January 14 - Today in Denver weather history

January 14, 4:36 AMDenver Weather ExaminerTony Hake

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January 14 - Today in Denver weather history.

High winds as we often see this time of year are prevelant on our look back at today in Denver weather history.  Some were in excess of 100 mph that toppled power poles, shattered glass and overturned tractor trailers.

From the National Weather Service Denver / Boulder Office:

From the 11th to the 14th: 

In 1997...cold arctic air plunged temperatures below zero across metro Denver.  The temperature was below zero for 60 consecutive hours from the afternoon on the 11th to around daybreak on the 14th.  The high temperature of only 1 degree below zero on the 12th equaled the record low maximum for the date last set in 1963.  The low temperature dipped to 14 degrees below zero on the 12th.

From the 13th to the 14th: 

In 1960...snowfall totaled only 4.4 inches and northeast winds gusted to 28 mph at Stapleton Airport...while over southeast Colorado a near blizzard closed roads with drifts 3 to 6 feet deep.

From the 13th to the 16th: 

In 1888...a cold air mass settled over the city and caused temperatures to plunge well below zero on four consecutive days...but only one temperature record was set.  Minimum temperatures dipped to 4 degrees below zero on the 13th... 19 degrees below zero on the 14th...20 degrees below zero on the 15th...and 11 degrees below zero on the 16th.  The maximum temperature of only 4 degrees below zero on the 14th was a record low maximum for the date.  North winds were sustained to 30 mph on the 13th.

On the 14th: 

In 1873...winds were brisk all day.  After sunset...northeast sustained winds produced a perfect gale...behind an apparent cold front.

In 1875...the temperature remained below zero all day with a general northeast wind.  At 9:00 pm the temperature was 1 degree above zero which was the official high for the day.  The wind suddenly veered to the southwest and the temperature climbed 19 degrees in 15 minutes...7 more degrees in the next 5 minutes...and by 9:30 pm had risen to 36 degrees.  By 9:35 pm the temperature had reached 40 degrees...a rise of 48 degrees in one hour and 39 degrees in half an hour.  The sudden rise in temperature could be attributed to a receding arctic air mass and downsloping surface winds.

In 1906...the temperature climbed to a high of 56 degrees before an apparent cold front produced northeast winds sustained to 40 mph and a trace of snow in the afternoon.

In 1921...west winds were sustained to 44 mph with gusts to 46 mph.  The downslope winds warmed the temperature to a high of 49 degrees.

In 1967...3.7 inches of snow fell at Stapleton International Airport with 7.7 inches measured in Boulder.

In 1982...strong Chinook winds buffeted Boulder...tearing the roof off a small apartment building.  A gust to 88 mph was measured in Lakewood.  Wind gusts of 60 to 80 mph were common along the foothills from Denver north to Fort Collins.  Four people sustained minor injuries...mostly from flying glass.  At least one person was knocked down by the winds.  Several tractor trailer rigs were blown off I-70 near Golden...and numerous camper shells were blown off pick-up trucks.

From the 14th to the 15th:

In 1908...heavy post-frontal snowfall totaled 6.5 inches overnight.  North winds were sustained to 32 mph.  The temperature dropped 41 degrees in 24 hours from a reading of 48 degrees at 8:00 pm on the 14th to only 7 degrees at 8:00 pm on the 15th.

In 1950...strong winds occurred in Boulder and Louisville. Winds in excess of 60 mph were recorded at Valmont.  Minor damage was reported.  Southwest winds gusted to 50 mph at Stapleton Airport.

In 1959...a total of 5.5 inches of snow fell at Stapleton Airport.

In 1992...snow spread from the mountains across metro Denver. The heaviest snow was across the northern portion of the area where 7 inches fell at Thornton.  At Stapleton International Airport...only 3.4 inches of snowfall were recorded and northeast winds gusting to 37 mph caused some blowing snow on the 14th.

In 1999...high winds howled across metro Denver.  In Commerce City...strong winds toppled 3 utility poles resulting in a power outage to 600 homes.  High wind reports included: 108 mph at Wondervu...80 mph at the Hiwan Golf Course in Evergreen...76 mph at aspen springs...75 mph at the Jefferson County Airport near Broomfield...74 mph in Boulder...and 70 mph at Georgetown.  West to northwest winds gusted to 48 mph...the highest wind gust of the month...and warmed the temperature to a high of 60 degrees at Denver International Airport on the 15th.

From the 14th to the 21st: 

In 1930...a protracted cold spell occurred when low temperatures plunged below zero on 8 consecutive days.  The coldest low temperatures of 20 degrees below zero on the 17th and 19 degrees below zero on the 16th were record minimums for the dates.  High temperatures during the period ranged from 18 on the 18th to zero on the 20th.  Two degrees on the 15th was a record low maximum temperature for the date.