{"id":1617,"date":"2009-05-31T07:37:09","date_gmt":"2009-05-31T14:37:09","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.thorntonweather.com\/blog\/?p=1617"},"modified":"2009-06-01T07:41:20","modified_gmt":"2009-06-01T14:41:20","slug":"may-31-to-june-6-this-week-in-denver-weather-history","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thorntonweather.com\/blog\/thornton-weather\/may-31-to-june-6-this-week-in-denver-weather-history\/","title":{"rendered":"May 31 to June 6 – This week in Denver weather history"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"May
May 31 to June 6 - This week in Denver weather history<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

An extremely eventful week in Denver weather history.\u00a0 Most notably for longtime Thornton and Northglenn residents is the 28 year anniversary of the infamous Thornton Tornado which struck on June 3, 1981.<\/p>\n

26-31<\/p>\n

In 1995…a cool period with light morning showers and moderate to heavy afternoon showers and thunderstorms pushed rivers already swollen from mountain snow melt over their banks causing minor flooding.\u00a0 Streams and rivers such as the South Platte and Boulder creek flooded meadowlands…bike paths…roads near streams…and other low lying areas.\u00a0 No significant property damage was reported and crop damage was unknown.\u00a0 Rainfall totaled 1.79 inches at the site of the former Stapleton International Airport and only 1.51 inches at Denver International Airport.<\/p>\n

29-1\u00a0<\/p>\n

In 1894…heavy rain combined with snowmelt runoff caused widespread flooding over the South Platte River basin. Rainfall was heaviest in the foothills where 5 to 8 inches were measured over the 4 days.\u00a0 Heavy rainfall west of Boulder flooded mining towns and damaged mining properties.\u00a0 In the canyons above Boulder…railroads and roads were washed out along with many bridges.\u00a0 The floodwaters spread into central Boulder and covered a wide area from university hill north to near Mapleton Hill to a maximum depth of 8 feet.\u00a0 Many houses were swept away…and every bridge in Boulder was destroyed. A few people…trapped in their homes by the floodwaters… Had to be rescued.\u00a0 However…the gradual rise of the flood waters resulted in only one death.\u00a0 Boulder creek spread to a width of nearly one mile in the pasture land to the east of Boulder.\u00a0 Extensive flooding on left hand creek north of Boulder washed away railroad and wagon bridges.\u00a0 The heavy cloudbursts caused flooding on bear creek…which washed away bridges…railroad tracks…and structures and destroyed the canyon roadway.\u00a0 Morrison sustained the heaviest flood damage on bear creek.\u00a0 In Denver…rainfall totaled only 1.50 inches on the 30th and 31st…but the heavy rainfall on upstream tributaries of the South Platte River caused the river to rise as much as 10 feet above the low water mark in the city…which caused some flooding of pasture land downstream to a depth of 6 feet near Brighton.<\/p>\n

30-31<\/p>\n

In 1935…heavy thunderstorm rains overnight caused flash flooding east of the city on both Kiowa and Bijou Creeks… Resulting in a total of 9 deaths.\u00a0 Most of the damage was on Kiowa Creek where there were more structures.\u00a0 The water rose rapidly during the storm…ripping houses and stores from their foundations and sweeping them downstream. Precipitation in Denver totaled only 0.01 inch.\u00a0 Hail fell in the city for a short time.\u00a0 The hail was very small and caused no damage.
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\nIn 1983…a late storm of rain and snow hit the Front Range. Over an inch of rain fell at some spots…and above 7 thousand feet…1 to 5 inches of snow whitened the ground. Some snow flakes even fell in the western suburbs of metro Denver on the night of the 30th.
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\nIn 2002…unseasonably warm weather at the end of the month resulted in 3 temperature records.\u00a0 High temperature of 91 degrees on the 30th equaled the record maximum for the date.\u00a0 Low temperature of 61 degrees on the 31st was a record high minimum for the date.\u00a0 High temperature of 93 degrees on the 31st was a record maximum for the date.
\n31\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 in 1917…rainfall totaled 0.55 inch and was mixed briefly with snow around midday.\u00a0 Only a trace of snow fell. Cold temperatures during the day resulted in a high of 44 degrees and a low of 35 degrees.\u00a0 The month closed as the coldest May on record with a mean temperature of only 48.7 degrees…about 8 degrees below normal.\u00a0 The cold temperatures during the month had a marked effect on shade trees and shrubs in the city.\u00a0 Elms were just starting to leaf.\u00a0 Leaves on cottonwoods and maples were only half formed.\u00a0 Lilacs were just blooming…and snowball clusters would not bloom for days.
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\nIn 1959…the public reported a tornado briefly touching the ground 10 miles south of Stapleton Airport.\u00a0 No damage was reported.
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\nIn 1984…a thunderstorm microburst produced a wind gust to 67 mph…7 miles east of Boulder.
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\nIn 1991…hail to golf ball size pummeled southern and southeastern sections of metro Denver and continued on east to Watkins.\u00a0 Several houses and cars were damaged.\u00a0 Later… Thunderstorms dumped heavy rain across the city of Denver… Causing street flooding in an area just south of downtown and just northwest of downtown.\u00a0 Water was up to 10 inches deep over northwest Denver.\u00a0 A brief tornado touched down in Castle Rock where 3\/4 inch diameter hail also fell.
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\nIn 1993…thunderstorms dropped dime size hail in Commerce City.
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\nIn 1994…lightning struck an apartment in Louisville and damaged electronic equipment…including a computer.
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\nIn 2006…a severe thunderstorm produced 1 inch diameter hail near Boulder.<\/p>\n

1\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

In 1875…a windstorm during the late afternoon and early evening produced sustained winds to 50 mph.
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\nIn 1898…south winds were sustained to 41 mph with gusts to 46 mph.
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\nIn 1917…a trace of unmelted snow fell in downtown Denver. Precipitation for the day totaled 0.08 inch…half of which was estimated to be from melted snow.
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\nIn 1919…snowfall of 0.4 inch was measured in downtown Denver.\u00a0 This was the greatest calendar day and 24-hour snowfall ever recorded during the month of June. Precipitation (rain and melted snow) totaled 0.15 inch. Two temperature records were set.\u00a0 The low temperature of 32 degrees was a record minimum for the date.\u00a0 The high temperature of only 40 degrees was a record low maximum for the date and the month.\u00a0 North winds were sustained to 36 mph with gusts to 40 mph.
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\nIn 1951…a trace of snow fell at Stapleton Airport.
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\nIn 1961…hail as large as 1 1\/2 inches in diameter fell in west Denver with hail to 1 1\/4 inches reported in derby.
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\nIn 1965…a man struck by lightning in southeast Denver died shortly after being admitted to a hospital.\u00a0 Lightning damaged power lines in east and southeast Denver.
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\nIn 1980…strong thunderstorm winds blew in the windows of a mobile home in Northglenn.
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\nIn 1990…a thunderstorm produced wind gusts to 63 mph in Boulder.\u00a0 A small tornado touched down in a farmer’s field between the towns of Louisville and Lafayette.\u00a0 Another tornado was spotted in an open field 3 miles west of Brighton.\u00a0 A funnel cloud was sighted near Hudson. A microburst wind gust to 55 mph was recorded at Stapleton International Airport.\u00a0 No damage was reported from any of these events.
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\nIn 1991…severe thunderstorms producing large hail…damaging winds…funnel clouds…and heavy rain were widespread across metro Denver.\u00a0 Funnel clouds were reported in Lakewood… Boulder…Arvada…and just east of the rocky mountain arsenal.\u00a0 Hail up to golf ball size fell in Lakewood…just west of Sedalia…in Littleton…Arvada…Englewood…and the city of Denver.\u00a0 A mobile home park in Jefferson County reported hail to 3 feet deep.\u00a0 Up to 1.00 inch of rain fell in 45 minutes near Boulder…causing Boulder creek to flow out of its banks.\u00a0 Rock and mud slides forced the closure of many roads in Boulder County.\u00a0 Later in the afternoon thunderstorms produced rainfall amounts of 2 to 3 inches over a couple of hours.\u00a0 Clear creek in Golden spilled over onto U.S. Highway 6.\u00a0 Heavy rains washed away part of a bridge near Erie.\u00a0 Water was up to 18 inches deep in Westminster.\u00a0 Wind gusts to 58 mph were reported at Stapleton International Airport where 1\/4 inch hail fell… And heavy thunderstorm rainfall totaled 0.82 inches…briefly reducing the visibility to 1 1\/4 miles.\u00a0 Estimates of total damage from these storms would exceed 7 million dollars.
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\nIn 1994…hail up to 1 inch in diameter fell over south Denver and Littleton.
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\nIn 1997…two short lived-tornadoes formed near Bennett…but did no reported damage.
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\nIn 2002…strong winds from the outflow of dissipating showers developed to the east of Denver.\u00a0 Near Strasburg…a spotter recorded a wind gust to 58 mph.<\/p>\n

1-2\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

In 2002…unusually very warm weather for so early in June resulted in two temperature records.\u00a0 Maximum temperatures of 96 degrees on the 1st and 93 degrees on the 2nd were record highs for each date…respectively.<\/p>\n

1-4\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

In 1977…unusually warm weather for this early in June resulted in 3 maximum temperature records being equaled at the time:\u00a0 88 degrees on the 1st…90 degrees on the 2nd… And 93 degrees on the 4th.\u00a0 Maximum of 91 degrees on the 3rd was not a record.<\/p>\n

2\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

In 1914…flooding occurred on Boulder creek when heavy rains added to heavy snowmelt runoff.\u00a0 Flooding damaged the water supply system from the mountains into Boulder and destroyed roads and bridges in the canyons above Boulder.\u00a0 The flooding in central Boulder was described as the worst since the tragic flood of May 29th through June 3rd in 1894.\u00a0 However…there was no reported loss of life.\u00a0 The flood waters also inundated pasture land to the east of the town.
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\nIn 1951…the lowest recorded temperature in June…30 degrees… Occurred. The unusually cold weather was accompanied by 0.3 inch of snowfall.\u00a0 Precipitation…both rain and melted snow…totaled 0.30 inch.
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\nIn 1966…microburst winds gusted to 51 mph at Stapleton International Airport.
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\nIn 1981…a severe thunderstorm roared through metro Denver… Dumping 2.00 inches of rain in as little as 20 minutes and bombing many areas with hail to 1 3\/4 inches in diameter. The heavy rain caused local flooding with up to 3 feet of water in some streets in northwest metro Denver.\u00a0 Part of a street was washed out in Thornton.\u00a0 Lightning strikes started a fire and caused a power outage just north of Denver.\u00a0 Lightning also struck a barn which burned to the ground in Brighton.\u00a0 Numerous cars sustained minor hail damage.\u00a0 A tornado was spotted 4 miles northeast of the rocky mountain arsenal…but caused no damage.
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\nIn 1982…severe thunderstorms produced large hail across metro Denver.\u00a0 Hail to 3\/4 inch in diameter was reported in Louisville and northeast Denver.\u00a0 Golf ball size hail fell near Strasburg where two tornadoes were also sighted.
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\nIn 1983…a tornado touched down 5 miles south of Bennett.\u00a0 It destroyed an outbuilding and did extensive damage to greyhound dog shelters.\u00a0 Golf ball size hail fell near the tornado…destroying some hay.
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\nIn 1985…3\/4 inch hail fell in southwest metro Denver.
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\nIn 1989…large hail fell over eastern and central Denver.\u00a0 A few stones were as large as baseballs…and many ranged from 3\/4 inch to golf ball size.\u00a0 The hail piled up 2 to 4 inches deep in some areas.\u00a0 Hail to 3\/4 inch fell at Buckley Field in Aurora…and 7\/8 inch hail fell just east of Aurora.\u00a0 A home in Louisville was struck by lightning and was 30 percent destroyed by the ensuing fire.
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\nIn 1991…strong thunderstorm winds in Arapahoe County…14 miles southeast of Stapleton International Airport…damaged the roof of a home and a radio antenna.\u00a0 A funnel cloud… 4 miles northeast of Stapleton International Airport…was sighted for 11 minutes by national weather service observers.
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\nIn 1993…a tornado touched down briefly in south Denver… Destroying the 4-inch thick concrete roof of a building and causing about 20 thousand dollars in damage.\u00a0 The twister also picked up a trash dumpster and dropped it onto a car 30 feet away…causing an estimated 3 thousand dollars in damage.\u00a0 Hail up to an inch in diameter fell in Aurora… Conifer…and Bennett.\u00a0 Two funnel clouds were spotted near Deckers.\u00a0 A funnel cloud was sighted for 19 minutes by national weather service observers to the southwest of Stapleton International Airport.
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\nIn 1994…lightning struck two homes in Denver…starting fires which caused considerable damage to both.\u00a0 Hail to 3\/4 inch in diameter fell in Golden.
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\nIn 1995…lightning struck a house in Nederland…causing a fire that was doused by subsequent rainfall.\u00a0 A portion of the roof and wall was damaged.\u00a0 The storm also left most of Nederland without power for two hours.\u00a0 Lightning also struck a high chimney of an elementary school in west Denver.\u00a0 The jolt sprayed bricks around the school yard and parking lot.\u00a0 Twenty students and teachers were in the school building at the time…but all escaped without injury.\u00a0 A funnel cloud was sighted over Fort Lupton…and 3\/4 inch hail fell in Lafayette.
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\nIn 2003…severe thunderstorms produced strong winds and large hail.\u00a0 Hail as large as 1 1\/2 inches in diameter fell near Parker.\u00a0 Estimated wind gusts to 70 mph occurred near Parker and near Denver International Airport where thunderstorm wind gusts to 52 mph were recorded.\u00a0 Wind gusts to 60 mph were estimated near Bennett.
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\nIn 2005…a severe thunderstorm produced hail as large as 1 inch in diameter in the city of Denver.\u00a0 A tornado was sighted near Bennett along with 3\/4 inch hail.
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\nIn 2008…severe thunderstorms produced large hail over western Arapahoe…northern Denver and southern Weld counties.\u00a0 Hail…2 inches in diameter…was observed near Brighton; with hail to 1 1\/2 inches in diameter…5 miles east of prospect.\u00a0 Hail to one inch in diameter was observed near Buckley Field…Frederick and Denver.<\/p>\n

2-4\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

In 1989…heavy rain drenched metro Denver with the greatest amounts recorded on the 3rd.\u00a0 Total rainfall ranged from 1 1\/2 to 3 inches.\u00a0 Roads were washed out in Boulder County… And flooded basements caused water damage to houses in the Gunbarrel section of Boulder.\u00a0 In suburban Denver…heavy rain caused minor flooding along Lena Gulch in Jefferson County where two mobile home parks were evacuated. Rainfall totaled 1.66 inches at Stapleton International Airport.<\/p>\n

2-7\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

In 1921…heavy rainfall for nearly a week…on top of streams already swollen by mountain snowmelt…produced widespread flooding over the South Platte River basin…including the tributaries through the canyons to the west and southwest of Denver.\u00a0 Heavy rainfall over the 6-day period totaled 3.36 inches in Boulder…4.98 inches in Morrison…4.27 inches in Castle Rock…and 2.94 inches in the city of Denver. Rainfall amounts in the foothills were estimated between 3 and 6 inches.\u00a0 The narrow-gage tracks of the Colorado and southern railroad were destroyed in the Platte Canyon.\u00a0 From the mouth of the canyon through the city to near Brighton… The river spread from 1\/2 to nearly 1 1\/2 miles wide… Flooding farm and pasture land and destroying or damaging many bridges.\u00a0 In the city…many businesses along with as many as 500 homes were inundated…forcing their evacuation. Bridges were swept away.\u00a0 The high waters flooded the rail yards and stock yards in lower downtown…closing three adjacent packing houses.\u00a0 The heavy rains also caused flooding on Boulder creek in Boulder on the 6th.<\/p>\n

3\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

In 1951…a trace of snow fell at Stapleton Airport.
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\nIn 1961…torrential rains fell 10 to 30 miles north of Denver…causing flooding in the town of Frederick.\u00a0 The rush of water broke through and over a retaining dike sending a 5-foot wall of water into the town…flooding homes and damaging sewer lines…roads…and streets. Golf ball size hail fell in derby…west Denver…and Lakewood…causing more than one million dollars in damage.
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\nIn 1981…severe thunderstorms produced tornadoes over metro Denver.\u00a0 The first tornado touched down at the intersection of Alameda Ave. and Sheridan Blvd.\u00a0 The twister moved north along Sheridan blvd….damaging businesses…apartment buildings…homes…and vehicles.\u00a0 Over ten homes were unroofed.\u00a0 The roof of one landed in the middle of a neighborhood park.\u00a0 At least 10 mobile homes were wrecked. The tornado curved to the northeast into northwest Denver… Hopping up and down in several places.\u00a0 Very strong winds outside the actual funnel caused 20 to 30 thousand dollars in damage in downtown Denver.\u00a0 The third floor of one old building was demolished.\u00a0 No major injuries were reported from the tornado…although several people were hurt slightly in traffic accidents on Sheridan blvd. In the confusion caused by the storm.\u00a0 Damage in Lakewood alone was estimated at 200 thousand dollars.\u00a0 At the same time… The worst tornado to ever hit metro Denver struck Thornton. Coming from the same thunderstorm that spawned the Denver twister…the Thornton tornado tore a swath through the heart of the city.\u00a0 87 homes were destroyed…110 others damaged at least moderately.\u00a0 In all…600 homes in a 100 block area sustained some damage.\u00a0 The twister also hit shopping centers…several restaurants…and other buildings. Seven of the 42 injured were considered serious.\u00a0 The storm was strong enough to snap lamp posts in half and drive a 6- inch slab of wood 2 feet into the ground.\u00a0 Damage was estimated at up to 50 million dollars.\u00a0 The same storm that struck Thornton produced another damaging tornado that touched down in the northwest section of Fort Lupton.\u00a0 This twister damaged 16 homes and numerous cars and campers. Two children were slightly injured when the car they were in was knocked about and its windows shattered by the storm.\u00a0 The twister also damaged two commercial buildings.\u00a0 Damage was very spotty…and observers said the storm hopped up and down at least 3 times.\u00a0 Dollar damage was estimated at 500 thousand dollars.\u00a0 The thunderstorm complex that produced 3 damaging tornadoes also dropped large hail which damaged many cars over northwest Denver.\u00a0 One to 2 inches of rain fell in less than an hour…flooding a mobile home park with 3 to 4 feet of water on the northwest edge of Denver.\u00a0 The high water damaged about half of the 392 homes in the park.\u00a0 Local flooding was also reported in other areas across metro Denver.\u00a0 A tornado was also sighted near Franktown…but caused no damage.\u00a0 A thunderstorm wind gust to 52 mph was recorded at Stapleton International Airport.
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\nIn 1982…a cold air funnel cloud touched down briefly in southwest Denver.\u00a0 Two tornadoes were briefly spotted near Watkins.\u00a0 No damage was reported from these storms.\u00a0 A brief funnel cloud was sighted by national weather service observers at Stapleton International Airport where 1\/4 inch hail fell.
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\nIn 1984…there were several sightings of tornadoes around Parker.\u00a0 No damage was reported.
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\nIn 1985…a tornado just southeast of Aurora was spotted by a national weather service employee.\u00a0 No damage was reported. Severe thunderstorms pummeled the metro area with hail. One inch to baseball size hail was reported in south Lakewood…one inch hail in Littleton…3\/4 inch to 1 inch hail in Aurora…and golf ball size hail in south Denver.
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\nIn 1989…hail up to golf ball size fell over Arvada.\u00a0 A golf course had to be evacuated as the hail accumulated up to 3 inches deep in some places.\u00a0 One inch diameter hail fell in west Denver and Westminster.
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\nIn 1993…an early morning thunderstorm produced lightning… Which caused an attic fire at a residence in Niwot northeast of Boulder.\u00a0 Damage was estimated at 40 thousand dollars.\u00a0 No one was injured.
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\nIn 1994…hail to 1 1\/2 inch diameter fell just northeast of Boulder.\u00a0 One inch diameter hail fell in Golden. Thunderstorm wind gusts to 70 mph were recorded in Erie.
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\nIn 1995…a tornado was sighted over open country near Strasburg.\u00a0 No damage was reported.\u00a0 A funnel cloud was sighted 11 miles east of Aurora where 3\/4 inch hail fell.
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\nIn 2001…severe thunderstorms produced large hail over east and southeast metro Denver.\u00a0 Hail as large as 1 3\/4 inches in diameter fell at centennial airport with 1 1\/2 inch hail near Buckley Field…1 1\/4 inch hail in Parker…1 inch hail near Elizabeth…7\/8 inch hail at Cheery Creek Reservoir…and 3\/4 inch hail 20 miles north of Kiowa in Elbert County.
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\nIn 2002…severe thunderstorms dumped large hail across metro Denver.\u00a0 Hail to 1 3\/4 inches in diameter fell over southeast Denver and 4 miles north of Aurora.\u00a0 Hail to 1 1\/4 inches pelted Parker.\u00a0 One inch hail was measured near Ft. Lupton…and 3\/4 inch hail fell 9 miles southeast of Buckley Field…near Strasburg…and at the site of the former Stapleton International Airport.
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\nIn 2005…thunderstorms producing heavy rain and hail caused flash flooding over parts of southeast metro Denver. People became trapped in their vehicles by the high water… And numerous water rescues were required.\u00a0 The hardest hit areas included the vicinity of I-25 and Alameda Avenue…as well as the intersection of Yale Avenue and Quebec Street. Several basements were flooded along Eastman Place. Severe thunderstorms brought heavy rain and hail to eastern centennial and southeastern Aurora.\u00a0 Up to 3 feet of standing water was reported on east orchard road where several motorists were stranded in their vehicles and needed to be rescued.\u00a0 Hail to 3\/4 inch in diameter fell in the area.\u00a0 Ten vehicles were stranded on Grand Avenue…and most had to be towed once the floodwaters receded.\u00a0 Water was reportedly chest deep at one location on Girard Avenue. Hail as large as 3\/4 inch in diameter also was reported in Littleton…near Parker…and near Buckley Air Force Base. Hail to 7\/8 inch was measured near Sheridan and Cheery Creek Reservoir.<\/p>\n

3-4\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

In 1904…a thunderstorm during the early morning of the 3rd turned into widespread general rain…which continued into the early afternoon of the 4th.\u00a0 Rainfall totaled 2.04 inches.<\/p>\n

4\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

In 1878…a “waterspout” or cloudburst of rain was sighted up the South Platte canyon at around noon.\u00a0 The resulting high waters on the South Platte River slightly damaged a railroad bridge in the city.
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\nIn 1937…a trace of snow fell in downtown Denver where rainfall totaled 0.25 inch.\u00a0 Minimum temperature of 34 degrees was a record low for the date.\u00a0 Northeast winds were sustained to 22 mph.
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\nIn 1951…the start of the second shortest snow-free period on record…109 days…occurred with the last snow of the season…a trace…on the 3rd.\u00a0 The first snow of the next season occurred on September 21st when 4.2 inches of snow fell at Stapleton Airport.
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\nIn 1954…a microburst produced brief sustained winds of 40 mph with gusts as high as 64 mph at Stapleton Airport.
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\nIn 1956…the failure of the Georgetown dam caused downstream flooding on clear creek at Idaho Springs and Golden.
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\nIn 1976…funnel clouds were sighted near Brighton…Erie…and Dacono…all north of Denver.\u00a0 A tornado touched down briefly 1 1\/2 miles east of Lafayette.\u00a0 Another tornado touched down briefly at Hyland Hills Golf Course in Westminster.\u00a0 No damage was reported.
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\nIn 1983…severe thunderstorms during the afternoon produced 3\/4 inch hail in south Denver…golf ball size hail 5 miles west of Parker…1 1\/4 inch hail in Littleton…1 1\/2 inch hail in south Aurora.
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\nIn 2001…hail as large as 1 inch in diameter fell 17 miles north of Bennett in Adams County.
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\nIn 2005…snow was mixed with rain for nearly an hour at Denver International Airport during mid to late morning. The temperature at the time was 45 degrees.\u00a0 Precipitation totaled 0.36 inch for the day.\u00a0 Northwest winds gusted to 37 mph.
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\nIn 2008…a severe thunderstorm produced large hail…up to 1 3\/4 inches in diameter in Arvada…a northwest suburb of Denver.\u00a0 Several vehicles were damaged.\u00a0 In addition…a severe thunderstorms produced hail to 1 inch in diameter… 10 miles northeast of manila…east of Denver International Airport.
\n4-5\u00a0\u00a0 in 1965…lightning and an 18-hour rain storm damaged streets and roads and telephone and power lines across metro Denver.\u00a0 Precipitation totaled 2.77 inches at Stapleton International Airport where the visibility was reduced to 3 miles at times from pre-frontal thunderstorms and heavy upslope rains.
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\nIn 1998…a late season snow storm struck the Front Range foothills.\u00a0 Up to 5 inches of snow fell in Coal Creek Canyon.\u00a0 Light snow also fell over western sections of metro Denver and briefly at Denver International Airport. Snow covered the grass at the Denver federal center in Lakewood before melting around mid-morning on the 5th. No snow fell at the site of the former Stapleton International Airport.\u00a0 Several temperature records were set.\u00a0 High temperatures of 47 degrees on the 4th and 49 degrees on the 5th were record low maximums for their respective dates.\u00a0 Minimum temperature of 34 degrees on both the 5th and 6th were record lows for those dates.<\/p>\n

5\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

In 1864…high water on the west fork of clear creek caused a small dam near empire to fail…which destroyed several downstream bridges.
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\nIn 1885…a windstorm during the afternoon and early evening produced south to southwest winds at sustained speeds up to 42 mph.
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\nIn 1937…a trace of snow fell in downtown Denver.\u00a0 This was the latest snowfall of record at the time.\u00a0 Light rain and snow were mixed around mid-day.\u00a0 Precipitation totaled only 0.01 inch.\u00a0 North winds were sustained to 20 mph.
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\nIn 1941…hail of unknown size fell on the city.
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\nIn 1961…lightning struck and injured an airman outside a base classroom at Lowry Air Force Base.\u00a0 Funnel clouds were sighted near Frederick and firestone north of Denver.\u00a0 The one near Frederick briefly touched down in an open field but caused no damage.\u00a0 Heavy rain and hail hit the Fort Lupton area causing damage to crops.\u00a0 Heavy rain in Frederick added to the flood damage of the 3rd.\u00a0 A pilot reported a funnel cloud that touched down briefly and then dissipated south of Castle Rock.
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\nIn 1965…a lightning-caused fire destroyed a mountain home near Rollinsville.
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\nIn 1988…a tornado touched down 5 miles east of Lafayette near I-25 and stayed on the ground for 15 minutes.\u00a0 The twister hit a campground…demolishing one trailer and damaging six others…along with 4 cars.\u00a0 The rope-like funnel also blew down fences…signs…and electrical boxes. The twister moved a 1500-pound hay wagon 150 feet.\u00a0 Total damage to the campground was estimated at 50 thousand dollars.\u00a0 Another tornado touched down between Broomfield and Lafayette…staying on the ground for about 20 minutes. The twister hit a subdivision…unroofing one abandoned house and causing minor damage to a dozen others.\u00a0 A four- car garage and three barns were destroyed.\u00a0 At one location a chain link fence…a satellite dish…and a shed were destroyed…while the deck and garage of the house were damaged.\u00a0 A grain storage tank was moved 200 feet.\u00a0 There were reports of boards being blown through walls; one came through a kitchen.
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\nIn 1992…lightning struck a 15-year-old boy…causing minor injuries…in Adams County 6 miles north-northeast of Stapleton International Airport.\u00a0 Thunderstorm winds gusted to 63 mph at Jefferson County airport near Broomfield…to 58 mph at the u.s. atomic energy commission’s facility at rocky flats…to 58 mph in Thornton…and to 48 mph at Stapleton International Airport where 1\/8 inch diameter hail fell.
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\nIn 1996…strong microburst winds up to 60 mph damaged several trees in Boulder…snapping large branches 1 to 2 inches in diameter.
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\nIn 1997…a woman was struck by lightning as she was walking to her car in Nederland.\u00a0 The lightning bolt apparently struck a nearby power line and arced into her left hand. She received minor injuries.<\/p>\n

5-6\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

In 1977…lightning caused several power outages and moderate damage to a railroad building.<\/p>\n

6\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

In 1954…thunderstorm winds at speeds of 50 mph with gusts as high as 59 mph briefly reduced the visibility to 1 mile in blowing dust at Stapleton Airport.
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\nIn 1967…the public reported golf ball to 1 3\/4 inch diameter hail in the city…3 miles west-southwest of Stapleton International Airport.\u00a0 The amount of damage was unknown. Thunderstorm winds gusted to 46 mph at Stapleton International Airport.
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\nIn 1981…hail to 3\/4 inch in diameter was reported in east Denver.
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\nIn 1990…golf ball size hail was reported near Strasburg on I-70 east of Denver.
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\nIn 1991…a tornado was spotted by national weather service personnel and weather spotters…14 to 17 miles northeast of Stapleton International Airport.\u00a0 A funnel cloud was sighted over south Aurora just east of Buckley Field…and a tornado was spotted just east of Watkins.\u00a0 No damage was reported. Thunderstorms moved through Aurora and dropped hail up to 1 inch in diameter.\u00a0 The storms also produced heavy rain… Up to 1 inch in 30 minutes…causing flooding of streets. Water was reported hood deep…stranding motorists.\u00a0 Water covered fire hydrants at some intersections.
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\nIn 1995…a waterspout sighted over Standley Lake in northern Jefferson County…quickly dissipated once it reached shore. A brief tornado…which was momentarily visible by a dust debris cloud on the ground…damaged the roof of a house in Westminster.\u00a0 A funnel cloud was sighted just south of Lafayette.\u00a0 Hail from 3\/4 to 1 1\/4 inches in diameter fell over north Boulder.\u00a0 Thunderstorm outflow produced north wind gusts to 44 mph at Denver International Airport.
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\nIn 1997…a tornado touched down near baseline reservoir just east of Boulder.\u00a0 The tornado struck a home…tearing off part of the roof.\u00a0 A storage building nearby was nearly leveled and 5 trees were uprooted.\u00a0 The twister then moved onto baseline reservoir…forming a huge waterspout.\u00a0 Several recreational vehicles and a boat dock were also damaged. A nearly stationary line of thunderstorms dumped 4.60 inches of rain on portions of Thornton.\u00a0 Extensive flooding of streets and underpasses and other low lying areas was reported.\u00a0 Several businesses were flooded and basements in the area were damaged.\u00a0 Rainfall totaled 1.02 inches at Denver International Airport and 1.24 inches at the site of the former Stapleton International Airport.\u00a0 Large hail…up to 1 3\/4 inches in diameter…fell over the city of Denver with 3\/4 inch hail measured in Littleton and near Henderson.
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\nIn 1999…high winds developed for a brief time in and near the foothills of Boulder.\u00a0 The Gamow Tower on the University of Colorado campus recorded a wind gust to 87 mph.\u00a0 Winds peaked to 71 mph atop Niwot Ridge near the continental divide west of Boulder.
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\nIn 2003…a small tornado touched down near Strasburg…but did no damage.
\n6-7\u00a0\u00a0 in 2004…a brief hot spell produced 3 temperature records. High temperatures of 95 degrees on the 6th and 98 degrees on the 7th were record maximum temperatures for the dates. Low temperature of 68 degrees on the 7th was a record high minimum for the date.
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\nIn 2007…an unusually strong storm system brought very strong winds to the Front Range foothills and urban corridor. Peak gusts included:\u00a0 92 mph at Boulder…85 mph…2 miles southwest of Boulder…83 mph…10 miles south of Boulder and 55 mph at Denver International Airport.\u00a0 High winds forced the closure of Mt. Evans Road and Trail Ridge Road.\u00a0 Several trees were uprooted across the urban corridor.\u00a0 In Aurora… The driver of a car was injured when some building material blew off the Fitzsimmons complex.\u00a0 The debris landed on the car and knocked the driver unconscious.\u00a0 The wind forced the cancellation of 60 flights at Denver International Airport. Xcel reported outages in Boulder…Denver…Lakewood and Longmont.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

An extremely eventful week in Denver weather history.\u00a0 Most notably for longtime Thornton and Northglenn residents is the 28 year anniversary of the infamous Thornton Tornado which struck on June 3, 1981. 26-31 In 1995…a cool period with light morning showers and moderate to heavy afternoon showers and thunderstorms pushed rivers already swollen from mountain … Continue reading May 31 to June 6 – 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":[7,63],"tags":[81,106,62,741],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thorntonweather.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1617"}],"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=1617"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.thorntonweather.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1617\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1618,"href":"https:\/\/www.thorntonweather.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1617\/revisions\/1618"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thorntonweather.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1617"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thorntonweather.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1617"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thorntonweather.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1617"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}