Watkins, CO

... Today in Metro Denver weather history...

18-19 in 2011... a severe thunderstorm in Central Adams County
        produced large hail and heavy rainfall on the 18th. Large
        hail from 1 inch to 1 3/4 inches in diameter... was reported
        in Commerce City... 2 miles south-southeast of Federal
        Heights... Northglenn... and 2 miles south of Thornton. In
        Commerce City... the storm uprooted trees and knocked out
        power lines. A carport was lifted off the ground and
        struck the power lines overhead. Heavy rain... from 1.0 to
        1.5 inches fell in less than 2 hours in Commerce City and
        near Brighton. The combination of hail and strong winds
        broke windows in Northglenn. In the foothills... moderate to
        heavy snow showers developed overnight. Storm totals
        included: 10.5 inches at Gold Hill... 9.5 inches... 3 miles
        west of jamestown; 9 inches at lake eldora; with 6 inches...
        11 miles southwest of Gilpin and 4 miles east-northeast of
        Nederland. At Denver International Airport... total rainfall
        over the 2-day period totaled 1.71 inches. In addition... a
        peak wind gust to 37 mph was recorded on the 18th.
18-20 in 1915... 3.9 inches of snow fell in the city. The estimated
        amount of snow that melted as it fell was 6.2 inches which
        would have totaled an estimated 10.1 inches of snowfall.
        Precipitation totaled 1.03 inches. North winds were
        sustained to 32 mph on the 18th. Low temperatures dipped
        to 25 degrees on both the 18th and 20th... establishing
        record minimums for both dates.
      In 1988... prolonged heavy rainfall drenched Metro Denver.
        The event began when heavy thunderstorms on the 18th caused
        some street flooding and power outages... followed by steady
        rain on the 19th and 20th. Rain amounts across Metro
        Denver totaled 3 to 4 inches. Rainfall totaled 3.71 inches
        at Stapleton International Airport where north winds gusted
        to 39 mph on the 20th. Four to eight inches of snow fell in
        the foothills above 7 thousand feet.
19 in 1927... southeast winds were sustained to 40 mph with gusts
        to 44 mph.
      In 1956... a thunderstorm wind gust to 54 mph was recorded at
        Stapleton International Airport.
      In 1969... hail stones to 1 inch in diameter were measured in
        Arvada and Aurora. Some minor damage was reported.
        Pea to Marble size hail fell in Westminster.
      In 1972... a tornado was reported by aircraft about 5 to 10
        miles east of Parker.
      In 1988... lightning started a fire at a house in the Denver
        suburb of Greenwood Village... causing 2 thousand dollars in
        damage.
      In 1991... strong thunderstorms over east Metro Denver produced
        wind gusts of 56 to 60 mph. The strong winds downed power
        lines... trees... and fences at some locations in Aurora.
        Thunderstorm outflow winds gusted to 60 mph at Stapleton
        International Airport.
      In 1994... severe thunderstorms rumbled across Metro Denver.
        The storms produced wind gusts averaging 65 mph and hail up
        to dime size. Wind gusts to 77 mph were recorded in
        Brighton. Numerous trees and power poles were downed by
        the winds. One power pole fell onto spectators at a High
        School graduation ceremony in Commerce City... injuring 6
        people. In Fort Lupton... trees fell onto 2 parked cars...
        knocking out the windshields. Hail to 3/4 inch in diameter
        was reported in Littleton. A thunderstorm wind gust to 52
        mph was recorded at Stapleton International Airport.
      In 1995... a slow moving tornado... which was mainly discernible
        by its dust and debris cloud... was spotted 2 miles northeast
        of Denver International Airport or about 10 miles
        northwest of Bennett. No damage was reported.
      In 2007... lightning struck a 33-ft statue of jesus at mother
        cabrini shrine... in the foothills west of Golden. The blast
        broke off one of the statue's arms and a hand... and also
        damaged a foot. It cost an estimated $200000 to repair.
      In 2009... lightning struck the roof of a residence in Highlands
        Ranch. The home was not a total loss... but the fire caused
        extensive damage.
      In 2010... a thunderstorm produced hail up to 7/8 inch in
        diameter in Thornton.
19-20 in 1864... a devastating major flash flood occurred on the
        normally dry and Sandy Cherry Creek in Denver. The flood
        was caused by heavy thunderstorm rainfall and hail over the
        Palmer Ridge to the south of the city in both the Cherry
        Creek and Plum Creek basins. Nineteen deaths occurred along
        the South Platte river and Cherry Creek in Denver. The
        torrent swept cattle and sheep along with large trees and
        houses before it washing out several bridges... and moving
        large structures from their foundations. All city records
        were destroyed when city Hall washed away. The Rocky
        Mountain news building... built on stilts in the middle of the
        creek... was totally destroyed by the raging waters... which
        were as deep as 5 feet on the morning of the 20th. Once
        the flood waters receded... much sand and gravel was left
        behind. Property damage from the flood was estimated at
        nearly one million dollars. This was the first major
        flood of record in the city.