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Extreme weather in December is hardly unusual as long-time residents can attest to. The most common major events involve wind, cold or snow and sometimes all three at once was we can see in our look back at this week in Denver weather history.<\/p>\n
From the National Weather Service:<\/p>\n
30-1<\/p>\n
In 1929\u2026heavy snow blanketed the city. Snowfall totaled 9.8 inches downtown. North winds were sustained to 32 mph with gusts to 37 mph on the 30th.<\/p>\n
In 1970\u2026high winds blasted Boulder and the eastern plains. In Boulder\u2026a wind gust to 112 mph was recorded at the National Center for Atmospheric Research with a gust to 96 mph at the National Bureau of Standards.<\/p>\n
In downtown Boulder\u2026wind gusts reached 76 mph. At Stapleton International Airport\u2026winds gusted to 47 mph. The high winds caused widespread light to moderate property damage across most of metro Denver. Roofs\u2026signs\u2026trees\u2026power lines\u2026and other property were damaged. Blowing dust reduced visibility to near zero over most of eastern Colorado. Several mobile homes\u2026campers\u2026and semi- trailers were blown off the highways north of Denver.<\/p>\n
In 1985\u2026an intrusion of cold arctic air into metro Denver resulted in setting 3 temperature records. The temperature climbed to only 17 degrees on the 30th\u2026setting a record low maximum for the date. On the 1st\u2026the temperature plunged to 6 degrees below zero\u2026setting a record low for the date\u2026 And warmed to only 7 degrees\u2026setting a record low maximum for the date.<\/p>\n
30-2<\/p>\n
In 1975\u2026very strong Chinook winds up to 100 mph caused damage to homes\u2026aircraft\u2026aircraft hangars\u2026mobile homes\u2026 Cars\u2026and power lines along the eastern foothills. Strong northwest winds gusted to 39 mph at Stapleton International Airport on both the 30th and the 1st.<\/p>\n
1<\/p>\n
In 1899\u2026northwest Chinook winds were sustained to 47 mph with gusts to 60 mph. The strong Chinook winds warmed the temperature to a high of 61 degrees\u2026the warmest of the month. The low temperature dipped to only 39 degrees.<\/p>\n
In 1972\u2026strong Chinook winds gusted in excess of 65 mph in Boulder. There were no reports of damage. Northwest winds gusted to 38 mph at Stapleton International Airport.<\/p>\n
In 1992\u2026strong winds continued through the early morning hours. Wind gusts to over 70 mph were measured at reporting sites in the foothills west of Denver. In west Boulder\u2026wind gusts reached 71 mph with 77 mph measured at Rollinsville. At Stapleton International Airport northwest winds gusted to 39 mph. The walker ranch\u2026an historic site west of Boulder\u2026burned down overnight during the high wind event. Although the winds did not cause the fire\u2026they did hamper efforts to extinguish the blaze.<\/p>\n
In 1996\u2026high winds howled in and near the Front Range foothills. Winds gusted to 105 mph at Wondervu southwest of Boulder and to 70 mph at Jefferson County Airport near Broomfield. West winds gusted to only 24 mph at Denver International Airport.<\/p>\n
1-2<\/p>\n
In 1933\u2026apparent post-frontal heavy snowfall totaled 8.0 inches across downtown Denver. North winds were sustained to 17 mph with an extreme velocity to 18 mph on the 1st.<\/p>\n
In 1981 strong winds gusted to over 70 mph along the foothills. A peak gust to 100 mph was recorded at Wondervu. A gust to 94 mph was recorded just west of Boulder. Roofs on houses were damaged in the Evergreen area\u2026and some mobile homes also were damaged. At Stapleton International Airport\u2026northwest winds gusted 44 mph on the 1st and 37 mph on the 2nd.<\/p>\n
1-5<\/p>\n
In 1913\u2026the 1st marked the start of the heaviest 5-day total snowfall in the city\u2019s history. During this period snowfall totaled 45.7 inches. Starting on the 1st\u2026snow fell intermittently for 3 days and accumulated a little over 8 inches. On the 4th and 5th\u2026an additional 37.4 inches of snow fell. At Georgetown in the foothills west of Denver even more snow fell\u202686 inches over the 5 days with the most\u202663 inches\u2026on the 4th. In Colorado\u2026snowfall was heavy along the eastern slopes of the mountains from the Palmer Divide north. High winds during the storm caused heavy drifting\u2026which blocked all transportation. Snow cover of an inch or more from the storm persisted for 60 consecutive days from the 1st through January 29\u20261914. Additional snowfall in December and January prolonged the number of days. This is the third longest period of snow cover on record in the city.<\/p>\n
2<\/p>\n
In 1893\u2026northwest winds were sustained to 42 mph with gusts to 46 mph. Snowfall was only 1.4 inches in the city.<\/p>\n
In 1895\u20260.01 inch of melted snow from 0.7 inch of snowfall was the only measurable precipitation of the month in downtown Denver\u2026ranking the month the 3rd driest December on record.<\/p>\n
In 1899\u2026post-frontal northeast winds sustained to 44 mph with gusts to 59 mph caused the temperature to plunge from a high of 55 degrees to a low of 15 degrees. Snowfall was only 1.0 inch.<\/p>\n
In 1902\u2026apparent post-frontal northwest winds were sustained to 45 mph with gusts to 53 mph. A trace of snow fell.<\/p>\n
In 1905\u2026only a trace of snow fell in downtown Denver. This was the only snow and precipitation for the month\u2026 Ranking the month the second driest and the second least snowiest December on record.<\/p>\n
In 1921\u2026snowfall was 5.5 inches in downtown Denver. Northwest winds were sustained to 24 mph with an extreme velocity of 25 mph.<\/p>\n
In 1951\u2026a vigorous pacific cold front produced a northwest wind gust to 51 mph at Stapleton Airport where brief blowing dust was observed.<\/p>\n
In 1957\u2026a strong Pacific cold front produced northwest wind gusts to 54 mph at Stapleton Airport where the surface visibility was briefly reduced to 1 1\/2 miles in blowing dust.<\/p>\n
In 1977\u2026high winds in Boulder lifted a warehouse from its foundation and ripped it apart. Wind gusts from 60 to 103 mph toppled and injured a man while walking. Winds were clocked to 104 mph at Nederland\u2026100 mph at Morrison\u2026and 62 mph at Rocky Flats. Northwest winds gusted to 41 mph at Stapleton International Airport.<\/p>\n
In 1996\u2026for the second day in a row high winds ripped the Front Range foothills. Winds gusted to 81 mph in Golden Gate Canyon. West-northwest winds gusted to 37 mph at Denver International Airport.<\/p>\n
In 2013…high winds developed ahead of an approaching storm system. The strong winds downed several trees around Evergreen. Peak wind gusts included: 79 mph…4 miles west-southwest of Eldorado Springs; 78 mph…3 miles south of Evergreen; 75 mph and the NCAR Mesa Lab; and 69 mph in Longmont.<\/p>\n
<\/span>2-3<\/p>\n In 1955\u2026snowfall totaled only 2.9 inches at Stapleton Airport. This was the only measurable snowfall of the month.<\/p>\n In 1973\u2026post-frontal heavy snowfall totaled 7.6 inches at Stapleton International Airport where northeast winds gusting to 37 mph caused some blowing snow.<\/p>\n In 1990\u2026strong downslope winds raked the eastern foothills and most of metro Denver. A wind gust to 87 mph was recorded at Rollinsville with wind gusts to 58 mph in Arvada and 55 mph in Lakewood. West winds gusted to 48 mph at Stapleton International Airport on the 2nd.<\/p>\n In 1997\u2026heavy snow fell in the foothills. Conifer received 10 inches of new snow. Snowfall totaled only 2.4 inches at the site of the former Stapleton International Airport on the 1st\u20262nd\u2026and 3rd. North winds gusted to 24 mph at Denver International Airport on the 2nd.<\/p>\n 2-4<\/p>\n In 1909\u2026post-frontal snowfall totaled 6.1 inches in downtown Denver. Most of the snow\u20265.9 inches\u2026fell between 6:00 pm on the 2nd and 6:00 pm on the 3rd. North winds were sustained to 18 mph on both the 2nd and 3rd.<\/p>\n 2-17<\/p>\n In 1939\u2026more than 2 weeks of unseasonably warm weather made the month the 3rd warmest on record. Seven daily temperature records were set\u2026including the all-time record high temperature for the month of 79 degrees on the 5th. Daytime highs were balmy with 14 days in the 60\u2019s and 70\u2019s. Low temperatures dipped to freezing or below on only 5 days. The period was dry with only a trace of snow on the 12th.<\/p>\n 3<\/p>\n In 1977\u2026high winds continued in Boulder and were clocked from 74 to 90 mph\u2026causing only minor damage. Northwest winds gusted to 33 mph at Stapleton International Airport where the strong Chinook winds warmed the temperature to a high of 63 degrees.<\/p>\n In 1985\u2026wind gusts to 78 mph were clocked at Table Mesa in Boulder. Winds gusted to 70 mph at Echo Lake west of Denver.<\/p>\n In 2011\u2026another round of snow developed in and near the Front Range foothills. The heaviest snowfall occurred in the foothills of Boulder and northern Jefferson counties. Storm totals included: 13 inches\u20267 miles southwest of Boulder; 10.5 inches\u20264 miles east-northeast of Nederland; 10 inches at Genesee; 9.5 inches\u20264 miles west-northwest of Boulder; 9 inches at Gross Reservoir and 4 miles east of Pinecliffe. Around the urban corridor\u2026storm totals ranged from 3 to 8 inches\u2026heaviest in and around Boulder. At Denver International Airport\u20263 inches of snow fell.<\/p>\n 3-4<\/p>\n In 1968\u2026strong Chinook winds in Boulder gusting to 52 mph downtown caused 7 thousand dollars in damage. Flying debris damaged cars\u2026houses\u2026and other property in Boulder. West winds gusted to 49 mph late on the 3rd and to 45 mph on the 4th at Stapleton International Airport where the temperature climbed to a high of 60 degrees on the 4th.<\/p>\n In 1970\u2026strong winds whistled through Boulder. Sustained winds of 40 mph with gusts to 70 mph were recorded at the National Bureau of Standards in Boulder. Wind gusts to 50 mph occurred in downtown Denver. No damage was reported. On the 3rd\u2026northwest winds gusted to 40 mph at Stapleton International Airport where the Chinook winds warmed the temperature to a high of 66 degrees on the 4th.<\/p>\n In 1999\u2026heavy snow fell over the foothills and metro Denver. The heaviest snowfall occurred in the foothills south of I-70 and near the Palmer Divide. Snowfall totals included: 25 inches near Tiny Town; 18 inches at Conifer; 15 inches near Evergreen; 14 inches at Chief Hosa\u20268 miles west of Castle Rock\u2026and near Blackhawk; 12 inches at Pine Junction and 8 miles south of Sedalia; 11 inches atop Floyd Hill and in Roxborough; and 10 inches at Castle Rock. Around metro Denver\u2026snowfall totals included: 10 inches at Highlands Ranch\u20269 inches at Parker\u2026and 8 inches in Aurora and Wheat Ridge. Elsewhere around the metro area\u2026snowfall generally ranged from 3 to 5 inches. Only 3.2 inches of snow fell at the site of the former Stapleton International Airport. North winds gusted to 32 mph at Denver International Airport on the 3rd.<\/p>\n In 2007\u2026high winds developed in and near the Front Range foothills. Peak wind reports included: 88 mph atop Niwot Ridge; 87 mph atop Mines Peak; 80 mph\u20263 miles southeast of Jamestown; 78 mph at Longmont; 74 mph at Table Mesa. A few power outages occurred in Longmont as broken branches downed power lines. Northwest winds gusted to 38 mph at Denver International Airport on the 4th.<\/p>\n In 2013…a storm system brought heavy snow to parts of the Front Range Foothills. Storm totals included: 12 inches.. 7 miles west-southwest of Evergreen; 10.5 inches…3 miles north of Bailey; 9.5 inches…3 miles west of Jamestown and 5 miles northeast of Ward; 9 inches in Bailey…8.5 inches… 3 miles north of Conifer.<\/p>\n 3-15<\/p>\n In 1972\u2026a protracted cold spell held an icy grip on metro Denver when maximum temperatures never reached above freezing for 10 consecutive days from the 3rd through the 12th and minimum temperatures dipped below zero on eleven consecutive days from the 5th through the 15th. Daily low temperature records were set with 15 degrees below zero on the 5th\u202617 degrees below zero on the 6th\u2026 And 18 degrees below zero on the 10th. Daily record low maximum readings were set with 3 degrees on the 6th and 6 degrees on the 9th. The very cold temperatures were caused by 3 to 5 inches of snow cover and a Canadian air mass.<\/p>\n 4<\/p>\n In 1884\u2026a windstorm during the afternoon produced sustained northwest winds to 34 mph with higher gusts. The strong wind blew one of the wooden slats from the weather instrument shelter\u2026which broke the wet-bulb thermometer.<\/p>\n In 1885\u2026north winds were sustained to 40 mph during the early morning hours. The strong winds were accompanied by a cold wave.<\/p>\n In 1893\u2026northwest winds were sustained to 48 mph with gusts as high as 55 mph. The Chinook winds warmed the temperature to a high of 58 degrees.<\/p>\n In 1901\u2026Chinook winds sustained from the northwest at 40 mph with gusts to 48 mph warmed the temperature to a high of 55 degrees in the city.<\/p>\n In 1906\u2026rainfall of only 0.01 inch before daybreak was the only measurable precipitation of the month\u2026ranking the month the third driest December on record.<\/p>\n In 1910\u2026cold west winds were strong all day with a sustained speed to 44 mph.<\/p>\n In 1977\u2026northwest winds gusted to 55 mph at Stapleton International Airport where the strong Chinook winds warmed the temperature to a high of 55 degrees.<\/p>\n In 1978\u2026high winds from 50 to near 150 mph occurred in the Boulder area. A pick-up truck was overturned\u2026and a camper top was blown off another truck. Some roof damage was reported. Northwest winds gusted to 48 mph at Stapleton International Airport\u2026where the Chinook winds warmed the temperature to a high of 57 degrees.<\/p>\n In 1980\u2026wind gusts of 50 to 60 mph occurred along the foothills. Southwest winds gusted to 31 mph at Stapleton International Airport. The Chinook winds warmed the temperature to a record high of 69 degrees for the day.<\/p>\n In 1991\u2026a volcanic ash cloud high in the atmosphere was clearly visible during the late afternoon being illuminated by the setting sun.<\/p>\n In 1995\u2026very strong downslope winds gusting to 100 mph in the foothills knocked down trees and power lines\u2026 Triggering 800 power outages. Downed power lines sparked a half dozen brush fires ranging up to 4 acres in size. In Boulder\u2026a portion of an old drive-in movie screen was blown down\u2026and several car windows were shattered. The strongest wind gusts recorded were 100 mph at Golden Gate Canyon\u202699 mph at Rocky Flats environmental technology site\u202696 mph in north Boulder\u202694 mph at Wondervu\u202681 mph at Conifer\u2026and 77 mph in south Boulder. West-northwest winds gusted to only 29 mph at Denver International Airport.<\/p>\n 4-5<\/p>\n In 1912\u20265.2 inches of post-frontal snow fell in downtown Denver. Most of the snow fell on the 4th when northeast winds were sustained to 42 mph with gusts to 46 mph.<\/p>\n In 1913\u2026a major winter storm produced heavy snowfall and blizzard conditions in the city. The snow fell continuously for 40 consecutive hours from 4:30 am on the 4th until just before midnight on the 5th and totaled 37.6 inches. The greatest accumulation on the ground was 32.6 inches at 6:00 pm on the 5th. Strong north winds accompanied the storm with sustained speeds of 30 mph or more for more than 25 hours. The highest sustained wind velocity was 44 mph during the afternoon of the 5th. Winds gusted to 46 mph on the 4th and to 47 mph on the 5th. The winds piled the snow into 4-and 5-foot drifts. By noon on the 4th traffic was interrupted\u2026and by evening the heavy wet snow had blocked most streets and highways. Street cars stalled when streets became blocked. Automobiles and other conveyances were abandoned in the streets. By the 5th\u2026 The blockage extended to steam railroads. Flat roofed buildings collapsed\u2026including the roof of the Calvary Baptist Church. Many downtown workers were unable to make it home on the night of the 4th and filled downtown hotels to overflowing. Some enjoyed the festive mood of the occasion and partied through the night. The city auditorium\u2026jail\u2026and several movie houses served as shelters for hundreds of people. The snow was remarkably moist for this time of year with a total water content of 3.44 inches. Temperatures during the storm were between 25 and 34 degrees. Cold weather followed the storm and snow remained on the ground for a long time. On some street car lines\u2026it took 6 to 7 days before the right of way could be cleared. The foothills measured even more snow from the storm. At Georgetown\u2026the 2 day snowfall totaled 71 inches. The 2.12 inches of precipitation measured on the 4th is the greatest calendar day precipitation ever recorded during the month of December in Denver. The 2.29 inches of precipitation measured from the 4th into the 5th is the greatest 24 hour precipitation ever recorded in the city during December.<\/p>\n In 1972\u2026only 4.5 inches of snow fell at Stapleton International Airport\u2026but high winds on the evening of the 4th caused blizzard conditions over the plains east of Denver. A 21-year-old University of Colorado student caught in the storm while cross country skiing west of Boulder froze to death. North winds gusted to 32 mph at Stapleton International Airport.<\/p>\n In 1979\u2026the Front Range was hit by strong Chinook winds. The Boulder area was hardest hit with winds gusting to 119 mph at Rocky Flats and 92 mph in the city. A wind gust to 104 mph was recorded at Wondervu. Damage was widespread\u2026amounting to 1.2 million dollars mainly around Boulder. Roofs were blown off several buildings and homes\u2026 Hundreds of windows were broken\u2026and many cars were damaged by flying debris. Small planes were severely damaged at 3 airports in the area. West winds gusted to 55 mph at Stapleton International Airport on the 5th.<\/p>\n In 1996\u2026persistent westerly flow aloft produced more high winds in and near the Front Range foothills. Several locations reported hurricane force winds with peak gusts of 100 to 120 mph. The high winds downed trees and power lines\u2026leaving 700 residents without power for nearly 4 hours in the communities of Beaver Brook\u2026Blue Valley\u2026 Conifer\u2026Evergreen\u2026and Floyd Hill. A wall of a building under construction in Lafayette was toppled\u2026a semi-truck was blown over near the Boulder turnpike damaging a concrete barrier\u2026and a 60-foot tree crushed a parked pick-up truck at a Denver residence. High wind gusts included: an estimated 120 mph at Blackhawk\u2026115 mph at Aspen Springs\u2026100 mph at the Eldora Ski Resort\u202675 mph atop Shanahan Ridge near Boulder\u202674 mph near Conifer\u2026and 71 mph at the Rocky Flats Environmental Test Facility. At Denver International Airport\u2026west winds gusted to 51 mph on the 4th and to only 38 mph on the 5th.<\/p>\n 4-6<\/p>\n In 1960\u2026heavy snowfall totaled 12.0 inches over the 3 days with 5.1 inches on the 4th\u20265.2 inches on the 5th\u2026and 1.7 inches on the 6th. Rain changed to snow early on the 4th and ended by early afternoon. Snow started again early on the 5th and continued through midday on the 6th. West northwest winds gusted to 30 mph on the 4th. Post cold frontal temperatures cooled from a high of 38 degrees on the 4th to a low of 7 degrees below zero on the 6th.<\/p>\n 5<\/p>\n In 1897\u2026west Chinook winds sustained to 48 mph with gusts to 60 mph warmed the temperature to a high of 60 degrees.<\/p>\n In 1906\u2026only a trace of snow fell in downtown Denver. This\u2026along with a trace of snow on both the 28th and 29th\u2026 Was the only snow of the month\u2026ranking the month the second least snowiest December on record.<\/p>\n In 1939\u2026the highest temperature ever recorded in December\u2026 79 degrees\u2026occurred.<\/p>\n In 1979\u2026strong Chinook winds gusted to 55 mph at Stapleton International Airport.<\/p>\n In 1993\u2026strong winds in and near the foothills swept across metro Denver. Wind gusts to 71 mph were recorded atop Squaw Mountain and 68 mph at Rollinsville. Wind gusts to 69 mph were observed at Jefferson County Airport near Broomfield\u2026and to 68 mph on Table Mesa in southwest Boulder. Northwest wind gusts to 44 mph were recorded at Stapleton International Airport.<\/p>\n In 2002\u2026only a trace of snow fell at the site of the former Stapleton International Airport. This\u2026along with the trace of snow on the 18th\u2026was the only snow of the month\u2026ranking the month the 2nd least snowiest on record.<\/p>\n In 2005\u2026high winds in Boulder broke windows\u2026damaged roofs\u2026 And produced power outages that left around 10 thousand people without electricity. In the Golden area along C-470\u2026I-70\u2026and the McIntyre Parkway\u2026seven tractor trailers were overturned by strong cross-winds. Peak wind gusts included: 98 mph near Eldorado Springs\u202690 mph at the National Center for Atmospheric Research in Boulder\u2026 85 mph near Evergreen\u202683 mph at Jefferson County Airport near Broomfield\u202680 mph near Golden\u2026and 76 mph near Longmont. West to northwest winds gusted to 39 mph at Denver International Airport.<\/p>\n 5-6<\/p>\n In 1883\u2026a major snow storm hit the city. Heavy snow fell from 10:00 am on the 5th to 7:30 am on the 6th. The amount of snowfall was not recorded\u2026but precipitation from melted snow totaled 1.75 inches\u2026which would give an estimated snowfall of nearly 18 inches. Temperatures during the storm were in the 30\u2019s\u2026so some of the snow May have melted as it fell. However\u2026railroads were blocked and telegraph lines were downed in all directions. Telephone wires and poles were nearly all broken down. The company manager estimated the damage at 30 thousand dollars. Northeast winds were sustained to 24 mph in the city.<\/p>\n In 1892\u2026heavy snow totaled 6.2 inches in downtown Denver. Most of the snow\u20266.0 inches\u2026fell on the 6th.<\/p>\n In 2001\u2026high winds developed in the foothills northwest of Denver. Winds gusted to 74 mph at Aspen Springs. West- northwest winds gusted to 35 mph at Denver International Airport\u2026where the temperature warmed to a high of 55 degrees on the 6th.<\/p>\n 5-7<\/p>\n In 1978\u2026a major storm dumped heavy snow across metro Denver. At Stapleton International Airport\u2026snowfall totaled 8.5 inches\u2026northeast winds gusted to 46 mph\u2026and temperatures plunged from a high of 49 degrees on the 5th to a low of only 6 degrees on the 6th. Maximum temperature of 6 degrees on the 7th was a new daily record low maximum reading. Most of the snow\u20266.7 inches\u2026fell on the 5th.<\/p>\n 5-8<\/p>\n In 1983\u2026high winds occurred in and near the foothills each day. Wind gusts to 63 mph were registered in Golden Gate Canyon on the evening of the 5th. On the evening of the 6th\u2026winds knocked down trees\u2026snapped power lines\u2026and blew out windows across metro Denver. Gusts were clocked to 102 mph in southwest metro Denver\u2026while wind gusts to 38 mph were recorded at Stapleton International Airport. On the 7th\u2026winds overturned a tractor trailer near Castle Rock. After midnight on the 8th\u2026gusts to 97 mph were reported in southeast Boulder. Wind speeds of 60 to 70 mph were reported in other parts of metro Denver.<\/p>\n 6<\/p>\n In 1939\u2026high temperature of 73 degrees was a record maximum for the date. Low temperature of 44 degrees was a record high minimum for the date.<\/p>\n In 1967\u2026strong west winds produced blowing dust at Stapleton International Airport where a wind gust to 55 mph was recorded. A heavy windstorm caused minor damage in Boulder. In Denver\u2026some structural panels were blown from a building\u2026 And the screen of an outdoor theater was severely damaged. There were unofficial reports of wind gusts to 75 mph in metro Denver.<\/p>\n In 1977\u2026wind gusting to 85 mph raked the foothills from Boulder to Morrison. A few houses under construction were blown down. Northwest winds gusted to 39 mph at Stapleton International Airport.<\/p>\n In 1991\u2026high in the atmosphere\u2026a volcanic ash cloud was clearly visible in the direction of the sun during the late morning and early afternoon.<\/p>\n 6-7<\/p>\n In 1953\u2026high winds buffeted the eastern foothills. Wind gusts to 80 mph occurred on Lookout Mountain.<\/p>\n In Denver winds gusted to 65 mph. Damage in Boulder totaled 15 hundred dollars.<\/p>\n 7<\/p>\n In 1897\u2026west winds were sustained to 53 mph with gusts to 66 mph. The Chinook winds warmed the temperature to a high of 62 degrees\u2026the warmest day of the month.<\/p>\n In 1957\u2026a vigorous cold front produced a dust storm as it moved south across metro Denver. West-northwest wind gusts to 59 mph were recorded at Stapleton Airport where the surface visibility was briefly reduced to 1\/2 mile in blowing dust. Light snowfall of only 0.8 inch followed the passage of a secondary Canadian cold front.<\/p>\n In 1958\u2026the worst wind storm in several years caused 10 thousand dollars damage in Boulder where wind gusts were estimated to 75 mph.<\/p>\n In 1977 winds up to 115 mph were reported in the Boulder area where one house was unroofed and another damaged. One woman was knocked down by the wind and injured. Several families were evacuated from homes in Boulder. Damage to trailers and motor vehicles was widespread. West winds gusted to 54 mph at Stapleton International Airport where the Chinook winds warmed the temperature to a high of 64 degrees.<\/p>\n In 1987\u2026strong winds buffeted the Front Range foothills. A peak gust to 93 mph was recorded at the National Center for Atmospheric Research in Boulder. Nearby\u2026a metal shed was blown over a fence into a tree two houses away. Wind gusts of 70 to 80 mph were common in Boulder.<\/p>\n In 1988\u20264 to 8 inches of snow fell across metro Denver and caused traffic gridlock conditions on area highways. The 3.9 inches of snow at Stapleton International Airport caused two-hour flight delays. Northeast winds gusted to 25 mph.<\/p>\n In 2005\u2026a brief cold snap resulted in record breaking temperatures. The low temperature of 13 degrees below zero was a record minimum for the date. The high temperature of only 3 degrees was a record low maximum for the date. The cold temperatures were accompanied by 1.4 inches of light snow that was measured at Denver Stapleton overnight on the 6th and 7th.<\/p>\n 7-9<\/p>\n In 1919\u2026an apparent arctic cold front brought extreme cold and light snow to the city. Snowfall totaled only 2.5 inches on the 7th and 8th. Temperatures dipped to lows of 14 degrees below zero on the 8th and to 20 degrees below zero on the 9th. Both readings were daily record minimums. High temperatures were only 4 degrees on the 8th and 7 degrees on the 9th.<\/p>\n In 1923\u2026a major storm dumped 13.5 inches of snowfall on downtown Denver. The apparent post-frontal snowfall started during the late afternoon of the 7th and continued through the evening of the 9th. Temperatures dipped from a high of 66 degrees on the 7th with west winds sustained to 35 mph to a low of only 14 degrees on the 9th\u2026with north winds sustained to 25 mph.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Extreme weather in December is hardly unusual as long-time residents can attest to. The most common major events involve wind, cold or snow and sometimes all three at once was we can see in our look back at this week in Denver weather history. From the National Weather Service: 30-1 In 1929\u2026heavy snow blanketed the … Continue reading December 1 to December 7: This Week in Denver Weather History<\/span>