{"id":19520,"date":"2024-03-14T04:12:06","date_gmt":"2024-03-14T10:12:06","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.thorntonweather.com\/blog\/?p=19520"},"modified":"2024-03-14T05:25:33","modified_gmt":"2024-03-14T11:25:33","slug":"march-10-to-march-16-this-week-in-denver-weather-history-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thorntonweather.com\/blog\/weather-history\/march-10-to-march-16-this-week-in-denver-weather-history-2\/","title":{"rendered":"March 10 to March 16: This Week in Denver Weather History"},"content":{"rendered":"

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

Heavy, wet snow is the hallmark of March in Denver and we see many events containing just that in our look back at this week in Denver weather history.<\/p>\n

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

8-10<\/p>\n

In 1989\u2026unusually warm weather set four daily temperature records in Denver. The high temperature of 74 degrees on the 8th exceeded the record. Records were equaled on the 9th with a high of 77 degrees and the 10th with a high of 79 degrees. The low temperature of 42 degrees on the 10th set a new record high minimum for the date.<\/p>\n

9-10<\/p>\n

In 1904\u2026strong Chinook winds raked the city for 2 days. On the 9th\u2026west winds sustained to 53 mph with gusts to 62 mph warmed the temperature to a high of 55 degrees. On the 10th\u2026 West winds were sustained to 48 mph with gusts to 54 mph. The high temperature was 58 degrees.<\/p>\n

In 2013…a storm system brought heavy snow to areas in and near the Front Range Mountains and Foothills where storm totals included: 13 inches at Berthoud Pass SNOTEL…12 inches at Arapahoe Ridge; 11 inches…5 miles southwest of Golden; 10.5 inches near Kittridge; 10 inches at Lake Eldora and Pine Junction; 9.5 inches near Conifer…9 inches…near Bailey and 9 miles east-northeast of Nederland…Joe Wright and Strontia Springs. Along the Urban Corridor…some storm totals included: 8.5 inches at Highlands Ranch and near Morrison; 8 inches in Arvada; 7 inches…5 miles northeast of Westminster; 6.5 inches at Centenniel…Lone Tree and Wheat Ridge; 6 inches in West Denver…Hygiene…Lyons and Thornton…5.5 inches in Broomfield; with 5 inches in Aurora and the former Stapleton International Airport. Across the Palmer Divide and northeast plains of Colorado…storm totals ranged anywhere from 2 to 10 inches. The combination of snow and strong wind produced blizzard conditions and forced the closure of Interstate 70 east of Denver. Sustained winds of 25 to 35 mph with gusts to 45 mph produced near zero visibilities at times and snowpacked roads. Snowdrifts from 2 to 4 feet deep were reported. As a result…many of the roadways became impassable. Officially…Denver International recored 5.4 inches of snowfall on the 9th. In addition…a peak wind gust to 38 mph was observed from the north.<\/p>\n

9-11<\/p>\n

In 1927\u2026rain changed to heavy snow behind a cold front and totaled 7.7 inches over downtown Denver. North winds were sustained to 37 mph with an extreme velocity to 38 mph on the 11th.<\/p>\n

In 1955\u2026a strong windstorm raked the eastern foothills. A wind gust to 95 mph was recorded at Rocky Flats with a gust to 60 mph measured at Valmont. Damage in Boulder totaled 10 thousand dollars. Minor injuries also occurred. The strong winds were associated with a vigorous cold front that produced northwest winds at 40 mph with gusts as high as 52 mph at Stapleton Airport where the visibility was briefly reduced to 3\/4 mile in blowing dust on the 10th.<\/p>\n

In 1968\u20265.5 inches of snow fell at Stapleton International Airport where northeast winds gusted to 24 mph on the 10th.<\/p>\n

9-19<\/p>\n

In 1906\u2026an extended cold and blustery period occurred with light snow totaling 14.4 inches over 11 consecutive days. The greatest amount of snow on a single day was 4.0 inches on the 15th. Only a trace of snow fell on the 12th and 17th. High temperatures were below freezing for the entire period. The coldest were 14 degrees on the 16th and 18 degrees on the 17th. Both readings were record low maximums for the dates. Low temperatures were mostly in the single digits. The coldest were 2 degrees below zero on the 16th and 5 degrees below zero on the 19th. Northeast winds were sustained to 22 mph on the 9th. North winds were sustained to 36 mph on the 10th\u202632 mph on the 13th\u2026and 22 mph on the 15th.<\/p>\n

10<\/p>\n

In 1893\u2026northwest winds were sustained to 48 mph with gusts to 60 mph in the city.<\/p>\n

In 1948\u2026the high temperature warmed to only 6 degrees\u2026 The all-time record low maximum for the month of March. The same reading also occurred on March 6\u20261920.<\/p>\n

In 1970\u20265.0 inches of snow fell at Stapleton International Airport where north winds gusted to 21 mph.<\/p>\n

<\/span>10-11<\/p>\n

In 1886\u2026snowfall of 3.5 inches was measured in downtown Denver. Apparent post-frontal north winds were sustained to 43 mph on the 11th.<\/p>\n

In 1977\u2026a major blizzard struck metro Denver. Snowfall totaled 8.0 inches at Stapleton International Airport where north winds at speeds of 30 to 40 mph with gusts to 60 mph frequently reduced visibilities in blowing snow to 1\/4 mile or less. Most of the snow\u20267.7 inches\u2026fell on the 10th. The snow ended by daybreak on the 11th\u2026but strong north winds persisted through the day.<\/p>\n

In 1988\u2026a late winter storm produced heavy snow and wind\u2026 Mainly north of Denver. Wind gusts reached 62 mph at Keenesburg and produced a lot of blowing snow\u2026closing schools in southwest weld County. The storm closed I-70 east of Denver. Only 1.1 inch of snow fell at Stapleton International Airport\u2026but north winds gusted to 39 mph.<\/p>\n

10-12<\/p>\n

In 1924\u2026snowfall was heavy and totaled 9.9 inches over downtown Denver. North winds were sustained to 18 mph on the 11th.<\/p>\n

In 2001\u2026heavy snow fell over northeast Colorado and metro Denver when a combination of upslope winds and convective snow bands formed over the area. Storm totals included: 11 inches at the Eldora Ski Resort; 10 inches at Genesee; 8 inches at Elizabeth\u2026atop Lookout Mountain\u2026near Sedalia\u2026 And at Strasburg; 7 inches near Castle Rock and Evergreen; and 6 inches in Aurora\u2026atop Crow Hill\u2026and in Parker. Elsewhere across metro Denver\u2026snowfall ranged from 2 to 5 inches with 3.9 inches at the site of the former Stapleton International Airport. North winds gusted to 28 mph at Denver International Airport on the 10th.<\/p>\n

11<\/p>\n

In 1896\u2026northwest winds were sustained to 40 mph with gusts to 56 mph.<\/p>\n

In 1991\u2026the passage of a strong pacific cold front produced winds in excess of 60 mph across metro Denver. Blowing dust reduced the visibility to 2 miles at Stapleton International Airport where northwest winds gusted to 49 mph. A blizzard across eastern Colorado closed I-70 from Watkins to the east\u2026but Denver escaped the storm with only a trace of snowfall.<\/p>\n

11-12<\/p>\n

In 1929\u2026heavy snowfall totaled 9.3 inches in downtown Denver. Northwest winds were sustained to 31 mph with gusts to 34 mph on the 11th.<\/p>\n

In 1947\u2026heavy snowfall totaled 7.0 inches in downtown Denver. North winds were sustained to 15 mph on the 11th.<\/p>\n

In 1963\u2026snowfall totaled 5.8 inches at Stapleton International Airport where north-northwest winds gusted to 25 mph on the 11th.<\/p>\n

In 1993\u2026a strong storm dumped heavy snow in the mountains and 4 to 8 inches of snow over metro Denver. Snowfall totaled 3.6 inches at Stapleton International Airport where north winds gusted to 35 mph.<\/p>\n

12<\/p>\n

In 1893\u2026northwest winds were sustained to 44 mph.<\/p>\n

In 1952\u2026northwest winds sustained at 40 mph with gusts to 60 mph were recorded at Stapleton Airport where 3.2 inches of snow also fell.<\/p>\n

In 1954\u2026strong winds raked metro Denver all day producing areas of blowing dust\u2026snow\u2026and blowing snow. At Stapleton Airport\u2026north-northeast winds at sustained speeds of 40 to 45 mph with gusts as high as 60 mph were recorded. Snowfall totaled only 0.4 inches.<\/p>\n

In 1982\u2026a windstorm hit the foothills from Boulder north. The highest recorded wind gust of 90 mph occurred in Boulder. Wind gusts to 47 mph were recorded at Stapleton International Airport.<\/p>\n

In 1985\u2026only 1.0 inch of snow fell in Denver\u2026but strong winds produced near-blizzard conditions and caused the closure of I-70 from Aurora to Limon for an hour in the evening. North winds gusted to 38 mph at Stapleton International Airport.<\/p>\n

In 1999\u2026heavy snow fell in and near the Front Range foothills. Snowfall totals included: 8.5 inches at Genesee\u20266 inches about 8 miles northwest of Evergreen\u2026 4.5 inches in Boulder\u20264 inches in Littleton\u2026and only 2.2 inches at the site of the former Stapleton International Airport.<\/p>\n

12-13<\/p>\n

In 2005\u2026a winter storm brought heavy snow to the eastern foothills and western metro Denver overnight. Storm total snowfall included: 15 inches in Jamestown\u202613 inches near Blackhawk\u202611 inches in the foothills southwest of Boulder and near Nederland\u202610.5 inches at Gross Reservoir\u20269.5 inches at Eldorado Springs\u20269 inches at Roxborough Park\u2026 8.5 inches near Longmont\u20268 inches in Boulder\u20267.5 inches at Centennial\u20267 inches in Louisville\u20263.3 inches at Denver Stapleton. At Denver International Airport\u2026west winds gusted to 46 mph on the 12th before the passage of the cold front and north winds gusted 31 mph on the 13th.<\/p>\n

12-16<\/p>\n

In 1880\u2026a protracted cold spell resulted in 8 temperature records being set. Record low temperatures for the date were set when the temperature dipped to 10 degrees below zero on the 13th and 14th\u20268 degrees below zero on the 12th and 15th\u2026and 4 degrees below zero on the 16th. Daily record low maximum temperatures were set with 11 degrees on the 12th\u202612 degrees on the 13th\u2026and 19 degrees on the 15th.<\/p>\n

13<\/p>\n

In 1973\u2026northwest winds gusted to 51 mph at Stapleton International Airport. The strong winds were accompanied by virga and a very light snow shower.<\/p>\n

In 1990\u20264 to 9 inches of snow fell across metro Denver with 8 to 16 inches in the foothills. Morrison reported 9 inches; Evergreen\u202611 inches; and Aspen Springs\u202614 inches from the storm. Blowing snow and reduced visibilities caused 2-hour delays at Stapleton International Airport where only 5.1 inches of snow fell and north winds gusted to 21 mph.<\/p>\n

13-14<\/p>\n

In 1996\u2026a storm system moving across northern Colorado dumped heavy snow in the mountains and foothills and across metro Denver where snowfall ranged from 5 to 10 inches. A foot of new snow was measured at Nederland with 11 inches at Conifer. Snowfall totaled 8.0 inches at the site of the former Stapleton International Airport. Northeast winds gusted to 30 mph at Denver International Airport on the 13th.<\/p>\n

13-15<\/p>\n

In 1906\u2026snowfall totaled 8.0 inches over downtown Denver.<\/p>\n

In 2021…bands of snow developed over northeast Colorado into the northern mountains and foothills on the 13th…which then intensified overnight. The heavy snow then gradually shifted southward on the 14th and covered Denver and the Front Range. The snow slowly decreased in the evening. North winds increased to 25 to 35 mph…on the 14th…with gusts up to 50 mph. This produced blizzard conditions along the I-25 Corridor from Palmer Divide north to the Wyoming border. Denver International Airport runways were closed…from noon on the 14th until 2 pm on the 15th…with over 2000 flights canceled. All major interstates were closed except for those areas around Denver. Extensive drifting snow was observed…with drifts from 3 to 7 feet deep. The heavy wet snow caused extensive tree damage and produced power outages. Snowfall amounts in the Front Range Mountains and Foothills ranged from 20 to 40 inches…with 18 to 30 inches reported along the I-25 Corridor. The official snow for Denver was 27.1″ which was the 4th largest storm on record since 1882. On the 14th…North winds gusts to 48 mph at Denver International Airport on the 14th. In addition… liquid precipitation for this storm event totaled 2.88 inches at the airport.<\/p>\n

14<\/p>\n

In 1873\u2026a brisk west wind blew a perfect gale during the afternoon and evening.<\/p>\n

In 1898\u2026northwest winds were sustained to 52 mph with gusts to 62 mph.<\/p>\n

In 1899\u2026west Bora winds were sustained to 50 mph with gusts to 60 mph.<\/p>\n

In 1902\u2026west winds were sustained to 40 mph with gusts to 48 mph.<\/p>\n

In 1913\u2026strong winds all day behind a cold front made for a blustery cold day as the high temperature climbed to only 25 degrees after a low of 19 degrees. Northeast winds were sustained to 51 mph with gusts as high as 60 mph. Only a trace of snow fell.<\/p>\n

In 1920\u2026west winds sustained to 43 mph with gusts to 50 mph warmed the temperature to a high of 67 degrees.<\/p>\n

In 1923\u2026heavy snowfall of 8.5 inches fell in downtown Denver. North winds were sustained to 25 mph.<\/p>\n

In 1947\u2026heavy snowfall totaled 5.8 inches in downtown Denver. Northeast winds were sustained to 17 mph.<\/p>\n

In 1971\u2026a wind gust to 51 mph was recorded at the National Bureau of Standards in Boulder.<\/p>\n

In 1989\u2026a strong pacific cold front produced west wind gusts to 59 mph at Stapleton International Airport.<\/p>\n

In 2002\u2026heavy snow developed in the foothills of Boulder County with 9 inches measured near Jamestown and 7 inches near Nederland. Snowfall totaled only 2.9 inches at the site of the former Stapleton International Airport. East winds gusted to 29 mph at Denver International Airport.<\/p>\n

In 2021…the maximum temperature was just 1 degree above zero…while the minimum temperature dropped to 14 degrees below zero. Both cold-hearted extremes established new records for Denver on Valentine`s Day.<\/p>\n

14-16<\/p>\n

In 1908\u2026a warm spell resulted in daily record high minimum temperatures on 3 consecutive days: 54 degrees on the 14th\u202652 degrees on the 15th\u2026and 56 degrees on the 16th\u2026 Also the all-time record high minimum for the month of March. High temperatures ranged from 65 degrees on the 14th to 72 degrees on the 16th.<\/p>\n

In 1983\u2026a heavy wet snowstorm buried metro Denver with the foothills receiving the most. Conifer recorded 34 inches of snow with 4 feet measured at Coal Creek Canyon in the foothills northwest of Denver. The storm left 6 to 10 inches of snow across metro Denver. Boulder received 12 to 18 inches. Flight operations at Stapleton International Airport were limited to one runway for a time. Some roads and schools were closed\u2026and power outages occurred when wet snow downed lines. Snowfall on the 15th and 16th totaled 7.2 inches at Stapleton International Airport where north winds gusted to 30 mph. Maximum snow depth on the ground was only 6 inches due to melting.<\/p>\n

15<\/p>\n

In 1902\u2026northwest winds were sustained to 54 mph with gusts as high as 60 mph.<\/p>\n

In 1920\u2026southwest winds were sustained to 40 mph with gusts to 48 mph. The strong but cold downslope winds warmed the high temperature to only 35 degrees.<\/p>\n

In 1935\u2026strong winds howled across Boulder. At Valmont a wind gust to 60 mph was recorded. No damage was reported.<\/p>\n

In 2006\u2026strong winds ranging from 60 to 75 mph were reported in and near the foothills of Boulder County. In Longmont\u2026 Two trees toppled by the strong winds damaged a car. Winds gusted to 75 mph at the National Center for Atmospheric Research Mesa Laboratory in Boulder. West winds gusted to 52 mph at Denver International Airport.<\/p>\n

15-16<\/p>\n

In 2000\u2026heavy upslope snowfall occurred in and near the Front Range foothills and over the Palmer Divide to the south of metro Denver. Snowfall totals from the storm included: 17 inches at Idaho Springs; 16 inches at Aspen Springs; 12 inches in Boulder; 11 inches at Bailey\u2026 Chief Hosa\u2026Coal Creek Canyon\u2026Eldorado Springs\u2026Evergreen\u2026 And near Morrison; 10 inches at Intercanyon\u2026Ken Caryl Ranch\u2026and near Nederland; 9 inches near Sedalia and in Wheat Ridge; and 8 inches in Arvada. Snowfall totaled 5.4 inches at the site of the former Stapleton International Airport. Northeast winds gusted to 28 mph at Denver International Airport on the 15th.<\/p>\n

16<\/p>\n

In 1902\u2026north winds were sustained to 40 mph with gusts to 48 mph.<\/p>\n

In 1908\u2026the low temperature dipped to only 56 degrees\u2026the record high minimum for the month.<\/p>\n

In 1963\u2026high winds struck metro Denver causing heavy damage. Winds gusted at 90 to 100 mph in Boulder. Wind gusts to 98 mph were recorded at Jefferson County Airport in Broomfield where hangars and several light planes were severely damaged. Wind gusts to 87 mph were recorded southwest of Littleton. A west wind gust to 55 mph was recorded at Stapleton Airport. Trees were uprooted\u2026signs blown down\u2026and utility lines disrupted. Damage totaled nearly 5 thousand dollars in Boulder alone.<\/p>\n

In 1987\u2026a storm dropped 3 to 6 inches of snow across metro Denver with higher amounts in the foothills. Most of the snow on the plains melted as it fell. Only 1.9 inches of snow fell at Stapleton International Airport where southeast winds gusted to 30 mph.<\/p>\n

In 2014…a peak wind gust to 59 mph…from the west…was recorded at Denver International Airport.<\/p>\n

In 2015…the temperature at Denver International Airport reached 81 degrees. It broke the previous record of 75 degrees and also made it the earliest the 80 degree day on record. The previous 80 degree day record was the 18th.<\/p>\n

In 2021…The daily low temperatures dropped to zero degrees or colder through the 5-day stretch. These were the only sub- zero temperatures recorded for the 2020-21 winter season. Even the maximum daily temperatures during this stretch were cold, with highs only managing to warm into the single digits on the 13th and 14th.<\/p>\n

16-17<\/p>\n

In 1929…strong west winds gusting to 84 mph raked Boulder and Lafayette. Limited minor damage and a few injuries occurred.<\/p>\n

In 1986…strong chinook winds continued to howl in the foothills. A wind gust to 89 mph was recorded at Table Mesa in Boulder on the 16th. Winds of 60 to 75 mph were clocked at other locations in Boulder on both days. A west wind gust to 51 mph was recorded at Stapleton International Airport on the 16th.<\/p>\n

In 2014…high winds developed briefly overnight in and near the foothills of Boulder and Jefferson Counties. Peak wind reports included: 98 mph…4 miles north-northwest of White Ranch Open Space; 85 mph at the NCAR Mesa Lab; 78 mph at the Junction of Colorado Highways 93 and 172; and 75 mph just southeast of Morrison. A semi-truck and an SUV pulling a trailer were rolled over by the wind on Colorado 470 near Morrison. Strong winds damaged a home under construction in Lakewood.<\/p>\n

16-18<\/p>\n

In 1970…a wind gust to 90 mph was recorded in Boulder at the National Center for Atmospheric Research. In downtown Boulder…sustained winds of 30 to 40 mph with gusts to 53 mph were measured. Damage was minor. West winds gusted to 45 mph at Stapleton International Airport on the 17th. The strong chinook winds warmed the temperature to 70 degrees on the 16th and to 72 degrees on the 17th…both records for the date. The low temperature dipped to only 32 degrees on the 16th equaling the record high minimum for the date.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

Heavy, wet snow is the hallmark of March in Denver and we see many events containing just that in our look back at this week in Denver weather history. From the National Weather Service: 8-10 In 1989\u2026unusually warm weather set four daily temperature records in Denver. The high temperature of 74 degrees on the 8th … Continue reading March 10 to March 16: 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":[81,62,235,741],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thorntonweather.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19520"}],"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=19520"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.thorntonweather.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19520\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":24014,"href":"https:\/\/www.thorntonweather.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19520\/revisions\/24014"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thorntonweather.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=19520"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thorntonweather.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=19520"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thorntonweather.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=19520"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}