{"id":1770,"date":"2009-08-23T13:03:08","date_gmt":"2009-08-23T20:03:08","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.thorntonweather.com\/blog\/?p=1770"},"modified":"2009-08-23T13:03:43","modified_gmt":"2009-08-23T20:03:43","slug":"august-23-to-august-29-%e2%80%93-this-week-in-denver-weather-history","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thorntonweather.com\/blog\/thornton-weather\/august-23-to-august-29-%e2%80%93-this-week-in-denver-weather-history\/","title":{"rendered":"August 23 to August 29 \u2013 This week in Denver weather history"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"August
August 23 to August 29 \u2013 This week in Denver weather history<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Quite the interesting week in Denver weather history.\u00a0 Swarms of grasshoppers are the most unusual item we see but there is plenty of standard severe weather including tornadoes, landspouts, hail, lightning and much more.<\/p>\n

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

19-30<\/p>\n

In 1875…grasshoppers appeared in great numbers at 10:00 am on the 19th.\u00a0 Thousands landed on the ground.\u00a0 The streets were literally covered with them.\u00a0 Swarms of grasshoppers were seen on each day.\u00a0 All gardens in the city were devastated…and in the countryside the grasshoppers were very destructive to ripened grain.\u00a0 On the 30th the grasshoppers were so numerous as to almost darken the sun.<\/p>\n

22-24<\/p>\n

In 1987…some locations in metro Denver had a total 3-day rainfall of 2 to 4 inches.\u00a0 Rainfall totaled 0.96 inch at Stapleton International Airport.<\/p>\n

23<\/p>\n

In 1900…northwest winds were sustained to 42 mph with gusts to 49 mph.
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\nIn 1921…a thunderstorm cloudburst produced 2.20 inches of rainfall in an hour over downtown Denver.\u00a0 This is the greatest 1 hour rainfall on record at the official observing site in the city.\u00a0 Precipitation totaled 2.93 inches…which is the greatest calendar day precipitation ever recorded in august.
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\nIn 1941…one man was killed by lightning about 2 miles from the official weather station in downtown Denver.
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\nIn 1962…a home near Boulder was destroyed by a lightning- caused fire.
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\nIn 1968…strong winds buffeted Boulder briefly during the early morning hours.\u00a0 At the National Center for Atmospheric Research…winds averaged 55 mph with gusts to 85 mph.\u00a0 Damage was minor.\u00a0 Northwest winds gusted to 31 mph at Stapleton International Airport.
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\nIn 1977…lightning damaged at least 6 homes in Aurora.
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\nIn 2008…a landspout touched down near Westcreek in Douglas County.\u00a0 One man was seriously injured when he tried to escaped several falling trees in his ATV.\u00a0 One of the trees struck his back and broke two vertebra.\u00a0 Another camper narrowly escaped injury.\u00a0 Seconds after he back up his truck…a tree came down where it had been parked.<\/p>\n

24<\/p>\n

In 1880…a thunderstorm produced vivid lightning and heavy rainfall…which caused flooding over the eastern part of the city including the brick yards.\u00a0 There was no rainfall recorded in downtown Denver.
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\nIn 1910…an apparent dry cold front caused a remarkable drop in temperature.\u00a0 From 3:00 pm until midnight the temperature fell from a high of 93 degrees to a low of 40 degrees. Northeast winds were sustained to 44 mph during the late afternoon.
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\nIn 1946…heavy rain near Idledale caused flooding on Bear Creek at Morrison…which resulted in one death when a woman was swept from her stranded car and drowned.
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\nIn 1973…strong winds blew down a few power lines and hail up to 3\/4 inch diameter fell in southeast Aurora.
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\nIn 1984…heavy rain hit the south Denver area.\u00a0 Over an inch fell in less than an hour at both Castle Rock and Sedalia.
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\nIn 1992…heavy rains caused flash flooding across parts of metro Denver.\u00a0 Rainfall amounts of 1 to 3 inches fell with the hardest hit areas being the southwest and central parts of metro Denver.\u00a0 Bear Creek rose above bankfull near Idledale with flood waters moving into southwest metro Denver.\u00a0 Mud and rock slides along Colorado highway 74 west of Morrison were reported.\u00a0 The confluence of Cherry Creek and the South Platte River in downtown Denver also went out of its banks…flooding bike paths.\u00a0 Rainfall totaled 1.98 inches at Stapleton International Airport where light to moderate rain fell most of the day.\u00a0 Heavy rain and fog briefly reduced the surface visibility to 1 1\/2 miles.\u00a0 The temperature climbed to a high of only 58 degrees…which was a record low maximum for the date.
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\nIn 2002…hail to 7\/8 inch in diameter was measured in southwest Denver.
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\nIn 2008…several landspout tornadoes developed along a boundary to the southeast of the Denver metropolitan area during the democratic national convention.\u00a0 In northwest Elbert County… Minor damage was reported.\u00a0 The damage consisted of downed power lines…broken windows and an out building.\u00a0 Severe thunderstorms also produced very heavy rain and large hail… Up to one inch in diameter.\u00a0 In southwest Douglas County… Heavy rain caused flash flooding near the town of Westcreek. A mudslide closed State Highway 67.\u00a0 The road in the YMCA camp shady brook was also washed out and some bridges were damaged.<\/p>\n

24-26<\/p>\n

In 1910…the lowest temperature ever recorded in August…40 degrees…occurred on each of these days and on August 22… 1904.\u00a0 The unusually cold weather for so early in the season brought sub-freezing minimum temperatures to much of the Colorado northeastern plains.<\/p>\n

25<\/p>\n

In 1951…a microburst produced a southwest wind gust to 50 mph at Stapleton Airport.\u00a0 Only a trace of rain was observed.
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\nIn 1964…thunderstorm winds gusted to 59 mph and caused some blowing dust at Stapleton International Airport.
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\nIn 1994…lightning struck a power pole in Louisville and caused a two-hour power outage.
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\nIn 2008…an unoccupied home was struck by lightning in Aurora… Causing 75 thousand dollars in damage to the roof.<\/p>\n

26<\/p>\n

In 1944…one of the most destructive hailstorms in the city in a decade caused damage estimated at nearly one million dollars.\u00a0 The storm occurred within a period of 10 to 30 minutes…between 2:00 pm and 3:00 pm.\u00a0 The hail varied in size from very small to as large as 1 1\/2 inches in diameter.\u00a0 Hail covered the ground to a depth of 5 to 6 inches in some sections of the city.\u00a0 Several people were cut by broken glass.\u00a0 The hail and heavy rain flooded underpasses to a depth of 6 feet…and the occupants of stalled autos had to be rescued.\u00a0 Sewers were unable to handle the sudden amount of water and water backed up and flooded a number of basements.\u00a0 A few first floors of buildings were flooded.\u00a0 The water department had a busy time replacing manhole covers that had been displaced by the water pressure.\u00a0 Trees were stripped…one was severely broken…and telephone lines were downed.\u00a0 Roofs…windows… Automobiles…awnings…and gardens were severely damaged. Flowers and gardens in some sections of the city were a total loss.\u00a0 Greenhouses were extensively broken with an estimated 20 carloads of glass shattered.\u00a0 Vegetable and truck crops in and around the city were severely shredded. The next day the American Red Cross was designated by the War Agency to grant any and all priorities needed to obtain materials and supplies to replace and repair the damage. In downtown Denver…the thunderstorm produced 0.95 inch of rain and heavy hail along with sustained northwest winds to 25 mph.
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\nIn 1961…strong winds blew in the walls of a warehouse under construction in Denver.\u00a0 Two workmen suffered a fractured foot and body bruises.<\/p>\n

26-27<\/p>\n

In 1980…two heavy thunderstorms hit Arvada and Westminster… Dumping up to 1.50 inches of rain in less than an hour. At least two streets were washed out and a number of homes and cars were damaged when a creek flooded.\u00a0 Three homes in Arvada sustained minor lightning damage.<\/p>\n

27<\/p>\n

In 1910…a thunderstorm produced south winds sustained to 40 mph.
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\nIn 1961…strong thunderstorm winds and heavy rain occurred at 79th and Federal Blvd. In Westminster.\u00a0 The strong winds blew the roofs off lumber sheds onto parked cars.
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\nIn 1967…a young woman was killed by lightning while horseback riding in the suburbs just west of Denver.\u00a0 Her horse died several hours after the incident.\u00a0 A young man and another young woman were also knocked from their horses by the impact of the lightning and required hospitalization.
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\nIn 1991…heavy thunderstorm rainfall totaled 0.91 inch at Stapleton International Airport…where 1\/4 inch diameter hail was measured.
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\nIn 1996…localized street flooding occurred in the Fort Lupton area when 2 to 3 inches of rain fell in 45 minutes. The roof of a community college began leaking…which caused damage to ceiling tiles.\u00a0 The roof was under repair from hail damage which had occurred earlier in the summer.\u00a0 A weak tornado (f0) was sighted near Fort Lupton.\u00a0 No damage was reported.
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\nIn 1999…a slow moving thunderstorm dumped 5 inches of rain in 2 hours near Dacono.\u00a0 A severe thunderstorm produced 3\/4 inch diameter hail in Castle Rock.
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\nIn 2002…severe thunderstorms spread large hail over metro Denver.\u00a0 Hail as large as 2 inches in diameter fell in Jefferson County 5 to 11 miles northwest of Golden.\u00a0 Other large hail reports included:\u00a0 1 1\/2 inches near Golden and in Lakewood; 1 1\/4 inches in Nederland; 1 inch hail near Elizabeth…Louviers…Rollinsville…and Blackhawk; 7\/8 inch hail near Acequia in Douglas County.\u00a0 A thunderstorm produced a trace of rain and a microburst wind gust to 52 mph at Denver International Airport.
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\nIn 2003…lightning struck a house and sparked a fire in Arvada.\u00a0 Damage to the roof and ceiling was extensive.
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\nIn 2005…lightning struck an unoccupied home in Parker. The resulting fire damaged the roof…attic…and second floor bedroom.\u00a0 Damage was estimated at 15 thousand dollars.<\/p>\n

27-28<\/p>\n

In 2004…a brief chilly spell resulted in three temperature records.\u00a0 The high temperature of 55 degrees on the 27th was a record low maximum for the date.\u00a0 The low temperature of 48 degrees on the 27th equaled the record minimum for the date.\u00a0 The low temperature of 42 degrees on the 28th was a record minimum for the date.<\/p>\n

28<\/p>\n

In 1887…a dry thunderstorm produced north winds to 48 mph but only a trace of rainfall.
\n\u00a0
\nIn 1968…one man was seriously injured by lightning while riding on a roller coaster at a Denver amusement park.\u00a0 An airline employee was injured when lightning struck a jetliner he was servicing at Stapleton International Airport.\u00a0 A lightning-caused fire did extensive damage to one house and minor damage to several others in the city of Denver.
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\nIn 1970…a microburst wind gust to 53 mph was recorded at Stapleton International Airport.
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\nIn 2002…a severe thunderstorm produced 3\/4 inch diameter hail near Parker.
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\nIn 2005…lightning sparked a small fire near Jamestown.\u00a0 The blaze was quickly contained and consumed less than an acre.<\/p>\n

29<\/p>\n

In 1876…after the passage of a gentle rain shower to the east during the late evening hours…the moon shone brightly and a remarkably bright lunar rainbow appeared.
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\nIn 1910…an apparent cold front produced sustained northeast winds to 40 mph.
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\nIn 1946…the high temperature warmed to only 55 degrees…the record low maximum for the month.
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\nIn 1989…a spectacular lightning display knocked out power to 300 blocks in southeast Denver.\u00a0 One bolt started a fire in a lumber yard in the northeast part of the city…and the attic of a home in the same area was set ablaze by a lightning bolt.
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\nIn 1996…3\/4 inch diameter hail was measured in Parker.
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\nIn 2000…lightning struck two homes in Thornton.\u00a0 The extent of damage was unknown.
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\nIn 2002…two small tornadoes caused damage in southeast metro Denver.\u00a0 The first tornado…associated with a multi-vortex storm…touched down briefly near E-470 and South Jordan Road.\u00a0 Some fences were damaged…and a few trees were blown down.\u00a0 A few of the homes also sustained minor roof damage. Damage from this storm totaled 100 thousand dollars.\u00a0 The second tornado associated with the storm touched down in a subdivision that was under construction at Gartrell and Arapahoe roads.\u00a0 Four large condominiums under construction were destroyed.\u00a0 The most heavily damaged portions of the structures were still in the framing stages.\u00a0 Adjacent sections where enclosed walls were in place were not destroyed.\u00a0 A man suffered 4 broken ribs and several cuts and bruises when the trailer he sought shelter in was flipped three times and torn apart by the twister.\u00a0 Damage from this storm totaled 6 million dollars. A severe thunderstorm produced 1 inch diameter hail near Evergreen.
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\nIn 2006…severe thunderstorms produced large hail in the foothills west of Denver.\u00a0 Hail to 1 inch in diameter fell near Blackhawk.\u00a0 Hail as large as 7\/8 inch was measured near Idaho Springs…along with 3\/4 inch hail near Nederland and Conifer.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Quite the interesting week in Denver weather history.\u00a0 Swarms of grasshoppers are the most unusual item we see but there is plenty of standard severe weather including tornadoes, landspouts, hail, lightning and much more. From the National Weather Service: 19-30 In 1875…grasshoppers appeared in great numbers at 10:00 am on the 19th.\u00a0 Thousands landed on … Continue reading August 23 to August 29 \u2013 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\/1770"}],"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=1770"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.thorntonweather.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1770\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1772,"href":"https:\/\/www.thorntonweather.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1770\/revisions\/1772"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thorntonweather.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1770"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thorntonweather.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1770"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thorntonweather.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1770"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}