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Our look back this week in Denver weather history highlights why being prepared for winter weather is so crucial. From massive winter storms to damaging wind and deadly exposure to the elements, we have seen each in the past.<\/p>\n
From the National Weather Service:<\/p>\n
25-27<\/p>\n
In 1897\u2026a major storm dumped 13.5 inches of snowfall over downtown Denver. Rain changed to snow during the evening of the 25th and continued through mid-morning of the 27th. Most of the snow\u202612.0 inches\u2026fell on the 26th when north winds were sustained to 36 mph and gusts were as high as 46 mph. Temperatures during the storm were in the 20\u2019s and lower 30\u2019s. Precipitation (rain and melted snow) totaled 1.21 inches.<\/p>\n
In 2021…the minimum temperature at Denver International Airport dropped into the single digits for three consecutive mornings: 8 degrees…4 degrees and 8 degrees respectively.<\/p>\n
26-27<\/p>\n
In 1971\u2026strong winds raked Boulder. At the National Bureau of Standards wind gusts to 62 mph were recorded\u2026while in downtown Boulder winds peaked to 48 mph. At Stapleton International Airport\u2026northwest winds gusted to 38 mph on the 26th and north winds gusted to 36 mph on the 27th.<\/p>\n
In 1976\u2026the first measurable snow of the season turned into a major storm. Traffic was halted for several hours on highways to the west of Denver where 8 to 12 inches of snow fell in the foothills. Snowfall totaled 7.2 inches at Stapleton International Airport where north winds gusted to 30 mph. Most of the snow\u20266.3 inches\u2026fell all day on the 26th. The greatest snow depth on the ground was 5 inches on the morning of the 27th.<\/p>\n
27<\/p>\n
In 1980\u2026the first snowfall of the season totaled only 1.5 inches with 0.10 inch of moisture at Stapleton International Airport where the maximum snow depth on the ground was only 1 inch due to melting. This was the only measurable precipitation of the month\u2026making it the driest October since 1962 when only 0.03 inch of precipitation was measured.<\/p>\n
In 1994\u2026wind gusts to 70 mph were recorded atop Squaw Mountain\u20265 miles south of Idaho Springs\u2026and at Rollinsville in the foothills southwest of Boulder. Northwest winds gusted to 28 mph at Stapleton International Airport.<\/p>\n
27-28<\/p>\n
In 1874\u2026strong west winds in Boulder along with a reported tornado produced 150 dollars in damage.<\/p>\n
In 1913\u2026a strong cold front produced sustained northeast winds to 35 mph with gusts as high as 38 mph on the 27th. Overnight snowfall totaled 5.8 inches. Temperatures plunged to a low of 17 degrees on the morning of the 28th after a high of 60 degrees on the 27th.<\/p>\n
27-30<\/p>\n
In 2009\u2026a powerful early season storm brought heavy snow to the Front Range. The combination of a deep northeasterly upslope flow coupled with abundant moisture and lift with the developing storm system produced an extended period of moderate to heavy snowfall. The heavy wet snow accumulated on trees and resulted in broken branches and scattered electrical outages. Interstates 70 and 76 were closed east of Denver. Numerous other roads and highways were shut down. The Red Cross set up numerous emergency shelters for stranded travelers. The blowing snow at Denver International Airport forced the cancellation of hundreds of flights. Schools were also closed. In the foothills storm totals included: 46 inches\u2026 3 miles southeast of Pinecliffe; 42 inches\u20263 miles southwest of Conifer; 34 inches\u20263 miles north of Blackhawk; 30 inches at Aspen Springs and near Evergreen\u2026 23 inches at Roxborough Park\u2026and 20 inches\u20263 miles south-southeast of Morrison. Across the urban corridor storm totals included: 25 inches in Highlands Ranch; 21.5 inches near Louisville\u202620.5 inches in Broomfield\u2026 20 inches at Lafayette\u202617.5 inches in Boulder\u202617 inches in Westminster\u202616.5 inches in Erie; 15.5 inches in Arvada and 5 miles west-northwest of Littleton\u202615 inches in Littleton\u202614 inches in Englewood\u202613.5 inches in Lakewood and 6 miles north of Thornton; 13.3 inches at Denver International Airport\u202611 inches\u20264 miles south of Denver; 10.5 inches\u20262 miles north of cherry hills village and Niwot.<\/p>\n
28<\/p>\n
In 1917\u2026post-frontal snowfall totaled 6.5 inches in the city. North winds sustained to 30 mph with gusts to 33 mph caused the temperature to plunge from a high of 58 degrees to a low of 9 degrees by midnight.<\/p>\n
In 1967\u2026winds gusted to 65 mph in downtown Boulder\u2026causing minor damage. South winds gusted to 32 mph at Stapleton International Airport.<\/p>\n
In 1991\u2026the first major snow of the season hit metro Denver as a cold arctic air mass moved over the area. Snowfall amounts across northeast Colorado ranged from 3 to 10 inches with 4.4 inches of snowfall recorded at Stapleton International Airport where north winds gusted to 22 mph. The low temperature dipped to 13 degrees.<\/p>\n
In 1993\u2026high winds buffeted the Front Range foothills. A wind gust to 83 mph was recorded atop Squaw Mountain\u202635 miles west of Denver\u2026and a gust to 76 mph occurred near Rollinsville southwest of Boulder.<\/p>\n
<\/span>28-29<\/p>\n In 1993\u2026an upper level disturbance combined with a moist upslope flow to bring heavy snow to portions of metro Denver. Snowfall amounts ranged from 5.4 inches at Stapleton International Airport to 14 inches in Boulder. New snowfall totaled 8 inches at Gross Reservoir in the foothills 5 miles southwest of Boulder. On the 28th\u2026north winds gusted to 30 mph at Stapleton International Airport where the temperature climbed to only 25 degrees on the 29th\u2026equaling the record low maximum for the date.<\/p>\n 28-30<\/p>\n In 1971\u2026a vigorous cold front plunged temperatures from a high of 70 degrees on the 27th to record low levels on the 29th and 30th. Snowfall totaled 3.1 inches at Stapleton International Airport where north winds gusted to 23 mph. Some freezing drizzle also fell on the 28th. Record daily low maximum temperatures of 32 degrees on the 28th and 25 degrees on the 29th were established along with a daily record minimum of 13 degrees on the 30th.<\/p>\n 28-31<\/p>\n In 1929\u2026rain changed to snow on the afternoon of the 28th and continued until midday on the 30th followed by intermittent light snow which continued through the 31st. Snowfall over the four days totaled 16.2 inches in the city. Most of the snow\u20268.5 inches\u2026fell on the 29th with 6.1 inches on the 30th. Temperatures hovered in 20\u2019s during most of the storm.<\/p>\n 29<\/p>\n In 1917\u2026the all-time lowest recorded temperature in October\u20262 degrees below zero\u2026occurred. This is also the earliest below zero reading of the season.<\/p>\n In 1939\u2026the first measurable snow of the season totaled 5.6 inches in downtown Denver. Post-frontal northeast winds were sustained to 28 mph.<\/p>\n In 1961\u2026heavy snowfall measured 6.0 inches at Stapleton Airport where northeast winds gusted to 30 mph.<\/p>\n In 1973\u2026strong winds caused some damage to homes\u2026stores\u2026 And utility lines along the foothills from metro Denver south.<\/p>\n In 1981\u2026high winds buffeted the Front Range foothills with gusts to 55 mph in south Boulder.<\/p>\n In 1996\u2026high winds gusting from 70 to around 100 mph blasted metro Denver. One man was killed when a strong wind gust overturned a pop-up camper onto him while he was trying to secure it. In addition\u2026five people at the Rocky Flats Environmental Test Facility received minor injuries when several windshields were blown out of their cars\u2026spraying glass onto the occupants. Several trees and power lines were also downed. Two 75-foot high pine trees were uprooted at the Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Arvada. Property damage from the windstorm ran into the millions of dollars. The highest recorded wind gusts included: 101 mph at Jefferson County Airport near Broomfield\u2026100 mph in Golden Gate Canyon\u202696 mph in Coal Creek Canyon\u2026and 87 mph at upper Table Mesa in Boulder. West-northwest winds gusted to 43 mph at Denver International Airport. Insured damage from the wind storm totaled 5.2 million dollars\u2026the third most costly storm of record in Colorado at the time.<\/p>\n In 2003\u2026strong Chinook winds developed in and near the Front Range foothills. Winds gusting to 80 mph in Boulder downed several trees and power lines\u2026causing damage and triggering scattered electrical outages. The combination of strong winds\u2026very dry fuel conditions\u2026and downed power lines sparked two large wildfires. The overland wildfire in Boulder County\u2026near Jamestown\u2026consumed nearly 3900 acres and destroyed 12 structures\u2026including homes\u2026trailers\u2026and out-buildings. Preliminary damage estimates for the value of lost property was nearly one million dollars. In Douglas County\u2026the Cherokee Ranch wildfire consumed 1200 acres and destroyed 4 structures. The large smoke plumes from both fires were highly visible across metro Denver. West winds gusted to 45 mph at Denver International Airport.<\/p>\n 29-30<\/p>\n In 1905\u2026heavy snowfall developed on the evening of the 29th and continued through the evening of the 30th. Snowfall totaled 11.0 inches in downtown Denver. Precipitation was 1.02 inches. Temperatures were generally in the 20\u2019s.<\/p>\n In 1959\u2026rain during most of the day on the 28th changed to snow early on the 29th and continued through most of the 30th. Heavy snowfall totaled 7.4 inches at Stapleton Airport. North-northeast winds gusted to 24 mph on the 30th. Some freezing drizzle also occurred on the 30th.<\/p>\n In 1981\u20264 to 8 inches of new snow were recorded in the foothills west of Denver. Snowfall totaled only 0.4 inch at Stapleton International Airport where north winds gusted to 25 mph.<\/p>\n In 2019…a strong storm system brought record breaking temperatures and up to a foot of new snow to parts of Denver…especially across the south and southeast portions of the metro area down to the Palmer Divide. In Denver… a record low maximum temperatures of 18 was set on the 29th… followed by a record low temperatures of 3 degrees on the 30th. The combination of snow and wind along the Interstate 70 corridor east of Denver forced its closure in both directions for several hours due to drifting snow and poor visibility. One weather related traffic fatality…occurred in the foothills west of Denver which closed State Highway 6. The official snowfall measurement at Denver International Airport was 7.7 inches. Numerous schools in and around the Denver area and to the east were closed due to heavy snow and hazardous road conditions. Cancellations and delayed flights at Denver International Airport left 800 passengers stranded at the airport overnight. Along the urban corridor and Palmer Divide storm totals included: Storm totals included: 12 inches at Ponderosa Park…10 inches near Foxfield; and Parker; 8.5 inches in southwest Aurora; near Buckley AFB…Cherry Creek…east Denver…and southwest Aurora; 8 inches in Boulder and near Elizabeth…Federal Heights…Louisville and Westminster; 7.5 inches near Castle Pines…7 inches in southwest Aurora and near Shamballa and Quincy Reservoir; 6.5 inches near Rocky Flats; 6 inches near Byers…Elbert…Greenwood and Lakewood.<\/p>\n 29-31<\/p>\n In 1889\u2026the first snowfall of the season totaled 14.0 inches over the three days in downtown Denver. Snowfall was 8.0 inches on the 29th and 5.0 inches on the 31st. North to northeast winds gusted to 30 mph on the 29th.<\/p>\n In 1950\u2026a warm spell resulted in five daily temperature records. Record highs of 84\u202680\u2026and 79 degrees occurred on the 29th\u202630th\u2026and 31st\u2026respectively. Low temperature of 49 degrees on the 30th was the record high minimum for the date.<\/p>\n In 1991\u2026the second surge of cold arctic air in a matter of days plunged metro Denver into the deep freeze. While low temperatures remained above zero\u2026high temperatures were only in the 20\u2019s. Three temperature records were set: record lows of 7 degrees on the 30th and 10 degrees on the 31st and a record low maximum of only 21 degrees on the 30th. Snowfall was light with only 1.9 inches recorded at Stapleton International Airport where east winds gusted to 23 mph.<\/p>\n In 2002\u2026snowfall totaled 4.3 inches at the site of the former Stapleton International Airport. North winds gusted to 32 mph on the 29th behind a cold front\u2026which plunged temperatures well below seasonal normals. High temperatures of 18 degrees on the 30th and 19 degrees on the 31st were record low maximums for each date. Low temperatures dipped to 12 degrees on the 30th and 15 degrees on the 31st.<\/p>\n 29-1<\/p>\n In 1972\u2026heavy snowfall totaled 15.5 inches at Stapleton International Airport. However\u2026the heaviest snow occurred on Halloween night when 7 inches fell on trick-or-treaters during a short 3-hour period. I-25 was closed south of Denver. North winds gusting to 29 mph caused some blowing snow on the 1st. The snow started late on the 29th and ended during the mid afternoon on the 1st. The greatest snow depth on the ground at Stapleton International Airport was 13 inches on the 1st.<\/p>\n 30<\/p>\n In 1974\u2026a rare thunderstorm for so late in October produced hail to 3\/8 inch in diameter and 0.10 inch of rain at Stapleton International Airport.<\/p>\n In 1991\u2026the high temperature warmed to only 21 degrees\u2026the all-time record low maximum for the month of October. The same temperature also occurred on October 25\u20261997.<\/p>\n 30-31<\/p>\n In 2018…a storm system brought a brief period of moderate to heavy snowfall to the Front Range mountains…foothills… and Palmer Divide. Storm totals included: 11 inches near Allenspark; 7.5 inches…6 miles northwest of Lyons; 7 inches at Bear Lake; 6.5 inches near Bailey; 6 inches near Aspen Springs…Copeland Lake…Franktown…Lake Eldora and Larkspur; with 5 inches near Elizabeth. A trace of snowfall was observed at Denver International Airport.<\/p>\n 31<\/p>\n In 1997\u2026high winds buffeted the foothills and adjacent areas of metro Denver. West winds gusted to 70 mph in Broomfield and to 40 mph at Denver International Airport. The strongest winds occurred in the mountains west of Denver and in the foothills north of Denver.<\/p>\n In 2001\u2026high winds developed in the foothills. Peak wind gusts were measured to 74 mph at the National Center for Atmospheric Research on the mesa in Boulder and to 72 mph near Rollinsville. West winds gusting as high as 53 mph warmed the temperature to a high of 71 degrees at Denver International Airport.<\/p>\n In 2020…extreme drought conditions continued in October. The first half of the month remained unseasonably warm… dry and windy. These conditions allowed the fires to the west and northwest of Denver to explode and double in size. The Cameron Peak wildfire become the largest in the state`s history. The Calwood wildfire in Boulder County started near Jamestown…and consumed 8788 acres within a 24-hr period on the 17th. It consumed a total of 10105 acres by the end of the month. The Calwood wildfire also became the largest wildfire in Boulder County history. The fire damaged or destroyed a total of 26 homes with preliminary damage estimates of nearly 37 million dollars. Extremely poor air quality continued to plague Denver and the entire Front Range.<\/p>\n 31-1<\/p>\n In 1951\u20266.4 inches of snowfall were measured at Stapleton Airport.<\/p>\n In 1989\u2026a Halloween storm dropped 3 to 6 inches of snow on metro Denver with the adjacent foothills receiving 5 to 10 inches. Snowfall totaled 4.5 inches at Stapleton International Airport\u2026where north winds gusted to 31 mph on the 31st. Most of the snow fell on the evening of the 31st\u2026but the storm left icy streets throughout metro Denver on the morning of the 1st\u2026making it a \u201cspooky\u201d commute for many motorists.<\/p>\n In 2004\u2026heavy snow fell in and near the foothills of Jefferson and Douglas counties. Storm total snowfall included: 14.5 inches in Aspen Park\u202610 inches at Roxborough State Park and near Sedalia\u20268 inches near Bergen Park\u2026and 7 inches in Highlands Ranch. Snowfall totaled only 3.2 inches in the Denver Stapleton area. Post-frontal northeast winds gusted to 41 mph at Denver International Airport.<\/p>\n In 2017…powerful downslope winds developed in portions of the Front Range Mountains and Foothills. Peak wind gusts included: 96 mph near Georgetown…93 mph near Berthoud Pass…88 mph near Gold Hill…81 mph near Georgetown…80 mph near Aspen Springs and Blackhawk…78 mph near Gold Hill…76 mph near Floyd Hill… with 75 mph near Dumont.<\/p>\n 1<\/p>\n In 1896\u2026northwest Chinook winds sustained to 40 mph with gusts to 46 mph warmed the temperature to a high of 60 degrees in the city.<\/p>\n In 1973\u2026wind gusts to 92 mph were recorded in Boulder. West winds gusted to 41 mph at Stapleton International Airport where the Chinook winds warmed the temperature to a high of 70 degrees.<\/p>\n In 1989\u2026a 39-year-old Lakewood man in a motorized wheelchair was found dead of exposure early in the morning after an overnight snowfall dumped 3 to 6 inches of snow across metro Denver.<\/p>\n In 2017…strong downslope winds occurred across parts of the Front Range. Peak wind gusts included: 92 mph near Berthoud Pass…88 mph near Gold Hill…85 mph at Aspen Springs and 77 mph near Blackhawk.<\/p>\n 1-2<\/p>\n In 1892\u2026snowfall totaled 5.0 inches in downtown Denver. This was the only snow of the month.<\/p>\n In 1956\u2026heavy snowfall totaled 7.0 inches at Stapleton Airport. The storm was accompanied by much blowing and drifting snow. North winds gusted to 47 mph.<\/p>\n In 1991\u2026the storm system which hit the Front Range at the end of October finished the job during the start of November. Six inches of new snow were recorded at both Rollinsville and Morrison\u2026while 2.9 inches of snow fell at Stapleton International Airport where northeast winds gusted to 17 mph. The temperature climbed to a high of only 19 degrees on the 2nd\u2026setting a record low maximum for the date.<\/p>\n In 1995\u2026a winter storm dropped 5 to 8 inches of snow in the Front Range foothills. The exception was at Golden Gate Canyon where a foot of new snow was measured. Icy roads\u2026fog\u2026and blowing snow along I-70 in the foothills west of Denver caused dozens of accidents. One man was killed when he lost control of his vehicle and was ejected when his truck hit a median and rolled over. At least 20 other accidents involved minor injuries. Only 1.0 inch of snow fell at the site of the former Stapleton International Airport where some freezing rain also fell.<\/p>\n 2<\/p>\n In 1939\u2026a trace of snow fell over downtown Denver. This snow\u2026along with a trace of snow on the 9th\u2026was the only snow of the month\u2026ranking it\u2026along with other months\u2026the second least snowiest November on record.<\/p>\n In 1967\u2026post-cold frontal heavy snowfall totaled 6.2 inches at Stapleton International Airport where north winds gusted to 29 mph\u2026briefly reducing the visibility to 1\/8 mile.<\/p>\n In 1992\u2026the first major snowfall of the season dumped 4.6 inches of snow at Stapleton International Airport where north winds gusted to 26 mph. Heavier amounts of snow fell in and near the foothills with 8 inches at Conifer\u2026 Empire\u2026and Bailey\u20266 inches at Rollinsville and Golden Gate Canyon\u2026and 4 inches at Morrison and Wheat Ridge.<\/p>\n In 2011\u2026a storm system brought another around of moderate to heavy snow to the region. Areas in and near the Front Range foothills and palmer divide were hit the hardest. Gusty winds also produced blizzard conditions at times along the palmer divide. In addition\u2026the snow and blowing snow forced several school closures in Douglas and weld counties. Snow drifts\u2026from 1 to 3 feet deep were reported in the northern portion of Douglas and Elbert counties. Storm totals included: 14 inches\u20264 miles south of Boulder and 12.5 miles northwest of Golden\u202613 inches\u2026 5 miles east-southeast of Aspen Springs; 12 inches near Allenspark and Parker; 11 inches\u20266 miles southwest of Castle Rock\u2026Genessee\u20269 miles north-northeast of Elizabeth\u202610 inches\u202610 miles south-southeast of Buckley AFB. At the National Weather Service in Boulder\u2026 7.9 inches of snow was recorded\u2026with 4.5 inches observed at Denver International Airport.<\/p>\n 2-3<\/p>\n In 1974\u2026heavy snowfall totaled 6.1 inches at Stapleton International Airport where north winds gusted to 23 mph on the 3rd. Most of the snow fell on the 3rd. Maximum snow depth on the ground was 5 inches.<\/p>\n In 1990\u2026a winter storm dumped 3 to 8 inches of heavy wet snow across metro Denver. In the foothills snow amounts ranged from 4 to 10 inches. Slushy snow and ice-covered roads snarled traffic. The snow\u2026ice\u2026and poor visibilities were blamed for numerous traffic accidents. Low clouds\u2026 Fog\u2026and snow delayed air traffic at Stapleton International Airport for at least 90 minutes on the afternoon of the 2nd. Snowfall totaled 5.4 inches at Stapleton International Airport where north winds gusted to 21 mph.<\/p>\n In 2018…a powerful and moist Pacific jet stream brought a period of moderate to heavy snow and blowing snow to the mountains west of Denver with up to a foot of snow. A strong gust front generated from dissipating showers near the foothills of southeast Larimer and eastern Boulder counties pushed across the I-25 corridor and adjacent plains. As the gust front swept across Denver International Airport…a peak wind gust to 58 mph was observed from the west-northwest.<\/p>\n 2-5<\/p>\n In 1946\u2026a major snow storm dumped 30.4 inches of heavy snowfall downtown and 31.0 inches at Stapleton Airport. The winter storm closed schools and disrupted all forms of transportation in the city. The greatest depth of snow on the ground was 28 inches at the airport. The duration of the snowfall\u2026from 4:22 am on the 2nd to 3:08 am on the 5th\u2026 A total of 70 hours and 46 minutes\u2026is the second longest period of continuous precipitation on record and the second heaviest snowfall of record at the time in Denver. The 17.7 inches of snowfall on the 2nd and 3rd was the greatest 24- hour snowfall ever recorded during the month of November. Buses and street cars had a difficult time\u2026and many cars were abandoned along roadsides and streets for several days. Secondary roads in rural areas were blocked for 2 to 3 weeks. Several buildings in the city collapsed or were damaged from the weight of the heavy snow. Football games were canceled. Livestock losses were high over eastern Colorado. The precipitation from this storm alone exceeded the greatest amount ever recorded in Denver during the entire month of November previously. The precipitation recorded downtown was 2.03 inches\u2026and the previous record for the entire month of November was 1.95 inches in 1922. North winds were sustained to 26 mph on the 2nd.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Our look back this week in Denver weather history highlights why being prepared for winter weather is so crucial. From massive winter storms to damaging wind and deadly exposure to the elements, we have seen each in the past. From the National Weather Service: 25-27 In 1897\u2026a major storm dumped 13.5 inches of snowfall over … Continue reading October 27 to November 2: This Week in Denver Weather History<\/span>