Winter Storm — C & Se Park County, Colorado

2005-10-09 to 2005-10-10 · C & Se Park County, Colorado

Wider weather episode

A significant winter storm occurred across north central and northeast Colorado. This system brought heavy, wet snowfall to the Front Range mountains, foothills and portions of the Denver metro area and Palmer Divide. Accumulations ranged from 8 to 24 inches. The heaviest snow occurred in the areas between Watkins, Kiowa and Deer Trail. Since many trees had not yet shed their leaves, significant tree damage occurred. One woman in Denver was killed when tree branch, 8 to 10 inches in diameter, snapped under the weight of the snow and struck her as she was shoveling her driveway. Most major roads were closed including Interstate 70, between Denver and Limon, as well as portions of highways 24, 36, 71 and 86, east and southeast of Denver. The Red Cross opened 4 shelters for people who were stranded along I-70 in eastern Colorado. Xcel energy reported power outages to approximately 35,000 customers. Several incoming flights were delayed at Denver International Airport. Snow drifts were 3 to 4 feet deep in spots.While many areas received heavy snow, others experienced almost entirely rain. This included areas from the northwestern sections of the Denver metro area northward through Boulder, Longmont, Fort Collins, Loveland and Greeley. In addition, areas east of Limon to Last Chance to Fort Morgan received mostly rain. Rainfall amounts were significant as storm totals ranged between 1.50 and 2.50 inches. The steady rain triggered three rockslides, two on Colorado Highway 119 in Boulder County. The largest slide was 7 ft. long and occurred on State Highway 74 at Idledale, betweem Morrison and Evergreen.Storm totals in the mountains, high valleys and foothills included: 24 inches at Breckenridge, 18 inches at Copper Mountain, 17 inches at Keystone, 16 inches, 12 miles south-southwest of Boulder, 15 inches at Fairplay, 14 inches, 7 miles southwest of Boulder, and 12 inches at Arapahoe Basin, Genesee, 2 miles southwest of Golden, Loveland Ski Area and Winter Park. Storm totals over the Palmer Divide and adjacent plains included: 22 inches, 8 miles southeast of Watkins, 20 inches, 22 miles south of Byers and Deer Trail, 19 inches, 4 miles south-southeast of Bennett, 18 inches at Bennett and 1 mile north of Strasburg, 17 inches, 9 miles south-southeast of Aurora and 5 miles southwest of Elizabeth, 14 inches, 4 miles east of Parker, 13 inches, 2 miles west of Castle Rock, 12 inches at Centenniel, 11 inches at Parker and 10 inches at Cedar Point and Limon, Denver International Airport and Littleton.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 5478522. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.