October 9 - Today in Denver weather history

October 9, 7:17 AMDenver Weather ExaminerTony Hake

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October 9 - Today in Denver weather history

Three years ago today a major winter storm brought big time snow to the metro area and caused a good deal of damage. 

In 1910 - Smoke from mountain forest fires made its way into Denver.

In 1982 - Stapleton International Airport measured wind gusts to 49 mph.

In 2005 - From the 9th to the 10th a major winter storm wreaked havoc across much of the metro area and on the eastern plains.  Wet snow ranging from 8 to 26 inches fells across much of the metro area and the Palmer Divide with drifts up to 4 feet in areas.  The worst of the snow occurred to the east and southeast of the city causing most major highways to be closed including I-70 from Denver to Limon.  Four shelters were opened by the Red Cross to house travelers that were stranded.  Because most trees still had all of their leaves, significant tree damage occurred and one woman was killed when a branch broke under the weight of the snow and hit her as she was shoveling her driveway.  35,000 Xcel Energy customers found themselves without power, DIA reported several delayed incoming flights.  Some of the snow totals were 16 inches near Boulder, 22 inches near Watkins, 17 inches near Aurora, 13 inches in Castle Rock and 10 inches at Denver International Airport.  Some areas to the west and northwest of Denver were spared the snow and experienced only rain but in significant amounts from 1.5 to 2.5 inches.  The rain did trigger 3 rockslides in the foothill canyons.  DIA officially recorded a high temperature of only 34 degrees on the 10th which was a record low maximum for that date.