Blizzard — Denver Metropolitan Area, Colorado

2001-04-11 · Denver Metropolitan Area, Colorado

Wider weather episode

The spring storm that moved into eastern Colorado developed into a blizzard across the Northeast Plains as an intense surface cyclone formed. The combination of freezing rain, followed by heavy snow and damaging winds led to widespread electrical outages. Snowfall totals generally ranged from 6 to 18 inches. The heaviest snow occurred near the Front Range Foothills, the Palmer Divide, stretching from just south of Denver, then east and northeast into northern Lincoln and Washington Counties, and near the Nebraska state line. Sustained winds from 35 to 58 mph with gusts to around 75 mph were recorded. Snow drifts up to 10 feet deep were reported around Limon. Elsewhere, snow drifts from 3 to 6 feet deep were observed. Interstate 25 was closed at Lincoln Avenue, cutting off access from Denver south to Colorado Springs. To the north, I-25 was closed just south of the Wyoming border. Interstate 70 was also closed from Gun Club Road, east of Denver, to the Kansas state line. Denver International Airport was completely shut down for the first time in its brief 6-year history. Power surges and outages constantly crippled the airport's massive computer system. The airport was closed at 5 am and did not reopen until mid-afternoon. Power outages affected nearly all of northeast Colorado. Some areas only had scattered outages for a few hours, while more remote areas were blacked out for over a week. The only businesses that remained open during the storm, were those utilizing backup generators. As a result, most businesses were closed and school classes canceled. Overall, 220,000 Xcel Energy customers were affected, making it the worst outage in the company's history. Previously, the worst event occurred in September of 1995, when downed trees and branches from a snowstorm left 100,000 customers without electricity. Overall, at least 500 poles were downed or damaged during the storm. The company replaced 120 electrical poles, repaired 180 additional poles, and repaired or replaced another 400 cross-arms. Approximately $1.6 million was spent on repairs across northeastern Colorado.Other rural eastern Colorado electric companies suffered significant damage as well. Highline Electric in Holyoke lost 1000 poles. Mountain View of Limon lost 450 poles and 7 transmission lines. Morgan County Regional Electric Association lost 500 poles. United Power of Brighton lost over 300 poles. Y & W of Akron lost 200 poles and Poudre Valley of Fort Collins lost another 100 poles. Damage estimates to these companies were at least $1.5 million.In Morgan County, winds gusts to 76 mph leveled the screen at a historic drive-in movie theater. The wind also blew off a membrane protecting a section of roof under repair at Fort Morgan High School. In Washington County, four railroad cars containing empty cargo trailers, stacked two deep, were blown off the tracks. Near Akron, three young boys who were sledding got disoriented during the storm and became lost. They were found safely after a brief search. Along the Urban Corridor, storm totals included: 18 inches in southeast Aurora, 16 inches at Centenniel Airport, and Parker, 14 inches at Broomfield, 13 inches at Louisville and 4 miles west of Jamestown, 12 inches at Lakewood and Morrison, 11 inches at Ken Caryl and Thornton, 10 inches, 7 miles northwest of Elizabeth, 1 mile west of Larkspur, the former Stapleton Airport and Wheat Ridge, 9 inches at Westminster and 8 inches at Littleton. Elsewhere, snow amounts ranged from 3 to 7 inches. Across the Northeast Plains, storm totals included: 12 inches at Akron, 11 inches at Limon, 9 inches, 4 miles northwest of Greeley, 8 inches at Julesburg, Grover and Sedgwick, 7 inches, 1 mile north of Strasburg, with 6 inches, 3 miles northwest of Deer Trail, Frederick, Greeley, 4 miles west of Hudson. Elsewhere, snow amounts ranged from 2 to 5 inches. Peak wind gusts included: 76 mph (66 kts) at Fort Morgan, 70 mph (60 kts) at Akron Airport, 68 mph (59 kts) at Limon Airport, 60 mph (52 kts) at Denver International Airport and 4 miles east of Haxtun. At the Limon Airport, sustained winds to 58 mph (50 kts) were recorded for several hours during the morning.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 5238158. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.