Denver’s mysterious tradition of March 13-14 snowstorms
DENVER (KDVR) — March is known as Denver’s snowiest month of the year, but this week’s upcoming snowstorm is a little more than timely.
Throughout the years, some Denver snowstorms have fallen on the exact same dates. On March 13-14 in 2019 and 2021, the Mile High City saw some serious flakes – and this year is no exception.
How much snow is expected to fall during Thursday’s storm?
Forecast for March 13-14, 2024
This snowstorm will start on Wednesday, and flakes will continue to fall throughout Thursday.
In total, Denver is looking at potentially 6-12 inches of accumulation between March 13 and 14, which marks yet another storm falling on these dates.
March 13-14, 2021
Three years ago, northeast Colorado was hit by a blizzard that caused power outages, major interstate closures and canceled flights.
2 years ago, a blizzard brought 27 inches of snow to Denver
At one point, wind gusts were up to 50 mph in Denver, with snowfall rates of 3 inches per hour. Some areas had snow drifts of 3-7 feet, and more than 2,000 flights were canceled at Denver International Airport.
Parts of the mountains saw over 35 inches of snow, and Denver wasn’t far off.
The official snow total for Denver was 27.1 inches, which ended up being the fourth-largest storm on record since 1882.
March 13, 2019
The phenomenon of March 13-14 snowstorms dates back even further, including a major storm in 2019 known as the “bomb cyclone,” also coined the “Bombogenesis.”
On March 13, 2019, a low-pressure system developed over southern Colorado, setting a record for the lowest pressure ever recorded, according to the National Weather Service. This system officially met the criteria of a bomb cyclone, meaning barometric pressure readings dropped more than 24 millibars over 24 hours.
How much snow is expected to fall during Thursday’s storm?
This storm closed all major roadways, left thousands of passengers stuck at the airport and left almost 500,000 people without power. The storm stranded cars across Colorado and included one known death, according to NWS.
While the storm is pegged as a March 13 snowstorm, its effects lasted into the following days with school closures, power outages and snow.
By March 14, 2019, Denver totaled 7.1 inches of snow and other places received over 20 inches. In total, Denver hit 80 mph wind gusts, which is the third highest gust on record, according to NWS.
Another one of Denver’s largest snowstorms wasn’t too far off from this date. In 2003, Denver experienced its second-largest snowstorm in history from March 17-19 with 31.8 inches of wet snow.
Buckle in, while the snow totals aren’t looking as significant as the previous years, the Pinpoint Weather team issued an alert for Thursday with heavy snow expected to come in starting Wednesday.
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