Posted in Colorado January 30, 2019 by

It’s Impossible To Forget The Year Colorado Saw Its Single Largest Snowfall Ever

With gigantic heaps of snow finally hitting Colorado, winter is now on everyone’s mind, as well as how much more powder we may get. While we have received an impressive amount these last few weeks, nothing can compare to this one Colorado snowfall in particular that broke nearly every record:

Beginning March 17, 2003, was the infamous "Storm of the Century" that dumped a massive 31+ inches along the Front Range...
Flickr/Archives and Local History at DCL
...82 inches on the foothills...
Flickr/Sarah
...and another couple feet along the Eastern Plains.
Flickr/Sarah
(Not so) Fun fact: While most kids got snow days for the storm, it was the Plains kids' spring break, which — for most of us — was spent inside.
Taking place over the span of only 3 days, the blizzard was the 2nd worst in state history, with the first taking place in 1872 when Denver received an estimated 3 to 7 feet.
Flickr/timandheike
Does anyone remember that one? Definitely shoot us a message if you do.
Unfortunately, ruined spring breaks were not the worst part of the storm, as damages reached a whopping $93M, thanks to destroyed homes and power lines, and the closure of DIA (which left 4,000 travelers stranded).
Flickr/Sarah
Worse yet, the storm brought two recorded fatalities, caused by tragic shoveling-induced heart attacks.
Flickr/Cecily North
Fortunately, Colorado has not experienced a storm quite like it since (the next closest would be March 2016, when most of the state received 20+ inches), but even if we did, we will never forget just where we were during this Storm of the Century.
Flickr/Archives and Local History at DCL

For another huge storm you will probably remember, click on A Massive Blizzard Blanketed Colorado In Snow In 1997 And It Will Never Be Forgotten.