{"id":2255,"date":"2010-01-04T05:32:09","date_gmt":"2010-01-04T12:32:09","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.thorntonweather.com\/blog\/?p=2255"},"modified":"2010-01-04T06:57:27","modified_gmt":"2010-01-04T13:57:27","slug":"january-3-to-january-9-this-week-in-denver-weather-history","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thorntonweather.com\/blog\/colorado-weather\/january-3-to-january-9-this-week-in-denver-weather-history\/","title":{"rendered":"January 3 to January 9 – This week in Denver weather history"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"January
January 3 to January 9 - This week in Denver weather history<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

January weather in Colorado can be as varied as during any month of the year.\u00a0 Temperatures bordering on spring-like to bone chilling Arctic cold can be seen.\u00a0 Snow of course plays a big part and while not always recognized as a big danger, high speed damaging winds are not unusual.<\/p>\n

31-6<\/p>\n

In 1973…the 31st marked the start of a protracted cold spell that extended into January of 1974 when temperatures dipped below zero on 7 consecutive days.\u00a0 Record daily minimum readings occurred on the 3rd and 5th when the temperature plunged to 17 degrees below zero on both days. A record low daily maximum temperature of only 4 degrees occurred on the 5th.<\/p>\n

31-7\u00a0<\/p>\n

In 1941…a protracted cold spell through January 7…1942… Produced below zero low temperatures on 7 of the 8 days. A low temperature of 2 degrees on the 3rd prevented a string of 8 days below zero.\u00a0 The coldest days during the period were the 1st with a high of 2 degrees and a low of 9 degrees below zero…the 4th with a high of 2 degrees and a low of 11 degrees below zero…and the 5th with a high of 26 degrees and a low of 12 degrees below zero.<\/p>\n

1-5\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

In 1940…the first days of the month were characterized by a mixture of drizzle…light snow…and fog.\u00a0 Fog occurred on each day.\u00a0 On the 4th and 5th considerable glazing resulted from freezing drizzle.\u00a0 All objects were coated with a glaze on the windward side.\u00a0 This resulted in very slippery streets…which caused several minor traffic accidents.\u00a0 The glaze was not heavy enough to damage wires and cables.<\/p>\n

2-3\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

In 1971…a major storm dumped a total of 8.4 inches of snow at Stapleton International Airport where north winds gusted to 23 mph.
\n\u00a0
\nIn 1972…a strong cold front late on the 2nd produced north wind gusts to 35 mph at Stapleton International Airport. Snow…heavy at times on the 3rd…totaled 6.4 inches as temperatures hovered only in the single digits.
\n\u00a0
\nIn 2000…heavy snow fell over the higher terrain of the palmer divide to the south of metro Denver.\u00a0 Snowfall totaled 7 inches 5 miles southwest of Sedalia.\u00a0 Only 1.5 inches of snowfall were measured at the site of the former Stapleton International Airport.<\/p>\n

2-4<\/p>\n

In 1949…the worst blizzard in many years struck metro Denver and all of northern Colorado.\u00a0 The storm produced blizzard conditions with wind gusts of 40 to 50 mph all day on the 3rd when temperatures were only in the single digits.\u00a0 This resulted in extremely cold wind chill temperatures of 40 to 55 degrees below zero.\u00a0 Stapleton Airport received 13.3 inches of snow from the storm… While downtown Denver received 11.8 inches.\u00a0 The snow fell for 51 consecutive hours downtown.\u00a0 Numerous lives were lost…and livestock losses were high across the northeastern plains of Colorado where extensive airlift operations were needed to bring supplies and food to isolated communities.<\/p>\n

2-5<\/p>\n

In 1959…very cold temperatures…to near zero and below…caused power and gas lines…water pipes…and automatic sprinkler systems to break.\u00a0 In Boulder… Merchandise and furnishings were water damaged when pipes burst in a department store…flooding three floors.\u00a0 The temperature was below zero for 38 consecutive hours at Stapleton Airport on the 2nd…3rd…and 4th and plunged to a low of 13 degrees below zero on the 4th.<\/p>\n

3\u00a0<\/p>\n

In 1874…heavy snowfall totaled 6 inches with 5 inches falling in 3 hours.\u00a0 Melted snow totaled 0.40 inches of precipitation.\u00a0 Northeast winds were sustained to 24 mph.
\n\u00a0
\nIn 1887…west winds were sustained to 44 mph in the city.
\n\u00a0
\nIn 1913…northwest Chinook winds sustained to 42 mph with gusts to 52 mph warmed the temperature to a high of 58 degrees.\u00a0 The low temperature was only 40 degrees.
\n\u00a0
\nIn 1951…northwest winds gusted to 56 mph at Stapleton Airport.
\n\u00a0
\nIn 1967…a strong Chinook wind reached 90 mph at the National Center for Atmospheric Research in Boulder.\u00a0 In downtown Boulder winds only gusted to 35 mph.\u00a0 Northwest winds gusting to 49 mph produced some blowing dust at Stapleton International Airport.
\n\u00a0
\nIn 1986…winds gusted to 63 mph at Jefferson County airport near Broomfield and reached 73 mph at Echo Lake in the foothills west of Denver.\u00a0 West winds gusted to 46 mph at Stapleton International Airport.
\n\u00a0
\nIn 1994…high winds raked the eastern foothills.\u00a0 Wind gusts to 99 mph were recorded on Squaw Mountain…south of Idaho Springs…and gusts to 85 mph occurred at the rocky flats facility in northwest Jefferson County.\u00a0 Northwest winds gusted to 41 mph at Stapleton International Airport.\u00a0 No significant damage was reported.
\n\u00a0
\nIn 1996…very strong Chinook winds gusting to 104 mph blasted the Front Range foothills and portions of metro Denver. Three people were injured in separate incidents.\u00a0 One man was injured when strong crosswinds toppled his moving van into oncoming traffic along Colorado 93 south of Boulder. Two other people received minor injuries from flying debris. At the Rocky Flats Environmental Test Facility…eleven hazardous waste storage facilities received at least 100 thousand dollars in damage.\u00a0 In addition…several power lines were downed leaving 3 thousand homes and stores without power.\u00a0 Hundreds of car windows were shattered…and several signs were toppled from buildings.\u00a0 Some of the strongest wind gusts included:\u00a0 104 mph at Boulder municipal airport…98 mph in south Boulder…96 mph at Jefferson County airport…94 mph at the National Center for Atmospheric Research southwest of Boulder…91 mph at the Rocky Flats Environmental Test Facility…and 90 mph at Wondervu southwest of Boulder.\u00a0 West-northwest winds gusted to only 39 mph at Denver International Airport where the Chinook winds warmed the temperature to a high of 52 degrees.
\n\u00a0
\nIn 2004…bands of heavy snow fell across metro Denver. Snowfall totals included 6.5 inches in Broomfield and 6 inches in Westminster…Arvada…and near Hudson.\u00a0 Only 0.5 inch of snow fell at the site of the former Stapleton International Airport.\u00a0 More snow fell in the foothills with 9 inches recorded near Jamestown.\u00a0 Southeast winds gusted to 25 mph at Denver International Airport.
\n\u00a0
\nIn 2006…locally high winds developed in northern Jefferson County over and near rocky flats.\u00a0 Peak wind gusts from 75 to 91 mph were recorded during the afternoon.\u00a0 A semi-trailer truck was blown onto its side on State Highway 93 atop rocky flats.\u00a0 Strong winds also spread across metro Denver.\u00a0 West winds gusted to 44 mph at Denver International Airport.<\/p>\n

3-4<\/p>\n

In 1982…wind gusting to 85 mph in the Table Mesa area of Boulder caused a few power failures.\u00a0 West winds gusted to only 32 mph at Stapleton International Airport.
\n\u00a0
\nIn 2000…high winds buffeted the foothills of Boulder County. Wind gusts were reported to 91 mph at Nederland and 81 mph at the National Center for Atmospheric Research on the mesa southwest of Boulder.\u00a0 Southwest winds gusted to only 31 mph at Denver International Airport on the 4th.<\/p>\n

4\u00a0<\/p>\n

In 1893…the low temperature dipped to only 52 degrees…the highest minimum temperature ever recorded in January.\u00a0\u00a0 The high temperature was 64 degrees.\u00a0 The spring-like weather was the result of northwest Chinook winds sustained to 20 mph with gusts as high as 38 mph.<\/p>\n

4-5<\/p>\n

In 1996…snow began falling across the Front Range foothills and portions of metro Denver on the 4th.\u00a0 Most snowfall amounts ranged from 4 to 6 inches.\u00a0 Icy roads and blowing snow caused a 22 car accident on I-25 north of Denver… Resulting in an 8-mile traffic back-up for several hours. Snowfall totaled 3.2 inches at the site of the former Stapleton International Airport.\u00a0 North-northeast winds gusted to 22 mph at Denver International Airport on the 4th.<\/p>\n

5\u00a0<\/p>\n

In 1871…a heavy gale in Boulder caused 500 dollars damage.
\n\u00a0
\nIn 1895…northwest winds were sustained to 36 mph with gusts as high as 68 mph in the city.
\n\u00a0
\nIn 1899…strong winds occurred in Boulder…but caused only minor damage.
\n\u00a0
\nIn 1911…northwest winds were sustained to 41 mph in downtown Denver.
\n\u00a0
\nIn 1915…north winds were sustained to 40 mph with gusts to 42 mph behind a cold front…which produced only 1.0 inch of snowfall.
\n\u00a0
\nIn 1972…warm Chinook wind gusts to 85 mph were recorded in Boulder at the national bureau of standards and to 60 mph at Jefferson County airport near Broomfield.\u00a0 The high winds caused severe blowing snow in and near the foothills… Completely blocking traffic in some areas…closing schools and industrial plants.\u00a0 Houses under construction were damaged…and falling trees damaged cars in Boulder.\u00a0 An apartment building under construction was blown down in the Denver area.\u00a0 Northwest wind gusts reached 58 mph at Stapleton International Airport.
\n\u00a0
\nIn 1989…during the early morning hours with temperatures in the mid-to-upper 30’s…0.25 inch of rain fell at Stapleton International Airport
\n\u00a0
\nIn 1994…occasional high winds blew across the eastern foothills.\u00a0 Wind gusts to 84 mph were recorded in southwest Boulder and 74 mph in north Boulder.\u00a0 There were also reports of 70 to 80 mph winds along Colorado highway 93 in Jefferson County from Golden to Boulder.\u00a0 Northwest winds gusted to 37 mph at Stapleton International Airport.\u00a0 No significant damage was reported.
\n\u00a0
\nIn 1999…strong downslope winds developed in the eastern foothills.\u00a0 A wind gust to 100 mph was recorded at Wondervu… Southwest of Boulder.\u00a0 West-northwest winds gusted to only 37 mph at Denver International Airport.
\n\u00a0
\nIn 2007…a storm system brought heavy snow to areas along the Front Range.\u00a0 The most snow fell in and near the foothills of Boulder and Jefferson counties.\u00a0 Storm totals included: 17 inches 8 miles northwest of Evergreen…16 inches near Conifer…15 inches southwest of Boulder and at Eldorado Springs…14.5 inches near Genesee…12 inches near Aspen and Estes Parks…11.5 inches in Boulder…11 inches at Perry Park… 9.5 inches near Blackhawk…9 inches in Louisville…7.5 inches in Arvada…7 inches near Erie…6.5 inches near Longmont…and 6 inches at Ralston Reservoir and Littleton.\u00a0 Snowfall totaled 5.6 inches at the site of the former Stapleton International Airport.<\/p>\n

5-6<\/p>\n

In 1940…snowfall totaled 5.9 inches in downtown Denver.
\n\u00a0
\nIn 1975…high winds gusting to over 75 mph caused considerable damage in the Boulder area and minor damage in Jefferson County.\u00a0 In Boulder…one home was unroofed… Several power lines were blown down…and a number of homes and commercial buildings were damaged.\u00a0 Northwest winds gusted to 36 mph on the 5th and 38 mph on the 6th at Stapleton International Airport.
\n\u00a0
\nIn 1980 high winds in and near the foothills shattered windows…tore roofs from buildings…and caused many power outages.\u00a0 Much of the damage was in Boulder…where winds gusted to at least 82 mph.\u00a0 Wind gusts of 80 to 100 mph were common in the foothills.\u00a0 West winds gusted to only 37 mph at Stapleton International Airport on the 6th.
\n\u00a0
\nIn 1982…2 to 6 inches of snow fell across metro Denver. Only 1.1 inches of snow were measured at Stapleton International Airport.
\n\u00a0
\nIn 1983…high winds buffeted the foothills with gusts of 60 to 75 mph recorded in the Boulder area.\u00a0 West winds gusted to only 38 mph at Stapleton International Airport on the 6th.
\n\u00a0
\nIn 1998…heavy snow blanketed the Front Range foothills. Snowfall totals included:\u00a0 15 inches 8 miles north of Blackhawk; 13 inches at Evergreen and 5 miles east of Nederland; 12 inches in Coal Creek Canyon; 11 inches 8 miles west of Conifer; 10 inches in sunshine canyon northwest of Boulder; 10 inches 11 miles southwest of Morrison; 9 inches in South Turkey Canyon; and 8 inches at Eldora Ski Area.\u00a0 Snowfall totaled only 1.8 inches at the site of the former Stapleton International Airport.<\/p>\n

6\u00a0<\/p>\n

In 1903…northwest winds were sustained to 45 mph with an extreme velocity of 48 mph.\u00a0 The Chinook winds warmed the temperature to a high of 66 degrees…which was a record maximum for the date.\u00a0 The low temperature dipped to only 35 degrees.
\n\u00a0
\nIn 1962…strong winds caused nearly 14 hundred dollars in damage 2 miles north of Boulder.\u00a0 West-northwest Chinook winds gusted to 33 mph at Stapleton Airport in advance of a cold front that produced northeast wind gusts to 43 mph along with some blowing dust and 0.1 inch of snow.
\n\u00a0
\nIn 1972…a wind gust to 69 mph was recorded at the national bureau of standards in Boulder.\u00a0 Only minor damage occurred.\u00a0 Northwest winds gusted to 33 mph at Stapleton International Airport.
\n\u00a0
\nIn 2007…a large avalanche swept two vehicles off U.S. Highway 40…near Berthoud Pass…and partially buried them. The slide covered all three lanes of the highway.\u00a0 Eight people were in the vehicles…but only one person was seriously injured.\u00a0 He suffered several broken ribs.\u00a0 The slide was approximately 200 feet wide and 15 feet deep.<\/p>\n

6-7<\/p>\n

In 1908…furious high winds were noted in Boulder but caused only minor damage and injury.
\n\u00a0
\nIn 1913…a very cold arctic air mass caused temperatures to plunge to record levels.\u00a0 The low temperature fell to 21 degrees below zero on the 6th and to 18 degrees below zero on the 7th…both records.\u00a0 The high temperature of only 8 degrees below zero on the 6th was a record low maximum for the date.
\n\u00a0
\nIn 1920…post-frontal heavy snowfall totaled 7.0 inches in downtown Denver.\u00a0 North winds were sustained at 24 mph with gusts to 30 mph on the 6th.
\n\u00a0
\nIn 1923…warm Chinook winds resulted in two temperature records.\u00a0 Low temperatures of 37 degrees on the 6th and 42 degrees on the 7th equaled the record high minimums for the dates.\u00a0 West winds were sustained to 30 mph with gusts to 33 mph on the 6th.\u00a0 Southwest winds were sustained to 47 mph with gusts to 52 mph on the 7th.\u00a0 High temperatures were 53 degrees on the 6th and 56 degrees on the 7th.
\n\u00a0
\nIn 1986…2 to 4 inches of snow fell over metro Denver… With 5 to 8 inches in the foothills west of the city. The 2.4 inches of snowfall recorded at Stapleton International Airport was the only snowfall of the month.\u00a0 Northwest winds gusted to 24 mph at the airport.
\n\u00a0
\nIn 2006…a brief warm spell resulted in two temperature records.\u00a0 High temperatures of 66 degrees on the 6th and 69 degrees on the 7th equaled the record daily maximum temperatures for each of those days.\u00a0 Low temperatures remained above freezing and were within 1 or 2 degrees of the record daily high minimums.<\/p>\n

7\u00a0<\/p>\n

In 1911…west Chinook winds were sustained to 51 mph and warmed the temperature to a high of 56 degrees.
\n\u00a0
\nIn 1994…occasional high winds buffeted the eastern foothills.\u00a0 Wind gusts to 99 mph were recorded at Rollinsville…southwest of Boulder.\u00a0 West winds gusted to 40 mph at Stapleton International Airport.
\n\u00a0
\nIn 1995…a brief blast of high winds hit the eastern foothills and adjacent Front Range communities.\u00a0 A wind gust to 112 mph was recorded atop Squaw Mountain…west of Denver.\u00a0 In Boulder…winds gusted to 81 mph.\u00a0 West winds gusted to 31 mph at Stapleton International Airport.
\n\u00a0
\nIn 2009…damaging downslope winds were responsible for triggering two wildfires that threatened the city of Boulder.\u00a0 Peak wind gusts ranged from 75 to 107 mph in and near the foothills of Boulder…Jefferson and park counties. Although the fires never merged…they were close enough for firefighters to build a perimeter around both of them.\u00a0 The fires quickly torched 3000 acres and forced the evacuation of up to 1400 families.\u00a0 One home was destroyed along with several barns and outbuildings. Three firemen suffered minor injuries.\u00a0 In bailey…power lines were downed by falling trees.\u00a0 A tin roof on an auto repair shop in town was almost completely blown off. Peak wind gusts included:\u00a0 107 mph…3 miles south of Mt. Audubon…92 mph…3 miles south of Evergreen; 87 mph…6 miles northwest of Boulder; 81 mph…2 miles east-northeast of bergen park and at the national wind technology center; 79 mph…4 miles northeast of Nederland; 77 mph…3 miles west of Sheridan; 75 mph at Genesee.\u00a0 A peak wind gust of 39 mph was measured at Denver International Airport from the west.<\/p>\n

7-8<\/p>\n

In 1911…gale force winds occurred in Boulder causing minor injuries.
\n\u00a0
\nIn 1937…cold arctic air plunged temperatures below zero for an estimated 56 consecutive hours.\u00a0 Two temperature records were set.\u00a0 High temperatures of 8 degrees below zero on the 7th and 3 degrees on the 8th were record low maximum readings for those dates.\u00a0 Low temperatures plunged to 12 degrees below zero on the 7th and 11 degrees below zero on the 8th.\u00a0 Snowfall was 1.4 inches in downtown Denver.
\n\u00a0
\nIn 1969…a violent evening windstorm struck Boulder and the adjacent foothills.\u00a0 A wind gust to 130 mph was recorded at the National Center for Atmospheric Research.\u00a0 Winds reached 96 mph in downtown Boulder.\u00a0 The Boulder airport wind recorder was blown away after measuring a wind gust to 80 mph.\u00a0 The windstorm caused over one million dollars in damage and one fatality in Boulder.\u00a0 About 25 homes in south Boulder had roofs blown off or were severely damaged.\u00a0 Roofs were blown off buildings housing scientific laboratories and offices of the Environmental Science Services Administration…now NOAA…in Boulder…and installations of several scientific measuring sites near Boulder received heavy damage.\u00a0 Grass fires driven by the high winds endangered many areas…but were controlled by volunteer firemen.\u00a0 One man died from injuries received when he was blown from a fire truck.\u00a0 One man was killed and another injured when the truck camper in which they were riding was blown off I-25 about 10 miles north of Denver.\u00a0 In the same area a mobile home and a truck trailer were blown off the highway and demolished.\u00a0 At least 20 people in the Boulder area received light to serious injuries from flying debris or from being blown into obstructions.\u00a0 Power lines and trees were downed over a wide area.\u00a0 Damage was relatively light in the city of Denver…where northwest winds gusted to 62 mph at Stapleton International Airport on the 8th.\u00a0 Many windows were broken in Arvada…Englewood…and Littleton. A 27-year-old fire lookout tower on Squaw Mountain…west of Denver…was blown away…and several radio relay towers at that location were toppled.\u00a0 Trucks were overturned near Georgetown.\u00a0 Mobile homes were overturned in several areas with occupants receiving injuries in some cases. The strong Chinook winds also brought warm weather.\u00a0 The maximum temperature of 69 degrees on the 7th broke the old record of 65 degrees set in 1948.\u00a0 The temperature also reached 65 degrees on the 8th…but was not a record.
\n\u00a0
\nIn 1992…an intense blizzard buried eastern parts of metro Denver.\u00a0 At times snow fell at rates of 2 to 3 inches an hour.\u00a0 Winds increased from the north at speeds of 25 to 45 mph.\u00a0 Drifts of 4 to 8 feet were common.\u00a0 I-70 was closed east of Denver…and I-25 was closed from Denver south.\u00a0 Snowfall totals ranged from a couple of inches in the foothills west of Denver to as much as 2 feet on the east side of metro Denver.\u00a0 The heaviest snow fell on the 7th in a band from the northern suburbs of Westminster and Thornton through Aurora and east Denver to southeast of Parker.\u00a0 Snowfall totals included:\u00a0 22 inches in southeast Aurora…14.8 inches at Stapleton International Airport…13 inches in Northglenn…10 inches in Parker…and 9 inches in Westminster.\u00a0 The 14.5 inches of snowfall measured on the 7th into the 8th is the greatest 24 hour snowfall ever recorded in the city during the month of January.\u00a0 North winds gusting to 46 mph caused much blowing snow at Stapleton International Airport.
\n\u00a0
\nIn 2000…high winds developed in and near the Front Range foothills.\u00a0 The strongest winds were generally confined to foothills areas north of I-70.\u00a0 A wind gust to 76 mph was reported in Golden gate canyon.\u00a0 West winds gusted to 37 mph at Denver International Airport on the 8th.<\/p>\n

7-10\u00a0<\/p>\n

In 1962…a major winter storm dumped 13.5 inches of snow on metro Denver.\u00a0 A foot of the snow fell on the 8th when northeast winds gusted to 30 mph.\u00a0 The storm was followed by an intense blast of very cold arctic air.\u00a0 Minimum temperature readings of 24 degrees below zero occurred on both the 9th and 10th.\u00a0 The temperature never reached above zero on the 9th when a maximum reading of 1 degree below zero was recorded.\u00a0 Temperatures were below zero for 37 consecutive hours.<\/p>\n

8\u00a0<\/p>\n

In 1912…northwest winds were sustained to 40 mph with gusts to 45 mph in downtown Denver.
\n\u00a0
\nIn 1971…wind gusts to 52 mph were recorded in downtown Boulder.\u00a0 Northwest winds gusted to 28 mph at Stapleton International Airport.
\n\u00a0
\nIn 1990…high winds gusting from 50 to 90 mph along the Front Range produced much damage from blowing dust and gravel throughout the day.\u00a0 Wind gusts to 92 mph were recorded in the Table Mesa area of southwest Boulder. The winds caused sporadic power outages.\u00a0 Clouds of dust and gravel whipped by 70 to 90 mph gusts blinded commuters on the Denver-Boulder turnpike near Broomfield during the morning rush hour.\u00a0 Flying gravel shattered windows on 50 vehicles parked near a Boulder high school. High winds were also blamed for partially dismantling a house under construction in Boulder…as well as toppling a number of fences…billboards…signs…and power poles. The strong cross-winds jack-knifed and overturned semi- tractor trailers on I-70 near Golden and just south of Boulder on State Highway 93.\u00a0 Several County airports were closed due to strong winds and blowing dust reducing visibilities.\u00a0 Wind delays up to 30 minutes occurred at Stapleton International Airport where west winds gusted to 48 mph.\u00a0 Eighty mph winds in Georgetown…empire…and Idaho Springs were blamed for power and telephone outages. Windows were blown out of a sheriff’s car along I-70 east of Georgetown.\u00a0 The strong Chinook winds warmed the temperature to a high of 60 degrees in Denver.
\n\u00a0
\nIn 2007…strong winds associated with an intense upper level jet…and a very strong surface pressure gradient…developed in and near the Front Range foothills.\u00a0 Peak wind gusts ranged from 77 mph to 115 mph.\u00a0 The strong winds coupled with freshly fallen snow resulted in whiteout conditions and several highway closures due to blowing and drifting snow.\u00a0 Road closures included:\u00a0 State Highway 93 between Golden and Boulder; State Highway 128 from Wadsworth Boulevard to State Highway 93; U.S. Highway 36…the Denver Boulder Turnpike from Broomfield to south Boulder road; and State Highway 74 near Evergreen…between County road 65 and Lewis Ridge Road.\u00a0 More than 100 people were stranded in their cars between Golden and Boulder as blowing and drifting snow made the highway impassable.\u00a0 Snow drifts along State Highway 93 were over 6 feet in depth.\u00a0 As a result… The American Red Cross opened a shelter at Arvada West High School for the stranded commuters.\u00a0 Up to twenty cars were also abandoned along the diagonal highway…between Boulder and Longmont.\u00a0 Thirty vehicles were stranded along State Highway 128.\u00a0 The high winds also caused intermittent power outages in Boulder.\u00a0 West winds gusted to 40 mph at Denver International Airport<\/p>\n

8-9<\/p>\n

In 1891…heavy dry snowfall totaled 9.7 inches over downtown Denver.\u00a0 Most of the snow…6.5 inches…occurred on the 8th when north winds were sustained to 12 mph with gusts to 20 mph.
\n\u00a0
\nIn 1939…heavy snowfall totaled 6.7 inches in downtown Denver. The snowfall was the heaviest overnight…particularly during the early morning hours.\u00a0 The moist snow adhered to the north side of the instrument shelter and other objects to a depth of 2 inches.\u00a0 Snow accumulated on fences and trees to several inches.\u00a0 This was the greatest snowfall of the month that year.\u00a0 The greatest depth on the ground was 6.5 inches.\u00a0 North to northwest winds were sustained to 24 mph on the 8th and to 27 mph on the 9th.<\/p>\n

8-10\u00a0<\/p>\n

In 1983…winds of 70 to 90 mph howled through Boulder. A wind gust to 100 mph was recorded on fritz peak near Rollinsville.\u00a0 A tree blown down by the wind damaged a house in eastern Boulder County.\u00a0 The strong winds developed behind a cold front late on the 8th and continued through the 10th.\u00a0 At Stapleton International Airport…west to northwest winds gusted to 49 mph on the 8th…to 45 mph on the 9th…and to 48 mph on the 10th.<\/p>\n

9\u00a0<\/p>\n

In 1875…the all time lowest recorded official temperature in Denver…29 degrees below zero…occurred between 3:00 am and 4:00 am under clear skies with calm winds.\u00a0 The temperature climbed to zero at noon and to a high of 8 degrees at 3:00 pm.
\n\u00a0
\nIn 1916…Chinook winds from the southwest sustained to 42 mph with gusts as high as 48 mph warmed the temperature to a high of 57 degrees.
\n\u00a0
\nIn 1917…Chinook winds…southwesterly in direction…sustained at 43 mph with gusts to 48 mph warmed the temperature to a high of 55 degrees.\u00a0 The low temperature was only 43 degrees.
\n\u00a0
\nIn 1950…strong west winds to 50 mph produced blowing dust… Which briefly reduced visibility to 3\/4 mile at Stapleton Airport.
\n\u00a0
\nIn 1957…west-northwest winds gusted to 51 mph at Stapleton Airport.
\n\u00a0
\nIn 1988…a wind gust to 61 mph was recorded at Echo Lake. West winds gusted to only 16 mph at Stapleton International Airport.
\n\u00a0
\nIn 1989…strong Chinook winds howled along the eastern foothills.\u00a0 A peak gust to 115 mph was recorded at the Boulder airport where a light plane was severely damaged when the wind flipped it over.\u00a0 Gusts reached 103 mph at Table Mesa in south Boulder.\u00a0 Homes in the city suffered damage to roofs…gutters…and siding.\u00a0 Fences were blown down…and windows in both homes and cars were broken.\u00a0 A radio station was off the air for 2 1\/2 hours when the winds blew the top 80 feet off its 180-foot transmission tower.\u00a0 A school roof was partially torn off…and a few traffic signals were downed.\u00a0 Winds 60 to 80 mph were reported at Jefferson County airport in Broomfield. West winds gusted to 47 mph at Stapleton International Airport.
\n\u00a0
\nIn 1990…high winds buffeted the Front Range foothills for a second straight day.\u00a0 Wind gusts to 92 mph were recorded at Rollinsville.\u00a0 Wind gusts of 65 to 90 mph were noted in the Denver-Boulder area.\u00a0 No significant damage occurred. Northwest winds gusted to 38 mph at Stapleton International Airport where the maximum temperature reached 63 degrees.<\/p>\n

9-10\u00a0<\/p>\n

In 1962…the low temperature plunged to 24 degrees below zero on both days.
\n\u00a0
\nIn 1972…a west wind gust to 60 mph was recorded at Stapleton International Airport…while in Boulder a wind gust to 86 mph was recorded at the national bureau of standards. The roof of a house was blown off…and trees were blown down in Boulder.\u00a0 The high winds contributed to the damage from a building fire in Boulder.
\n\u00a0
\nIn 2000…heavy snow and strong winds in the mountains spilled into the Front Range foothills.\u00a0 Ward…northwest of Boulder…received 9 inches of new snow.\u00a0 Wind gusts to 91 mph were measured in Golden Gate Canyon…with gusts to 77 mph at Loveland Ski Area and to 73 mph along State Highway 93 north of Golden.\u00a0 West winds gusted to 44 mph at Denver International Airport on the 9th.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

January weather in Colorado can be as varied as during any month of the year.\u00a0 Temperatures bordering on spring-like to bone chilling Arctic cold can be seen.\u00a0 Snow of course plays a big part and while not always recognized as a big danger, high speed damaging winds are not unusual. 31-6 In 1973…the 31st marked … Continue reading January 3 to January 9 – 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":[6,7],"tags":[81,106,62,741],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thorntonweather.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2255"}],"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=2255"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.thorntonweather.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2255\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2256,"href":"https:\/\/www.thorntonweather.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2255\/revisions\/2256"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thorntonweather.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2255"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thorntonweather.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2255"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thorntonweather.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2255"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}