{"id":22024,"date":"2021-12-13T04:53:21","date_gmt":"2021-12-13T11:53:21","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.thorntonweather.com\/blog\/?p=22024"},"modified":"2021-12-13T04:53:21","modified_gmt":"2021-12-13T11:53:21","slug":"december-12-to-december-18-this-week-in-denver-weather-history-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thorntonweather.com\/blog\/weather-history\/december-12-to-december-18-this-week-in-denver-weather-history-2\/","title":{"rendered":"December 12 to December 18: This week in Denver weather history"},"content":{"rendered":"

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

We all know weather can be dangerous but usually we don\u2019t associate that with winter weather conditions.\u00a0 However, our look in Denver weather history for this week shows that the common winter conditions of wind and cold can not only cause injure, it can lead to death.<\/p>\n

2-17<\/p>\n

In 1939\u2026more than 2 weeks of unseasonably warm weather made the month the 3rd warmest on record.\u00a0 Seven daily temperature records were set\u2026including the all time record high temperature for the month of 79 degrees on the 5th.\u00a0 Daytime highs were balmy with 14 days in the 60\u2019s and 70\u2019s.\u00a0 Low temperatures dipped to freezing or below on only 5 days.\u00a0 The period was dry with only a trace of snow on the 12th.<\/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.\u00a0 Daily record low maximum readings were set with 3 degrees on the 6th and 6 degrees on the 9th.\u00a0 The very cold temperatures were caused by 3 to 5 inches of snow cover and a Canadian air mass.<\/p>\n

8-12<\/p>\n

In 1932\u2026the second longest sub-zero period on record in Denver occurred.\u00a0 The temperature fell below zero shortly after 1:00 pm on the 8th and remained below zero for 92 hours until 9:00 am on the 12th.\u00a0 The lowest temperature recorded during this period was 13 degrees below zero on both the 9th and 11th.\u00a0 That temperature on the 11th was a record low for the date.\u00a0 High temperatures of 4 on the 8th\u20265 below zero on the 9th\u20261 below zero on the 10th\u2026 And 6 below zero on the 11th were record low maximum temperatures for those dates.\u00a0 Light north winds at 5 to 10 mph were accompanied by occasional light snow\u2026which totaled only 2.2 inches.<\/p>\n

9-13<\/p>\n

In 1961\u2026cold arctic air produced a protracted cold period. The temperature plunged to 16 degrees below zero on the 10th\u2026establishing a new record for the date and the coldest reading since 25 degrees below zero on February 1\u2026 1951.\u00a0 Low temperatures dipped below zero on 5 consecutive days with 9 degrees below zero on the 9th\u202616 below on the 10th\u202610 below on the 11th\u2026and 12 below on both the 12th and 13th.\u00a0 High temperatures reached only 3 degrees on the 10th and 6 degrees on the 11th.<\/p>\n

11-12<\/p>\n

In 1903\u2026a sharp cold front on the 11th plunged temperatures from a high of 59 degrees to a low of 15 degrees\u2026produced northeast winds sustained to 42 mph along with gusts as high as 60 mph\u2026and produced 1.3 inches of snow overnight. The high temperature on the 12th was only 25 degrees.<\/p>\n

In 1968\u2026strong winds buffeted the eastern foothills and plains and caused light\u2026but widespread property damage. Wind gusts of 50 to 75 mph were reported.\u00a0 West winds gusted to 52 mph at Stapleton International Airport.<\/p>\n

<\/span>11-13<\/p>\n

In 1940\u20265.4 inches of snow fell across downtown Denver. This was the only snowfall of the month.\u00a0 Temperatures were quite cold on the 13th with a high of 6 degrees and a low of 2 degrees below zero.<\/p>\n

In 1984\u2026up to 6 inches of new snow fell over metro Denver\u2026 Hampering flight operations at Stapleton International Airport where snowfall totaled 3.8 inches and east winds gusted to 25 mph on the 11th.<\/p>\n

12<\/p>\n

In 1937\u2026a thunderstorm\u2026rare in December\u2026produced 0.09 inch of rain in advance of a cold front.<\/p>\n

In 1973\u2026high winds occurred across all of metro Denver with the foothills area being hit the hardest.\u00a0 A wind gust to 120 mph was recorded in Boulder where damage to residences\u2026mobile homes\u2026fences\u2026and buildings totaled 100 thousand dollars.\u00a0 A northwest wind gust to 66 mph occurred at Stapleton International Airport.<\/p>\n

In 1988\u2026strong winds were recorded in Boulder.\u00a0 Peak wind gusts reached 70 mph at Table Mesa and 61 mph in east Boulder.\u00a0 West winds gusted to 31 mph at Stapleton International Airport.<\/p>\n

12-13<\/p>\n

In 1916\u2026snowfall totaled 5.7 inches in downtown Denver. Northeast winds were sustained to 27 mph with gusts to 28 mph on the 12th.<\/p>\n

In 1992\u2026an upslope snowstorm whitened metro Denver.\u00a0 While snowfall totaled only 4.1 inches at Stapleton International Airport\u20267 inches of new snow fell in Morrison\u2026with 12 inches measured in Castle Rock.\u00a0 North winds gusted to 23 mph at Stapleton International Airport on the 13th.<\/p>\n

In 1995\u2026strong winds gusting to nearly 100 mph whipped across the foothills west of Denver.\u00a0 The strongest wind gusts included 98 mph atop Squaw Mountain and 75 mph at the Eldora Ski Area.\u00a0 West-northwest winds gusted to 41 mph at Denver International Airport on the 13th.<\/p>\n

12-15<\/p>\n

In 1921\u2026downslope Chinook winds produced warm temperatures in the city\u2026which resulted in 4 temperature records. High temperatures of 72 degrees on the 13th and 68 degrees on the 15th were record maximums for the dates.\u00a0 Low temperatures of 47 degrees on both the 12th and 13th were record high minimums for the dates.\u00a0 West winds were sustained to 38 mph on the 12th and to 25 mph on the 13th.<\/p>\n

13<\/p>\n

In 1955\u2026strong winds raked the foothills.\u00a0 A wind gust to 72 mph was recorded at Rocky Flats northwest of Denver.\u00a0 Some damage occurred in Boulder.\u00a0 Northwest winds were sustained to speeds of 23 mph at Stapleton Airport.<\/p>\n

In 1988\u2026high winds again occurred in Boulder where winds were clocked to 66 mph.\u00a0 West winds gusted to 43 mph at Stapleton International Airport.
\n13-14 in 1902\u2026heavy snowfall totaled 6.4 inches in the city overnight.\u00a0 North winds were sustained to 18 mph with gusts to 20 mph on the 13th.<\/p>\n

In 1925\u2026heavy apparent post-frontal snowfall totaled 7.8 inches across downtown Denver.\u00a0 Northwest winds were sustained to 34 mph with gusts to 42 on the 13th\u2026 And north winds were sustained to 33 mph with gusts to 38 mph on the 14th.<\/p>\n

In 1951\u2026heavy snowfall totaled 5.9 inches at Stapleton Airport.<\/p>\n

In 1987\u2026a snowstorm dropped 2 to 8 inches of snow along the Front Range foothills.\u00a0 Eight to 12 inches fell just south of Denver.\u00a0 Icy streets and highways contributed to many traffic accidents across metro Denver and flights were delayed at Stapleton International Airport where 2.7 inches of snow fell and northeast winds gusted to 17 mph.<\/p>\n

In 1991\u2026high winds pummeled metro Denver.\u00a0 Wind gusts to 93 mph were recorded at Rollinsville.\u00a0 Wind speeds across metro Denver were generally 35 to 50 mph.\u00a0 Northwest winds gusted to 48 mph at Stapleton International Airport on the 13th.<\/p>\n

14<\/p>\n

In 1926\u2026an intrusion of cold air resulted in temperatures remaining below zero.\u00a0 The high temperature of one degree below zero was a record low maximum for the date.\u00a0 The low temperature was 11 degrees below zero.\u00a0 North winds were sustained to 17 mph.<\/p>\n

In 1985\u2026a wind gust to 61 mph was recorded at Table Mesa in Boulder.<\/p>\n

In 1996\u2026high winds gusting from 60 to nearly 80 mph moved off the Front Range foothills and over the northeast Colorado plains in the wake of a fast moving cold front. The strongest wind gusts included 79 mph at Golden Gate Canyon and 70 mph near Table Mesa in southwest Boulder. At Denver International Airport\u2026west-northwest winds gusted to only 39 mph.<\/p>\n

14-15<\/p>\n

In 1988\u2026a snow storm again whitened metro Denver. Snowfall along the Front Range was in the 6 to 12 inch range.\u00a0 Snowfall totaled 5.8 inches at Stapleton International Airport where north winds gusted to 38 mph.<\/p>\n

In 1990\u2026high winds howled across metro Denver behind a strong pacific cold front.\u00a0 Boulder was hardest hit by the high winds.\u00a0 A wind gust to 120 mph was recorded in south Boulder where winds stripped the roof off a garage\u2026a vacant gas station\u2026and a house under construction. Elsewhere in Boulder\u2026several trees were blown down. In Boulder Canyon\u2026the winds toppled two cinder block walls on a house under construction.\u00a0 Four Boulder County women were treated for injuries caused by the wind.\u00a0 The injuries were confined to a broken wrist\u2026a mild concussion\u2026bruises\u2026and facial cuts.\u00a0 Two semi-tractor trailers were blown over by the fierce winds south of Boulder.\u00a0 Another truck rollover occurred southeast of Golden.\u00a0 Drivers of all three trucks suffered only cuts and bruises.\u00a0 Several vehicles were trapped in a blinding dust storm on the Denver-Boulder turnpike near Broomfield.\u00a0 Drivers were forced to stop along the highway for several minutes during the storm and witness their vehicles being pelted with sand and gravel. A wind gust to 97 mph was recorded in Golden.\u00a0 High winds were also reported in Arvada\u2026Boulder\u2026and Lakewood.\u00a0 Winds toppled a number of utility poles and wooden fences\u2026blew out windows\u2026and caused structural damage to a large apartment complex on the west side of Golden.\u00a0 Wind gusts of 70 to 100 mph caused considerable damage to several large billboards north of Golden\u2026as well as damaging the paint\u2026trim\u2026and glass on numerous vehicles in the area. A west wind gust to 51 mph was recorded at Stapleton International Airport.<\/p>\n

15<\/p>\n

In 1999\u2026high winds developed in and near the foothills as a strong upper level jet moved into the area.\u00a0 Although most wind gusts were in the 70 to 80 mph range\u2026a weather spotter located 1 mile south of Fritz Peak near Rollinsville measured a peak wind gust to 124 mph.\u00a0 Other wind reports included wind gusts to 77 mph at the National Center for Atmospheric Research in Boulder and atop Blue Mountain and 70 mph at the national wind technology center on Rocky Flats south of Boulder.\u00a0 West winds gusted to only 32 mph at Denver International Airport.<\/p>\n

In 2000\u2026high winds developed in the foothills of Boulder County\u2026but winds were strong across all of metro Denver. Winds gusted as high as 72 mph at the National Center for Atmospheric Research on the mesa just southwest of Boulder. West winds gusted to 44 mph at Denver International Airport.<\/p>\n

15-16<\/p>\n

In 1964\u2026high winds raked metro Denver\u2026causing considerable damage.\u00a0 Wind gusts to 81 mph were recorded at Rocky Flats northwest of Denver\u202694 mph at Jefferson County Airport near Broomfield\u202648 mph in downtown Boulder\u2026and 70 mph in Littleton.\u00a0 West wind gusts to 67 mph were recorded at Stapleton International Airport.\u00a0 A man working on construction in downtown Denver died from injuries after being struck by a 5-foot by 8-foot section of plank runway blown by the strong winds.\u00a0 Several people were blown down by the strong winds or hit by flying objects.\u00a0 Buildings\u2026 Roads\u2026trees\u2026and power equipment were damaged.\u00a0 Roads were closed east of Denver due to blowing dust.<\/p>\n

In 1981\u2026wind gusts to 60 mph were common in the foothills northwest of Denver.\u00a0 West wind gusts to 47 mph were recorded at Stapleton International Airport where the visibility was briefly reduced to 3 miles in blowing dust.<\/p>\n

In 1996\u2026strong pre-frontal winds developed in the foothills of Boulder County ahead of an arctic cold front that moved into northeastern Colorado late on the morning of the 16th. Wind gusts of 70 to 75 mph were clocked at Table Mesa in southwest Boulder.<\/p>\n

16<\/p>\n

In 1912\u2026northwest winds were sustained to 44 mph with an extreme velocity of 45 mph.<\/p>\n

In 1921\u2026north winds were sustained to 46 mph with gusts to 50 mph behind a vigorous cold front.\u00a0 Only a trace of snow fell.<\/p>\n

In 1954\u2026a vigorous cold front produced sustained north winds to 45 mph with gusts as high 54 mph.\u00a0 Visibility was reduced to 1 mile in blowing dust at Stapleton Airport.<\/p>\n

In 1955\u2026sustained west winds to 44 mph with gusts as high as 58 mph were recorded at Stapleton Airport.<\/p>\n

In 1994\u2026a wind gust to 108 mph was recorded atop Squaw Mountain west of Denver with a gust to 92 mph in Rollinsville southwest of Boulder.\u00a0 West winds gusted to 48 mph at Stapleton International Airport.<\/p>\n

In 1996\u2026a vigorous arctic cold front moved across metro Denver.\u00a0 Heavy snow and strong winds accompanied the front as near whiteout conditions in snow and blowing snow developed suddenly.\u00a0 Northerly winds gusted from 40 to 60 mph behind the front.\u00a0 Dozens of accidents occurred as roads and highways quickly turned to a glaze of ice.\u00a0 Snowfall amounts ranged from 4 to 6 inches across metro Denver and in the foothills.\u00a0 The exception was at Eldorado Springs south of Boulder where 8 inches of new snow were measured.\u00a0 Snowfall totaled only 1.8 inches at the site of the former Stapleton International Airport. Officially\u2026this was the only measurable snow of the month in Denver.\u00a0 At Denver International Airport\u2026north winds gusted to 34 mph.<\/p>\n

In 1999\u2026another brief round of high winds developed in and near the foothills of Boulder County.\u00a0 Peak wind gusts included 83 mph at the National Center for Atmospheric Research near Boulder and 74 mph atop Niwot Ridge and at the National Wind Technology Center on Rocky Flats south of Boulder.\u00a0 West winds gusted to only 33 mph at Denver International Airport where the temperature warmed to a high of 54 degrees.<\/p>\n

In 2000\u2026high winds in the mountains spread into the foothills west of Denver.\u00a0 Winds gusted to 87 mph at Georgetown lake and at the National Center for Atmospheric Research in Boulder.\u00a0 Winds gusted to 72 mph at the national wind technology center south of Boulder.<\/p>\n

16-17<\/p>\n

In 1908\u2026heavy snowfall totaled 7.9 inches in downtown Denver where north winds were sustained to 20 mph on the 17th.\u00a0 Temperatures were in the teens and 20\u2019s.<\/p>\n

In 1939\u2026low temperatures of 49 degrees on the 16th and 43 degrees on the 17th were record high minimums for the dates.\u00a0 High temperatures of 65 on the 16th and 72 on the 17th were not records.<\/p>\n

In 1980\u2026Chinook winds blew through the night in Boulder with a peak reported gust to 75 mph.\u00a0 Northwest winds gusted to 30 mph at Stapleton International Airport on the 17th. The strong Chinook winds warmed temperatures to record daily highs of 70 degrees on the 16th and 73 degrees on the 17th.<\/p>\n

In 2016…the presence of a warm and moist southwesterly flow aloft…overrunning an Arctic airmass with shallow post frontal upslope produced a band of very heavy snowfall across the Denver metro area. The enhanced band of heavy snow extended west into the Front Range mountains and foothills with snowfall rates up to 2 inches per hour. Multiple accidents occurred during the evening hours of the 16th as the snow quickly piled up. Three hundred flights were canceled at Denver International Airport as the winter storm moved through the Denver metro area early morning hours of the 17th. Storm totals in the Front Range mountains and foothills included: 16 inches at Loveland Ski Area; 12 inches near Conifer…11 inches at Winter Park Ski Area…10.5 inches at Bergen Park… 10 inches at Echo Lake…with 9.5 inches at Aspen Springs and Evergreen. In and around metro Denver…storm totals included: 11.5 inches in Wheat Ridge…11 inches in Arvada… 9 inches near Morrison…8 inches at Denver International Airport…Denver\/Stapleton…Marston Reservoir and Ralston Reservoir; 7.5 inches in Westminster; 6.5 inches…5 miles northeast of Westminster; 6 inches in Aurora…5 miles west-northwest of Brighton…Englewood and near Louisville.<\/p>\n

17<\/p>\n

In 2000\u2026high winds gusting from 60 to 74 mph howled across the northeast plains of Colorado.<\/p>\n

In Parker where winds gusted to 60 mph\u2026a 20-foot by 40-foot piece of roof was ripped from a building.\u00a0 West winds gusted to 53 mph at Denver International Airport.\u00a0 This was the highest wind gust of the month at the airport.\u00a0 An intense\u2026but very localized wind gust to 112 mph was measured near Georgetown lake in the foothills west of Denver.<\/p>\n

17-24<\/p>\n

In 1924\u2026a prolonged cold spell occurred after mild temperatures during the first half of the month.\u00a0 Most low temperatures dipped below zero with the coldest reading of 15 degrees below zero occurring on the 24th. The high temperature of only 5 degrees on the 18th was a record low maximum for the date.<\/p>\n

18<\/p>\n

In 1901\u2026north winds were sustained to 52 mph with gusts to 58 mph behind an apparent cold front.<\/p>\n

In 1973\u2026a brief blizzard dumped heavy snow across metro Denver.\u00a0 Snowfall totaled 9.2 inches at Stapleton International Airport where north winds gusting to 53 mph produced much blowing snow.\u00a0 The storm forced many schools and businesses to close.<\/p>\n

In 1996\u2026a homeless man in Denver was found unconscious in his car suffering from exposure.\u00a0 The man\u2019s body temperature was only 85 degrees when he was discovered.\u00a0 He died several hours later.\u00a0 Early morning temperatures had dipped to 9 degrees below zero.<\/p>\n

In 1999\u2026high winds were reported for a brief time in the foothills.\u00a0 Winds gusted to 72 mph in Golden Gate Canyon and to 71 mph at the National Center for Atmospheric Research in the foothills southwest of Boulder.\u00a0 West winds gusted to only 39 mph at Denver International Airport where the temperature warmed to a high of 53 degrees.<\/p>\n

In 2002\u2026only a trace of snow fell at the site of the former Stapleton International Airport.\u00a0 This\u2026along with the trace of snow on the 5th\u2026was the only snow of the month\u2026ranking the month the 2nd least snowiest on record.<\/p>\n

18-19<\/p>\n

In 2012…a storm system brought moderate to heavy snow to the mountains and foothills west of metropolitan Denver and blizzard conditions to plains east of Denver metro area. The combination of snow and wind reportedly reduced visibility to just a few hundred feet at times…and resulted in several road closures including Interstate 70 east of Aurora. East of Denver gusty northerly winds ranged from 35 to 55 mph produced extensive blowing and drifting snow…ranging from 1 to 4 feet in depth. Storm totals ranged from 3 to 5 inches. In the mountain and foothills…the heaviest snowfall occurred along and north of I-70 and included: 12 inches at Genesee…9 inches near Eldorado Springs; 8.5 inches at Coal Creek Canyon…8 inches near Evergreen…with 6 inches at Eldora Ski Area…Idaho Springs…Gross Reservoir and Nederland. At Denver International Airport…1.7 inches of snowfall was observed. In addition…a peak wind gust to 35 mph was observed from the north on the 19th.<\/p>\n

18-21<\/p>\n

In 2010…a winter storm produced a 4-day period of moderate to heavy snow in the mountains. The combination of strong wind and heavy snow forced the closure of several mountain passes due to the threat of avalanches. The Amtrack train route… which runs from Denver to California…was rerouted through Wyoming when Union Pacific closed its tracks along Interstate 70. Numerous accidents forced the closure of I-70 at times. The wind gusted to 60 mph over the higher mountain passes. Storm totals in the ski areas west of Denver ranged from 16 to 32 inches.<\/p>\n

18-24<\/p>\n

In 1998\u2026a vigorous cold front with north winds gusting as high as 38 mph at Denver International Airport on the 18th dropped temperatures from a high of 51 degrees to a low of just 6 degrees before midnight.\u00a0 The arctic air mass that settled over metro Denver produced intermittent light snow and a week-long protracted cold spell that caused low temperatures to plunge well below zero for 6 consecutive nights.\u00a0 The coldest temperature was 19 degrees below zero on the morning of the 22nd.\u00a0 High temperatures climbed only into the single digits on 4 consecutive days\u2026from the 19th through the 22nd.\u00a0 At least 15 people\u2026mostly homeless\u2026 Were treated for hypothermia at area hospitals.\u00a0 The bitter cold weather was responsible\u2026either directly or indirectly\u2026 For at least 5 fatalities.\u00a0 Three of the victims died directly from exposure.\u00a0 The cold weather also caused intermittent power outages.\u00a0 Following the cold snap\u2026 Thawing water pipes cracked and burst in several homes and businesses\u2026causing extensive damage.\u00a0 Only one temperature record was set.\u00a0 The high temperature of only 7 degrees on the 19th set a record low maximum for the date.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

We all know weather can be dangerous but usually we don\u2019t associate that with winter weather conditions.\u00a0 However, our look in Denver weather history for this week shows that the common winter conditions of wind and cold can not only cause injure, it can lead to death. 2-17 In 1939\u2026more than 2 weeks of unseasonably … Continue reading December 12 to December 18: 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":[81,156,106,62,741],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thorntonweather.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22024"}],"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=22024"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.thorntonweather.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22024\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":22025,"href":"https:\/\/www.thorntonweather.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22024\/revisions\/22025"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thorntonweather.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=22024"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thorntonweather.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=22024"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thorntonweather.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=22024"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}