Winter Storm — C & E Adams & Arapahoe Counties, Colorado

2019-10-29 to 2019-10-30 · C & E Adams & Arapahoe Counties, Colorado

Event narrative

Storm totals included 6 inches near Byers.

Wider weather episode

A strong storm system dropped out of the northern Rockies and across Colorado. This system brought record breaking temperatures and up to a foot of new snow to parts of Denver, especially across the south and southeast portions of the metro area down to the Palmer Divide. In Denver, a record low maximum temperatures of 18 was set on the 19th, followed by a record low temperatures of 3 degrees on the 30th. The combination of snow and wind along the Interstate 70 corridor east of Denver forced its closure in both directions for several hours due to drifting snow and poor visibility. One weather related traffic fatality, occurred in the foothills west of Denver which closed State Highway 6. The official snowfall measurement at Denver International Airport was 7.7 inches. Numerous schools in and around the Denver area and to the east were closed due to heavy snow and hazardous road conditions. Cancellations and delayed flights at Denver International Airport left 800 passengers stranded at the airport overnight.

Along the urban corridor and Palmer Divide storm totals included: Storm totals included: 12 inches at Ponderosa Park, 10 inches near Foxfield; and Parker; 8.5 inches in southwest Aurora; near Buckley AFB, Cherry Creek, east Denver, and southwest Aurora; 8 inches in Boulder and near Elizabeth, Federal Heights, Louisville and Westminster; 7.5 inches near Castle Pines, 7 inches in southwest Aurora and near Shamballa and Quincy Reservoir; 6.5 inches near Rocky Flats; 6 inches near Byers, Elbert, Greenwood and Lakewood.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 854506. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.