Denver’s biggest September snowstorm on record: A look back
By Brooke Williams,
23 days ago
DENVER ( KDVR ) — On Thursday, Denver could see a high of 89 degrees, but on the same day in 1936, the Mile High City would soon be covered in over a foot of snow.
According to the National Weather Service , September is, on average, the fourth-warmest month of the year for Denver, but not too warm for snow.
In fact, it snowed in Denver as early as Sept. 3, 1961, when 4.2 inches of snowfall was recorded at the Central Park/Stapleton Airport NWS location. The second earliest snowfall ever recorded by the NWS in Denver was on Sept. 8, 2020, when an inch of snow fell at the Denver International Airport.
September 1936 snowstorm
Thursday marks 88 years since the largest September snowstorm in Denver history. The day before the storm arrived, a cold front brought winds at a sustained 36 mph, dropping temperatures from a high of 84 to a low of 38.
Starting on Sept. 26, 1936, the city saw its biggest snowstorm to hit so early in the season, according to the NWS .
The storm lasted through Sept. 28. By the time it was over, a total of 16.5 inches of snow fell in downtown Denver, and 21.3 inches of snow were recorded at the former Stapleton International Airport .
It also brought the September record for the most snowfall recorded in 24 hours. 15 inches of snow was measured between 6 p.m. on Sept. 27 and 6 p.m. on Sept. 28 in Denver, according to the NWS.
A snowstorm hit Denver over Sept. 26-28, 1936, as seen in this still image from a newsreel. (Grinberg, Paramount, Pathe Newsreels via Getty Images)
A snowstorm hit Denver over Sept. 26-28, 1936, as seen in this still image from a newsreel. (Grinberg, Paramount, Pathe Newsreels via Getty Images)
A snowstorm hit Denver over Sept. 26-28, 1936, as seen in this still image from a newsreel. (Grinberg, Paramount, Pathe Newsreels via Getty Images)
A snowstorm hit Denver over Sept. 26-28, 1936, as seen in this still image from a newsreel. (Grinberg, Paramount, Pathe Newsreels via Getty Images)
A snowstorm hit Denver over Sept. 26-28, 1936, as seen in this still image from a newsreel. (Grinberg, Paramount, Pathe Newsreels via Getty Images)
A snowstorm hit Denver over Sept. 26-28, 1936, as seen in this still image from a newsreel. (Grinberg, Paramount, Pathe Newsreels via Getty Images)
A snowstorm hit Denver over Sept. 26-28, 1936, as seen in this still image from a newsreel. (Grinberg, Paramount, Pathe Newsreels via Getty Images)
A snowstorm hit Denver over Sept. 26-28, 1936, as seen in this still image from a newsreel. (Grinberg, Paramount, Pathe Newsreels via Getty Images)
Tree branches and power poles were severed under the weight of the snow throughout the city.
“More than 3,000 workmen were called to remove the debris and snow from the city. The city firemen who were off duty, as well as all the reserves, were asked to report to their stations,” the NWS website said.
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