October 25 - Today in Denver weather history

October 25, 4:07 AMDenver Weather ExaminerTony Hake

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October 25 - Today in Denver weather history

Snow seems to dominate a look back at Denver weather on this date in the history books, including a particularly deadly storm not that long ago.

From the 24th to the 25th:

In 1921 – 0.35 inch of rain fell overnight and sustained north winds to 40 mph with gusts of 46 mph were recorded on the 25th.  Temperatures dropped from a high of 73 degrees on the 24th to a low of 39 degrees on the 25th.

In 1923 – Rain changed to snow overnight as 12 inches of snow was accumulated before ending on the morning of the 25th.

In 1997 – Eastern Colorado was struck with one of the deadliest blizzards of the decade.  A vigorous upper level  low pressure system over the Four Corners region coupled with deep east to northeast flow and strong Arctic air over the Great Plains.  The Denver metro area recorded between 14 and 31 inches with the heavier amounts in the foothills west and south of Denver.  Sustained winds to 40 mph that gusted to 60 mph reduced visibilities to zero and brought dangerous wind chill from 25 below zero to 40 below zero.  The wind caused drifts from 4 to 10 feet deep and major interstates and highways were closed and impassable.  The Red Cross established shelters for hundreds who were stranded and had to abandon their vehicles and four people died in northeastern Colorado as a result of the blizzard (none in Denver).  Denver International Airport was forced to shut down stranding travelers and costing air carriers 20 million dollars.  Pena Blvd became impassable and at least 120 cards were abandoned along the road.  Losses from thousands of cattle that died from the storm were estimated at $1.5 million.  Snowfall at the former Stapleton International Airport totaled 21.9 inches and a 24 hour snowfall record of 19.1 inches for the month occurred.  Denver International Airport recorded 14 inches of snow with winds gusting to 39 mph on the 24th.  Some of the more impressive snow totals included 51 inches at Coal Creek Canyon, 48 inches at Silver Spruce Ranch, 42 inches at Intercanyon, 37 inches at Sedalia, 35 inches at Aspen Springs and Conifer, 31 inches at Eldorado Springs, and 30 inches on Table Mesa in Boulder.  The official high temperature of 21 degrees on the 25th equaled the record low maximum for the date first set in 1873.  A new record low minimum was set on the 26th as the mercury fell to only 3 degrees.

On the 25th:

In 1925 – A cold front produced 42 mph winds with gusts to 52 mph.  0.4 inch of snow was recorded in the late afternoon / early evening.

In 1959 – Winds gusting to 55 mph were recorded at Stapleton Airport.

In 1997 – The record low maximum for the month was recorded on this date as Denver only reached 21 degrees. 

From the 25th to the 26th:

In 1996 – The foothills west of Denver received from 4 to 6 inches of snow.  The former Stapleton International Airport site received only 1.5 inches and it was the only measurable snow of the month.  This was however enough to produce snowy and ice-packed roads on I-25 south of Denver resulting in a 50 – 60 car pileup.

In 2006 – Snow arrived in the metro area and foothills when 12 to 22 inches fell at higher elevations and Denver received from 6 to 12 inches.  Rain, including a thunderstorm, changed to snow on the evening of the 25th after reaching a high temperature of 70 degrees.  Winds from 20 to 30 mph gusting to 47 mph caused 3 to 4 foot snow drifts at Denver International Airport.  The wet snow broke tree limbs and power lines resulting in power outages for thousands.  Snow totals for the region included 25 inches near Aspen Springs, Conifer and Evergreen, 23 inches in Idaho Springs, 22.5 inches near Blackhawk, 21.5 inches near Bailey, and 15 inches near Georgetown and Perry Park.  Denver officially recorded 5.3 inches of snow at the old Stapleton International Airport site. 

From the 25th to 27th:

In 1897 – Rain changed to snow on the evening of the 25th which continued through the morning of the 27th.  13.5 inches in total was received in Denver, of which most fell on the 26th.  Temperatures during the storm were in the 20s and 30s.  Total precipitation was 1.21 inches.