Colorado, 1997

Winter Storm in Colorado, April 21, 1997

April 21, 1997 · NWS BOU · 2 events in 2 counties and zones

A fast moving Pacific storm system continued to add to an already impressive snowpack in the northern mountains. Sustained west to northwest winds from 30 to 40 mph were not uncommon.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 2 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. Tap one for its entry below.

  • Tornadoes
  • Tropical storms and surge
  • Floods
  • Wind
  • Hail
  • Winter weather
  • Heat and drought
  • Cold
  • Fire, smoke and dust
  • Marine and coastal
  • Other

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The toll

Deaths
0
Injuries
0
Property damage
None recorded
Crop damage
None recorded
Events
2

Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.

What happened

The episode as NWS BOU wrote it up.

A fast moving Pacific storm system continued to add to an already impressive snowpack in the northern mountains. Sustained west to northwest winds from 30 to 40 mph were not uncommon. A peak wind gust to 80 mph (70 kts) was recorded at the Breckenridge Ski Area, above 10,000 feet. Snowfall totals included: 14 inches at Berthoud Pass, 9 inches at Loveland Ski Area, 7 inches at Keystone and 6 inches at Winter Park.

The radar

The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

2 winter storm. Local standard time, as filed.

Winter Storm, S & E Jackson / Larimer / N & Ne Grand / Nw Boulder Counties Above 9000 Feet

When
April 21, 1:30 AM MST to 12:00 PM MST
Where
S & E Jackson / Larimer / N & Ne Grand / Nw Boulder Counties Above 9000 Feet forecast zone
Coordinates
40.382, -105.820 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Winter Storm, S & Se Grand / W Central & Sw Boulder / Gilpin / Clear Creek / Summit / N & W Park Counties Above 9000 Feet

When
April 21, 1:30 AM MST to 12:00 PM MST
Where
S & Se Grand / W Central & Sw Boulder / Gilpin / Clear Creek / Summit / N & W Park Counties Above 9000 Feet forecast zone
Measured
70
Coordinates
39.726, -105.675 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

What these are

Winter Storm
A storm that brought snow, sleet or freezing rain at warning levels, usually over several hours or days.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

More

Every storm in Colorado in 1997Every state in 1997This day in weather historyWarnings in Colorado, April 1997

Sources

NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 5592220, 5592221.