As a result of this weekend’s reportedly massive snowstorm, we decided to dig into our history of extreme winter weather. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the biggest snowstorm in Denver occurred between December 1-5 of 1913 when the city was buried in 45 inches of snow — that is more snowfall than in all of 2013 ( 38.4 inches).

Front page of The Denver Post on Friday, December 5, 1913 the biggest snowstorm in record in Colorado. Headline reads: "'Tis a Merry Privilege to Live in Colorado, Shout Merry Gloom-Chasers in Storm." Not much has changed.

Front page of The Denver Post on Friday, December 5, 1913, the biggest snowstorm in Denver’s history. Source: The Denver Post.

The Denver Post recounted that day on its centennial celebration in 2013 by sharing the archived front page of December 5, 1913. Headlines read, “‘Tis a Privilege to Live in Colorado, Shout Merry Gloom-Chasers in Storm” and “What the Snow Did, is Doing and Will do!” — both slightly perplexing but not far from modern sentiments. Below you’ll find the full list of the largest snowstorms from 1881 to present, as well as a few other facts and figures also provided by NOAA. Enjoy your snow day, if you can, and stay safe and warm.

Biggest Denver Snowstorms

Biggest Denver Snowstorms (1881-Present)

45.7	Dec 1-5, 1913
31.8	Mar 17-19, 2003
30.4	Nov 2-4, 1946
23.8	Dec 24, 1982
23.0	Apr 23, 1885
22.7	Oct 20-23, 1906
21.9	Oct 24-25, 1997
21.5	Nov 26-27, 1983
20.7	Dec 20-21, 2006
19.3	Jan 29-31, 1883
19.0	Apr 24-25, 1935
18.7	Mar 5-6, 1983
18.5	Mar 20-22, 1944
18.2	Apr 17-19, 1920
18.0	Apr 19-20, 1907
18.0	Mar 31-Apr 1, 1891
17.7	Nov 19-21, 1979
17.3	Apr 2, 1957
16.9	Mar 20-21, 1952
16.8	Apr 20-22, 1933
16.5	Sep 26-28, 1936
16.0	Oct 3-5, 1969
15.9	Feb 2-4, 2012
15.8	Apr 26-27, 1972

Seasonal Snowfall Last 10 Years

Seasonal Snowfall Last 10 Years:

Season	Snowfall (inches)
2019-2020	57.6
2018-2019	48.1
2017-2018	25.7
2016-2017	21.8
2015-2016	72.8
2014-2015	57.8
2013-2014	38.4
2012-2013	78.4
2011-2012	55.6
2010-2011	22.8

Consecutive Days of 1″ or more of
Snow on the Ground (1900-Present)

Rank	# of Days	End Date
1	63	Jan 27, 1984
2	61	Feb 19, 2007
3	60	Jan 29, 1914
4	48	Feb 9, 1983
5	43	Jan 30, 1974
6	38	Jan 30, 1988
7	35	Feb 5, 1949
8	33	Jan 18, 1919
9	32	Jan 8, 2008
10	27	Feb 23, 1989

First Measurable Snow of the Last 10 Years

September 8, 2020 (tied for 2nd earliest snowfall)
October 10, 2019
October 6, 2018
October 9, 2017
November 17, 2016
November 5, 2015
November 11, 2014
October 18, 2013
October 5, 2012
October 25, 2011