{"id":21506,"date":"2021-04-18T05:07:29","date_gmt":"2021-04-18T11:07:29","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.thorntonweather.com\/blog\/?p=21506"},"modified":"2021-04-19T05:14:17","modified_gmt":"2021-04-19T11:14:17","slug":"april-18-to-april-24-this-week-in-denver-weather-history-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thorntonweather.com\/blog\/weather-history\/april-18-to-april-24-this-week-in-denver-weather-history-2\/","title":{"rendered":"April 18 to April 24: This week in Denver weather history"},"content":{"rendered":"

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

April can truly bring just about any kind of weather to the Denver area.\u00a0 From blizzards and snowstorms that are more common in the deepest part of winter to severe spring-like weather like tornadoes and hail, we can and do see it all.\u00a0 Our look back at this week in Denver weather history shows all of those conditions and more.<\/p>\n

17-18<\/p>\n

In 1878\u2026the wind blew violently all day on the 17th with a maximum sustained velocity of 40 mph.\u00a0 Dust hung over the city like a cloud.\u00a0 The relative humidity was zero nearly all day.\u00a0 A terrific gale blew overnight.\u00a0 There was much damage to buildings\u2026signs\u2026fences\u2026etc.\u00a0 Some wind gusts were so strong as to jar buildings to their foundations.\u00a0 The station anemometer recorded sustained winds to 50 mph with higher gusts before it was damaged by the winds.\u00a0 The winds moderated during the day on the 18th and ended at sunset.<\/p>\n

In 1894\u2026post-frontal rain changed to snow on the 17th around sunrise and continued through 9:00 am on the 18th. Snowfall totaled 10.5 inches\u2026but most of the snow melted as it fell.\u00a0 The high temperature warmed to only 35 degrees on the 17th after a high of 76 on the 16th.\u00a0 Northeast winds were sustained to 30 mph with gusts to 32 mph on the 17th.<\/p>\n

In 1998\u2026more spring snow fell across metro Denver and in the foothills.\u00a0 Snowfall totals included:\u00a0 11 inches at Golden Gate Canyon; 10 inches at Highlands Ranch; 9 inches at Elizabeth; 8 inches at Broomfield and Morrison; and 7 inches at Chief Hosa\u2026Evergreen\u2026Littleton\u2026and Sedalia. Snowfall totaled only 3.2 inches at the site of the former Stapleton International Airport.\u00a0 North winds gusted to 22 mph at Denver International Airport.<\/p>\n

17-19<\/p>\n

In 1920\u2026snow fell across the city continuously for 57 hours\u2026 From the early morning of the 17th until 11:40 am on the 19th.\u00a0 The heavy wet snowfall totaled 18.2 inches with the greatest accumulation on the ground of 12 inches.\u00a0 Winds during the storm were strong with sustained speeds in excess of 27 mph for over 40 consecutive hours\u2026which created near-blizzard conditions.\u00a0 The highest recorded wind speeds were 44 mph with gusts to 50 mph from the north on the 17th and 39 mph with gusts to 48 mph from the northwest on the 18th.\u00a0 The strong winds piled the snow into high drifts which stopped all Denver traffic. Railroads were blocked with only one train entering the city on the 19th.\u00a0 All interurban trains were blocked\u2026as were the 13 trolley lines.\u00a0 Thus\u2026many workers were unable to get home at night and filled all of the downtown hotels to capacity.\u00a0 No grocery or fuel deliveries were possible\u2026 Except milk and coal to hospitals and to families with babies.\u00a0 No lives were lost in the city\u2026but several people perished in surrounding districts.\u00a0 Stock losses were heavy on the plains.\u00a0 Temperatures during the storm were in the 20\u2019s.<\/p>\n

18<\/p>\n

In 1877\u2026strong winds blew all day with an average sustained velocity of 36 mph.\u00a0 The maximum sustained velocity was 60 mph.\u00a0 No significant damage was reported.<\/p>\n

In 1903\u2026northwest winds were sustained to 48 mph with gusts to 53 mph.<\/p>\n

In 1936\u2026light dust spread over the city from the east on southeast winds gusting to 25 mph.\u00a0 The surface visibility was reduced to about 2 miles at times.<\/p>\n

In 1940\u2026this date marked the start of the longest period without snow\u2026200 days\u2026through November 3\u20261940.\u00a0 A trace of snow fell on both April 17\u20261940\u2026and November 4\u20261940.<\/p>\n

In 1963\u2026strong winds were prevalent all day across metro Denver.\u00a0 West-northwest winds gusting to 60 mph produced some blowing dust at Stapleton Airport.<\/p>\n

In 1971\u2026a microburst wind gust to 59 mph produced some blowing dust at Stapleton International Airport.<\/p>\n

In 1978\u2026high winds caused much blowing dust over the plains. Wind gusts from 80 to 96 mph were reported in Boulder with 80 mph measured on Lookout Mountain.\u00a0 Northwest winds gusted to 43 mph at Stapleton International Airport.<\/p>\n

In 2000\u2026high winds developed in the foothills of Boulder County.\u00a0 Peak wind gusts included 71 mph at the National Center for Atmospheric Research Mesa Lab near Boulder. In Aurora\u2026three workers were injured when strong winds caused a home under construction to partially collapse. Two received minor injuries\u2026while the third worker had to be hospitalized with severe back injuries.\u00a0 South winds gusted to 47 mph at Denver International Airport.<\/p>\n

In 2002\u2026strong northeast winds behind a cold front gusted to 53 mph at Denver International Airport where some blowing dust briefly reduced the visibility to 3 miles.<\/p>\n

<\/span>18-19<\/p>\n

In 1884\u2026a major storm dumped 13.8 inches of snowfall on downtown Denver.\u00a0 Most of the snow\u202610.0 inches\u2026fell on the 18th.\u00a0 Light rain on the early morning of the 18th changed to heavy snow at 8:00 am and became light after 2:00 pm but continued until 4:00 am on the 19th.\u00a0 The snow melted nearly as fast as it fell.\u00a0 There were only 3 inches on the ground early on the morning of the 19th.<\/p>\n

In 1941\u2026heavy snowfall totaled 8.4 inches over downtown Denver.\u00a0 Northeast winds were sustained to 17 mph.<\/p>\n

In 1993\u2026sporadic high winds occurred across metro Denver. Significant wind gusts included 97 mph at Rollinsville\u2026 80 mph in southwest Boulder\u2026and 55 mph at Stapleton International Airport.\u00a0 The strong winds snapped a pine tree top\u2026about 15 feet long and 8 inches in diameter\u2026which crashed through the roof of a church in Evergreen\u2026causing one thousand dollars in damage.\u00a0 Wind gusts of 50 to 60 mph caused structural damage to 3 homes under construction in Broomfield.\u00a0 Northwest winds gusted to 55 mph at Stapleton International Airport.<\/p>\n

In 1995\u2026the second spring storm of the month dumped heavy snow in the foothills.\u00a0 The upslope flow along with areas of thunder snow dropped 6 to 12 inches of snow in the foothills west of Denver and Boulder.\u00a0 Snowfall totaled 4.6 inches at the site of the former Stapleton International Airport\u2026but most of the snow melted as it fell.\u00a0 East winds gusted to 29 mph at Denver International Airport on the 18th.<\/p>\n

18-20<\/p>\n

In 1966\u2026sub-freezing temperatures caused thousands of dollars in damage to fruit trees across metro Denver. Minimum temperatures were in the teens each morning and failed to reach above freezing on the 19th.\u00a0 The low temperature of 13 on the 20th set a new record minimum for the date.\u00a0 Snowfall totaled 5.7 inches at Stapleton International Airport during the period.<\/p>\n

19<\/p>\n

In 1899\u2026northwest winds were sustained to 48 mph with gusts as high as 60 mph in the city.<\/p>\n

In 1941\u2026the last snow of the season\u20260.4 inch\u2026occurred\u2026 Marking the end of the shortest snow season\u2026167 days. The first snow of the season\u2026a trace\u2026occurred on November 4\u20261940.<\/p>\n

In 1954\u2026strong gusty winds raked metro Denver for most of the day producing some blowing dust.\u00a0 At midday\u2026a severe dust devil was sighted in the Westwood area of southwest Denver.<\/p>\n

In 1955\u2026cold west winds at 52 mph with gusts as high as 69 mph were recorded at Stapleton Airport where blowing dust reduced the visibility to 1\/2 mile.<\/p>\n

In 1960\u2026the second wind storm in 3 days produced sustained west winds up to 44 mph with gusts as high as 58 mph at Stapleton Airport.\u00a0 Winds were strong and gusty most of the day\u2026but no damage was reported.<\/p>\n

In 1963\u2026the second windy day in a row produced west- northwest wind gusts to 52 mph at Stapleton Airport.<\/p>\n

In 1971\u2026a tornado occurred in the southwest corner of weld County about 10 miles west-northwest of Brighton.\u00a0 The storm moved through a farm yard damaging equipment and structures.\u00a0 The strong tornadic winds lifted a stock tank over 2 fences into a corral 150 feet away.\u00a0 Later\u2026a tornado touched down briefly west-southwest of Buckley Field\u20268 miles southeast of Stapleton International Airport.\u00a0 No damage was reported.<\/p>\n

In 1985\u2026high winds occurred in the foothills.\u00a0 Winds gusted to 97 mph atop squaw mountain in the foothills west of Denver.\u00a0 West winds gusted to 37 mph at Stapleton International Airport.<\/p>\n

In 1987\u2026a powerful cold front produced high winds and engulfed metro Denver in huge clouds of blowing dust that lowered the visibility to as little as 100 yards.\u00a0 The cold front generated winds as high as 72 mph at Brighton\u202667 mph in Thornton\u2026and 54 mph at Stapleton International Airport. Winds of 50 to 70 mph were common along the Front Range from Denver north.\u00a0 The high wind gusts flipped a light plane taxiing at Stapleton International Airport\u2026slightly injuring two people on board.\u00a0 The cold front dropped the temperature from a high of 80 degrees at 3:00 pm to a low of 33 degrees at midnight.\u00a0 Nearly an inch of snow\u20260.8 inch\u2026 Fell at Stapleton International Airport before midnight.<\/p>\n

In 1988\u2026a tornado touched down in Fort Lupton\u2026following a path 50 to 75 yards wide for 2 1\/2 blocks.\u00a0 The twister damaged roofs on 2 schools and broke numerous windows; about 10 houses were damaged and several cars had windows blown out.\u00a0 Several trees were downed.<\/p>\n

In 1989\u2026winds were clocked to 68 mph in Wheat Ridge. Microburst winds gusted to 35 mph at Stapleton International Airport.<\/p>\n

In 1996\u2026high winds gusting from 70 to near 100 mph developed in the Front Range foothills and adjacent plains.\u00a0 Numerous power outages were reported as power lines and poles were downed.\u00a0 The high winds blew the chimney off the roof of a house in Westminster.\u00a0 Numerous homes received minor shingle damage.\u00a0 Some of the stronger wind gusts included:\u00a0 98 mph at Jefferson County Airport in Broomfield\u202691 mph atop Squaw Mountain west of Denver\u2026and 75 mph atop Table Mesa near Boulder.\u00a0 West northwest winds gusted to 45 mph at Denver International Airport.<\/p>\n

In 2001\u2026westerly Chinook winds\u2026gusting as high as 40 mph at Denver International Airport\u2026prevented the low temperature from dropping below 51 degrees\u2026setting a new record high minimum for the date.\u00a0 The high temperature of 77 degrees was not a record.<\/p>\n

In 2005\u2026severe thunderstorms produced large hail across metro Denver.\u00a0 Hail as large as 1 1\/4 inches in diameter was measured in Arvada.\u00a0 Hail to 1 inch in diameter fell in Westminster\u2026Northglenn\u2026and Thornton.\u00a0 Hail to 7\/8 inch was reported near Brighton\u2026Barr Lake\u2026and Castle Rock. Hail to 3\/4 inch fell in Elizabeth and Broomfield and near Golden\u2026Brighton\u2026and Fort Lupton.<\/p>\n

19-20<\/p>\n

In 1892\u2026rain on the 18th changed to snow on the 19th and totaled 6.0 inches over downtown Denver into the 20th. Total precipitation was 1.56 inches.\u00a0 North winds were sustained to 26 mph on the 19th.<\/p>\n

In 1907\u2026a major storm dumped 18.0 inches of snowfall in downtown Denver.\u00a0 Much of the heavy wet snow melted as it fell.\u00a0 The most snow on the ground was 7.0 inches at 6:00 pm on the 19th.\u00a0 North to northeast winds were sustained to 42 mph on the 19th and to 21 mph on the 20th.\u00a0 High temperatures were in the low to mid 30\u2019s with low readings around 20.<\/p>\n

19-21<\/p>\n

In 1984\u2026a large snowstorm buried most of Colorado under a thick mantle of wet snow.\u00a0 Total snow amounts ranged from 10 to 20 inches across metro Denver and a whopping 20 to 40 inches in the adjacent foothills.\u00a0 The snow closed roads and damaged electrical transformers\u2026causing numerous power outages.\u00a0 Nearly 14 inches (13.6) of snow fell at Stapleton International Airport where the combination of snow and wind closed all but one runway\u2026resulting in the cancellation of many flights.\u00a0 Both I-70 and I-76 were closed to the east of Denver.<\/p>\n

19-22<\/p>\n

In 1933\u2026a major storm dumped 16.8 inches of snowfall over downtown Denver when rain changed to snow during the early morning of the 20th and continued through midday of the 22nd.\u00a0 Most of the snow fell on the 21st.\u00a0 Due to melting\u2026 The most snow on the ground was 10.5 inches at 6:00 pm on the 21st.\u00a0 Before the snow started\u2026a strong cold front on the evening of the 19th produced north winds sustained to 35 mph with gusts to 37 mph.\u00a0 The strong winds deposited a thin layer of dust on the city.\u00a0 North to northwest winds were sustained to 31 mph with gusts to 35 mph on the 20th and to 29 mph with gusts to 32 mph on the 21st.<\/p>\n

20<\/p>\n

In 1874\u2026light snow fell for most of the day\u2026but melted almost as fast as it fell.\u00a0 The flakes\u2026as large as 1 1\/2 inches in diameter during the afternoon\u2026resembled white feathers. Precipitation from melted snow was only 0.21 inch in the city.\u00a0 Snowfall was much heavier in the mountain parks where snow depths were reported between 3 and 5 feet from the storms of the 15th and 20th.\u00a0 The heavy snow resulted in the deaths of hundreds of cattle and sheep.<\/p>\n

In 1875\u2026the city was enveloped in a severe wind and sand storm.\u00a0 For nearly 30 minutes before the storm\u2026it could be seen moving toward the city from the northwest as a black wall of clouds extending only 10 degrees above the horizon. At 5:30 pm\u2026the sand was sweeping past in such clouds that objects at a distance of only 10 yards were not visible. The streets were entirely deserted.\u00a0 The greatest velocity of wind during the storm was 36 mph from the north-northwest. The storm diminished by 7:00 pm.\u00a0 Swarms of grasshoppers were seen today and were reported in all parts of the territory.<\/p>\n

In 1897\u2026southwest winds were sustained to 46 mph with gusts to 50 mph.\u00a0 The apparent Chinook winds warmed the temperature to a high of 76 degrees.<\/p>\n

In 1905\u2026apparent post-frontal north winds were sustained to 43 mph.<\/p>\n

In 1912\u2026west winds were sustained to 42 mph with an extreme velocity of 48 mph.<\/p>\n

In 1958\u2026strong Chinook winds gusted to 52 mph at Stapleton Airport.<\/p>\n

In 1981\u20263\/4 inch hail fell in Lakewood with up to one half inch of rain in a few minutes across northern sections of the city of Denver.\u00a0 Thunderstorm rainfall totaled 0.39 inches at Stapleton International Airport\u2026where 1\/4 inch hail was also measured.<\/p>\n

In 1987\u20266 to 12 inches of heavy snow fell in the foothills. Only 2.5 inches of snow fell at Stapleton International Airport where the usual flight delays occurred.<\/p>\n

In 2005\u2026severe thunderstorms produced large hail across metro Denver.\u00a0 Hail as large as 1 3\/4 inches in diameter fell at Denver International Airport.\u00a0 Hail to 3\/4 inch in diameter fell in and near Golden and near Hudson\u2026 Keenesburg\u2026Barr Lake\u2026and Bennett.<\/p>\n

In 2013…an avalanche pushed a group of six snow boarders into the Sheep Creek gully of Loveland Pass. This is near but outside the Loveland Ski Area boundary. Five of the six members of the group died as they were completely buried. The avalanche is the deadliest in Colorado since 1962 when seven people were killed when a slide buried residents at Twin Lakes near Independence Pass.<\/p>\n

20-22<\/p>\n

In 1957\u2026strong and gusty south to southeast winds raked metro Denver each day.\u00a0 The strongest wind gust of 55 mph occurred on the 21st when blowing dust briefly reduced the visibility to 3\/4 mile at Stapleton Airport.<\/p>\n

20-23<\/p>\n

In 1989\u2026unusually warm weather resulted in several daily temperature records being broken in Denver.\u00a0 The high temperature of 89 degrees on the 21st exceeded the record maximum for the month at that time.\u00a0 Daily record high temperatures were either exceeded or equaled with 83 degrees on the 20th\u202688 degrees on the 22nd\u2026and 85 degrees on the 23rd.\u00a0 The low temperature of 55 degrees on the 22nd equaled the record high minimum for the date.<\/p>\n

21<\/p>\n

In 1885\u2026rain changed to snow during the early morning and was the heaviest snow of the season.\u00a0 Total snowfall was estimated at 8.0 inches over downtown Denver\u2026but the snow melted rapidly on the ground as it fell.\u00a0 However\u2026 The weight of the snow\u2026as well as northwest winds sustained to 29 mph downed telegraph and telephone wires. Several large branches of trees were also broken by the weight of the snow.\u00a0 Precipitation totaled 1.01 inches from the storm.<\/p>\n

In 1887\u2026west winds were sustained to 47 mph.<\/p>\n

In 1932\u2026the temperature dipped to a low of only 60 degrees\u2026 The all-time record high minimum for the month.<\/p>\n

In 1988\u2026a small tornado was observed by national weather service employees about 3 miles northwest of Thornton.\u00a0 It was on the ground for about 2 minutes.\u00a0 No damage was reported.\u00a0 Later\u2026lightning struck two 14-year-old girls on a softball field in Westminster.\u00a0 One was killed\u2026while the other suffered moderate injuries.\u00a0 Northwest winds gusted to 44 mph at Stapleton International Airport behind a cold front.<\/p>\n

In 2010…severe thunderstorms produced large hail…strong winds and a tornado across parts of Adams…Arapahoe… Elbert…and Weld Counties.\u00a0 The hail…up to 1.50 inches in diameter…came down so heavy along parts of I-70 and I-76 that snowplows had to be called out to remove it.\u00a0 Numerous vehicles were damaged by hail.\u00a0 In Weld County…very heavy rain and hail accompanied thunderstorm winds up to 75 mph.\u00a0 Hail up to 1.50 inches was reported near Bennett; 1.25 inches…5.3 miles east of Englewood; 1.0 inch size hail near Buckley Field; with 0.88 inch size hail near Boulder. A weak tornado touched down briefly in Elbert County…about 9 miles southwest of Deer Trail…but did no damage. Several minor accidents were reported with snowpacked and slick road conditions along with very low visibilities. Minor street flooding was reported in southeast Aurora.\u00a0 Denver International Airport recorded 0.30 inches of rainfall.\u00a0 Also…a peak wind gust to 36 mph from the southeast was observed at the airport.<\/p>\n

21-22<\/p>\n

In 1910\u2026north winds were sustained to 45 mph behind a cold front.\u00a0 Rainfall totaled 0.63 inch.<\/p>\n

In 1923\u2026snowfall of 2.0 inches in the city was the only snow of the month and the last measurable snow of the season.\u00a0 Northwest winds were sustained to 25 mph on the 21st.<\/p>\n

In 1952\u2026heavy snowfall totaled 7.6 inches at Stapleton Airport.\u00a0 The storm was accompanied by north winds gusting to 33 mph.<\/p>\n

In 2001\u2026the second major snow storm in 11 days moved into metro Denver with blizzard conditions developing again across the plains to the northeast of Denver.\u00a0 Snowfall amounts ranged up to 9 inches in metro Denver with up to 23 inches in the foothills.\u00a0 Northwest winds were sustained at 20 to 30 mph with gusts as high as 36 mph at Denver International Airport which was again shut down for nearly an hour by power outages on the 22nd.\u00a0 The outages affected lighting in the concourses\u2026train operations\u2026de-icing and refueling operations\u2026flight information displays\u2026and security screenings.\u00a0 Navigational aids were also affected\u2026 Resulting in the cancellation of 58 arriving and departing flights which stranded about 5000 passengers.\u00a0 Across metro Denver storm totals included:\u00a0 9 inches at Eldorado Springs; 7 inches in Boulder; 6 inches at Ken Caryl\u2026Northglenn and near Sedalia; and 5 inches in Arvada and Morrison.\u00a0 Only 1.7 inches of snow were measured at the site of the former Stapleton International Airport.\u00a0 In the foothills snow totals included:\u00a0 23 inches near Fritz Peak south of Rollinsville\u202617 inches near Jamestown\u202616 inches near Blackhawk\u202614 inches in Coal Creek Canyon\u202613 inches at Idaho Springs and near Nederland\u202611 inches at Aspen Springs\u2026and 10 inches near Bergen Park.<\/p>\n

21-23<\/p>\n

In 1999\u2026a spring snowstorm dumped heavy snowfall over metro Denver and in the foothills.\u00a0 Nearly 3 feet of snow fell in the foothills with over a foot in the city.\u00a0 The heavy wet snow downed power lines in Douglas and Elbert Counties. Scattered outages were reported at Parker\u2026Franktown\u2026 Sedalia\u2026and Castle Rock.\u00a0 Some residents were without electricity for as long as 20 hours.\u00a0 The inclement weather was blamed\u2026at least in part\u2026for several traffic accidents along the I-25 corridor between Denver and Castle Rock. Snowfall totals included:\u00a0 32 inches at Idaho Springs; 31 inches on Crow Hill; 29 inches near Evergreen; 26 inches at Chief Hosa and Coal Creek Canyon; 25 inches at Bailey; 24 inches at Floyd Hill; 23 inches at Conifer\u2026Genesee\u2026Golden Gate Canyon\u2026North Turkey Creek\u2026and Pine Junction; 13 inches at Broomfield and near Sedalia;\u00a0 12 inches in Boulder; 11 inches at Louisville and Parker; and 9 inches at the site of the former Stapleton International Airport.<\/p>\n

In 2004\u2026heavy snow fell across metro Denver\u2026when low level upslope conditions developed against the foothills and Palmer Divide.\u00a0 Snowfall totals included:\u00a0 18 inches in the foothills southwest of Boulder\u202617 inches at Intercanyon and near conifer\u202610 inches near Blackhawk and Parker\u20269 inches at Castle Rock and near Sedalia\u20267 inches in Centennial\u2026 Littleton\u2026and near Lone Tree.\u00a0 Elsewhere across metro Denver\u2026snowfall generally ranged from 2 to 5 inches. Snowfall was 4.7 inches at Denver Stapleton.\u00a0 Northwest winds gusted to 35 mph at Denver International Airport on the 21st.<\/p>\n

22<\/p>\n

In 1896\u2026southwest winds were sustained to 39 mph with gusts as high 56 mph.\u00a0 The apparent Chinook winds warmed the temperature to a high of 78 degrees.<\/p>\n

In 1904\u2026west winds sustained to 40 mph with gusts to 48 mph warmed the temperature to a high of 69 degrees.<\/p>\n

In 1925\u2026southeast winds sustained to 42 mph with gusts to 46 mph warmed the temperature to a high of 76 degrees.<\/p>\n

In 1958\u2026west-northwest winds gusted to 48 mph at Stapleton Airport.<\/p>\n

22-23<\/p>\n

In 1885\u2026the worst snow storm since station records began in 1872 dumped a total of 24.0 inches of snowfall on the city. The 23.0 inches of snow recorded on the 22nd and 23rd was the greatest 24-hour snowfall ever recorded during the month of April.\u00a0 Streets were impassable\u2026roofs caved in\u2026 Telegraph and telephone wires were downed\u2026railroads were blocked and trains delayed\u2026and most business came to a complete standstill.\u00a0 Estimated losses were reported to 50 thousand dollars.\u00a0 The total snowfall was partly estimated due to melting.\u00a0 Precipitation from the storm totaled 2.79 inches.<\/p>\n

In 1915\u2026post-frontal rain during the day and overnight totaled 2.00 inches.\u00a0 Most of the rain fell on the 22nd.<\/p>\n

In 1945\u20266.7 inches of snow fell over downtown Denver.\u00a0 This was the third major snow in a little over 3 weeks\u2026which made this month the 4th snowiest on record.\u00a0 Northeast winds were sustained to 25 mph and light hail fell on the 22nd.<\/p>\n

In 2013…a spring storm brought heavy snow to the mountains… with period of moderate to heavy snow to portions of the Front Range Foothills and Urban Corridor. In the mountains and foothills…storm totals included: 18 inches at Niwot Ridge SNOTEL; 16.5 inches near Ward; 13 inches at Arapahoe Basin and Roach SNOTEL…12 inches near Blackhawk; 11.5 inches near Nederland; 11 inches near Allenspark and at Loveland Ski Area; 10 inches near Idaho Springs and Pinecliffe; with 9.5 inches and near Silverthorne. Along the Urban Corridor storm totals included: 7.5 inches near Morrison; 7 inches at the National Weather Service Office in Boulder and Niwot; 6.5 inches near Arapahoe Park and Superior; with 6 inches at Lafayette and Lakewood.\u00a0 At Denver International Airport…4.7 inches of new snowfall was observed.<\/p>\n

22-24<\/p>\n

In 2010…a potent spring storm brought heavy…wet snow to areas in and near the Front Range Foothills and widespread rainfall across the adjacent plains.\u00a0 In the Front Range Foothills and North-Central Mountains east of the Continental Divide…storm totals ranged from 15 to 30 inches.\u00a0 Storm totals included:\u00a0 29.5 inches…3 miles southeast of Pinecliffe; 27 inches…8 miles northeast of Four Corners; 23 inches at Willow Creek; 22.5 inches… 13 miles northwest of Golden; 21 inches at Never Summer; 17 inches at Eldorado Springs; 16.5 inches…3 miles west of Jamestown.\u00a0 Denver International Airport reported just a trace of snowfall…but measured 2.01 inches of rainfall for the duration of the storm. In addition…a peak wind gust to 54 mph from the northwest was observed at the airport on the 23rd.<\/p>\n

23<\/p>\n

In 1889\u2026north winds were sustained to 48 mph.<\/p>\n

In 1913\u2026northeast winds were sustained to 46 mph with gusts to 60 mph behind a dry cold front.<\/p>\n

In 1914\u2026a thunderstorm produced considerable hail and 0.29 inch of rain.\u00a0 West winds were sustained to 42 mph with gusts to 48 mph.<\/p>\n

In 1942\u2026hail of unknown size fell over the city.<\/p>\n

In 1958\u2026a funnel cloud was sighted for 20 minutes\u202615 miles southeast of Stapleton Airport.\u00a0 The funnel formed in advance of a thunderstorm and hung about a thousand feet below the base of the cloud\u2026but remained aloft.\u00a0 Later in the day\u20263.6 inches of snow fell at Stapleton Airport.<\/p>\n

In 2002\u2026persistent dry conditions in the foothills contributed to the first large forest fire of the season near Bailey.\u00a0 Very dry and windy conditions allowed the fire\u2026initially started by a careless smoker\u2026to grow into a 2400-acre blaze before it could be contained. Fortunately\u2026no significant damage occurred to homes or other property in the area.<\/p>\n

In 2006\u2026severe thunderstorms produced large hail across metro Denver.\u00a0 Hail as large as 1.25 inches in diameter fell in south Denver with hail to 0.88 inch across the rest of the city.\u00a0 Hail to 1.00 inch in diameter was reported near Morrison\u2026in south Lakewood\u2026and in Aurora near Cherry Creek.\u00a0 Hail to 0.88 inch was measured in Golden with 0.75 inch hail in east Lakewood.<\/p>\n

23-24<\/p>\n

In 1883\u2026snowfall totaled 7.6 inches in downtown Denver.<\/p>\n

In 1904\u2026a thunderstorm produced hail during the late evening of the 23rd.\u00a0 Apparent post-frontal rain changed to snow during the early morning of the 24th\u2026but totaled only 2.0 inches.\u00a0 Precipitation consisting of rain\u2026melted hail\u2026and snow totaled 0.60 inch.\u00a0 Northeast winds were sustained to 41 mph with gusts as high as 52 mph on the 24th.<\/p>\n

In 1905\u2026rain changed to snow and totaled 8.0 inches.\u00a0 Much of the snow melted as it fell with only 2.5 inches measured on the ground.\u00a0 Precipitation totaled 1.88 inches. Northeast winds were sustained to 20 mph on the 23rd.<\/p>\n

In 1942\u2026the South Platte River reached flood conditions in the city.\u00a0 As many as 15 thousand residents were warned to evacuate their homes temporarily.\u00a0 Two lives were lost in the city.\u00a0 Four bridges were washed out by the flood waters and other bridges were endangered.\u00a0 The damage was generally limited to bridges that were in poor condition. However\u2026the flood waters did not overflow their channel banks within the city limits.<\/p>\n

In 1980\u2026heavy rain began in the eastern foothills on the night of the 23rd and turned to heavy wet snow on the 24th. Up to a foot and a half of snow fell in the foothills west of Denver.\u00a0 At Stapleton International Airport precipitation totaled 1.58 inches\u2026but only 3.7 inches of snow fell from the storm.\u00a0 East winds gusted to 24 mph.<\/p>\n

In 1997\u2026locations in and near the foothills received the greatest snow of the year as a winter-like storm system moved into metro Denver.\u00a0 East to southeast winds at speeds of 15 to 35 mph were common with even stronger gusts above 9 thousand feet.\u00a0 Snow fell at a rate of 2 to 3 inches an hour as deep upslope combined with a moist and unstable air mass.\u00a0 The snow began in the foothills above 7500 feet during the evening of the 23rd.\u00a0 By sunrise the snow level had dropped to 5000 feet.\u00a0 The hardest hit areas extended from I-25 into the foothills.\u00a0 Snowfall totals in the foothills ranged from 1 1\/2 to over 3 1\/2 feet.\u00a0 In the city\u2026snowfall ranged from 8 to 18 inches.\u00a0 Some snowfall amounts included:\u00a0 36 inches at Coal Creek Canyon; 31 inches at Nederland and Wondervu; 20 to 24 inches near Blackhawk\u2026 At Echo Lake\u2026and north turkey creek canyon; 15 to 19 inches at Boulder\u2026central city\u2026conifer\u2026Evergreen\u2026Georgetown\u2026 And Louisville; 8 to 14 inches in Arvada\u2026Broomfield\u2026 Westminster\u2026Wheat Ridge\u2026Castle Rock\u2026and Ken Caryl Ranch. Only 2.3 inches of snow fell at the site of the former Stapleton International Airport on the 24th.\u00a0 East winds gusted to 36 mph at Denver International Airport on the 24th.<\/p>\n

In 2003\u2026a strong and deep northerly flow circulating around a closed upper low pressure center allowed heavy snow to fall in the mountains and eastern foothills.\u00a0 Snowfall totaled 14 inches in Idaho Springs.\u00a0 Rain was mixed with snow and thunder across metro Denver.\u00a0 Snowfall was only 0.9 inch overnight at the site of the former Stapleton International Airport.\u00a0 Precipitation totaled 1.34 inches at Denver International Airport\u2026where northwest winds gusted to 55 mph on the 23rd.<\/p>\n

In 2007\u2026a storm system intensified over southeast Colorado\u2026 Allowing for heavy snow and rain to develop over much of north-central and northeast Colorado.\u00a0 Severe thunderstorms preceded the storm system on the 23rd\u2026affecting the urban corridor.\u00a0 Nickel size hail was reported in Boulder and a small landspout touched down near Byers.\u00a0 On the 24th\u2026heavy snow fell in the foothills west of Denver and Boulder\u2026where storm totals ranged from 1 to 2 feet.\u00a0 Heavy snow also occurred along the palmer divide\u2026with storm totals of 10 to 16 inches.\u00a0 Elsewhere\u2026a steady moderate to heavy rainfall was reported.\u00a0 Denver International Airport measured 2.09 inches of rainfall\u2026which shattered the previous 24-hr record of 1.29 inches for the 24th of April.\u00a0 The heavy wet snow caused several power outages.\u00a0 In some instances it took several days to restore power.\u00a0 Several road closures were reported\u2026including interstates 25 and 70.\u00a0 A jacknifed semi-trailer backed up traffic for nearly 20 miles\u2026on southbound I-25\u2026between Denver and Colorado springs.\u00a0 In addition\u2026a 50-ton Boulder blocked the southbound lane of State Highway 285\u2026near Parmalee Gulch.\u00a0 Crews had to use explosives to break up the Boulder and clear the debris. Stranded buses and impassable roadways also forced several school closures.<\/p>\n

23-25<\/p>\n

In 1935\u2026heavy wet snow fell across metro Denver.\u00a0 The storm started as rain on the 23rd and changed to snow early on the morning of the 24th.\u00a0 There was continuous precipitation for a period of 48 hours.\u00a0 Snowfall totaled 19.0 inches over the city and 20.0 inches at Denver municipal airport.\u00a0 However\u2026 Due to warm temperatures in the 30\u2019s\u2026much of the snow melted as it fell and did not seriously disrupt traffic. The greatest snow accumulation on the ground downtown was 12 inches\u2026but it quickly melted.\u00a0 The highest sustained wind speed recorded during the storm was 28 mph from the north on the 23rd.\u00a0 The storm contained 3.16 inches of moisture.<\/p>\n

24<\/p>\n

In 1959\u2026wind gusts to 60 mph recorded in downtown Boulder caused very limited minor damage.\u00a0 West winds gusted to 38 mph at Stapleton Airport.<\/p>\n

In 1986\u2026a wind gust to 60 mph was clocked at Golden Gate Canyon.<\/p>\n

In 1989\u20261 3\/4 inch diameter hail was reported in Lafayette. Boulder and Louisville reported 3\/4 inch hail.
\n24-25 in 1890\u2026rain changed to snow and totaled 7.0 inches in downtown Denver.<\/p>\n

In 1931\u2026heavy snowfall totaled 9.3 inches over downtown Denver.\u00a0 Winds were light during the storm.<\/p>\n

In 1996\u2026the second wind storm in less than a week developed east of the continental divide and spread over metro Denver.\u00a0 High winds gusted from 60 to 90 mph.\u00a0 Several power lines and poles were downed.\u00a0 Some of the stronger wind gusts included:\u00a0 91 mph atop Squaw Mountain west of Denver\u202690 mph atop Table Mesa near Boulder\u202685 mph in Golden Gate Canyon\u2026and 82 mph at Wondervu.\u00a0 Northwest winds gusted to 41 mph at Denver International Airport on the 25th.<\/p>\n

24-26<\/p>\n

In 1924\u2026post-frontal rain changed to snow\u2026which became heavy and totaled 10.2 inches over downtown Denver.\u00a0 The greatest amount of snow on the ground was 6.0 inches on the 25th due to melting.\u00a0 North winds were sustained to 38 mph with gusts to 42 mph on the 24th.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

April can truly bring just about any kind of weather to the Denver area.\u00a0 From blizzards and snowstorms that are more common in the deepest part of winter to severe spring-like weather like tornadoes and hail, we can and do see it all.\u00a0 Our look back at this week in Denver weather history shows all … Continue reading April 18 to April 24: 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":[380,81,106,62,741],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thorntonweather.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21506"}],"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=21506"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.thorntonweather.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21506\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":21507,"href":"https:\/\/www.thorntonweather.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21506\/revisions\/21507"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thorntonweather.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=21506"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thorntonweather.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=21506"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thorntonweather.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=21506"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}