Cold/Wind Chill — Denver Metropolitan Area, Colorado

1998-12-18 to 1998-12-24 · Denver Metropolitan Area, Colorado

Event narrative

An Arctic airmass settled in over northeastern Colorado dropping overnight temperatures well below zero for 6 consecutive days. Overnight temperatures bottomed out at 19 degrees below zero on the morning of the 22nd. At least 15 people, mostly homeless, were treated for hypothermia at area hospitals. The bitter cold weather was responsible, either directly or indirectly, for at least 5 fatalities. Three of the victims died directly from exposure. The cold weather also caused intermittent power outages. Following the cold snap, thawing water pipes cracked and burst in several homes and business causing extensive damage. No estimate of the damage, however, was available.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 5676985. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.