{"id":3011,"date":"2010-10-03T04:19:01","date_gmt":"2010-10-03T10:19:01","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.thorntonweather.com\/blog\/?p=3011"},"modified":"2010-10-03T06:27:31","modified_gmt":"2010-10-03T12:27:31","slug":"october-3-to-october-9-this-week-in-denver-weather-history","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thorntonweather.com\/blog\/weather-history\/october-3-to-october-9-this-week-in-denver-weather-history\/","title":{"rendered":"October 3 to October 9 &#8211; This week in Denver weather history"},"content":{"rendered":"<figure id=\"attachment_1426\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1426\" style=\"width: 250px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-1426\" title=\"This week in Denver weather history.\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thorntonweather.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/04\/tw-logo-history2111.jpg\" alt=\"October 3 to October 9 - This week in Denver weather history\" width=\"250\" height=\"196\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.thorntonweather.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/04\/tw-logo-history2111.jpg 250w, https:\/\/www.thorntonweather.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/04\/tw-logo-history2111-150x117.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 250px) 100vw, 250px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-1426\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">October 3 to October 9 - This week in Denver weather history<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The first half of October historically is quiet for the most part but there have been years with plenty of excitement.\u00a0 We have seen damaging tornadoes and winds and of course significant snowstorms.<\/p>\n<p>From the National Weather Service:<\/p>\n<p>3\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>In 1875&#8230;very dense haze hid the mountains from view as observed from the city.<br \/>\n\u00a0<br \/>\nIn 1933&#8230;rainfall of just 0.01 inch was the only precipitation of the month.\u00a0 This was the second driest October on record.<br \/>\n\u00a0<br \/>\nIn 1954&#8230;the low temperature cooled to only 60 degrees&#8230;the all-time record high minimum for the month October.<\/p>\n<p>3-4<\/p>\n<p>In 1969&#8230;the first snowfall of the season totaled 16.0 inches at Stapleton International Airport.\u00a0 There was a thunder snow shower on the evening of the 3rd&#8230;but otherwise little wind with the storm.\u00a0 The greatest snow depth on the ground was 8 inches due to melting.\u00a0 Heavy wet snow accumulated on trees&#8230;which were still in full leaf&#8230;and caused widespread damage from broken limbs and downed utility lines.<\/p>\n<p>3-5<\/p>\n<p>In 1984&#8230;the remnants of Pacific Hurricane Polo produced heavy rain over northeastern Colorado.\u00a0 Most locations received between 1.00 to 2.50 inches of rain&#8230;but 3.45 inches fell in Littleton.\u00a0 Rainfall totaled 1.73 inches at Stapleton International Airport&#8230;where north winds gusted to 24 mph.<\/p>\n<p>4\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>In 1912&#8230;sustained south winds to 55 mph with gusts to 60 mph raised the temperature to a high of 83 degrees&#8230; The warmest temperature of the month that year.<br \/>\n\u00a0<br \/>\nIn 1924&#8230;west winds were sustained to 46 mph with gusts to 50 mph in the city.\u00a0 The apparent Bora winds cooled the temperature to a high of 57 degrees from a high of 70 degrees on the 3rd.<br \/>\n\u00a0<br \/>\nIn 2004&#8230;several small tornadoes touched down near Brighton&#8230; Barr Lake&#8230;and Hudson in Adams and southern Weld counties. Most of these caused no damage.\u00a0 However&#8230;a small tornado 5 miles southeast of Brighton caused extensive damage to a recreational vehicle and severely damaged a barn.\u00a0 The barn was torn from its foundation&#8230;and the roof was thrown 100 feet.\u00a0 Four llamas in the barn were injured when it collapsed.<\/p>\n<p>4-5<\/p>\n<p>In 1997&#8230;unusually warm weather resulted in two temperature records.\u00a0 High temperature of 87 degrees on the 4th exceeded the old record set in 1922 by one degree.\u00a0 High temperature of 86 degrees on the 5th equaled the record set in 1990 and previous years.<\/p>\n<p><!--more-->5\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>In 1962&#8230;unusually severe thunderstorms for this late in the season affected areas from Boulder northward.\u00a0 Hail up to golf ball size and strong gusty winds did much damage to roofs&#8230;windows&#8230;and signs in Boulder.\u00a0 Heavy rainfall caused local flooding.<br \/>\n\u00a0<br \/>\nIn 1994&#8230;lightning caused a power outage to over 2400 homes for a few hours in and around Nederland in the foothills southwest of Boulder.\u00a0 Very strong winds accompanied the thunderstorm.\u00a0 Thunderstorm winds gusted to 60 mph and hail to 1\/2 inch diameter fell in Lafayette.\u00a0 Strong microburst winds gusting to 69 mph near Strasburg caused an oil rig to topple onto two vehicles&#8230;injuring one person.\u00a0 The strong winds in the area also downed a few power poles&#8230; But caused power outages to only a few homes.<br \/>\n\u00a0<br \/>\nIn 1995&#8230;strong winds spread from the foothills onto the plains.\u00a0 Wind gusts to 77 mph were reported atop Squaw Mountain west of Denver.\u00a0 On the plains&#8230;winds gusted to 60 mph at Kennesburg and to 62 mph near Strasburg. North winds gusted to 41 mph at Denver International Airport.<\/p>\n<p>6\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>In 1900&#8230;northwest winds were sustained to 40 mph with gusts as high as 50 mph in downtown Denver.<br \/>\n\u00a0<br \/>\nIn 1903&#8230;northwest winds were sustained to 40 mph with gusts to 50 mph.\u00a0 The strong winds warmed the temperature to a high of 71 degrees in the city.\u00a0 The low reading was only 46 degrees.<br \/>\n\u00a0<br \/>\nIn 1910&#8230;light smoke from forest fires drifted over the city.<br \/>\n\u00a0<br \/>\nIn 1976&#8230;an arctic cold front brought light snow over the foothills above 6 thousand feet.\u00a0 Traffic was snarled at many locations.\u00a0 Only a trace of snow fell at Stapleton International Airport where rainfall totaled 0.20 inch and northeast winds gusted to 41 mph.<br \/>\n\u00a0<br \/>\nIn 1991&#8230;the brilliant orange sunset was apparently the result of an extensive volcanic smoke layer in the upper atmosphere.<br \/>\n\u00a0<br \/>\nIn 1994&#8230;strong west to northwest winds developed in the foothills above 9500 feet.\u00a0 A wind gust to 78 mph was recorded atop Squaw Mountain west of Denver and to 72 mph at Ward northwest of Boulder.\u00a0 Northwest winds gusted to 35 mph at Stapleton International Airport.<\/p>\n<p>7\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>In 1903&#8230;north winds were sustained to 40 mph with gusts to 48 mph.<br \/>\n\u00a0<br \/>\nIn 1917&#8230;post-frontal northwest winds were sustained to 45 mph with gusts to 52 mph.\u00a0 Rain was mixed with a trace of snow&#8230;the first of the season.\u00a0 Precipitation totaled 0.22 inch and included the occurrence of hail&#8230; Even though no thunder was heard.<br \/>\n\u00a0<br \/>\nIn 1950&#8230;strong winds caused a power outage in Boulder. This was the heaviest windstorm since January.\u00a0 Damage was minor.\u00a0 Northwest winds gusted to only 35 mph at Stapleton Airport.<br \/>\n\u00a0<br \/>\nIn 1985&#8230;strong Chinook winds buffeted the Front Range foothills.\u00a0 Wind gusts between 60 and 70 mph were reported in Boulder and atop Squaw Mountain west of Denver.\u00a0 Southwest winds gusted to 41 mph at Stapleton International Airport.<\/p>\n<p>7-8<\/p>\n<p>In 1990&#8230;the season&#8217;s first snow occurred.\u00a0 Snowfall amounts varied from 3 to 7 inches across metro Denver. Snowfall totaled 4.0 inches at Stapleton International Airport where north winds gusted to 29 mph.<\/p>\n<p>8\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>In 1923&#8230;southeast winds were sustained to 44 mph with gusts to 47 mph.\u00a0 The strong winds persisted through the afternoon.\u00a0 The high temperature of 77 degrees was the warmest of the month that year.<br \/>\n\u00a0<br \/>\nIn 1975&#8230;a wind gust to near 100 mph was recorded in Boulder. Frequent wind gusts to 60 mph were reported along the foothills causing only minor damage.\u00a0 West winds gusted to 45 mph at Stapleton International Airport.<\/p>\n<p>9\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>In 1910&#8230;light smoke from forest fires in the mountains was sighted over the city.<br \/>\n\u00a0<br \/>\nIn 1982&#8230;northwest winds gusted to 49 mph at Stapleton International Airport.<\/p>\n<p>9-10\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>In 2005&#8230;a major winter storm brought heavy&#8230;wet snowfall to the Front Range mountains&#8230;eastern foothills&#8230;portions of metro Denver&#8230;and the Palmer Divide.\u00a0 Snow accumulations ranged from 8 to 26 inches with drifts from 3 to 4 feet in places.\u00a0 The heaviest snow occurred to the east and southeast of the city&#8230;closing most major highways in that area&#8230;including I-70 from Denver to Limon.\u00a0 The Red Cross opened four shelters for people who were stranded along I-70 in eastern Colorado.\u00a0 Since many trees had not yet shed their leaves&#8230;the storm caused significant tree damage.\u00a0 One woman in Denver was killed when a tree branch&#8230; 8 to 10 inches in diameter&#8230;snapped under the weight of the heavy&#8230;wet snow and struck her as she was shoveling her driveway.\u00a0 Xcel Energy reported power outages to about 35 thousand customers.\u00a0 Several incoming flights were delayed at Denver International Airport.\u00a0 Snow totals included:\u00a0 16 inches in the foothills near Boulder&#8230;12 inches at Genesee and near Golden&#8230;22 inches near Watkins&#8230;19 inches near Bennett&#8230;17 inches southeast of Aurora&#8230;14 inches near Parker&#8230;13 inches near Castle Rock&#8230;12 inches in Centennial&#8230; 11 inches in Parker&#8230;and 10 inches at Denver International Airport and in Littleton.\u00a0 While many areas of metro Denver received heavy snow&#8230;others experienced almost entirely rain. This included west and northwest metro Denver&#8230;Boulder&#8230;and Longmont.\u00a0 Rainfall amounts were significant as storm totals ranged between 1.50 and 2.50 inches.\u00a0 The steady rainfall triggered 3 rockslides in foothills canyons.\u00a0 Two of the slides occurred on State Highway 119 in Boulder Canyon and the longest slide&#8230;7 feet in length&#8230;on State Highway 74 in Bear Creek Canyon at Idledale.\u00a0 North winds were sustained to around 23 mph with gusts to 31 mph at Denver International Airport on the 9th.\u00a0 The high temperature of only 34 degrees on the 10th was a record low maximum for the date.\u00a0 The low temperature on both days was 32 degrees.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The first half of October historically is quiet for the most part but there have been years with plenty of excitement.\u00a0 We have seen damaging tornadoes and winds and of course significant snowstorms. From the National Weather Service: 3\u00a0 In 1875&#8230;very dense haze hid the mountains from view as observed from the city. \u00a0 In &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thorntonweather.com\/blog\/weather-history\/october-3-to-october-9-this-week-in-denver-weather-history\/\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">October 3 to October 9 &#8211; This week in Denver weather history<\/span> <span class=\"meta-nav\">&rarr;<\/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":[81,106,62,741],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thorntonweather.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3011"}],"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=3011"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/www.thorntonweather.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3011\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3019,"href":"https:\/\/www.thorntonweather.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3011\/revisions\/3019"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thorntonweather.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3011"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thorntonweather.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3011"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thorntonweather.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3011"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}