{"id":18128,"date":"2017-11-20T05:22:10","date_gmt":"2017-11-20T12:22:10","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.thorntonweather.com\/blog\/?p=18128"},"modified":"2017-11-20T05:22:10","modified_gmt":"2017-11-20T12:22:10","slug":"november-19-to-november-25-this-week-in-denver-weather-history","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thorntonweather.com\/blog\/weather-history\/november-19-to-november-25-this-week-in-denver-weather-history\/","title":{"rendered":"November 19 to November 25: This week in Denver weather history"},"content":{"rendered":"<figure id=\"attachment_4211\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-4211\" style=\"width: 351px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thorntonweather.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/11\/TW-Week-in-Weather-History.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-4211\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thorntonweather.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/11\/TW-Week-in-Weather-History.jpg\" alt=\"This Week In Denver Weather History\" width=\"351\" height=\"234\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.thorntonweather.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/11\/TW-Week-in-Weather-History.jpg 849w, https:\/\/www.thorntonweather.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/11\/TW-Week-in-Weather-History-150x99.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.thorntonweather.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/11\/TW-Week-in-Weather-History-300x199.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 351px) 100vw, 351px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-4211\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">November 19 to November 25: This week in Denver weather history<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>With the Thanksgiving holiday approaching, travelers cast a wary eye on Denver\u2019s weather and in our look back at this week in Denver weather history we see they have had cause for concern in the past. Snowstorms and wind have caused their share of problems. Also notable, it was 140 years ago that Denver\u2019s first official weather observation occurred.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Stay up to date with Thornton\u2019s weather: \u2018Like\u2019 us on\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/ThorntonWeather\">Facebook<\/a>, follow us on\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/twitter.com\/ThorntonWeather\">Twitter<\/a>and add us to your\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/plus.google.com\/102594403520791765288\">Google+<\/a>\u00a0circles<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>From the National Weather Service:<\/p>\n<p>18-19<\/p>\n<p>In 1975\u2026snowfall totaled only 5.5 inches and north winds gusted to 35 mph causing some blowing snow at Stapleton International Airport\u2026while a major blizzard struck southeastern Colorado.<\/p>\n<p>In 1985\u20264 to 7 inches of snow fell across metro Denver. Snowfall totaled 4.4 inches at Stapleton International Airport where north winds gusted to 23 mph.<\/p>\n<p>In 1991\u2026another strong winter storm produced heavy snow over metro Denver. Snowfall totaled 9.5 inches at Stapleton International Airport with 9 inches at Parker\u2026 And 8 inches in southeast Denver\u2026Morrison\u2026and Wheat Ridge. This second storm brought the 5 day (15th-19th) snowfall total at Stapleton International Airport to 21.1 inches. The greatest depth of snow on the ground was 13 inches on the morning of the 19th. The adverse effects of the two storms were diminished by the lack of significant winds.<\/p>\n<p>18-20<\/p>\n<p>In 1930\u2026a major storm dumped a total of 13.6 inches of snowfall over downtown Denver. Most of the snow\u20269.4 inches\u2026fell on the 19th when north winds were sustained to 23 mph. This was the only measurable snow of the month. Temperatures hovered in the 20\u2019s and lower 30\u2019s.<\/p>\n<p>In 1956\u2026an intense winter storm dumped 12.8 inches of snowfall on metro Denver. Strong north-northeast winds gusting to 33 mph at Stapleton Airport frequently reduced the visibility to 1\/2 mile in snow and blowing snow on the 19th. Most of the snowfall\u202610.7 inches\u2026occurred on the 19th.<\/p>\n<p>19<\/p>\n<p>In 1931\u2026the first measurable snow of the season totaled only 1.0 inch in the city.<\/p>\n<p>In 1977\u2026near-blizzard conditions caused some traffic accident injuries across metro Denver. Only 1.3 inches of snow fell at Stapleton International Airport where northeast winds gusted to 28 mph.<\/p>\n<p>19-21<\/p>\n<p>In 1979\u2026a heavy snowstorm buried most of Colorado under at least a foot of snow. Snowfall at Stapleton International Airport totaled 17.7 inches\u2026the greatest snow depth since 1946. Winds to 60 mph produced 5-foot drifts paralyzing the city as temperatures hovered in the 20\u2019s. While small airports closed\u2026Stapleton remained open\u2026but with long delays that snarled thanksgiving holiday traffic. Schools and businesses closed and postal deliveries were delayed. Almost all major highways leading out of Denver were closed to traffic for periods of time on the 20th and 21st. Most of the snow\u202613.5 inches\u2026fell on the 20th. At Stapleton International Airport\u2026north winds gusted to 35 mph on the 20th and to 38 mph on the 21st.<\/p>\n<p>20<\/p>\n<p>In 1871\u2026the first official weather observation in Denver\u2026 Was taken by Henry Fenton\u2026observer sergeant of the united states army signal service at 5:43 am. The office was located on the 2nd floor of a building at the corner of Larimer and g streets\u2026now 16th street. The daily weather journal hand written entry for the day follows: \u201cSnow fell heavily during past night. At 5:43 am it was snowing light and continued until 8 am. Wind during snow storm gentle and a little west of south\u2026and continued there during the remainder of the day. Sky clear after 8 am. Very cold weather prevailed all day and night. Thermometer at 9:43 pm 14 degrees. Rain gauge and self-registering thermometer not in position owing to severe storm last week. Barometer falling during the morning and rising rapidly at night.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>In 1894\u2026northwest Chinook winds sustained to 40 mph with gusts to 45 mph warmed the temperature to a high of 58 degrees in the city.<\/p>\n<p>In 1909\u2026steady and very strong winds in Boulder caused 3 thousand dollars in damage.<\/p>\n<p>In 1915\u2026post-frontal northeast winds sustained to 40 mph with gusts as high as 42 mph produced only a trace of snow. It was windy most of the day.<\/p>\n<p>In 1923\u2026west winds were sustained to 42 mph with gusts to 44 mph before daybreak. The strong winds persisted in the city for only about 3 hours.<\/p>\n<p>In 1993\u2026a wind gust to 72 mph was recorded at Table Mesa in southwest Boulder.<\/p>\n<p>In 1994\u2026winds gusted to 77 mph atop Squaw Mountain west of Denver. West winds gusted to 40 mph at Stapleton International Airport.<\/p>\n<p>20-21<\/p>\n<p>In 1898\u2026snowfall totaled 4.0 inches in downtown Denver. Northeast winds were sustained to 48 mph with gusts as high as 60 mph behind an apparent cold front on the 20th\u2026 When temperatures plunged from a high of 66 degrees to a low of 9 degrees. On the 21st the high was only 24 degrees and the low was 2 degrees.<\/p>\n<p>In 1970\u2026a wind gust to 94 mph was recorded at gold hill in the foothills west of Boulder. Strong winds also swept across metro Denver. Wind gusts reached 59 mph in downtown Boulder\u2026while at Stapleton International Airport west- northwest winds gusted to 43 mph on the 21st. Damage was minor.<\/p>\n<p>In 1992\u2026a large Canadian air mass moved into the state at the same time an upper level storm system approached from the west. The combination of cold air at the surface and very moist air aloft produced heavy snow across the entire state. Snowfall totaled 6.3 inches at Stapleton International Airport\u2026where north winds gusted to 23 mph on the 20th. Snow was heavier in the foothills\u2026with 14 inches at Wondervu\u202613 inches at Aspen Springs\u2026Conifer\u2026 Boulder\u2026and Gross Reservoir\u20268 inches at Rollinsville\u2026 And 10 inches at Golden Gate Canyon and Morrison.<\/p>\n<p>In 2007\u2026a storm system brought moderate to heavy snowfall to portions of the urban corridor. Storm totals included: 7 inches\u20263 miles south-southeast of Fort Collins\u2026with 6 inches in Boulder and at Horsetooth Inlet Bay. Elsewhere\u2026 Storm totals ranged from 2 to 5 inches. Snowfall totaled 2.0 inches at the site of the former Stapleton International Airport.<\/p>\n<p><span id=\"more-4287\"><\/span>21<\/p>\n<p>In 1891\u2026northwest winds were sustained to 50 mph with gusts to 60 mph.<\/p>\n<p>In 1899\u2026a trace of snow fell in the city. This\u2026together with a trace of precipitation on the 16th and 23rd\u2026was the only precipitation of the month\u2026making the month the driest on record. The record was equaled in November of 1901 and 1949. This trace of snow along with a trace of snow on the 23rd was the only snow of the month\u2026ranking the month the 2nd least snowiest on record. This record was equaled in November of 1884\u20261901\u20261905\u20261917\u2026and 1939.<\/p>\n<p>In 1900\u2026west winds were sustained to 46 mph with gusts to 54 mph. The Chinook winds warmed the temperature to a high of 64 degrees.<\/p>\n<p>In 1934\u2026the latest date for the first measurable snow of the season occurred. This was not the first snow of the season\u2026 Because traces of snow had fallen earlier in September. Snowfall totaled only 1.0 inch over downtown Denver.<\/p>\n<p>In 1962\u2026strong west-northwest Chinook winds gusted to 53 mph at Stapleton Airport.<\/p>\n<p>In 1998\u2026an intense mountain wave allowed for high winds to develop in the foothills of Boulder County. Wind gusts as high as 77 mph were measured 3 miles east- northeast of Nederland.<\/p>\n<p>21-22<\/p>\n<p>In 1905\u2026a trace of snow fell on both days in downtown Denver. This was the only snow of the month\u2026ranking the month along with other Novembers\u2026the 2nd least snowiest on record.<\/p>\n<p>In 1999\u2026the first significant snowfall of the season struck metro Denver. Snowfall totals included: 16 inches near Bailey; 13 inches near Evergreen; 12 inches at north turkey creek\u2026Genesee\u2026near Morrison\u2026and near Sedalia; 11 inches near Conifer and in Evergreen; 10 inches in Louisville; 9 inches in Brighton\u2026Broomfield\u2026and Denver; and 8 inches at Arvada\u2026Castle Rock\u2026and Eldorado Springs. Snowfall totaled 8.4 inches at the site of the former Stapleton International Airport.<\/p>\n<p>In 2003\u2026heavy snow fell in and near the foothills of Boulder County. Snowfall totaled 10.5 inches in Eldorado Springs. Across the city\u2026snowfall was lighter with 2.8 inches measured at the site of the former Stapleton International Airport on the 22nd. North winds gusted to 32 mph at Denver International Airport on the 22nd.<\/p>\n<p><!--more-->21-23<\/p>\n<p>In 1918\u2026post-frontal snowfall totaled 5.9 inches in downtown Denver. Most of the snow\u20265.3 inches\u2026fell on the 22nd. North winds were sustained to 20 mph on the 21st.<\/p>\n<p>In 1931\u2026a major storm dumped a total of 13.2 inches of snowfall over downtown Denver. Most of the snow\u202611.4 inches\u2026fell on the 21st. A very cold air mass settled over the city after the heavy snow on the 21st. After a low temperature of zero\u2026the temperature climbed to a high of only 5 degrees on the 22nd\u2026a record low maximum for the date.<\/p>\n<p>21-25<\/p>\n<p>In 1952\u2026snowfall of 6.2 inches was measured at Stapleton Airport where northeast winds gusted to 17 mph on the 21st.<\/p>\n<p><span id=\"more-17034\"><\/span>22<\/p>\n<p>In 1977\u2026101 mph winds were measured in southwest Boulder. The side of a garage was blown down. West winds gusted to only 33 mph at Stapleton International Airport.<\/p>\n<p>In 1981\u2026high winds occurred in the foothills. A peak gust to 75 mph was reported at Wondervu. West winds gusted to 23 mph at Stapleton International Airport.<\/p>\n<p>In 1988\u2026a wind gust to 88 mph was measured at Rollinsville.<\/p>\n<p>In 1990\u2026strong west to northwest winds\u2026on the coat tails of a mountain snow storm the day before\u2026lashed out at portions of the eastern foothills with 60 to 95 mph wind gusts. The strong winds spread over all of metro Denver. A west wind gust to 49 mph was recorded at Stapleton International Airport.<\/p>\n<p>22-23<\/p>\n<p>In 1953\u2026strong winds raked Boulder causing 18 thousand dollars in damage. Wind gusts to 80 mph were recorded at Valmont and estimated to 80 mph at the Boulder airport.<\/p>\n<p>23<\/p>\n<p>In 1899\u2026a trace of snow fell in the city. This\u2026together with a trace of precipitation on the 16th and 21st\u2026was the only precipitation of the month\u2026making the month the driest on record. The record was equaled in November of 1901 and 1949. This trace of snow along with a trace of snow on the 21st was the only snow of the month\u2026ranking the month the 2nd least snowiest on record. This record was equaled in November of 1884\u20261901\u20261905\u20261917\u2026and 1939.<\/p>\n<p>In 1901\u2026northwest winds were sustained to 45 mph with gusts to 53 mph. The Chinook winds warmed the temperature to a high of 70 degrees.<\/p>\n<p>In 1910\u2026west winds were sustained to 42 mph. The Chinook winds warmed the temperature to a high of 67 degrees.<\/p>\n<p>In 1959\u2026west-northwest winds gusted to 56 mph\u2026briefly reducing the visibility to 3 miles in blowing dust at Stapleton Airport.<\/p>\n<p>In 1998\u2026winds\u2026estimated as high as 58 mph\u2026caused several wood trusses installed in a police station under construction in Castle Rock to collapse. A construction worker on the roof received minor injuries when he was struck by one of the trusses. Southeast winds gusted to 38 mph at Denver International Airport.<\/p>\n<p>23-24<\/p>\n<p>In 1992\u2026a pre-thanksgiving blizzard belted metro Denver. Gusty north to northeast winds at 30 to 40 mph caused near-whiteout conditions as visibilities were often below 1\/4 mile. The strong winds drove snow into drifts of more than 4 feet. Hundreds of holiday travelers were stranded when airlines canceled flights at Stapleton International Airport where snowfall totaled 7.6 inches and north winds gusted to 37 mph. Blizzard conditions began around mid- morning on the 23rd and ended by mid-afternoon\u2026but heavy snow fell through the night. Snowfall totaled: 12 inches at Conifer\u2026Morrison\u2026and wheat ridge; 19 inches at Littleton; 16 inches at Castle Rock; 9 inches in Brighton; 8 inches in Aurora; and 6 inches in Parker.<\/p>\n<p>In 1993\u2026a moist upper level disturbance dumped heavy snow over most of Colorado. Snowfall amounts averaged 5 to 8 inches across metro Denver. Snowfall totaled 4.6 inches at Stapleton International Airport where northeast winds gusted to only 20 mph on the 23rd. The very cold air mass caused the temperature to dip to a record low of 8 degrees below zero on the 24th. The temperature that day climbed to only 9 degrees\u2026also setting a record low maximum for the date.<\/p>\n<p>24<\/p>\n<p>In 1915\u2026Chinook winds from the southwest sustained to 40 mph with gusts to 46 mph warmed the temperature to a high of 61 degrees. It was windy most of the day.<\/p>\n<p>In 1949\u2026the low temperature dipped to 56 degrees\u2026the all-time record highest minimum temperature ever recorded during the month of November.<\/p>\n<p>In 1960\u2026violent wind gusts caused some damage in Boulder. West winds gusted to only 22 mph at Stapleton Airport.<\/p>\n<p>In 1980\u2026a snow storm brought 3 to 6 inches of snow across metro Denver. At Stapleton International Airport\u2026only 2.1 inches of snow fell.<\/p>\n<p>In 1989\u2026high winds were recorded in Boulder with a gust to 64 mph. West winds gusted to only 24 mph at Stapleton International Airport.<\/p>\n<p>24-25<\/p>\n<p>In 1908\u2026heavy snowfall totaled 7.0 inches over downtown Denver overnight. North winds were sustained to 15 mph.<\/p>\n<p>In 1930 strong winds raked the Front Range eastern foothills. Winds gusted to 40 mph at Valmont just east of Boulder where minor damage occurred.<\/p>\n<p>In 1970\u2026strong Chinook winds warmed Boulder. At the National Center for Atmospheric Research in Boulder\u2026wind gusts reached 97 mph\u2026while in downtown Boulder winds peaked to 69 mph. Some minor damage occurred. Northwest winds gusted to 39 mph at Stapleton International Airport\u2026and the high temperature warmed to 76 degrees on the 25th\u2026setting a new record maximum for the date.<\/p>\n<p>25<\/p>\n<p>In 1877\u2026northwest winds were sustained to 50 mph.<\/p>\n<p>In 1902\u2026northwest winds were sustained to 45 mph with gusts to 48 mph. The strong apparent Bora winds warmed the temperature to a high of only 45 degrees.<\/p>\n<p>In 1943\u2026snowfall of 4.0 inches was the only measurable snow of the month. North winds were sustained to 17 mph.<\/p>\n<p>In 1958\u2026strong pre-frontal Chinook winds struck Boulder and the eastern foothills. A wind gust to 100 mph was recorded northwest of Denver. A gust to 88 mph occurred at Rocky Flats south of Boulder. The windstorm caused considerable structural damage to residential sections of north metro Denver.<\/p>\n<p>In 1959\u2026strong winds raked the eastern foothills including Boulder and Eldorado Springs. Wind gusts to 100 mph were estimated at the Matterhorn Restaurant located atop Rocky Flats south of Boulder.<\/p>\n<p>In 1993\u2026a wind gust to 99 mph was recorded atop Squaw Mountain near Idaho Springs.<\/p>\n<p>In 1998\u2026strong winds developed over portions of the Front Range foothills for a brief time following the passage of a weak upper level disturbance. A wind gust to 71 mph was measured atop Blue Mountain near Coal Creek Canyon.<\/p>\n<p>In 1999\u2026strong Chinook winds developed in and near the foothills. Peak wind reports included 100 mph at the Eldora Ski Resort and 77 mph at the National Center for Atmospheric Research mesa lab above Boulder. West winds gusted to 38 mph at Denver International Airport.<\/p>\n<p>In 2010\u2026high winds developed in the foothills of Boulder County. A gust to 75 mph occurred 5 miles northwest of Boulder with a gust to 72 mph at the national center for atmospheric research mesa lab above Boulder. West winds gusted to 24 mph at Denver International Airport.<\/p>\n<p>25-26<\/p>\n<p>In 1887\u2026snowfall totaled 2.9 inches in the city. This was the only measurable snow of the month. Northeast winds were sustained to 18 mph on the 26th when the temperature dipped to 12 degrees below zero.<\/p>\n<p>In 1959\u2026a sharp cold front produced a northwest wind gust to 51 mph\u2026followed by snow and falling temperatures from a high of 60 degrees to a low of 23 degrees at midnight on the 25th. Snowfall totaled 4.4 inches at Stapleton Airport before ending early on the 26th.<\/p>\n<p>In 1972\u2026winds gusted to 104 mph at the Rocky Flats plant south of Boulder. Gusts to 70 mph were recorded at the National Bureau of Standards in Boulder\u2026while in downtown Boulder winds peaked to 68 mph. Some damage was reported. Northwest winds gusted to 47 mph at Stapleton International Airport on the 26th.<\/p>\n<p>In 1984\u2026blowing snow closed I-70 east of Denver\u2026stranding over a thousand travelers in Limon. Denver received only 2.3 inches of snowfall. North winds gusted to 31 mph at Stapleton International Airport.<\/p>\n<p>In 1999\u2026strong Chinook winds redeveloped overnight in and near the foothills. Peak wind gusts included 72 mph atop Blue Mountain near Wondervu and at the National Center for Atmospheric Research mesa lab above Boulder.<\/p>\n<p>25-27<\/p>\n<p>In 1978\u2026heavy snowfall of 6.0 inches was measured at Stapleton International Airport where north winds gusted to 20 mph. Most of the snow\u20264.8 inches\u2026fell on the 25th. The greatest amount of snow measured on the ground was 5 inches due to settling and melting.<\/p>\n<p>25-28<\/p>\n<p>In 1952\u2026the average coldest 4-day period in November in the previous 81 years of record occurred. Maximum temperatures of 19\u202615\u202621\u2026and 25 degrees were recorded. Minimum temperatures were below zero each day with readings of 7 below\u20266 below\u20265 below\u2026and 6 below.<\/p>\n<p>25-29<\/p>\n<p>In 1985\u2026dense 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\u2026 Light freezing drizzle\u2026or ice crystals. Fog occurred all day on both the 26th and 29th.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>With the Thanksgiving holiday approaching, travelers cast a wary eye on Denver\u2019s weather and in our look back at this week in Denver weather history we see they have had cause for concern in the past. Snowstorms and wind have caused their share of problems. Also notable, it was 140 years ago that Denver\u2019s first &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thorntonweather.com\/blog\/weather-history\/november-19-to-november-25-this-week-in-denver-weather-history\/\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">November 19 to November 25: This week in Denver weather history<\/span> <span class=\"meta-nav\">&rarr;<\/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":[81,106,62,104,741],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thorntonweather.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18128"}],"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=18128"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.thorntonweather.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18128\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":18129,"href":"https:\/\/www.thorntonweather.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18128\/revisions\/18129"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thorntonweather.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=18128"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thorntonweather.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=18128"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thorntonweather.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=18128"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}