on the 11th.

12-13

In 1916…snowfall totaled 5.7 inches in downtown Denver. Northeast winds were sustained to 27 mph with gusts to 28 mph on the 12th.
 
In 1992…an upslope snowstorm whitened metro Denver.  While snowfall totaled only 4.1 inches at Stapleton International Airport…7 inches of new snow fell in Morrison…with 12 inches measured in Castle Rock.  North winds gusted to 23 mph at Stapleton International Airport on the 13th.
 
In 1995…strong winds gusting to nearly 100 mph whipped across the foothills west of Denver.  The strongest wind gusts included 98 mph atop Squaw Mountain and 75 mph at the Eldora Ski Area.  West-northwest winds gusted to 41 mph at Denver International Airport on the 13th.

12-15

In 1921…downslope Chinook winds produced warm temperatures in the city…which resulted in 4 temperature records. High temperatures of 72 degrees on the 13th and 68 degrees on the 15th were record maximums for the dates.  Low temperatures of 47 degrees on both the 12th and 13th were record high minimums for the dates.  West winds were sustained to 38 mph on the 12th and to 25 mph on the 13th.

13   

In 1955…strong winds raked the foothills.  A wind gust to 72 mph was recorded at rocky flats northwest of Denver.  Some damage occurred in Boulder.  Northwest winds were sustained to speeds of 23 mph at Stapleton Airport.
 
In 1988…high winds again occurred in Boulder where winds were clocked to 66 mph.  West winds gusted to 43 mph at Stapleton International Airport.
13-14 in 1902…heavy snowfall totaled 6.4 inches in the city overnight.  North winds were sustained to 18 mph with gusts to 20 mph on the 13th.
 
Continue reading December 13 to December 19 – This week in Denver weather history →

Denver and Colorado are certainly known for their varied weather conditions and as always, looking back at the weather history books highlights that.  On these dates we have seen Arctic cold and balmy temperatures in the 70’s.  We have seen hurricane force winds and even a rare December thunderstorm.  And as one would expect, there has been plenty of snow.

2-17 

In 1939…more than 2 weeks of unseasonably warm weather made the month the 3rd warmest on record.  Seven daily temperature records were set…including the all time record high temperature for the month of 79 degrees on the 5th.  Daytime highs were balmy with 14 days in the 60’s and 70’s.  Low temperatures dipped to freezing or below on only 5 days.  The period was dry with only a trace of snow on the 12th.

3-15 

In 1972…a protracted cold spell held an icy grip on metro Denver when maximum temperatures never reached above freezing for 10 consecutive days from the 3rd through the 12th and minimum temperatures dipped below zero on eleven consecutive days from the 5th through the 15th. Daily low temperature records were set with 15 degrees below zero on the 5th…17 degrees below zero on the 6th… And 18 degrees below zero on the 10th.  Daily record low maximum readings were set with 3 degrees on the 6th and 6 degrees on the 9th.  The very cold temperatures were caused by 3 to 5 inches of snow cover and a Canadian air mass.

4-6  

In 1960…heavy snowfall totaled 12.0 inches over the 3 days with 5.1 inches on the 4th…5.2 inches on the 5th…and 1.7 inches on the 6th.  Rain changed to snow early on the 4th and ended by early afternoon.  Snow started again early on the 5th and continued through midday on the 6th.  West northwest winds gusted to 30 mph on the 4th.  Post cold frontal temperatures cooled from a high of 38 degrees on the 4th to a low of 7 degrees below zero on the 6th.

5-6  

In 1883…a major snow storm hit the city.  Heavy snow fell from 10:00 am on the 5th to 7:30 am on the 6th.  The amount of snowfall was not recorded…but precipitation from melted snow totaled 1.75 inches…which would give an estimated snowfall of nearly 18 inches.  Temperatures during the storm were in the 30’s…so some of the snow May have melted as it fell.  However…railroads were blocked and telegraph lines were downed in all directions.  Telephone wires and poles were nearly all broken down.  The company manager estimated the damage at 30 thousand dollars.  Northeast winds were sustained to 24 mph in the city.
 
In 1892…heavy snow totaled 6.2 inches in downtown Denver. Most of the snow…6.0 inches…fell on the 6th.
 
In 2001…high winds developed in the foothills northwest of Denver.  Winds gusted to 74 mph at aspen springs.  West- northwest winds gusted to 35 mph at Denver International Airport…where the temperature warmed to a high of 55 degrees on the 6th.

5-7  

In 1978…a major storm dumped heavy snow across metro Denver. At Stapleton International Airport…snowfall totaled 8.5 inches…northeast winds gusted to 46 mph…and temperatures plunged from a high of 49 degrees on the 5th to a low of only 6 degrees on the 6th.  Maximum temperature of 6 degrees on the 7th was a new daily record low maximum reading.  Most of the snow…6.7 inches…fell on the 5th.

5-8  

In 1983…high winds occurred in and near the foothills each day.  Wind gusts to 63 mph were registered in Golden Gate Canyon on the evening of the 5th.  On the evening of the 6th…winds knocked down trees…snapped power lines…and blew out windows across metro Denver.  Gusts were clocked to 102 mph in southwest metro Denver…while wind gusts to 38 mph were recorded at Stapleton International Airport.  On the 7th…winds overturned a tractor trailer near Castle Rock. After midnight on the 8th…gusts to 97 mph were reported in southeast Boulder.  Wind speeds of 60 to 70 mph were reported in other parts of metro Denver.

Continue reading December 6 to December 12 – This week in Denver weather history →

As always, our look back at Denver’s weather history books is very eventful.  As we start to get closer to winter, we begin to see many more multi-day snow events that are notable and this week’s look is no different.  We see many major snow events and also of note are the damaging high wind events.

From the National Weather Service:

25-29

In 1985…dense fog with visibilities as low as 1/8 mile occurred on five consecutive days at Stapleton International Airport.  The fog was at times accompanied by light snow… Light freezing drizzle…or ice crystals.  Fog occurred all day on both the 26th and 29th.
28-29 in 1908…heavy snowfall overnight and for most of the day on the 29th totaled 12.5 inches.  Precipitation was 1.09 inches.  Northwest winds were sustained to 26 mph on the 29th.
 
In 1928…a major storm dumped 15.5 inches of snowfall on downtown Denver.  North winds were sustained to 18 mph with gusts to 19 mph on the 28th.
 
In 1992…an upper level storm system moved across metro Denver…but left only a dusting of snow.  Snowfall totaled only 1.6 inches at Stapleton International Airport where north winds gusted to 25 mph.  Other snow amounts included: 8 inches at Conifer…6 inches at Lake Eldora…3 inches at Rollinsville and in southeast Denver.
 
In 1997…a storm system tracking across northern New Mexico produced strong north to northeast upslope flow against the eastern slopes of the Front Range and Palmer Ridge. Snowfall totals in Jefferson County included:  14 inches near Deckers; 12 inches at Castle Rock and Sedalia; 10 inches near Conifer…11 miles southwest of Morrison…and at Buffalo Creek.  Elsewhere…snow accumulations were less. Snowfall totaled only 0.7 inch at the site of the former Stapleton International Airport on the 27th and 28th.
 
In 2004…heavy snow fell in the foothills and across metro Denver.  In the foothills…snowfall totals included:  13 inches at Roxborough State Park and Eldorado Springs… 11.5 inches near Conifer…11.0 inches near Nederland…and 10 inches near Indian Hills.  Across metro Denver snowfall totaled 14 inches near Sedalia…9 inches near Louisville… 8 inches at Ralston Reservoir…and 5.1 inches in the Stapleton area of Denver.  Northeast winds gusted to 28 mph at Denver International Airport on the 28th.
 
In 2006…a slow moving storm system brought heavy snow to the mountains and to the eastern foothills where snowfall ranged from 8 to 18 inches.  Some of the more impressive snow totals included:  18 inches at Genesee…17.5 inches near Boulder…17 inches at aspen springs…16.5 inches 10 miles northwest of Golden…15 inches at Eldorado Springs… 14.5 inches in Idaho Springs and near Jamestown…12 inches in grant and near Indian Hills…11.5 inches near Blackhawk… 11 inches at gross reservoir and Eldora…and 10.5 inches in Conifer.  Across metro Denver…storm total snowfall generally ranged from 5 to 9 inches with the heaviest amounts near the foothills in Boulder and Jefferson counties.  The most impressive totals included:  15.5 inches at Ken Caryl…12 inches in Boulder…7.5 inches near Morrison…and 7 inches near both Chatfield and Ralston reservoirs.  Snowfall totaled only 4.2 inches in the Denver Stapleton area.  Northeast winds gusted to 31 mph at Denver International Airport on the 28th.

28-30

In 1991…a winter storm dumped heavy snow in the foothills and near the Palmer Divide with 10 inches recorded at Conifer and Golden Gate Canyon…12 inches in Morrison… 6 inches at Castle Rock and Parker.  Only 3.4 inches of snow fell at Stapleton International Airport where north winds gusting to 35 mph on the 29th…produced some blowing snow.  Some light freezing drizzle also fell on the 28th and 29th.

29   

In 1877…the all-time lowest recorded minimum temperature in the month of November…18 degrees below zero…occurred. The high temperature for the day was 16 degrees.
 
In 1899…northwest winds were sustained to 51 mph with gusts as high as 60 mph.  The Chinook winds warmed the temperature to a maximum of 74 degrees…a record high for the date and the warmest of the month that year.  The minimum temperature was only 39 degrees.
 
In 1927…post-frontal rain changed to snow and totaled 5.8 inches over downtown Denver.  Northeast winds were sustained to 22 mph.
 
In 1977…85 mph winds were reported at Wondervu in the foothills southwest of Boulder.  Northwest winds gusted to 39 mph at Stapleton International Airport.
 
In 1980 strong Chinook winds reached 85 mph in Boulder… Blowing traffic signals and street lights down.  Some windows were shattered by the wind.  West winds gusted to 37 mph at Stapleton International Airport.
 
In 1994…high winds blew across the Front Range eastern foothills.  Wind gusts to 92 mph occurred atop squaw mountain…5 miles south of Idaho Springs…and to 82 mph on fritz peak near Rollinsville in the foothills southwest of Boulder.  A wind gust to 75 mph was recorded at Jefferson County airport near Broomfield.  Northwest winds gusted to only 35 mph at Stapleton International Airport. No damage was reported.

Continue reading November 29 to December 5 – This week in Denver weather history →