{"id":18351,"date":"2024-02-01T18:05:25","date_gmt":"2024-02-02T01:05:25","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.thorntonweather.com\/blog\/?p=18351"},"modified":"2024-02-02T05:20:18","modified_gmt":"2024-02-02T12:20:18","slug":"january-28-to-february-3-this-week-in-denver-weather-history","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thorntonweather.com\/blog\/weather-history\/january-28-to-february-3-this-week-in-denver-weather-history\/","title":{"rendered":"January 28 to February 3: This week in Denver weather history"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"This<\/a><\/p>\n

You just never know what you are going to get with the weather in Denver and we see that in our look back at the Denver weather history books. From cold and snow to damaging winds and spring-like temperatures, we can and do see it all.<\/p>\n

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

26-1<\/p>\n

In 1888\u2026a protracted warm spell lasted a week. Maximum temperatures ranged from 62 degrees on the 29th to an all time record high for the month of 76 degrees on the 27th. Daily record high temperatures of 76\u202669\u2026and 71 occurred on the 27th\u202628th\u2026and 30th respectively. Record high minimum temperatures of 47 and 34 occurred on the 26th and 27th.<\/p>\n

27-28<\/p>\n

In 1899\u2026snowfall totaled 6.2 inches in the city. Northeast winds were sustained to 36 mph with gusts to 40 mph on the 28th.<\/p>\n

In 1965\u2026high winds raked the Front Range foothills. West winds gusted to 89 mph on Table Mountain in Boulder\u202687 mph at Rocky Flats\u2026and 54 mph at Stapleton International Airport. Damage and minor injuries occurred in Boulder and western metro Denver. Four men were injured by wind-caused accidents while working on construction\u20262 in Denver and 2 in Boulder. There was extensive damage to power lines\u2026 Buildings\u2026signs\u2026and trees. Some minor accidents were caused by blowing dust and debris. Blown dust accumulated 2 to 3 feet deep on some lawns in northern metro Denver suburbs. Dust blew into buildings and homes.<\/p>\n

In 1989\u2026the heaviest snowstorm of the winter dumped 9 to 15 inches of snow across metro Denver. Snowfall totaled 8.8 inches at Stapleton International Airport with most of the snow\u20268.6 inches\u2026falling on the 28th. Strong north winds gusting to 46 mph whipped the snow into 2-foot drifts and reduced visibility in blowing snow. The foothills received up to 18 inches of snow. The snow fell on a weekend\u2026so closures and other disruptions were minimal. The public reported thunder in Arvada\u2026Wheat Ridge\u2026and Boulder on the evening of the 27th. A thunderstorm produced snow pellets at Stapleton International Airport during the early morning hours of the 28th. This was the first thunderstorm in the city during January since 1932.<\/p>\n

In 1996\u2026winds to hurricane force were reported across the Front Range foothills in the wake of a pacific storm system. Recorded wind speeds included: 86 mph at the National Center for Atmospheric Research southwest of Boulder\u202686 mph atop Squaw Mountain west of Denver\u2026and 75 mph at Jefferson County Airport in Broomfield. West-northwest winds gusted to 48 mph at Denver International Airport on the 28th.<\/p>\n

In 2009\u2026high winds buffeted the foothills of Boulder and Jefferson counties. Peak wind gusts included: 101 mph at Eldora Ski Resort\u2026100 mph\u20266 miles northwest of Boulder; 84 mph at NCAR Mesa Lab\u202679 mph\u20265 miles northwest of Boulder; and 75 mph at the National Wind Technology Center. In Nederland\u2026a wind turbine recently installed was damaged by the high winds. A peak wind gust of 38 mph occurred at Denver International Airport on the 28th.<\/p>\n

27-31<\/p>\n

In 1951\u2026a major storm dumped 10.1 inches of snowfall at Stapleton Airport. Most of the snow\u20268.3 inches\u2026fell on the 29th. Cold arctic air accompanied the snow. Several temperature records were set\u2026including record low maximum temperatures of 4 on the 28th and 4 below zero on the 29th and record low temperatures of 12 below zero on the 29th and 24 below zero on the 31st. Temperatures were below zero for 45 consecutive hours.<\/p>\n

28<\/p>\n

In 1872\u2026the low temperature dipped to 22 degrees below zero\u2026 A record minimum for the date.<\/p>\n

In 1909\u2026gale force north winds were sustained to 45 mph behind an apparent cold front\u2026which also produced a trace of snow.<\/p>\n

In 1986\u2026a wind gust to 67 mph was recorded in Boulder. West winds gusted to 41 mph at Stapleton International Airport.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

28-29<\/p>\n

In 1956\u2026snowfall totaled 5.5 inches at Stapleton Airport where east winds gusted to 32 mph on the 28th.<\/p>\n

In 1972\u2026cold west winds buffeted Boulder. A wind gust to 92 mph was recorded at the National Bureau of Standards\u2026while a gust to 76 mph was measured in downtown Boulder. Two mobile homes were overturned in Boulder. Other damage was minor. Northwest winds gusted to 40 mph at Stapleton International Airport on the 28th.<\/p>\n

In 1987\u2026strong winds buffeted the Front Range foothills and spread east over the plains. The highest wind recorded was 99 mph on the 29th at both the National Center for Atmospheric Research in Boulder and the Rocky Flats plant south of Boulder. Wind gusts in excess of 80 mph were common. A northwest wind gust to 54 mph was recorded at Stapleton International Airport on the 28th with a gust to 41 mph on the 29th. Planes were damaged at both the Boulder and Jefferson County Airports. Hangars were also damaged at Jefferson County Airport. Many windows were broken\u2026signs toppled\u2026and trees downed. A brick wall was blown onto parked cars in Lakewood. A couple of houses in Lakewood were unroofed\u2026while falling trees damaged others. Two people were injured by flying debris in Lakewood and Golden. Total insured damage along the Front Range was 10 million dollars making the wind storm the second most costly on record in Colorado at the time.<\/p>\n

In 1995\u2026deepening upslope winds along the eastern foothills on the 28th gave way to periods of heavy snow during the night and early morning hours of the 29th. Snow fell to a depth of 8 inches in both Golden and Boulder with up to a foot in the foothills. Only 1.9 inches of snow fell at Stapleton International Airport\u2026where east winds gusted to 22 mph on the 28th.<\/p>\n

In 2001\u2026heavy snow fell across metro Denver. The heaviest snowfall occurred from just south of Denver to around Castle Rock. Snow amounts included: 12 inches east of Parker\u20269 inches near Elizabeth and in Littleton\u20268 inches near Castle Rock and in Parker\u2026and 7 inches in Aurora. Snowfall totaled 6.0 inches at the site of the former Stapleton International Airport.<\/p>\n

28-30<\/p>\n

In 1887\u2026winds were strong and gusty for three days in the city. West and northwest winds were sustained to 56 mph on both the 28th and 29th and to 44 mph on the 30th. Temperatures warmed to a high of 57 degrees on the 29th.<\/p>\n

29<\/p>\n

In 1900\u2026northwest winds were sustained to 45 mph with an extreme velocity of 46 mph.<\/p>\n

In 1914\u2026this was the last day of 60 consecutive days with snow cover of one inch or more in Denver. This third longest period of snow cover on record began with the record breaking snow and blizzard on December 1-5\u2026 1913 when a total of 45.7 inches of snow fell in downtown Denver. Additional snowfall during December and January prolonged the event. Snow depth on the ground to the nearest tenth of an inch was measured once daily at 6:00 pm MST.<\/p>\n

In 1927\u2026west winds were sustained at 40 mph with gusts to 42 mph.<\/p>\n

In 1942\u2026heavy snowfall totaled 6.2 inches in downtown Denver. North winds were sustained to 17 mph.<\/p>\n

In 1965\u2026strong winds occurred in Boulder for the third consecutive day. Only limited minor damage was reported. Northwest winds gusted to 40 mph at Stapleton International Airport.<\/p>\n

In 1984\u2026highs winds in and near the foothills produced wind gusts as high as 71 mph in Boulder. A plane was flipped over at Jefferson County Airport and damaged beyond repair. In Lakewood\u2026two construction trailers were damaged by the gusts. North winds gusted to only 38 mph at Stapleton International Airport.<\/p>\n

In 1990\u2026gale to hurricane force winds gusts raked the foothills. Wind gusts of 50 to 90 mph were common in Boulder County. A peak wind of 94 mph was clocked at Table Mesa in southwest Boulder. Scattered power outages and minor property damage were reported. West winds gusted to 46 mph at Stapleton International Airport.<\/p>\n

<\/span>29-30<\/p>\n

In 1985\u2026an arctic air mass with snow closed I-70 for a time in Denver and east of Denver. Snowfall totaled 5.4 inches at Stapleton International Airport where north winds gusted to 29 mph on the 29th.<\/p>\n

29-31<\/p>\n

In 1883\u2026a major winter storm dumped 19.3 inches of snow on downtown Denver. Most of the snow\u202612.2 inches\u2026fell on the 31st. This was the heaviest snowfall to hit the city in years. Temperatures plunged from a high of 52 degrees on the 29th to a low of 13 degrees on the 31st. Precipitation from the storm totaled 2.23 inches. The 1.22 inches of precipitation on the 31st was the greatest calendar day and 24 hour precipitation ever recorded in the city during the month of January.<\/p>\n

30<\/p>\n

In 1886\u2026west winds were sustained to 42 mph and were the strongest winds of the month that year. The winds warmed the temperature to a high of 52 degrees in the city.<\/p>\n

In 1890\u2026west winds were sustained to 40 mph with gusts to 48 mph in the city.<\/p>\n

In 1971\u2026a wind gust to 102 mph was recorded in Boulder at the National Center for Atmospheric Research. Elsewhere in Boulder\u2026winds gusted to 76 mph. Northwest winds gusting to 46 mph at Stapleton International Airport warmed temperatures to a high of 66 degrees.<\/p>\n

In 1976\u2026a rapid moving cold front produced wind gusts 50 to 70 mph causing visibilities to be reduced to less than 1\/2 mile in blowing dust for 1 to 2 hours closing some major highways. A north wind gust to 55 mph was recorded at Stapleton International Airport.<\/p>\n

In 2003\u2026strong winds developed in and near the foothills. Recorded wind gusts included: 86 mph near Rollinsville\u2026 76 mph in Evergreen\u2026and 75 mph in central Boulder. West winds gusted to 43 mph at Denver International Airport.<\/p>\n

30-31 in 1908\u2026an apparent strong cold front plunged temperatures 45 degrees in 24 hours from 47 degrees at noon on the 30th to only 2 degrees at noon on the 31st. North winds were sustained to 30 mph on the 30th. Snowfall was only 0.8 inch on the 31st.<\/p>\n

In 1965\u2026a major storm dumped 10.4 inches of snow over metro Denver. After 5 inches of snow fell in Boulder\u2026 Strong Chinook winds developed\u2026warming the temperature 25 degrees in 90 minutes. Wind gusts to 97 mph were recorded on Table Mountain in Boulder. Winds gusts to 53 mph were measured in downtown Boulder where some damage occurred. Minor wind damage also occurred in western suburbs of Denver. West winds gusted to 51 mph at Stapleton International Airport on the 31st.<\/p>\n

In 2005\u2026a winter storm brought heavy snow to the Front Range foothills. Storm totals included: 17 inches at Aspen Springs\u202613 inches 7 miles southwest of Boulder and at Lake Eldora\u202612.5 inches near Blackhawk\u202611.5 inches at Rollinsville and near Nederland\u202611 inches near Evergreen and Golden and at Gross Reservoir\u2026and 10 inches at cabin creek. Lesser amounts of snow fell over the city. Only 1.9 inches of snow were measured overnight at Denver Stapleton. North winds gusted to 30 mph at Denver International Airport\u2026where freezing fog during the early morning of the 30th reduced the surface visibility to as low as 1\/8 mile. Light rainfall\u2026 Rare in January\u2026totaled 0.06 inch at Denver Stapleton on the early morning of the 30th.<\/p>\n

In 2018…high winds occurred in and near the Front Range Foothills. Peak wind gusts included: 101 mph atop Berthoud Pass; 97 mph near Gold Hill; 80 mph at the NCAR Mesa Lab southwest of Boulder and near the former Rocky Flats site; with 75 mph near Nederland. The high winds toppled a large tree at the mouth of Boulder Canyon.<\/p>\n

30-7<\/p>\n

In 1985\u2026a cold front on the 29th produced a protracted cold spell as arctic air remained entrenched across metro Denver. While the only daily temperature record set was a low maximum reading of 2 degrees on February 3rd\u2026minimum temperatures plunged well below zero on 9 consecutive days. The coldest readings were 15 degrees below zero on January 31st and 14 degrees below zero on February 5th.<\/p>\n

31<\/p>\n

In 1876\u2026hurricane force winds caused some damage in Boulder.<\/p>\n

In 1951\u2026the low temperature plunged to 24 degrees below zero.<\/p>\n

In 1933\u2026snowfall was 0.2 inch in downtown Denver. This was the only measurable snowfall of the month and resulted in 0.01 inch of melted snow\u2026the only measurable precipitation of the month.<\/p>\n

In 1964\u2026high winds blew down a sidewalk cover where a building was under construction\u2026injuring a young woman. Three men were injured when a brick wall at a construction site toppled on them. All were treated for face\u2026leg\u2026and neck injuries. A west-northwest wind gust to 47 mph was recorded at Stapleton International Airport.<\/p>\n

In 1969\u2026high winds struck Boulder with gusts to 115 mph recorded at the National Center for Atmospheric Research and 83 mph in downtown Boulder. Schools were closed because of danger from flying debris. Some damage and minor injuries occurred. Northwest winds gusted to 35 mph at Stapleton International Airport.<\/p>\n

In 1985\u2026bitterly cold weather froze pipes and cars and forced some schools to close across metro Denver. Minimum temperatures dipped to as low as 15 below to 20 below zero across metro Denver. The low temperature was 15 below zero at Stapleton International Airport.<\/p>\n

31-1<\/p>\n

In 1963\u2026high winds struck metro Denver. The strong Chinook winds reached 101 mph in Littleton\u202680 mph in Denver\u2026and 90 mph at Rocky Flats. Among the hardest hit areas were Boulder where buildings under construction were blown down\u2026porches and roofs blown off buildings\u2026and power lines damaged. Damage totaled 100 thousand dollars in Boulder alone. In other areas\u2026utility lines were damaged and many signs\u2026antennas\u2026and road markers were blown down. At Stapleton Airport\u2026west winds gusted to 44 mph on the 31st and 66 mph on the 1st. The Chinook winds warmed maximum temperatures to 65 degrees on the 31st and to 70 degrees on the 1st.<\/p>\n

In 2015…a concentrated band of heavy snowfall developed over the Urban Corridor…during the late evening hours of the 31st…and carried over into the early morning hours of the 1st. The band extended from northwest of Lyons… through northwest Denver and into Aurora…Parker…and Elizabeth. Snowfall rates of 2 to 4 inches per hour were observed under the most intense part of the band. Storm totals included: 9.2 inches near Westminster; 9 inches… 5 miles east of Boulder; 8 inches in Federal Heights and 4 miles northwest of Parker; 7.5 inches near Aurora and 11 miles southeast of Estes Park; 7 inches near Elizabeth… Lafayette and Northglenn; 6.5 inches in southeast Denver; 6 inches…near Commerce City and 4 miles northwest of Lyons.\u00a0 At Denver International Airport…1.2 inches of snowfall was observed.<\/p>\n

31-8<\/p>\n

In 1963\u2026warm weather that began with the strong Chinook winds on the 31st and 1st continued through the 8th. Maximum temperatures through the period ranged from 52 degrees on the 2nd to 76 degrees on the 5th\u2026which was a new record high for that date.<\/p>\n

31-12<\/p>\n

In 1899\u2026a protracted cold spell lasted almost two weeks. Low temperatures plunged below zero on all days but February 9th with a reading of 6 degrees. The coldest low temperature of 22 degrees below zero on February 6th was a record low for the date. Low temperatures of 20 degrees below zero occurred on both February 11th and 12th\u2026 But only the 11th remains as the record minimum for the date. High temperature of only 5 degrees below zero on February 11th was a record low maximum for the date. High temperatures climbed to only zero degrees on both February 2nd and 3rd\u2026but were not records. Intermittent light snow or flurries fell during the period. The most snowfall\u20262.0 inches\u2026occurred on February 2nd.<\/p>\n

1<\/p>\n

In 1904\u2026northwest winds were sustained to 51 mph with gusts to 60 mph. The Chinook winds warmed the temperature to a high of 55 degrees.<\/p>\n

In 1907\u2026west winds sustained to 42 mph warmed the temperature to a high of 59 degrees.<\/p>\n

In 1932\u2026the temperature rose from a low of 8 degrees at 7:00 am to the high of 58 degrees at 2:30 pm. The biggest jump occurred from 16 degrees at 8:00 am to 42 degrees at 9:10 am.<\/p>\n

In 1951\u2026the lowest recorded temperature in February\u202625 degrees below zero\u2026occurred. The same temperature was also reached on February 8\u20261936.<\/p>\n

In 1963\u2026west-southwest winds gusted to 66 mph at Stapleton Airport where the strong Chinook winds warmed the temperature to a maximum of 70 degrees.<\/p>\n

In 1970\u2026snowfall of 0.3 inch contained only 0.01 inch of melted snow. This was the only measurable snow and precipitation for the month\u2026making it the driest and least snowiest February on record. Snowfall also was only 0.3 inch on February 22-23\u20261992\u2026equaling the least snowiest February.<\/p>\n

In 1980\u2026high winds occurred in the foothills. Wind gusts to 75 mph were reported at Wondervu. Northwest winds gusted to 32 mph at Stapleton International Airport.<\/p>\n

In 1995\u2026a short blast of early morning winds near the foothills produced a gust to 64 mph at Rocky Flats in northern Jefferson County. Winds gusting to 59 mph in Lakewood downed a few tree branches in residential areas. West winds gusted to 37 mph at Stapleton International Airport where the warm winds kept the temperature from falling below 43 degrees\u2026setting a new record high minimum for the date. The temperature climbed to a non-record high of 63 degrees.<\/p>\n

1-2<\/p>\n

In 1934\u2026light Chinook winds warmed temperatures to record levels on both days. Record maximum temperatures reached 73 degrees on the 1st and 74 degrees on the 2nd. West winds were sustained to 18 mph on the 1st.<\/p>\n

In 2016…a slow moving storm system produced a deep east to northeasterly upslope flow late in the afternoon of the 1st.\u00a0 Moderate to heavy snowfall continued through the evening across the rest of Front Range Mountains…Foothills and adjacent plains. Extensive blowing and drifting snow occurred along the Palmer Divide and adjacent plains. Snowdrifts 3 to 6 ft deep were observed. Numerous roads and highways were closed east of the I-25 overnight…including I-70 and I-76…as the roadways became impassable. The road closures continued through the morning of the 2nd as bands of light to moderate snow…with gusty winds to 35 mph persisted. The roads were reopened the afternoon of the 2nd. At Denver International Airport…480 flights were cancelled on the 1st and an additional 125 flights on the 2nd. The official snowfall measurement at Denver International Airport was 11.6 inches…which set a new record for greatest snowfall for the first two days of February.\u00a0 In the mountains and foothills…storm totals included: 25 inches near Eldorado Springs…24 inches at Genesee and 12.5 miles northwest of Golden…22.5 inches near Nederland…21 inches near Pinecliffe…16.5 inches near Brookvale…14 inches at Intercanyon…13 inches near Berthoud…Echo Mountain and Tiny Town; 12 inches near Conifer and Eldora Ski Area…11 inches at Roxborough State Park…9.5 inches near Golden…9 inches near Bergen Park and Strontia Springs Dam…and 8 inches near Black Hawk.\u00a0 Across the I-25 Corridor…storm totals included: 19.5 inches near Parker…15 inches near Loveland…14.5 inches near Louisville…14 inches in Arvada and Ken Caryl…13 inches near Federal Heights…Northglenn and Ralston Reservoir; 12 inches in Broomfield…near Buckley AFB…Castle Rock…Erie and Highlands Ranch; 11.5 inches near Westminster…11 inches in southeast Denver…north Longmont…Lafayette and Mead; 10 inches near Aurora… Franktown and Wheat Ridge; 9.5 inches in Thornton…and 9 inches at Frederick.<\/p>\n

In 2017…widespread freezing drizzle contributed to numerous road closures and accidents across the Denver area and adjacent plains. Several crashes were reported on Interstate 25…and several cities and counties went on accident alert. Up to 32 delays at Denver International Airport. Numerous school delay openings and some school and business closures were reported over northeast Colorado.<\/p>\n

1-3<\/p>\n

In 1996\u2026cold arctic air plunged temperatures below zero for more than 35 consecutive hours from late on the 1st until sunrise on the 3rd. The temperature warmed to only 1 degree below zero on the 2nd after a record low of 16 degrees below zero.<\/p>\n

1-4<\/p>\n

In 2011\u2026a frigid arctic airmass settled into Front Range urban corridor. At Denver International Airport\u2026 Overnight low temperatures\u2026from the 1st to the 3rd\u2026 Were 13 below zero\u202617 below zero and zero respectively. The icy temperatures caused pipes to crack and burst following the freeze. In Loveland\u2026firefighters responded to more than a dozen water pipe breaks\u2026most in fire sprinkler systems at businesses\u2026apartments and assisted care facilities. At cu earth science library in Boulder\u2026more than 1000 books and several costumes for an upcoming production were damaged. At the county courts administration building in Jefferson County\u2026a steady stream of water from a crack on the 5th floor\u2026 Went unnoticed on the 3rd and flooded all the floors of the administration wing overnight. As a result\u2026much of the office equipment\u2026furniture and carpet sustained water damage. A burst sprinkler line caused minor damage at the Platte Valley Medical Center in Brighton. The icy temperatures forced to closure of several school districts as well.<\/p>\n

1-5<\/p>\n

In 1985\u2026the most bitter cold spell of the winter season brought sub-zero temperatures to metro Denver. Daily low temperature records were broken at Denver. The usual cold weather problems struck including stalled vehicles\u2026jammed traffic lights\u2026and frozen water and sewer lines. At Stapleton International Airport\u2026the high temperature was only 2 degrees above zero on the 1st\u2026setting a record low maximum for the date. Low temperatures reached 13 below zero on the 1st\u202612 below on the third\u2026and 14 below on the 5th.<\/p>\n

1-6<\/p>\n

In 1989\u2026one of the century\u2019s worst doses of winter weather ravaged the entire state. Bitterly frigid weather moved into metro Denver on the 1st as snow buried many sections of the state. In metro Denver where 3 to 6 inches of snow fell\u2026blowing snow and resultant poor visibilities caused a 46-car pile-up on I-25 in the middle of the city on the 4th. During the period\u20262 to 3 hour delays were common at Stapleton International Airport where snowfall from the storm totaled 4.3 inches and northeast winds gusted to 30 mph on the 1st. Intense cold accompanied the storm. Temperatures in Denver stayed below zero continuously for the best part of 3 days (3rd\u20264th\u20265th)\u2026for a total of 69 hours. This is the fourth longest sub-zero period on record. Wind chill temperatures reached 50 degrees below zero. The mercury dipped to 24 degrees below zero on the 5th\u2026setting a record for the date. This was the city\u2019s coldest temperature in over 26 years. Low temperatures dipped below zero on 8 consecutive days (2nd-9th). High temperature of 9 degrees below zero on the 4th was a record low maximum for the date\u2026as was the high of 5 degrees on the 5th. Extensive damage occurred when pipes and water lines froze and broke. Thousands of cars failed to start. On the 3rd\u2026a 57-year-old woman died of hypothermia in an Arvada park. Eighteen high school students were treated for hypothermia after a 2-hour ride through Jefferson County in an unheated bus. At least 2 cases of frostbite were reported; there were undoubtedly many more.<\/p>\n

<\/span>1-9<\/p>\n

In 1883\u2026a protracted cold period occurred when low temperatures dipped below zero for 9 consecutive days. Low temperatures ranged from 22 degrees below zero on the 4th to 2 degrees below zero on the 1st and 6th. High temperatures ranged from 10 below zero on the 3rd to 23 on the 9th. Several temperature records were set that still stand today. Record lows of 18 below and 22 below zero occurred on the 3rd and 4th. Record low maximum readings of 2 below and 10 below zero occurred on the 2nd and 3rd. The high of only 10 below zero on the 3rd is the coldest maximum temperature ever recorded in Denver.<\/p>\n

2<\/p>\n

In 1890\u2026west winds were sustained to 44 mph with an extreme velocity of 45 mph. The Chinook winds warmed the temperature to a high of 66 degrees.<\/p>\n

In 1970\u2026high winds caused scattered damage along the foothills from Golden north. A garage in Boulder was demolished. Broken windows and roof damage were reported in Golden. Wind gusts from 60 to 100 mph were recorded in Boulder.<\/p>\n

In 1990\u2026a narrow band of heavy snow fell in the foothills southwest of Denver. Up to 6 inches piled up at Waterton Canyon with 5 inches around the town of Deermont\u2026both along the South Platte River in Jefferson County. Snowfall was only 1.6 inches at Stapleton International Airport where north winds gusted to 30 mph.<\/p>\n

In 1995\u2026the second morning in a row of strong winds raged in the foothills and adjacent lower elevations. Winds gusted between 70 and 85 mph in the foothills and 45 to 50 mph on the plains. A tree was blown onto high voltage power lines in a west Denver suburb. The fence that the wire landed on caught fire\u2026but did no damage to the surrounding structures. A southwest Denver man was injured when a wind gust blew him and the front door he was holding off a porch. West winds gusted to 45 mph at Stapleton International Airport. The strongest winds occurred in Georgetown where a gust to 100 mph overturned a pick-up truck camper on I-70. The driver sustained only minor injuries.<\/p>\n

In 2001\u2026high winds developed briefly in the Front Range foothills. A spotter at Georgetown lake measured a peak wind gust to 90 mph.<\/p>\n

In 2008\u2026lightning struck a home in Englewood during an electrically charged snowstorm. A gas meter at the home was hit by lightning and burst into flames. The unusual thunderstorm produced a combination of snow and graupel. The graupel was up to one half inch in diameter. Total snow accumulations ranged from 1 to 4 inches across the southern Denver suburbs. Snowfall was only 0.6 inch at the former Stapleton International Airport.<\/p>\n

2-3<\/p>\n

In 1894\u20266.2 inches of heavy snowfall were measured over downtown Denver. East winds gusted to 25 mph on the 2nd.<\/p>\n

In 1999\u2026a powerful Chinook windstorm struck the foothills and adjacent plains. Several locations registered wind gusts in excess of 100 mph\u2026including: 127 mph atop sugarloaf mountain\u2026120 mph at Lafayette\u2026119 mph at Wondervu\u2026104 mph at coal creek\u2026103 mph at the Rocky Flats Environmental Test Facility and 100 mph in Louisville. The damage associated with the windstorm was extensive. Thirty 70-foot-tall power poles were damaged\u2026 Including several that supported high voltage lines transmitting electricity directly from generating plants. The combination of downed power poles\u2026power lines\u2026and trees resulted in outages for about 10 thousand residents. In Lafayette\u2026power poles were sheared off for a mile and a quarter. The power outages primarily affected residents in Boulder\u2026Broomfield\u2026Lafayette\u2026Louisville\u2026 And Fort Lupton. In addition to the outages\u2026high winds ripped apart several roofs in Boulder\u2026including the roof of the Boulder County jail. At Jefferson County Airport\u2026 Several planes were overturned and some hangars damaged or destroyed. Damage to the airport alone was estimated at 100 thousand dollars. In southern Jefferson County\u2026 Localized ground blizzards reduced visibilities in blowing snow to less than 20 feet along U.S. Highway 285\u2026resulting in several accidents. In Pine Junction a downed tree damaged a nearby residence\u2026when it crashed onto the roof. In Bailey\u2026a downed tree crushed a vehicle parked in the resident\u2019s driveway. Total damage estimates for the windstorm reached 3 million dollars\u2026making it the fourth costliest on record at the time in Colorado. Other peak wind gusts include: 97 mph at Boulder\u202693 mph at the National Center for Atmospheric Research mesa lab in Boulder\u2026 88 mph at Nederland\u202686 mph at Aspen Springs\u2026and 83 mph at Blue Mountain near Coal Creek Canyon. West to northwest winds gusted as high as 46 mph at Denver International Airport.<\/p>\n

2-4<\/p>\n

In 2012\u2026a slow moving and powerful storm system brought heavy snow to areas in and near the Front Range Foothills and Palmer Divide\u2026with blizzard conditions over the northeast plains of Colorado. In the Front Range Foothills\u2026the snow piled up to over 4 feet in some areas. Across the Palmer Divide\u2026the combination of snow and gusty winds resulted in road closures with snow drifts ranging from 2 to 5 feet in depth. Northerly winds 15 to 25 mph were common with gusts to 40 mph. Several snowfall records were also set in Denver. At Denver International Airport\u202612.5 inches of snow feet on the 3rd shattered the previous record of 7.5 inches for the date. It also set a new daily record for the entire month of February. A new 3-day record was also established for Denver. The 3-day storm total from February 2nd to the 4th was 15.9 inches\u2026 which broke the previous record of 14.1 inches in 1912. Denver International Airport canceled more than six hundred flights. In addition\u2026snow and blowing snow produced near zero visibilities\u2026forcing officials to close the westbound lanes of Interstate 70\u2026between the Kansas state line and Denver\u2026 as well as the eastbound lanes from Denver to Limon. Other road closures included State Highway 86\u2026between Kiowa and I-70. Across the Urban Corridor storm totals included: 22 inches in Broomfield; 21 inches at Lafayette\u2026Louisville and Westminster; 20 inches at Northglenn; 19 inches at the National Weather Service in Boulder\u2026Castle Rock\u2026 Centennial and Parker; 18 inches in Arvada\u202616.5 inches in Erie\u2026 13.5 inches near Longmont; 11 inches in Lyons and 10 inches in Frederick. Storm totals in the mountains and foothills included: 51 inches at Coal Creek Canyon\u202645.5 inches\u2026 4.6 miles northeast of Ward; 44.5 inches\u20263 miles west of Jamestown; 38 inches\u2026 3 miles north of Blackhawk; 37 inches\u20263 miles west-southwest of Conifer and 4 miles east-northeast of Nederland; 35.5 inches\u2026 3.6 miles west-northwest of Boulder; 34 inches\u20265.2 miles east-southeast of Aspen Springs; 33 inches near Evergreen\u202632 inches at Genesee; 31 inches\u202610.3 miles west of Bellvue and Eldora Mountain Ski Resort; 24 inches at Echo Mountain Ski Resort; 21 inches at Niwot Ridge SNOTEL; and 19 inches at Gross Reservoir. Along the Palmer Divide storm totals included: 26 inches\u202614 miles east-northeast of Kiowa; 25 inches\u202610 miles south-southwest of Buckley Air Force Base\u2026and 8 miles southeast of Watkins; 20 inches near Strasburg; 12 inches near Elizabeth.<\/p>\n

3<\/p>\n

In 1883\u2026the lowest daily maximum temperature ever recorded in Denver\u202610 degrees below zero\u2026occurred.<\/p>\n

In 1885\u2026a windstorm occurred from late morning through the late afternoon. Northwest winds were sustained to 45 mph in the city.<\/p>\n

In 1888\u2026a trace of light rain fell in downtown Denver. Rain is relatively rare this early in the month.<\/p>\n

In 1924\u2026northwest winds were sustained to 48 mph. These were the strongest winds of the month that year.<\/p>\n

In 1932\u2026a major storm dumped 7.5 inches of snow in downtown Denver where northwest winds gusted to 23 mph. Boulder received 9 inches of snow from the storm.<\/p>\n

3-4<\/p>\n

In 1906\u2026northeast winds were sustained to 43 mph behind a cold front on the 3rd. The front plunged temperatures from a high of 62 degrees on the 3rd to a low of 24 degrees\u2026which was also the high reading on the 4th. The low temperature on the 4th was only 3 degrees. Snowfall was only 0.6 inch on the 4th.<\/p>\n

In 1970\u2026a wind gust to 115 mph was recorded in Boulder at the National Center for Atmospheric Research. Sustained winds of 35 mph with gusts as high as 62 mph were measured in downtown Boulder. Northwest winds gusted to 47 mph at Stapleton International Airport on the 3rd.<\/p>\n

In 2020…a storm system produced period of moderate to heavy snowfall in and near the Front Range Foothills. A spotter near Eldorado Springs measured over 21 inches of snow…with 12 inches observed in Sunshine Canyon. Elsewhere…storm totals ranged from 6 to 11 inches. Along the urban corridor…storm totals west of I-25 ranged from 5 to 8 inches…with 2 to 4 inches east of the interstate. At Denver International Airport…2.8 inches of snowfall was observed.<\/p>\n

3-5<\/p>\n

In 1982\u2026a cold surge of arctic air brought light snow and sub-zero temperatures to metro Denver. Temperatures plunged to 6 below zero at midnight on the 3rd and never warmed above zero on the 4th as snow flurries continued. High temperature on the 4th of 1 below zero was a record low maximum. The temperature dipped to a record low of 15 below zero on the 5th.<\/p>\n

4<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

You just never know what you are going to get with the weather in Denver and we see that in our look back at the Denver weather history books. From cold and snow to damaging winds and spring-like temperatures, we can and do see it all. From the National Weather Service: 26-1 In 1888\u2026a protracted … Continue reading January 28 to February 3: 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":[81,106,62,223,197,741],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thorntonweather.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18351"}],"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=18351"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.thorntonweather.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18351\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":23913,"href":"https:\/\/www.thorntonweather.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18351\/revisions\/23913"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thorntonweather.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=18351"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thorntonweather.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=18351"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thorntonweather.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=18351"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}