October 21 - Today in Denver weather history

October 21, 5:54 AMDenver Weather ExaminerTony Hake

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October 21 - Today in Denver weather history.

Record heat and big time snow highlight a look back at October 21st in Denver weather history. 

In 2003 – From the 18th to the 23rd high pressure over the area brought warm temperatures and five new temperature records.  On the 18th Denver reached 84 degrees, tying the previous record.  Temperatures of 86 degrees on the 19th, 83 degrees on the 21st and 84 degrees on the 22nd were all records for those dates.  The low of 49 degrees on the 23rd was a record high minimum for that date.   During the period low temperatures were in the 40’s and lower 50’s.

In 1906 – From the 19th to the 23rd a major winter storm sat over the area dumping 22.7 inches in the city over the span of the 5 days.  Rain started on the 19th and changed to snow in the evening and continued throughout the period.  From 8:00pm on the 20th to 8:00pm on the 22nd, 16 inches alone fell.  Temperatures were in the 20’s during the five day span with north winds between 20 and 30 mph.  This was the first and only snowfall of the month.

In 2007 – From the 20th to the 21st the southern Denver suburbs and Palmer Divide received heavy snow.  7.5 inches of snow was recorded near Castle Rock, Lone Tree and Greenwood Village and 6.5 inches was measured at Elizabeth with drifts up to 2 feet deep.  2 inches of snow was observed at the former Stapleton International Airport site.

In 1936 – From the 20th to the 22nd downtown Denver received 5.5 inches of snow with most of that – 4.5 inches – falling on the 20th.

In 1920 – A thunderstorm over the area brought snow over the city in the event.  Lightning and thunder were noted at 7:35pm and light rain began falling at 8:30pm followed by light snow.  Some hail was even mixed in but it and the snow melted as quickly as it fell.  The snow was first to occur in Denver this season.  The official weather station recorded 0.01 inch of precipitation with higher parts in other areas of town.

In 1978 – From the 21st to the 22nd rain overnight on the 21st changed to snow during the morning of the 22nd and continued during the day.  This was the first measurable snowfall of the season and 1.7 inches was recorded at Stapleton International Airport.  The ground was warm enough that only a trace covered the ground but precipitation measured 1.27 inches.