{"id":15696,"date":"2015-10-11T09:57:22","date_gmt":"2015-10-11T15:57:22","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.thorntonweather.com\/blog\/?p=15696"},"modified":"2015-10-18T04:38:21","modified_gmt":"2015-10-18T10:38:21","slug":"october-11-to-october-17-this-week-in-denver-weather-history-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thorntonweather.com\/blog\/weather-history\/october-11-to-october-17-this-week-in-denver-weather-history-2\/","title":{"rendered":"October 11 to October 17: This week in Denver weather history"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"This<\/a>
October 11 to October 17: This week in Denver weather history<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A very eventful week of weather in Denver weather history. Many notable items have occurred and many also incorporate one of two conditions \u2013 wind or snow. Probably the most famous event was the Bronco Blizzard on October 15, 1984. That storm which hit its height during a Monday Night Football game between the Broncos and the Packers is probably one of the most memorable ever for longtime Denver residents.<\/p>\n

From the National Weather Service:<\/p>\n

10-11<\/p>\n

In 1986\u2026the first significant snowstorm of the season produced 2 to 5 inches of snow over metro Denver with 5 to 10 inches in the foothills west of Denver. Wondervu recorded the most snow from the storm\u202613 inches. The heavy wet snow caused numerous power outages. The storm was accompanied by strong north winds with gusts to 41 mph recorded on the 10th. The first snowfall of the season totaled 3.1 inches at Stapleton International Airport with only one inch on the ground due to melting. The strong cold front accompanying the storm cooled the temperature from a high of 73 degrees on the 10th to a high of only 33 degrees on the 11th\u2026which was a record low maximum for the date.<\/p>\n

10-12<\/p>\n

In 1969\u2026the second heavy snowstorm in less than a week dumped nearly a foot of snow across metro Denver and plunged the area into extremely cold temperatures for so early in the season. Snowfall totaled 11.0 inches at Stapleton International Airport. North winds gusting to 26 mph produced drifts up to 2 feet deep. Temperatures dipped from a high of 52 degrees on the 10th to a record low for the date of 10 degrees on the 12th. There was additional damage to trees and power and telephone lines from heavy snow accumulations and icing. Travel was restricted or blocked by drifting snow in both the mountains and on the plains east of Denver.<\/p>\n

11<\/p>\n

In 1997\u2026damaging winds ahead of an approaching storm system developed in the foothills and spread across metro Denver. Winds gusted to 88 mph at Conifer\u202671 mph at the National Center for Atmospheric Research on the mesa in Boulder\u2026 And 53 mph at Denver International Airport. Several trees and street signs were blown down with scattered power outages reported throughout metro Denver. In Arvada\u2026a car window was blown out by a strong wind gust.<\/p>\n

In 2013…high winds occurred in and near the Front Range foothills. Peak gusts included: 85 mph at Rooney Road… 84 mph…2 miles south of Marshall; 82 mph at Rocky Flats National Wind Technology Center and Wondervu; 79 mph at the mesa lab at NCAR and 75 mph…3 miles south-southwest of Boulder; 73 mph in superior and 68 mph in Golden. The wind downed trees and power lines. As a result…scattered electrical outages affected 20000 xcel energy customers through the morning hours. The main outages affected the cities of Boulder…Golden and Lakewood. Smaller outages were reported in areas of Gold Hill…Ward… Westminster and Wheat Ridge.<\/p>\n

11-12<\/p>\n

In 1901\u2026an apparent cold front produced northeast winds sustained to 42 mph with gusts to 48 mph on the 11th. General rain changed to snow overnight and totaled 2.0 inches. This was the first snowfall of the season. Total precipitation was 0.32 inch.<\/p>\n

11-13<\/p>\n

In 1892\u2026apparent post-frontal rainfall totaled 3.33 inches in downtown Denver over the 3 days. A trace of snow on the 12th melted as it fell. Rainfall of 2.58 inches on the 12th into the 13th was the greatest 24-hour precipitation ever recorded during the month of October. Northwest winds were sustained to 48 mph with gusts as high as 55 mph on the 12th.<\/p>\n

12<\/p>\n

In 1873\u2026smoke from several very large forest fires was sighted along the mountains.<\/p>\n

In 1923\u2026post-frontal rain changed to snow and totaled 4.0 inches. North winds were sustained to 14 mph.<\/p>\n

In 1978\u2026northeast winds gusting to 35 mph with a strong cold front briefly reduced visibility to 2 miles in blowing dust at Stapleton International Airport.<\/p>\n

12-13<\/p>\n

In 2001\u2026overnight peak wind gusts to 82 mph and 70 mph were measured atop Niwot Ridge and Squaw Mountain\u2026 Respectively.<\/p>\n

12-14<\/p>\n

In 1969\u2026record breaking extremely cold temperatures for so early in the season occurred. The high temperature of 26 degrees on the 13th was two degrees lower than the previous record minimum temperature of 28 degrees for the date set in 1885. The high temperature of 24 degrees on the 12th exceeded the record low temperature (22 degrees set in 1885) for the date by only 2 degrees. In addition\u2026 3 new record low temperatures for the dates were set. The low temperature dipped to 10 degrees on the 12th breaking the old record (22 degrees in 1885) by 12 degrees. On the 13th the mercury plunged to a low of 3 degrees breaking the old record (28 degrees in 1885) by 25 degrees. On the 14th the temperature reached a minimum of 4 degrees breaking the old record (25 degrees in 1966) by 21 degrees.<\/p>\n

13<\/p>\n

In 1990\u2026strong downslope winds stirred up clouds of dust and gravel\u2026rattled windows\u2026and stripped autumn-colored leaves from trees in Boulder. A wind gust to 78 mph was clocked in southwest Boulder\u2026while a 96 mph gust was recorded in northwest Boulder. West winds gusted to only 36 mph at Stapleton International Airport.<\/p>\n

13-14<\/p>\n

In 1910\u2026light smoke from nearby forest fires drifted over the city.<\/p>\n

In 1966\u2026the first measurable snow of the season caused widespread damage to trees and shrubs. The heavy wet snow totaled 6.9 inches at Stapleton International Airport where north-northwest winds sustained at 20 to 25 mph and gusting to 45 mph caused much blowing and drifting snow. South and east of Denver\u2026up to a foot of snow fell. Heavy wet snow accumulations followed by freezing temperatures and strong winds resulted in extensive damage to trees\u2026cars\u2026 And utility lines by falling limbs. A woman was killed by a falling snow laden tree limb in Denver. Several other people received minor injuries from falling tree limbs.<\/p>\n

In 1987\u2026rain drenched metro Denver. The South Platte Canyon area southwest of Denver received the most with 1.11 inches at Kassler and 1.49 inches upstream at Strontia Springs. At Stapleton International Airport\u20260.62 inch of rain was measured\u2026northwest winds gusted to 29 mph\u2026and thunder was heard.<\/p>\n

In 2007\u2026a new 24-hour record of 2.65 inches of precipitation was set at Denver International Airport for the month of October; breaking the previous record of 2.58 inches set in 1892.<\/p>\n

13-16<\/p>\n

In 1873\u2026smoke from several large forest fires in the mountains made the air very hazy in the city.<\/p>\n

14<\/p>\n

In 1952\u2026the first measurable snowfall of the season left 1.2 inches of snow at Stapleton Airport. North winds gusted to 38 mph.<\/p>\n

In 1974\u2026rain changed to snow early in the day\u2026but snowfall totaled only 1.0 inch at Stapleton International Airport where northeast winds gusted to 20 mph.
\n15<\/p>\n

In 1871\u2026a terrible wind occurred during a snow storm in the foothills above Boulder. Damage was minor.<\/p>\n

In 1878\u2026high winds reached sustained speeds of 60 mph at times.<\/p>\n

In 1911\u2026post-frontal northwest winds were sustained to 41 mph with gusts to 43 mph.<\/p>\n

In 1948\u2026strong winds struck the Boulder area. Winds averaged 50 mph at valmont just east of Boulder. Wind gusts in excess of 60 mph were recorded at the Boulder airport. Wind gusts to 40 mph briefly reduced the visibility to 1 1\/2 miles in blowing dust at Stapleton Airport.<\/p>\n

In 1980\u2026a rare October tornado touched down in Boulder\u2026 Damaging a vocational training building and throwing three nearby cars together damaging them extensively. A mile and half away several camper vehicles were thrown 200 feet. The storm also produced 1 inch diameter hail in the Boulder area.<\/p>\n

15-16<\/p>\n

In 1928\u2026a thunderstorm produced hail shortly after midnight on the 15th. Rain changed to snow by evening. Through the afternoon of the 16th\u2026the heavy snowfall totaled 7.3 inches in the city. North winds were sustained to 23 mph on the 15th.<\/p>\n

In 1984\u2026the heaviest October snowstorm in several years hit eastern Colorado with a vengeance. The storm was known as the \u201cBronco Blizzard\u201d since it occurred during a nationally televised Monday night football game in Denver. One to two feet of snow fell near the foothills in west metro Denver with 2 to 3 feet in the foothills. Wind gusts up to 55 mph whipped the snow into drifts as high as 4 feet. The storm closed schools\u2026roads\u2026and airports. I-70 was closed both east and west of Denver. I-25 was closed south to Colorado Springs. Flights were delayed for several hours at Stapleton International Airport. Power outages were widespread. Snowfall totaled 9.2 inches at Stapleton International Airport where north winds gusting as high as 40 mph caused frequent surface visibilities of 1\/4 to 1\/2 mile in moderate to heavy snow and blowing snow overnight. The high temperature of only 35 degrees on the 15th was a record low maximum for the date.<\/p>\n

15-17<\/p>\n

In 1989\u2026an autumn snowstorm hit metro Denver with 2 to 6 inches of snow. Snowfall totaled 4.4 inches at Stapleton International Airport where the maximum snow depth on the ground was only 3 inches due to melting and north winds gusted to 25 mph on the 15th. The heavy wet snow caused leafy branches to sag onto power lines\u2026resulting in a number of power outages. Five thousand homes were blacked out in Boulder on the 16th. Up to a foot of snow fell in the higher foothills with 19 inches recorded at Echo Lake.<\/p>\n

16<\/p>\n

In 1878\u2026high winds reached sustained speeds of 60 mph.<\/p>\n

In 1998\u2026one of the costliest hail storms to ever hit metro Denver caused an estimated total of 87.8 million dollars in damage to homes\u2026commercial buildings\u2026and motor vehicles. At the time the storm was ranked as the 7th costliest ever. The hailstorm\u2026rare for so late in the season\u2026began over portions of Arvada\u2026Wheat Ridge\u2026and northwest Denver where mostly pea sized hail accumulated up to a depth of 6 inches near I-70. Several accidents were attributed\u2026 At least in part\u2026to the hailstorm. Snowplows had to be called out to clear several city streets. The storm intensified as it moved to the east\u2026into the Denver and Aurora areas. Large hail\u2026up to 2.00 inches in diameter pounded east and southeast metro Denver. Two inch diameter hail fell in the city of Denver and at Buckley Field. Hail as large as 1 1\/2 inches was measured in south Denver with 1 inch diameter hail in northern Aurora.<\/p>\n

In 1999\u2026upslope conditions produced snow across metro Denver with heavy amounts in the nearby foothills. Snowfall totals included: 9 inches at Eldorado Springs; 8 inches at Genesee\u2026 Golden gate canyon\u2026Littleton and near Morrison; 7 inches near Nederland; and 6 inches in Louisville. Snowfall totaled 3.6 inches at the site of the former Stapleton International Airport.
\n16-17 in 1990\u2026strong downslope winds raked the eastern foothills. Wind gusts from 60 to 75 mph were common. Strong winds in metro Denver resulted in wave damage to a dock used to moor several private sail boats at Cheery Creek Reservoir. Damage was confined to the dock and two anchor cables. A northwest wind gust to 43 mph was recorded at Stapleton International Airport.<\/p>\n

17<\/p>\n

In 1878\u2026strong winds reached sustained speeds of 48 mph.<\/p>\n

In 1988\u2026a wind gust to 62 mph was recorded in central Boulder. The strong winds caused a few brief power outages. An old smoldering brush fire in the foothills west of Boulder was re-ignited by the wind gusts.<\/p>\n

In 1994\u2026winds gusted to 85 mph atop Squaw Mountain\u20265 miles south of Idaho Springs.<\/p>\n

In 2006\u2026a potent storm system brought heavy snowfall to the mountains and eastern foothills. Snowfall totals in the foothills included: 14 inches at Blackhawk\u202613.5 inches near Idaho Springs\u202613 inches at Cabin Creek\u202612.5 inches at aspen springs and Echo Lake\u202611.5 inches at Georgetown and Rollinsville\u202610.5 inches near Jamestown\u2026and 10 inches at Grant and Lake Eldora. Lesser snow amounts\u2026from 4 to 9 inches\u2026were recorded elsewhere in the foothills. Snowfall totaled only 3.5 inches in the Denver Stapleton area. At Denver International Airport\u2026north winds gusted to 31 mph.<\/p>\n

In 2012…a brief but powerful windstorm associated with a fast moving cold front across the urban corridor and adjacent plains during in the evening. Peak wind gusts ranging from 58 to 71 mph downed trees and power lines which damaged homes and vehicles. Several temporary structures were also damaged. Approximately fifty thousand were left without power in the Denver…Fort Collins and Greeley areas. Some schools were closed the following day until power could be restored. Around the Denver area…peak wind gusts included: 69 mph in Golden…64 mph at Littleton… \u00a062 mph at Buckley AFB and in Denver…near the intersection of Walnut St. and interstate 25…and Longmont; 59 mph at Centennial Airport…58 mph at Denver City Park… Highlands Ranch.\u00a0 At Denver International Airport…a peak wind gust to 35 mph was observed from the northwest.<\/p>\n

17-19<\/p>\n

In 1908\u2026a moist\u2026heavy\u2026wet snowfall totaled 13.0 inches in downtown Denver over the 3 days. Rain from early morning on the 17th changed to snow by late afternoon and continued through the late morning of the 19th. Due to temperatures in the 30\u2019s and melting\u2026the most snow on the ground was only 5.0 inches at 6:00 pm on the 18th. Northwest to northeast winds were sustained between 12 and 20 mph during the storm. Precipitation totaled 1.82 inches.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

A very eventful week of weather in Denver weather history. Many notable items have occurred and many also incorporate one of two conditions \u2013 wind or snow. Probably the most famous event was the Bronco Blizzard on October 15, 1984. That storm which hit its height during a Monday Night Football game between the Broncos … Continue reading October 11 to October 17: This week in Denver weather history<\/span> →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[63],"tags":[81,106,62,61,741],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thorntonweather.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15696"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thorntonweather.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thorntonweather.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thorntonweather.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thorntonweather.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=15696"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.thorntonweather.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15696\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":15697,"href":"https:\/\/www.thorntonweather.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15696\/revisions\/15697"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thorntonweather.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=15696"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thorntonweather.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=15696"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thorntonweather.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=15696"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}