October 9 - Today in Denver weather history

October 9, 8:40 PMDenver Weather ExaminerTony Hake

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October 9 - Today in Devner weather history

Today marks the fourth anniversary of a major storm that struck much of central Colorado.  Numerous power outages were reported, flights were delayed at DIA, and rockslides were reported as heavy rainfall fell in some areas while many had heavy snowfall. 

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From the National Weather Service:

On the 9th:

In 1910…light smoke from forest fires in the mountains was sighted over the city.
 
In 1982…northwest winds gusted to 49 mph at Stapleton International Airport.

From the 9th to the 10th:

In 2005…a major winter storm brought heavy…wet snowfall to the Front Range mountains…eastern foothills…portions of metro Denver…and the palmer divide.  Snow accumulations ranged from 8 to 26 inches with drifts from 3 to 4 feet in places.  The heaviest snow occurred to the east and southeast of the city…closing most major highways in that area…including I-70 from Denver to Limon.  The red cross opened four shelters for people who were stranded along I-70 in eastern Colorado.  Since many trees had not yet shed their leaves…the storm caused significant tree damage.  One woman in Denver was killed when a tree branch… 8 to 10 inches in diameter…snapped under the weight of the heavy…wet snow and struck her as she was shoveling her driveway.  Xcel Energy reported power outages to about 35 thousand customers.  Several incoming flights were delayed at Denver International Airport.  Snow totals included:  16 inches in the foothills near Boulder…12 inches at Genesee and near Golden…22 inches near Watkins…19 inches near Bennett…17 inches southeast of Aurora…14 inches near Parker…13 inches near Castle Rock…12 inches in centennial… 11 inches in Parker…and 10 inches at Denver International Airport and in Littleton.  While many areas of metro Denver received heavy snow…others experienced almost entirely rain. This included west and northwest metro Denver…Boulder…and Longmont.  Rainfall amounts were significant as storm totals ranged between 1.50 and 2.50 inches.  The steady rainfall triggered 3 rockslides in foothills canyons.  Two of the slides occurred on State Highway 119 in Boulder canyon and the longest slide…7 feet in length…on State Highway 74 in Bear Creek Canyon at Idledale.  North winds were sustained to around 23 mph with gusts to 31 mph at Denver International Airport on the 9th.  The high temperature of only 34 degrees on the 10th was a record low maximum for the date.  The low temperature on both days was 32 degrees.