Blizzard in Colorado
Every blizzard event the National Weather Service has filed in Colorado, year by year, with the most significant episodes. Sustained winds or frequent gusts of 35 mph or more with falling or blowing snow that cuts visibility below a quarter mile for three hours or longer.
The most significant on the map
The most significant blizzard episodes in Colorado.
- Tornadoes
- Tropical storms and surge
- Floods
- Wind
- Hail
- Winter weather
- Heat and drought
- Cold
- Fire, smoke and dust
- Marine and coastal
- Other
The record
- Events
- 426
- Deaths
- 16
- Injuries
- 7
- Damage
- $72 million
Every year
The most significant
Ranked by deaths, injuries, damage and size together.
- Blizzard in Colorado, October 24 to 25, 1997
- Blizzard in Colorado, March 13 to 14, 2019An intense low pressure system developed over southern Colorado on March 13th, producing blizzard conditions at times over El Paso county(focused from later in the morning on March 13th into the afternoon of March 13th).
- Blizzard in Colorado, October 24 to 26, 1997While blizzards are not uncommon in Colorado, the widespread areal extent of this blizzard was, perhaps a one in 50 year event. A powerful low pressure system moved in from the northwest through Utah, and settled into northern New Mexico.
- Blizzard and Winter Storm in Colorado, December 20 to 21, 2006A slow moving low pressure system moved from the Desert Southwest and into Southeastern Colorado. As a result, a deep upslope flow developed along the Front Range and Northeast Plains of Colorado.
- Blizzard in Colorado, October 24 to 25, 1997A deep east to northeast flow associated with a vigorous upper level low pressure system over the Four Corners area, combined with a strong Arctic airmass in the central plains, to create deadly blizzard conditions across all of eastern Colorado.
- Blizzard and Winter Storm in Colorado, March 17 to 19, 2003A very moist, intense and slow moving Pacific storm system made its way across the four corners area and into southeastern Colorado from March 17th to the 19th, allowing for a deep easterly upslope flow to form along the Front Range.
- Blizzard and High Wind in Colorado, March 13 to 14, 2019A rapidly intensifying storm system or bomb cyclone brought hurricane strength winds to the northeast plains of Colorado, along with moderate to heavy snowfall. Peak wind gusts ranged from 60 to 80 mph.
- Blizzard and Winter Storm in Colorado, November 20 to 22, 2010Blizzard, avalanche and winter storm conditions impacted the eastern San Juan Mountains, La Garita Mountains, and eastern Sawatch Range. Winds gusted to around 70 mph at times in the eastern San Juan Mountains.
- Blizzard in Colorado, October 25 to 26, 1997Snowfall of 1 to 2 feet combined with north winds 50 to 60 mph created widespread blizzard conditions with near zero visibility and wind chills to 20 degrees below zero.
- Blizzard in Colorado, April 11, 2001An intense low pressure system over southeast Colorado produced impressive blizzard conditions over northern El Paso county. Heavy snow of 6 to 18 inches combined with winds in excess of 80 mph to produce snow drifts up to 10 feet deep in some locations.
- Blizzard in Colorado, April 11, 2001The spring storm that moved into eastern Colorado developed into a blizzard across the Northeast Plains as an intense surface cyclone formed. The combination of freezing rain, followed by heavy snow and damaging winds led to widespread electrical outages.
- Blizzard and Winter Storm in Colorado, May 1 to 2, 2008A winter storm brought heavy snow to the high country; with damaging winds and blizzard conditions to the Northeast Plains. In the mountains storm totals ranged from 5 to 12 inches, with wind gusts to 86 mph recorded above timberline.
- Blizzard in Colorado, April 5, 2005Blizzard conditions caused by a strong surface low pressure system over southeast Colorado and southwest Kansas impacted southeast Colorado causing snow drifts several feet in depth in some areas as well as closed roads.
- Blizzard and Winter Storm in Colorado, December 28 to 30, 2006Another slow moving storm system moved from the Desert Southwest and into the Texas Panhandle.
- Blizzard and Winter Storm in Colorado, January 27 to 29, 2008Strong southwest flow transported deep subtropical moisture across western Colorado as an upper level moved east across the Great Basin. This system was quickly followed by a strong cold front out of the northwest.
- Blizzard and Winter Storm in Colorado, December 18 to 21, 2006Heavy snow and blizzard conditions occurred over the western mountains...and eastern mountains and southeast plains of southern Colorado.
- Blizzard and Winter Storm in Colorado, December 28 to 30, 2006Heavy snow and blizzard conditions impacted the western mountains...and the eastern mountains and southeast plains of southern Colorado. Wind gusts exceeded 55 mph...snow amounts reached up to 48 inches...and snow drifts noted as high as 18 feet.
- Blizzard and Winter Storm in Colorado, November 25 to 26, 2019A powerful winter storm brought very heavy snowfall to the Front Range Mountains, Foothills, I-25 corridor and northeast plains. Heavy snow developed in and near the Front Range Foothills of Larimer and Boulder counties, then spread south and east across the rest of the region.
- Blizzard in Colorado, January 21 to 22, 2018A band of moderate to heavy snow moved in from the west beginning in the afternoon and lasting through the evening. With wind gusts of 30 to over 50 MPH, visibility under the band of snow fell to zero.
- Blizzard and Winter Storm in Colorado, December 24 to 26, 2008A series of strong Pacific disturbances brought a prolonged period of heavy snow and strong winds to western Colorado over the Christmas holiday. This storm impacted all of western Colorado, resulting in widespread travel difficulties and many temporary road closures.
- Blizzard and Heavy Snow in Colorado, January 7 to 11, 2024The closed low dug down in a deep trough across the Rocky Mountains and SE Colorado. This brough more widespread heavy snow and strong winds to our forecast area.
- Blizzard and Winter Storm in Colorado, October 25 to 26, 2006An intense winter storm affected a large portion of southern Colorado. Blizzard conditions developed along the Interstate 25 corridor and along Raton Ridge east of Trinidad.
- Blizzard and Winter Storm in Colorado, October 27 to 30, 2009A strong and cold Pacific storm system dropped down into the Great Basin and then tracked through the Rocky Mountain region, pushing a strong cold front that spread snowfall from northwest to southeast across the area.
- Blizzard and Winter Storm in Colorado, December 6 to 8, 2009A very strong, moist, and unseasonably cold winter storm struck the central intermountain region. Heavy snowfall occurred in most areas across eastern Utah and western Colorado.
- Blizzard and Winter Storm in Colorado, December 30 to 31, 2010Another winter storm brought moderate to heavy snow, strong winds and very cold wind chill temperatures to the mountains, foothills and northeast plains of colorado.
More
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.